€5k Swiss cameras with zero electronics(www.alpa.swiss)
25 pointsby reconnecting20 days ago5 comments
  • plambertz19 days ago
    I joined ALPA in March last year as managing partner and I’m also an active artist and photographer.

    The fully mechanical design is not retro chic. It’s a choice for certain photographic disciplines where precision and physical control matter more than speed or automation. E.g. architecture, landscape, art etc.

    ALPA is a very small, niche manufacturer producing low volumes in Switzerland with tight mechanical tolerances and a focus on serviceability. It’s not intended as a general-purpose system. That’s by design.

    Happy to add context if needed.

    • glimshe14 days ago
      As an amateur photographer, I can't see the scenario in landscape photography (the page pictures a beach) that would require extreme precision. Is it for measurements? This is a serious question. I can understand the appeal of a well machined, mechanical instrument, but not the precision and "control" angle.
  • anfractuosity18 days ago
    I remember speaking to ALPA at a photo show, from what I recall the cameras also have very fine metal shims to align the camera to a digital back.

    Do they manufacture the optics themselves too? Not sure I realised that.

    Edit: just found this "ALPA cooperates with the acknowledged best manufacturers of large format lenses"

  • reconnecting20 days ago
    A fully mechanical, manual camera system with no autofocus or built-in electronics, easily costing €15k-30k. Still produced in Switzerland.
  • 14 days ago
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  • JustFinishedBSG15 days ago
    Well according to the website you cannot buy a fully mechanical lens anymore so it doesn’t appear to be true that they sell cameras with zero electronic anymore