Alpa - the unRF/Alpa - the unSLR

When I was just barely high school age, the camera shop in my city had a pair of 10d cameras on the shelf. The salesman there let me handle them a few times and i remember they were lovely things: big, a bit weighty, and everything on them worked with a great feel. I've wanted one ever since, but the relative rarity and high price ... well, let's just say that I find Leica cameras sufficiently satisfying for making photos with. 😀

G
 
romualdo said:
My Alpa 7 with 50 Kern-Switar finally back from Florida (I'm in Australia) - serviced (lens & body) shutter replacement & rangefinder alignment by 3R Camera (Radu Lesaru) - he came recommended to me via an Alpa afficonado/dealer (Franco Cornaggia) in Switzerland. He has the production sheets for many of the Alpa cameras - I was able to source a PDF of my camera's production details (see PDF image) & that it was indeed imported into Australia (Melbourne) in 1956, the year of my birth.
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How special to have a 'birth certificate' for your camera!

How did they manage to make a rangefinder work with only one window, and how do you do that in practice?
 
571514m3 said:
How special to have a 'birth certificate' for your camera!
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Agreed. That is amazing. I like to think of this as a particularly "Swiss" characteristic. I don't know of any other manufacturer that supplies or even retains any type of record on individual cameras they manufacture.

571514m3 said:
How did they manage to make a rangefinder work with only one window, and how do you do that in practice?
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There are two windows - the second window is near the bottom of the camera - about where you'd place your left hand while cradling the lens...

See here: https://www.mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Alpa-15.jpg

Earlier models (e.g. 6, 6a) have the same nicely rounded shape, but the extra viewfinder is optical only (no rangefinder).
 
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Pál_K said:
There are two windows - the second window is near the bottom of the camera - about where you'd place your left hand while cradling the lens...
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I personally feel this is one of the few design faults of these dual (SLR/rangefinder) function models - it's so easy to block the lower window with your hand - you need to develop a unique way of holding the camera if you want to effectively use the rangefinder function
 
I picked up this unusual leather case at an estate sale yesterday, at $5 I couldn't resist. However, I cannot guess its purpose. So I put it to you.
  1. It's an Alpa branded case that was made by Homa.
  2. The case unsnaps and slides forward, however you can't close it when it's expanded. So the expansion must have something to do with what you do with it after you've arrived and are at work.
  3. There are some holes along the top edges that may have had dividers or some structural element tied to them on the interior. You can see how the yellow velvet is a slightly different color adjacent to them.
Anyway, I'm obsessed with figuring what this is for... especially if I end up selling it.

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AlexMogens said:
I picked up this unusual leather case at an estate sale yesterday, at $5 I couldn't resist. However, I cannot guess its purpose. So I put it to you.
  1. It's an Alpa branded case that was made by Homa.
  2. The case unsnaps and slides forward, however you can't close it when it's expanded. So the expansion must have something to do with what you do with it after you've arrived and are at work.
  3. There are some holes along the top edges that may have had dividers or some structural element tied to them on the interior. You can see how the yellow velvet is a slightly different color adjacent to them.
Anyway, I'm obsessed with figuring what this is for... especially if I end up selling it.

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Dunno... A very classy lunchbox?
 
romualdo said:
My Alpa 7 with 50 Kern-Switar finally back from Florida (I'm in Australia) - serviced (lens & body) shutter replacement & rangefinder alignment by 3R Camera (Radu Lesaru) - he came recommended to me via an Alpa afficonado/dealer (Franco Cornaggia) in Switzerland. He has the production sheets for many of the Alpa cameras - I was able to source a PDF of my camera's production details (see PDF image) & that it was indeed imported into Australia (Melbourne) in 1956, the year of my birth.
Click to expand...
Was it Radu Lesaru or Franco Cornaggia who was able to provide the production sheet from you Alpa 7? I would love having the production sheets as additional documentation for each of the Alpa cameras I own.
 
romualdo said:
My Alpa 7 with 50 Kern-Switar finally back from Florida (I'm in Australia) - serviced (lens & body) shutter replacement & rangefinder alignment by 3R Camera (Radu Lesaru) - he came recommended to me via an Alpa afficonado/dealer (Franco Cornaggia) in Switzerland. He has the production sheets for many of the Alpa cameras - I was able to source a PDF of my camera's production details (see PDF image) & that it was indeed imported into Australia (Melbourne) in 1956, the year of my birth.
Click to expand...
Just to add my recommendation for Radu - just received my 11e back after CLA - it's like factory new! Also, do you have contact info for Franco Cornaggia?
 
Alpa Lens - Rangefinder adjustment.
I have this great 50mm Kern-Switar F1.8, macro. Works great on the Leica M. . . but.LR025526.jpg.
Real macro.
See picture. of back of lens
Kern Switar 50 back.jpg
So I expect to have to adjust something (such as the ring) after loosening those screws.

Problem: The kipon adapter is black, alu-oxide, not polished, so it is like sanding paper.
The lens adj ring is . . soft aluminum!!
Horror.

Kipon adapter .jpg

The combo of Kern-Switar to Kipon Premier adapter to the leica M, it has backfocus.
- I wrote to the maker of the Alpa-M adapter, how to adjust so it will focus correctly. No answer, no factsheet available.

I now think that adjustment might have to be done inside the lens, on the back, not the adapter. Lens is second type in post #85.
Any experiences, tips?
 
Alberti said:
Alpa Lens - Rangefinder adjustment.
I have this great 50mm Kern-Switar F1.8, macro. Works great on the Leica M. . . but.View attachment 4872402.
Real macro.
See picture. of back of lens
View attachment 4872403
So I expect to have to adjust something (such as the ring) after loosening those screws.

Problem: The kipon adapter is black, alu-oxide, not polished, so it is like sanding paper.
The lens adj ring is . . soft aluminum!!
Horror.

View attachment 4872404

The combo of Kern-Switar to Kipon Premier adapter to the leica M, it has backfocus.
- I wrote to the maker of the Alpa-M adapter, how to adjust so it will focus correctly. No answer, no factsheet available.

I now think that adjustment might have to be done inside the lens, on the back, not the adapter. Lens is second type in post #85.
Any experiences, tips?
Click to expand...
I have the same adapter, I find I can only use it on a M camera that has an EVF.
 
The Alpa Kern-Switar could coax me off the "no more lenses" fence. There is one of the K-S lenses that was quite sweet. With any luck at all I will not remember which one it is and therefore stay away from eBay. I already have some nice lenses. I need talent more than lenses but I cannot find that on eBay. ;o(
 
I've always been interested in/curious about the Alpa 35mm SLRs ... The photo dealer near me when I was in my teens had a Alpa 10d with Kern-Switar 50mm lens (in satin gold finish with burgundy leather covering...) that I thought was gorgeous looking, and fantasized owning/using. It was even more expensive than the Leicaflex SL that I coveted (and had no way of affording...).

But the likelihood is that these lovely things will simply remain a fantasy now. I have way more cameras than I can use on a regular basis already ... sigh.

G
 
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