Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/21

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Off Topic Curiosity - Alpa vs. Leica
From: Chuck Warman <cwarman@mail.wf.net>
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 23:18:19 -0500

>Any LUG members have experience with Alpas?  I know they were a quirky
sort of
>camera, but how were the lenses and overall picture quality??  When they were
>in production, were they a competitive choice alternative to a Leica?  Who
>bought them?  I am considering picking up a used one (most seem to be in mint
>condition, perhaps Alpa users didn't shoot much) and would like to learn as
>much as I can about them.

They're probably mint because their owners shoot something else.  I've
owned an Alpa 11el for about 15 years; I use it rarely these days.  I have
a Leicaflex lens adapter, so my optics are fine. I'm spoiled, I guess, but
I'm constantly irritated by the stop-down metering and the
backwards-operating winding lever.  Why go through the hassle, when my SL2
is so much easier to use?  But it's got to be the strongest 35mm camera
ever built, and shows much evidence of hand craftsmanship - machining, etc.  

I'd be glad to answer any specific questions.

Chuck