leica M2 fan
Veteran
After 4.5 weeks, I got it back today. The problem was in the shutter and a broken hinge on the mirror. It's all good now though, everything works and the camera is so smooth, focusing, winding and setting the speeds is so nice and easy. Can hardly wait to take it out with the 35 Schneider lens! It is so fine to see a like new quality to my great camera.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
I had to look for images of this camera as I don't think I've ever heard of it...it's a pretty looking camera and it looks heavy too...
Interesting angle on the opening in the view finder...I have to ask about the extra viewfinder to the left of the prism finder...what's that all about..???
When you've run a roll through it please post some on the results...and also post some pictures of the camera too...
I also found your original thread when you got this camera back in 2009..I guess it was working all this time and then finally it didn't...???
Glad to hear it's back to factory standards...
Interesting angle on the opening in the view finder...I have to ask about the extra viewfinder to the left of the prism finder...what's that all about..???
When you've run a roll through it please post some on the results...and also post some pictures of the camera too...
I also found your original thread when you got this camera back in 2009..I guess it was working all this time and then finally it didn't...???
Glad to hear it's back to factory standards...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Alpas are incredibly beautifully made and distinctly weird. The wind-on lever works backwards; on earlier models the viewfinder is at 45 degrees to the line of sight (i.e. you look slightly down, instead of straight in); there's (understandably, in light of the above) a separate optical finder as well as reflex viewing (a feature also found on at least one Exakta prism); and the earliest models had both reflex and coupled rangefinder focusing. The motor bolted on the top and twiddled the wind-on with a mechanical finger...
I had a 35mm Alpa once for a short while but it broke while under guarantee (I bought it second hand with a one-month guarantee) and the shop preferred to give me my money back rather than trying to repair it. I now have a modern roll-film Alpa, the 12WA.
Cheers,
R.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Sam, I think the Alpa 6b and 8b are two of the most beautiful cameras I've ever seen. But I must qualify that because I also think the Exakta VXIIa is gorgeous also.
The little window is just an optical viewfinder but no rangefinder- it's just for viewing when needed. The camera worked fine all this time and then all of a sudden about 5 weeks ago it just stopped working due to a shutter problem and a mirror problem but that is all fixed.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Good to hear about that, Tony. I've always considered Alpa as one of the niche cameras I would like to own someday, but I never actively go looking for one. Too rich for my budget.
PF
PF
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Roger, thank you for the little synopsis on the Alpa cameras. As you described it, it is a little quirky, but the pictures from it with the Kern-Macro Switar are glorious.My only other lens is the Schneider Alpa Curtagon 35/2.8 It is pretty good.When you have a minute please post pictures from the Alpa 12 WA, those would be fabulous!
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
My pair.
Vics
Veteran
Beautiful camera! will you be posting some pics taken with it here?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Sunshade, Frances, 12S/WA, 35/5.6 Apo-Grandagon, 6x9cm.
Temple, shoes, me, 12WA, 38/4.5 Biogon, 44x66mm.
Quite honestly, on the internet, I'd be surprised if you could see much difference from 35mm.
Cheers,
R.
Attachments
Livesteamer
Well-known
I have an Alpa 6c that needs service. Any suggestions of who to send it to in the states? Thanks. Joe
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Thank you so much Roger. They are beautiful. I've followed the Alpa 12 WA pictures online but never shot with one.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Joe, I have it on good authority that Ken Ruth www.baldmtn.com is very good.
The jury is still out on the guy who did mine- got the cam yesterday and today
on an outing my mirror went out of whack so I have to take it back tomorrow.
The jury is still out on the guy who did mine- got the cam yesterday and today
on an outing my mirror went out of whack so I have to take it back tomorrow.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Tony, are you going to show us the Alpa or not? 
leica M2 fan
Veteran
I'm trying but I can't seem to get it down to acceptable size.
furbs
Well-known
So good to hear, you will enjoy using that 6b. The new lease on life that certain cameras can find is something beautiful. Just yesterday my Rolleiflex 2.8 E2 w/Schneider Xenotar returned, and it has transformed from junk shop fodder into a smooth and usable jewel. Can't wait to shoot with it this afternoon.
Vickko
Veteran
The top Alpa guy in USA is Radu, at 3R Camera
http://www.3rcamera.com/
He ran the service center for Alpa in the USA.
Great guy, he has rebuilt cameras for me.
And every year since, I still get a Christmas card from him.
http://www.3rcamera.com/
He ran the service center for Alpa in the USA.
Great guy, he has rebuilt cameras for me.
And every year since, I still get a Christmas card from him.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Thanks to All for repair ideas. My feeling is that not just any camera repair can do an Alpa well. I'm a retired machinist and I greatly admire how this Alpa is built. Seems to be a combination of Swiss watch and main battle tank. Further, I shoot with my left eye so the odd wind lever works well for me. Thanks Again. Joe
leica M2 fan
Veteran
He did a fine job with my Exakta sometime back. It still works flawlessly and it is so smooth. Tony
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Hope it works! For Will.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Tony, much appreciated. Beautiful camera.
Now I know where the designers of the Asahiflex got their inspiration from.
Now I know where the designers of the Asahiflex got their inspiration from.