Alpa Alnea 7

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The Alpa Alnea 7 was the most complex of Pignons' second generation cameras (also sold as the model 7s or 8 with a split-image viewfinder prism). This was the last Alpa SLR with a coupled rangefinder.

Notable Features

  • 45° viewfinder prism
  • In-viewfinder markings for on-film reproduction size
  • Coupled vertical coincident-image multifocal rangefinder
  • Dual-hinged reflex mirror allowing collapsible lenses

Notable "Quirks"

Film Advance

Like all Alnea models, the film advance is directly linked to the shutter rollers and turns simultaneously when the shutter is released.

WARNING: any hindrance to the rotation of the advance knob can result in severe shutter damage.

RF Blackout

The lower rangefinder window is very easily obstructed due to its placement on the camera body.

"The Alpa Grip"

Both of these issues were known to the manufacturer and mitigated through the manual's espousal of what is described as "the Alpa grip."

Briefly, this entails holding the camera with the first three fingers of both hands wrapped on the leather only and resting the right and left index fingers on the helicoid ring until shutter release. It is quite easy from there to operate the film wind and change shutter speeds and aperture settings without moving the left hand.

Lenses

Alnea Lenses
Wide Angle Focal Length Maximum Aperture Minimum Aperture Diaphragm Elements/Groups Image Angle Minimum Focus Distance Product Code Manufacturer Notes
Alpagon 35/3.5 35mm f/3.5 f/22 Automatic 6/3 65° 27 inches Alpag Schacht
Alfinar 38/3.5 38mm f/3.5 ? ? ? ? 24 inches ? ?
Makro-Kilar 40/2.8 E 40mm f/2.8 f/32 Preset 4/3 55° 8 inches Kile mod. E Kilfitt [note 1]
[note 2]
Makro-Kilar 40/2.8 D 7 inches Kida mod. D
Normal Focal Length Maximum Aperture Minimum Aperture Diaphragm Elements/Groups Image Angle Minimum Focus Distance Product Code Manufacturer Notes
Alorar 50/3.5 50mm f/3.5 f/22 Manual 4/3 45° 36 inches Aloraf Spectros [note 3]
[note 4]
Alfinon 50/2.8 f/2.8 ? Old Delft
Preset 20 inches Finstof [note 1]
Xenon 50/1.9 f/1.9 f/16 6/4 21 inches Pranxenof Schneider
Switar 50/1.8 Apochromat f/1.8 f/22 Automatic 7/5 20 inches Autswitaf Kern [note 5]
[note 3]
Short Tele Focal Length Maximum Aperture Minimum Aperture Diaphragm Elements/Groups Image Angle Minimum Focus Distance Product Code Manufacturer Notes
Xenar 75/3.5 75mm f/3.5 f/32 Preset 4/3 32° 19 inches Xenaf Schneider [note 6]
[note 7]
Altelar 90/2.8 90mm f/2.8 f/22 27° 23 inches Altelaf Schacht [note 7]
Makro-Kilar 90/2.8 f/32 16 inches Malnof Kilfitt [note 1]
[note 2]
Tele Focal Length Maximum Aperture Minimum Aperture Diaphragm Elements/Groups Image Angle Minimum Focus Distance Product Code Manufacturer Notes
100/2 Apochromat 100mm f/2 f/22 Preset 6/4 24° 31 inches Kinof Kinoptik [note 5]
Algular 135/3.2 135mm f/3.2 f/32 5/3 18° 48 inches (4 feet) Algulaf Old Delft [note 8]
Tele-Xenar 135/3.5 f/3.5 f/22 Automatic 4/4 57 inches (4.75 feet) Autex Schneider
Alefar 180/4.5 180mm f/4.5 f/32 Preset 4/3 13° 81 inches (6.75 feet) Alefaf Old Delft [note 8]
Super Tele Focal Length Maximum Aperture Minimum Aperture Diaphragm Elements/Groups Image Angle Minimum Focus Distance Product Code Manufacturer Notes
Tele-Xenar 360/5.5 360mm f/5.5 f/32 Preset 4/2 186 inches (15.5 feet) Telexar Schneider

Lens Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 marked reproduction ratios
  2. 2.0 2.1 marked exposure compensation factors
  3. 3.0 3.1 RF coupled
  4. collapsible
  5. 5.0 5.1 apochromatic
  6. same filter and shade as standard 50mm lenses
  7. 7.0 7.1 fits into ever-ready case
  8. 8.0 8.1 designed for hand-holding

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