Pignons Alpa 9f
The Alpa 9f is a 35mm SLR made in Switzerland by Pignons SA, part of the Alpa line of precision-engineered reflex cameras produced from the late 1960s into the 1970s. It sat in the upper tier of the Alpa range when new, aimed at photographers who valued small-batch Swiss construction over the higher-volume Japanese SLRs of the period.
At UK auction, recorded hammer prices for the Alpa 9f span roughly £560 to £1,800, with only two saleroom results on file — a 2008 Leitz Photographica result at £1,800 and a 2026 Flints sale at £562 — so a reliable median is not meaningful from such a thin sample. As of 2026, what an Alpa 9f sells for at saleroom level is heavily dependent on cosmetic condition, working shutter, and whether a Kern or Schneider lens is included; bare bodies tend toward the lower end of that range while complete outfits push the value upward. Buyers should remember these are wholesale hammer figures and dealer retail asking prices are typically higher.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 2 | £1,700 – £2,600 |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: April 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | £562 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 244) Title: A Pignons Alpa 9f SLR Camera Body
Description:
1965-67, chrome, serial no. 46299, body, G-VG, shutter working |
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| Apr 2026 | £4,750 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 245) Title: A Pignons Alpa 9f Camera Body
Description:
1965-67, black, serial no.48644, body, VG-E, shutter working Notes: Only 16 examples of the Alpa 9f were procured in black Provenance: Following the |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 2,600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | black | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35654) Title: Alpa 9f Black Paint
Description:
quite unique and extremely rare body in black paint finish, less then 20 cameras were produced, in very fine and fully working condition Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 1,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17450) Title: Alpa 9f chrome
Description:
very rare camera (total production 157 units only, this is camera no.5) in mint and perfect working condition, with Kern Macro-Switar 1.8/50mm no.1085518 (clean lenses), instructions and maker's box with matching number Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,200 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 1,700 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | black | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17451) Title: Alpa 9f black paint
Description:
one of 16 produced 9f black paint in almost mint condition, in perfect working order, rare body cap, instructions Estimate: EUR 3,400 - EUR 3,800 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 9f worth today?
Based on the two UK auction hammer results on file, an Alpa 9f has sold for between roughly £560 and £1,800, with condition and included lens being the main drivers of where a specific example lands.
How much does an Alpa 9f sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom data shows a 2026 hammer price of £562 for one example, while a 2008 sale reached £1,800; the price a given body achieves depends heavily on completeness and working order.
Why does the Alpa 9f command a higher value than mainstream 35mm SLRs?
Pignons SA built Alpa cameras in small numbers in Switzerland, so scarcity and collector demand support prices above comparable Japanese SLRs of the same era.
What should I check before buying an Alpa 9f?
Confirm shutter accuracy, mirror and prism condition, and that the lens mount and any included Kern or Schneider lens are correct for the body, since servicing options are limited.