ALPA 12 users with film

essensebe · Nov 26, 2016

Planning to buy a secondhand Alpa SWA 12 camera with 48mm APO Helvetar lens and Mamiya 6x8 back.
What a beautiful piece of equipment! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

These days a lot of photographers who own one use it with digital backs.
But it was originally designed as an analogue camera for film.

Are there any photographers on this forum who have one and use it with film?
I know, it's rare and exclusive, so I don't expect to get that many response.
But I just hope to get in contact with other Alpa film users.

sepiareverb · Nov 26, 2016

A dream outfit of mine.

essensebe · Nov 26, 2016

I'm lucky to have an offer for a reasonable price. Always thought it would be out of my reach.

Christiaan Phleger · Nov 27, 2016

Thats crazy; I've long thought this would make an excellent travel camera. What lens are you planning to get or is it coming with one?

essensebe · Nov 27, 2016

The Alpa Helvetar 48mm

It seems to be similar to the Zeiss Biogon, but with a larger image circle so you can use it for shift.

Dan Fromm · Nov 27, 2016

Roger Hicks had, may still have, one. Search for "Roger Hicks" and alpa.

I could be mistaken, but I suspect that the 48/5.6 Helvetar is a rebadged Super Angulon XL. No way is it an f/4.5 Biogon. The closest is the 45/4.5, of which ~ 100 were made.

essensebe · Nov 27, 2016

No, it's not a Biogon, but it's also not a Super Angolan XL. Different image circle and the Helvetar is sharper wide open

essensebe · Nov 27, 2016

Too bad the website of Roger is no longer online. Would love to see some of his work.

Dan Fromm · Nov 27, 2016

Roger is still blogging, see http://rogerandfrances.eu Do the search I suggested to find his old posts on various photography sites.

ALPA 12 users with film

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