Alpa - the unRF/Alpa - the unSLR

[Godfrey]

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

 

[571514m3]

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.

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?

 

[Pál_K]

How special to have a 'birth certificate' for your camera!

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.

How did they manage to make a rangefinder work with only one window, and how do you do that in practice?

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).

 

[romualdo]

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...

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

 

[AlexMogens]

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.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

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.

View attachment 4828395
View attachment 4828396
View attachment 4828397
View attachment 4828398
View attachment 4828399

Dunno... A very classy lunchbox?

 

[wlewisiii]

If you use the Book of Faces, this appears to be an Alpa group. Perhaps someone there might know something?

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[AlexMogens]

If you use the Book of Faces, this appears to be an Alpa group. Perhaps someone there might know something?

Log into Facebook

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Oof, loathe the book of faces... But I shall venture forth.

 

[wlewisiii]

Trust me, I understand but sometimes you have to do what you have to do...

 

[AlexMogens]

Trust me, I understand but sometimes you have to do what you have to do...

Indeed it worked, thanks. It’s a case for lenses, it expands to make the lenses more accessible. It’s missing some bits or it would have been pretty self evident.

 

[twokiddad]

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.

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.

 

[Stereodawg]

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.

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?

 

[Alberti]

Alpa Lens - Rangefinder adjustment.
I have this great 50mm Kern-Switar F1.8, macro. Works great on the Leica M. . . but..
Real macro.
See picture. of back of lens

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.



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?

 

[Derek Leath]

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?

I have the same adapter, I find I can only use it on a M camera that has an EVF.

 

[boojum]

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(

 

[Godfrey]

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

 

[phofseth]

The Alpa Kern-Switar could coax me off the "no more lenses". 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(

you might be tempted by the variations available . the first small-alpamount Switars are very slim and compact, the later big bayonet ones are somewhat fatter while the Macroswitars have helixes adding to their volume.they came in two varieties over the years: f1,8 and f1,9,The last few ever sold were optical blocs from Aarau fitted in japanese mounts with M42thread plus Alpa adapter. Its rear element will crash with the mirror of one canon digital camera if focussed at infinity , but cameras without mirrors will of course accept it. Its contrast and sharpness is excellent.

p.

 

[boojum]

you might be tempted by the variations available . the first small-alpamount Switars are very slim and compact, the later big bayonet ones are somewhat fatter while the Macroswitars have helixes adding to their volume.they came in two varieties over the years: f1,8 and f1,9,The last few ever sold were optical blocs from Aarau fitted in japanese mounts with M42thread plus Alpa adapter. Its rear element will crash with the mirror of one canon digital camera if focussed at infinity , but cameras without mirrors will of course accept it. Its contrast and sharpness is excellent.

p.

Oh, thanks, I really needed to know that. LMAO The news that some exist with M42 mounts, yeah. M42 to M body is < US100.

There are reputed quality differences between the 1.8 and the 1.9 IIRC. But I forget which was reputed the better. I like retro lenses. "Slide rules make better lenses!" What else can you tell me to help in this vain but delicious hunt.


Yikes! US$5K and up for the M42 macro 1.9.

 

[boojum]

There's a K-S 5-/1.8 for sale on eBay for <US1000. The glass has cleaning marks. That means it has limited usefulness. In the realm of practicality I think I will have to content myself with the Thypochs which I really like, the SBS and the soon FLB. For pure quality the X2D + XCD 55V is hard to top. That combo has some magic with light and color, the same magic I used to see in the K-S. So I may have to revert to spending that cash on loose women, strong drink and black cigars, again. If just one of those women could cook . . .

 

[AxelSch]

Hi all,
As I'm spending my evening diving into the rabbit hole named 'alpa' I'm growing more and more intrigued. Especially the combination of an SLR and rangefinder in one camera is marvelous to me. I'm wondering, are all lenses from the alpa mount rangefinder-coupled? I can find information on the 50/1.8/1.9s being compatible with rangefinder functionality (and even somewhat adaptable to Leica M), but I can't find any word on other lenses. Do the angeniuex lenses, for instance, also come rangefinder coupled? Or the Oude Delft 50mms?