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'''Alpa''' is the brand name of successive generations of high-quality 35mm SLR cameras made by the Swiss manufacturer [[Pignons]] S.A. |
'''Alpa''' is the brand name of successive generations of high-quality 35mm SLR cameras made by the Swiss manufacturer [[Pignons]] S.A. |
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| − | The original design was called the Bolca Reflex and had been made by Jacques Bogopolsky, who |
+ | The original design was called the Bolca Reflex and had been made by Jacques Bogopolsky, who had already designed the [[Bolex]] movie camera (see [[Bolsey]]). The rights were bought by [[Pignons]] in 1942, who named the camera the Alpa Reflex. |
Alpas were very expensive hand-made cameras, made of carefully selected materials, with many variants that could be produced on special order. The company ceased camera production in 1990 and liquidation was initiated. |
Alpas were very expensive hand-made cameras, made of carefully selected materials, with many variants that could be produced on special order. The company ceased camera production in 1990 and liquidation was initiated. |
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*[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/alpa.htm Alpa English instruction manuals] at Orphancameras.com |
*[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/alpa.htm Alpa English instruction manuals] at Orphancameras.com |
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| − | *[http://jeanc.bouss1.free.fr/dossier_collection/ |
+ | *[http://jeanc.bouss1.free.fr/dossier_collection/appareils/reflex/alpa6.html Alpa 6B] at [http://jeanc.bouss1.free.fr/dossier_collection/ Au fil des Images] (in French) |
[[Category: 35mm SLR]] |
[[Category: 35mm SLR]] |
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Revision as of 11:59, 20 July 2009
Alpa is the brand name of successive generations of high-quality 35mm SLR cameras made by the Swiss manufacturer Pignons S.A.
The original design was called the Bolca Reflex and had been made by Jacques Bogopolsky, who had already designed the Bolex movie camera (see Bolsey). The rights were bought by Pignons in 1942, who named the camera the Alpa Reflex.
Alpas were very expensive hand-made cameras, made of carefully selected materials, with many variants that could be produced on special order. The company ceased camera production in 1990 and liquidation was initiated.
The Alpa trademark was purchased by new owners Capaul & Weber in 1996. Later that year, the Alpa name was revived for a prototype of a new, premium-level medium format camera, the Alpa 12. Production models of the 12WA, and 12/SWA (with built-in perspective control) followed in 1998. All of these cameras had a modular design that accepts a variety of superb wide-angle lenses from Rodenstock, Carl Zeiss, and Schneider.
The Alpa was a line of premium 35mm cameras made in Switzerland. It was of an unusually solid construction, and featured a cast metal body with figured surfaces. Controls were very simple, consisting of only a film-advance lever, and a shutter-speed indicator. Lenses were labeled "Kern-Switar." The standard lens for the Alpa 10d was a macro 50mm lens, unusual for its time.
External link
- Alpa Reflex Cameras from Switzerland at alpareflex.com
- Alpa Reflex Series D at Collection Even
- Alpa Cameras at www.collection-appareils.fr
- Alpa English instruction manuals at Orphancameras.com
- Alpa 6B at Au fil des Images (in French)