Elmar Lang
Well-known
Hello,
I'm the happy owner of an Alpa 11Si and it's a perfectly working one, with its Macro Switar 50/1,9.
Recently, I've found another 11Si; this, with Macro-Switar 50/1,8: cosmetically, it's almost perfect, same as its shutter; only, the light meter gives wrong data and the focus, doesn't reach the infinite.
Does anyone know how to proceed? I?ve searched the web for the old Romney-Heitz technical manual, but I haven't found it anywhere...
Many thanks in advance,
Enzo (E.L.)
I'm the happy owner of an Alpa 11Si and it's a perfectly working one, with its Macro Switar 50/1,9.
Recently, I've found another 11Si; this, with Macro-Switar 50/1,8: cosmetically, it's almost perfect, same as its shutter; only, the light meter gives wrong data and the focus, doesn't reach the infinite.
Does anyone know how to proceed? I?ve searched the web for the old Romney-Heitz technical manual, but I haven't found it anywhere...
Many thanks in advance,
Enzo (E.L.)
Try this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alpa-10d...cludes-Older-4-5-6-7-8-9-Models-/371519845931
If my ship comes in one day and I acquire that Prisma I would love, I'll know who to ask for help...
Cheers,
Brett
phofseth
Established
lightmeter & infinity
lightmeter & infinity
Alpa lightmeters are bridge-coupled, so battery or contact problems can be rutled out.
There is a cell correcting for light that enters from the ocular, make certain that this does not confuse your measurements.
I probably have a repair manual somevvhere, but as the Alpa ads used to brag, each camera is hand assembled by specialists, so opening it might be counterproductive. An external meter might serve better.
As for the infinity issue, the cause must be the lens. It may have been disassembled by an amateur. The camera body consists of a small number of interlocking cast metal pieces. No chance that the mount is off specs in relation to the film plane. If so, the pieces vvould not fit properly together.
p.
lightmeter & infinity
Alpa lightmeters are bridge-coupled, so battery or contact problems can be rutled out.
There is a cell correcting for light that enters from the ocular, make certain that this does not confuse your measurements.
I probably have a repair manual somevvhere, but as the Alpa ads used to brag, each camera is hand assembled by specialists, so opening it might be counterproductive. An external meter might serve better.
As for the infinity issue, the cause must be the lens. It may have been disassembled by an amateur. The camera body consists of a small number of interlocking cast metal pieces. No chance that the mount is off specs in relation to the film plane. If so, the pieces vvould not fit properly together.
p.
agfa100
Well-known
I don't know if you want to send the camera to the USA but this is the last person I was told that did repairs on Alpa's that used to work for Heitz. I have not needed any work on my 10D in a long time, I don't shoot film that much any more but you might try him.
Servicing has been undertaken by Radu of 3Rcamera, based in Queens, NY, http://www.3rcamera.com. Phone number is 718-463-8217. 3R Camera Service, Flushing, New York service@3rcamera.com I have no idea if he is still working on cameras!
wbill
Servicing has been undertaken by Radu of 3Rcamera, based in Queens, NY, http://www.3rcamera.com. Phone number is 718-463-8217. 3R Camera Service, Flushing, New York service@3rcamera.com I have no idea if he is still working on cameras!
wbill
He is, and he's reliable and good. I've sent him several lenses and two Alpa bodies in the last year or so.
Elmar Lang
Well-known
Hello,
many thanks for the interesting, kind replies. I apologize for being so late with my comments.
Yes, the Alpa is an intricate camera, but I'm so happy with my (working) 11Si, that I'd love to have the other one also in its perfect shape.
I've been informed about a repairman not far from Zürich, Switzerland (Mr. Claudio Fabio), who could be able to correctly work on an Alpa. His laboratory is less than 5 hrs. drive from home: could be a good chance to personally meet him too.
In any case, on one of my next trips to Switzerland, I will try to look if there could still exist old repair manuals of these fine cameras: I'd be afraid to put my hands in a camera, but They're a fine reading for sure!.
All the best,
Enzo
many thanks for the interesting, kind replies. I apologize for being so late with my comments.
Yes, the Alpa is an intricate camera, but I'm so happy with my (working) 11Si, that I'd love to have the other one also in its perfect shape.
I've been informed about a repairman not far from Zürich, Switzerland (Mr. Claudio Fabio), who could be able to correctly work on an Alpa. His laboratory is less than 5 hrs. drive from home: could be a good chance to personally meet him too.
In any case, on one of my next trips to Switzerland, I will try to look if there could still exist old repair manuals of these fine cameras: I'd be afraid to put my hands in a camera, but They're a fine reading for sure!.
All the best,
Enzo
A late follow up to this query regarding the 11si infinity focus. I've shot several rolls through an 11si in the past week (and have loved the experience). But I can offer an observation based on my use of the model. The mirror lock up switch on the side of the lens mount is not an ergonomic master stroke. For starters it is well placed to be difficult to use with certain lenses (particularly auto aperture types) fitted to the camera. But it's also somewhat imprecise in its action. I think the design and particularly the placement of the sliding button that actuates the lock up leaves a bit to be desired.
You can see what I mean by checking the image below. It's not ideal as the 11si (one of three I've handled recently) is black painted and the black lock up switch does not stand out. But the serrations of the button slider are just visible directly underneath the shutter release button on the lens (and adjacent to the self timer lever, the presence of which does not improve access to the lock up switch).
If you have average size fingers, it's best actuated by sliding an index finger up between the lens and the body, which is about the only way you can get a good grip on the serrations of the switch. Of course, you're most likely to want to use the lock up when the camera is fitted to a tripod, in which case, doing the above, is...easier said than done.
What is germane to the topic of infinity focus accuracy, however, is that it's possible to bump the switch when fitting or removing lenses. Yes, of course if the mirror is completely retracted, it will be very obvious. But, it's also possible for the switch to rest in a position that leaves the mirror mostly lowered, but not quite resting on its stop. If this happens, when you're focusing a lens, the viewfinder image...won't quite reach infinity!
So, before assuming your late type Alpa (9, 10, 11 series) needs its focus calibrated: if the camera in question is fitted with a mirror lock up switch, then, slide the switch up and down a couple of times to verify proper operation, and ensure that it is positively moved fully to the "down" position. It may well save you the expense of getting the focus calibrated by one of the few technicians who will work on these rare Swiss wonders, as there might not be any need for corrective adjustments after all.
Cheers
Brett
You can see what I mean by checking the image below. It's not ideal as the 11si (one of three I've handled recently) is black painted and the black lock up switch does not stand out. But the serrations of the button slider are just visible directly underneath the shutter release button on the lens (and adjacent to the self timer lever, the presence of which does not improve access to the lock up switch).
If you have average size fingers, it's best actuated by sliding an index finger up between the lens and the body, which is about the only way you can get a good grip on the serrations of the switch. Of course, you're most likely to want to use the lock up when the camera is fitted to a tripod, in which case, doing the above, is...easier said than done.
What is germane to the topic of infinity focus accuracy, however, is that it's possible to bump the switch when fitting or removing lenses. Yes, of course if the mirror is completely retracted, it will be very obvious. But, it's also possible for the switch to rest in a position that leaves the mirror mostly lowered, but not quite resting on its stop. If this happens, when you're focusing a lens, the viewfinder image...won't quite reach infinity!
So, before assuming your late type Alpa (9, 10, 11 series) needs its focus calibrated: if the camera in question is fitted with a mirror lock up switch, then, slide the switch up and down a couple of times to verify proper operation, and ensure that it is positively moved fully to the "down" position. It may well save you the expense of getting the focus calibrated by one of the few technicians who will work on these rare Swiss wonders, as there might not be any need for corrective adjustments after all.
Cheers
Brett
Elmar Lang
Well-known
Hello,
thank you for the input.
Pity, my 11Si has the infinity regulation that is uncorrect. I haven't sent the camera for service yet, because in the meantime... I've found a further 11Si with perfectly adjusted infinity (it seems that Italy was the place where most 11Si have been sold!).
The adjustment could be easy, just slightly unscrewing the mirror rest, that's visible through the "B" open shutter at right of the mirror-box.
The problem is that on "B", the mirror is permanently in the "up" position, otherwise it would be a very easy job to set a proper infinity adjustment.
I think that when I will have a chance, I will take it to a professional, trained in the Alpa repair (not easy to find one, though).
Best wishes,
Enzo
All the best,
Enzo
thank you for the input.
Pity, my 11Si has the infinity regulation that is uncorrect. I haven't sent the camera for service yet, because in the meantime... I've found a further 11Si with perfectly adjusted infinity (it seems that Italy was the place where most 11Si have been sold!).
The adjustment could be easy, just slightly unscrewing the mirror rest, that's visible through the "B" open shutter at right of the mirror-box.
The problem is that on "B", the mirror is permanently in the "up" position, otherwise it would be a very easy job to set a proper infinity adjustment.
I think that when I will have a chance, I will take it to a professional, trained in the Alpa repair (not easy to find one, though).
Best wishes,
Enzo
All the best,
Enzo
Hi Enzo,
The collection of ALPA items I've had the pleasure of handling recently included 3 x 11si bodies. One of them also would not reach infinity. The lens adjustment was definitively confirmed good, by mounting that bodys lens on other, correctly calibrated ALPAs, on which it then returned correct viewfinder focus, and further, by the affected camera manifesting the same fault with good lenses from other (correctly calibrated) ALPAs attached to it.
I corrected the finder focus to perfect adjustment myself. It took only a few minutes trial and error. I achieved this by backing off the securing screws for the mirror lock up bracket (which also doubles as the mirror stop) on the wind side of the mirror box, and re-positioning the bracket in its mounting slots at the correct focus calibration. A couple of adjustments were needed owing to a tendency for the mirror height to alter minutely as the fastening screws were secured, but it was easily compensated for.
You'll find access to the securing screws is possible without having to set the camera to Bulb. Simply engage the lock up to raise the mirror during adjustments. Other late ALPA models without a lock up should raise their mirrors when gently lifted with a finger or toothpick. A means of keeping them up during adjustment may need to be contrived of course, but would not be insurmountable. Beware of manually lifting the mirrors of earlier Alnea-era 4,5,6,7,8 series bodies—some of these used a quite different mirror actuating mechanism.
Cheers,
Brett