Just got an Alpa 6b.

[leica M2 fan]

I've been wanting one of these since forever. I'm needing someone to give me some info on the camera: where exactly is the index mark for setting the shutter speed? Where is the index mark for the aperture? Where is the index mark for the distance? Any input is appreciated. BTW, the lens I have is the Macro-Switar 50/ 1.8. I have the manual which I got online from Butkus but it doesn't really show it that well.

 

[Al Kaplan]

If I was holding the camera I could show you all those things but it's been thirty years since I last played with one. One of my good friends was Louise Dana and back then we called her "the Alpa Lady". Her husband Paul used Leicas and Leicaflexes. There were plenty of discussions about Summicrons vs. Switars and whether the Angenieux Retrofocus (Angenieux INVENTED retrofocus!) glass was better than the Leicaflex wide angles. The camera is as well built as the Leicas of the day. Alpa didn't make their own lenses but they picked some of the best from a variety of lens companies.

Try using your middle finger on the shutter release button on the lens, which will free up your index finger for pulling the wind lever, which works opposite any other camera.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks Al for the information & history, I used it today and really like it. I got used to the 45º viewing immediately but didn't really know which index marks to use. But the 13 test shots I took came out very, very good. So far I'm happy with it.

 

[Bill58]

If you don't get any info here, try the LUG (Leica Users Group) forum. I recall some discussion there about Alpas awhile back. 'Best of luck--they are of the highest quality and intriguing too.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Your biggest problem will be finding Alpa mount lenses. It was a premium priced camera and never widely popular. I recall that it was thin enough to be able to take Pentax thread and Exacta bayonet via adapters, but without auto diaphragm coupling. They made an adapter to accept Visoflex II lenses. I don't recall Vivitar, Soligor, or Tamron ever making adapters for their interchangeable adapter auto diaphragm lenses but T adapters should be available for preset lenses.

 

[Film dino]

I've been wanting one of these since forever. I'm needing someone to give me some info on the camera: where exactly is the index mark for setting the shutter speed? Where is the index mark for the aperture? Where is the index mark for the distance? Any input is appreciated. BTW, the lens I have is the Macro-Switar 50/ 1.8. I have the manual which I got online from Butkus but it doesn't really show it that well.

Well done!
I think the 6b is the most functional model of the lot.
The shutter speed index mark should be under the speed selector, which is on the film advance dial. It's not very user friendly to set

More anon on the Macro-Switar (I'm at work)

If it needs a CLA Radu Lesaru at 3R Camera Service is the man.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks everyone, i found the index mark for the shutter speed. Thanks ,David. Now I just need the index marks for distance and aperture.

 

[leica M2 fan]

All is well.

All is well.

Found all the index marks I needed, thanks to all of you. What a super camera this is ( once you get over the quirks) !

 

[historicist]

Out of interest, how close does the macro switar focus?