ALPA 10d User manual

instructions
foruse
of the ALPA 10d
35 mm Single Lens Reflex

Perfect
knowledge
ofyour
ALPA, all its
functions
andfeatureswill girse you
the best
photographicresults.
Pleasestudythese
instructions
carefully.
PIGNONS S.
A. CH - L338 Ballaigues (Switzerland)

Instructions
for use
ofthe
ALPA10d
The ALPA 10d and the complete ALPA
system
of photography
are the culmina-
tion of over 30 years of research and
development,
to meetthe most demand-
ing requirements of today's photo-
graphers.
Purpose
of this manual is to give you
complete instructions for the best
possible performance from your ALPA
equrpment.
For general information on photography,
please
refer
to the many excellent
photo-
graphic
handbooks
available.
A. THE ALPA lod . GENERAT
DESCRIPTION
A masterpiece of Swiss precision
engineering,
the ALPA 10d is literally
custom built to your order likethe finest
Swiss watch. lt is an ALL-lN-ONE
camera of unbelievable versatilitv with
all desirable features, yet compabt and
lightweight for maximal convenience.
Highly automated and functional-the
ALPA 10d is virtually foolproof, for
utmost handling ease. Easy to frame,
easy to focus, easy to expose, it is the
dream of picture taking simplicity.You
can completely concentrate on your
photographic
assignment,without fum-
blingfor a dial,a ring, or a knob-even
when wearing gloves.
Automatic, instant exposure readings,
clearvisibility
of exposureneedle,dials
and figures, rapid diaphragmand speed
settings, quickchange bayonet lens
mount, high speed, short stroke wind-
ing lever (without removing ALPA from
your eye), high speed parallelogram
rewind crank. etc.-everything is dyna-
mically streamlined
for instant fingertip
controls, quickest operation and lapid
actron
photography.
ALPA's ingenious, electronic behind-
the-lens meter system thinks for you.
Foregoing inaccurate
and delicate link-
age systems, it couples optically-with
a.ny lens, any lens accessory, at any
distance, tor an extreme film speed
range from 3-6400 ASA. The 3 CdS
cells with highly sensitive
galvanometer
compute absolutely precise exposure
settings.
The precision ground prism with paral-
lax-free, through-the-lens viewing sys-
tem guarantees
preciseframing, focus-
ing and depth-of-field
control-with any
lens, at any distance. You have your
choice of attractive chrome or deep
satiny black finish,with black, dark red
or dark green leather covering that is
scuff proof, sweat proof and unaffected
by heat, cold and other climatic influ-
ences.
The ALPA 1Od's uncompromisingly
solid and exclusive
light metal construc-
tion, is geared for more than 'l
00,000
operations,
withstands the most rugged
use, for lifelong durability.
lt is virtually
impossible to deform the ALPA body.
The complete range of functional
accessories,
more than 20 ALPA lenses
and supplementary equipment fit the
earlierALPA models,4-5-6-7-8, 4b-5b-
7b-8b, 6c, 9d and 9f, with a few minor
exceDtions.
Every precaution has been taken to
make the ALPA 10d as foolproof as
possible. Nevertheless, we strongly
recommend
that you carefully
readthese
instructionsbeforeusing
your ALPA 10d.

.'..''....i'i.''.'..&
Fis.
1
B. EXTERNAL
CONTROL
1) Winding
The high speed, short stroke winding
lever (A Fig. 1) cocks the shutter,
advancesthe film and counts the expo-
sures. Because of the short travel of
o
nly 160" and its 3 separate f
u
nctio
ns
you feel a certain resistance.
lf you do
not wind the lever completely to its
positivestop, the shutter releasewill be
blocked.
Just wind it once more,without
anyforce,
to unblock
it.
The high speed winding lever never
interferes
with your viewing, so that you
can.
rapidly
release
?ld wind your ALPA
again and again,without ever removing
it from your eye.
2) Setting of ASA Film Speed Rating
The equidistant click stop settings of
the extreme film speed range are cali-
brated
in black and correspondto inter-
national standards: 3-6- 12-25-50-1
00-
200-400-800-1600-3200-6400 ASA.
2
For fine adjustments
you have a choice
of 2 each intermediate
click stop settings
between
(Fig.
1).
Depress
the outer ring of the speed dial
(
P) and turn the black index mark
oppo-
site the desired black figure or any
intermediate calibration in the blank
sector. To facilitate the ASA setting
you can turn the speed dial first to one
of the 2 extreme speed settings of
1/1000 second
or B (see
below).
3) Setting of Shutter Speeds
The ALPA 10d features a Swiss preci-
sion movement with electronically
tested, equidistant click stop speeds,
calibrated
in white on black
(T).
Turn the outer ring of the speeddial (P)
to the desired setting, indicated by the
red line across the transparent disc.
Do not try to force the red line past the
black sector. Shutter speeds can be
changed
at any time,
whether
the shutter
is cocked or not. Their calibrated range
corresponds to international standards:
1/1000,1/50O,1/250,1/60, 1/30, 1/15,
1
/8, 1 /4, 1 /2, 1 second.
B permits
you to take time exposuresof
any desired length. The sh utter remains
open, as long as you keep the release
knob depressed.For longer time expo-
sure or if you mount your ALPA on a
tripod, use a cable release with set
screw.
Important: For slower speeds such as
1
/8, 1
/4, 1 /2, 1 second or longer, either
disconnect the automatic diaphragm
control of you
r automatic lenses, or
make sure that the shutter release
remains depressed for the entire dura-
tion of the exposure.The settingof 1/60
second is marked in red, indicating that
it is the fastest shutter speed for syn-
chronization
with electronicflash. lf you
try faster speeds,the moving slit of the
focal plane shutter will only expose
part
of the frame.
Selection of the correct shutter speed
usuallydepends
on the mobility of your
subject. Consider speed, direction,
distance as well as focal length and
stability of your camera. For maximal
sharpness,use one of the faster shutter
speeds.

Fig.2
4) Shutter Release
Located on the fro
nt of the ALPA 1
0d
(D Fig.2) the hair-trigger
release
instan-
taneously
operates
the quiet, lightning-
fast ref
lex-mirror and smooth
-g
liding,
vibration-free
shutter. Pressyour thumb
against
the camera
back in the opposite
direction,
so as to hold your ALPA as
steadily
as possible.
The conical thread
inside the release button accepts a
cable release. All lenseswith automatic
diaphragm have integrated release but-
tons, which in turn depress
the release
button on the camera. The flip-up
reflex-mirrorimmediately returns to its
norma
I positio n, after the shutter is
closed, even if you keep the release
button depressed. Any vibration you
may feel is caused by the flipping
down of the mirror, which has no
longer any influence on the sharpness
of the picture.
lmportant: lf you still depress the
release
button when starting
to wind the
camera,
the mirror may not flip up for
your next
exposureand one framewould
belost.
The shutter release lock (V Fig. 2)
provides f
or lig
ht readings, previewing
depth-of-field and accidental exposure
prevention.
The lock does not f
unction, if
you use a cable release in the release
button of the cameraitself.
For extreme wide angle lenses with
protruding rear elements, the ALPA
mirror
can be locked in its flip-up posi-
tion. Wind the high speedwinding lever,
ho
lding it in its extreme positio
n and
depress the camera release button.
Then release both release button and
lever. For smoothest possible shutter
release with extreme telephoto lenses,
for ultra close-ups, photomicrography,
etc. depress the release button very
slowly, so that the mirror flips up first
and the shutter is released afterwards
only.
Intentional double exposures can be
taken as follows: After the first expo-
sure press the rewind release knob at
the bottom of the ALPA (O Fig.6),
while operating
the high-speed winding
leverthe second time. The film will not
advance,
so that a second exposurecan
be taken on the same frame. However,
perfect registration
cannot be guaran-
teed,as the take-up spool is still
turning.

Out of focus.
5) Selftimer
The built-in selftimer (R Fig. 2) can be
adjusted from 1
-2O seconds. Turning
the lever to its extreme position corres-
ponds to a delay of approximately
20 seconds. lf moved 90' only, the delay
will be about 6 seconds.
Wind the ALPA first, set the selftimer,
then depress the release button com-
pletely. This sets the delayed action into
motion, giving you plenty of time to take
up your position "in the picture".
lmportant: When using the selftimer,
disengage the automatic diaphragm of
your automatic lenses. Otherwise the
picture will be taken at full aperture.
lf you use the selftimer with the shutter
set on B, the exposure time will be about
3 seconds. This long exposure time is
invaluable for pictures taken under poor
lighting conditions or at very small
apertu
res.
The extremely gentle release by the
selftimer permits vibration f
ree expo-
sures, especially usefu
I at slow shutter
speeds. lf for any reason a picture is
not taken after the selftimer has been
set, simply lock the release button
(V Fig. 2), then keep the releasebutton
depressed until the lever (R) returns to
itsoriginal
position.
6) Flash Synchronization
The upper X and F contact (Fig. 2) is
for synchronization with electronic
flash at shutter speeds up to 1/60
Fig.4
ln focus.
second. lf you try faster speeds, only
part of the image will be exposed. At
slow speedsup to 1/15 second,
you can
also use this contact with the more
economical flashbulbs for central shut-
ters, which have a short peak (class F
bulbswith 5 milliseconds
delay).
The lower M contact (Fig.2) is for
synchronization with class FP bulbs for
focal plane shutters. They have a long
peak that gives uniform illumination
over the entire image, at most shutter
speeds.
C- FRAMING.FOCUSING
AND DEPTH-OF-FIELD
CONTROL
1) Single Lens Reflex System
The precision ground ALPA prism
provides a reinverted groundglass
image of exactly 25 x 35 ffiffi, i.e. 24x
36 mm less a 1/2 mm safety margin on
each side. This corresponds to the 23 x
35 mm frame of standard slide mounts,
so that there are no cut-offs on the
projection screen, which guarantees
absolutely accuratecomposition.
The finest grain groundglass offers a
brilliant image in 1:1 LIFE size (with
standard 50 mm lenses). This means
that the image appears just as large as
the subject, when you view it with your
(L)
(L)

naked eye. And it can still easily be
seen, when stopping down to small
aperturesfor depth-of-fieldcontrol.
When using longer telephoto lenses or
close-up attachments,the upper edge
of the image may becomeslightlyshad-
ed, becausethe reflex-mirror does not
reflect the entire cone of light rays.
However, this has no effect whatsoever
onthe
actual
picture.
Theeyepieceof the ALPA 'l
0d is equip-
ped with a large,soft-rubbereyecup to
excludeextraneousstray light. lt can be
rotatedfor taking horizontal
and vertical
pictures.lts bayonet mount offers in-
stant interchanging
with a magnifieror
angle viewfinder. The standard 1:1
ocular of the ALPA viewing systemcan
be replacedby a special
1:0,7 eyepiece,
so that people
who wear glasses or have
recessed eyes easily see the entire
image. An adapter with standard diop-
ter or prescriptionlenses snaps easily
intotheeyecup.
2) Focusing
Turn the focusing ring on the lens to
set the proper distance.You have your
choice of 3 focusing methods:
a) Groundglass. Turn distance setting ilng
until image is critically sharp.
b) 45' Diagonal Split-lmage Rangefinder
The standardgroundglass
screen has a
built-in optical rangefinder with a 45'
diagonal split-image,
formed by a pair
of prisms which appear as 2 semi-
circles
(Fig.
5). You can pinpoint
focus
for both horizontal or vertical lines
instantly-with any lens,
at any distance.
Select
a specific
detail in the subjectto
be photographed
and turn the focusing
ring until the imagein the 2 semi-circles
is in perfect alignment,
with no displa-
cement
at the dividingline. Now your
focusis perfect(Fig. 3 and 4).
The clear g lass ring (aeria
I image)
around the rangefinder
(diam. 5 mm)
permits you to see everything visually
sharp,
which is in front or behind the
depth-of-field
zone of sharpnesson the
groundglass.
You can also use it for
rapidlocationof the subject
you wish to
Fig.5
photograph.
And last but not least,
it is
indispensable
for extreme close-ups at
high magnifications and photomicro-
graphy. The image is in perfect focus
when both the aeriatimage and one of
the two lines (L Fig. 4) appearequally
sharp.
Both semi-circular prisms will appear
uniformly bright under normal condi-
tions. Under certain circumstances
(smaller
lens apertures.close-up photo-
graphy) one of the semi-circular
prisms
may appear to be shaded. In this case
you can align your image between the
other, bright prism of the split-image
and
the
clear
glass
ring.
lmportant: The perfected optical sys-
tem of theALPA 10d with 1:1 LIFE
size
magnification on the groundglass
makes focusing remarkably
easy. How-
ever.this should not tempt you to take
photographs of subjects which cover
only a small part of the entirearea.
You
can easily avoid this by comparison
with the 3 rapid referencescales
on the
ALPA groundglass: The diameter of
the rangefinderis 3 mm, the width of the
clear glass ring is 1 mm which brings
the total diameterto 5 mm. The overall
length of the cross-hair is 10 mm
(Fig.3,4 and 5). These3 reference
scales clearly indicate when a different
(telephoto)lensought to be used.
They
are even more useful for measurements
and comparisons in macro-photogra-
phv.
c) Distance Scale
ALPA interchangeable
lenses are cali-
brated with distance scales to preset a
specific
distance,
where focusing on the

Fig.6
groundglass
or with the rangefinderis
impractical.
When taking flash pictures,
the available
light may be so dim that
groundglass
focusing can become diffi-
cult, especiallyif the lens is stopped
down to a smaller apertu re. In sports
photography you frequently have no
timeto do any
focusingat
all.
Location
of the film plane
is visiblyindi-
cated by the exacting ca
libration on
camera
top, to the right of the reflex-
pnsm.
D. LOADINGAND
UNLOADING
1) Loading
Lift the hinged key ( M Fig. 6) at the
bottomand turn it to the rightclockwise,
asfar
as
it will go. Pullthe
key
to remove
the combined camera
back and bottom.
Always lift off the back upwards and
never downwards to avoid damaging
the film pressure
plate.
Fig.B shows you
the best method of how to ho
ld the
cartridgeto insertthe film leader
in the
slit (marked
by an arrow) of the empty
take-up spool. Keep the film edge
againstthe lower flange of the spool.
Pull out just sufficient
film, so that the
cartridgecan be placed in its chamber.
Turn the take-up spool by advancing
the film with the high speed winding
lever once, so that at least 1 layer of
film is wound around
it. Makesure that
the sprockets
engagein the film perfo-
rations.You do not necessarily
have to
wind the film untilthe sprockets
engage
the perforations
on both sides
(Fig.
9).
After the film is correctly positioned
replace the camera back from above
holding
it by the key.Lock it by turning
the key to the left counter-clockwise.
Wind the high speed
winding lever
and
make sure that the central screw in
the high speed parallelogram rewind
crank rotates (Fig.11), wich proves
that the film is actually advancing.
Wind and releasethe shutter 2 or 3
times in succession,
in order to elimi-
nate the fogged film leader
before
you
takethe
first
picture.
The automatic
framecounter
(C Fig.
7),
which always
starts
3 numbers
below 0,
advancessimultaneouslyto 0.
Fig.7

Fis.B
Fig.10
Fis.9

Fis"1
1
Whenever possible load
subdued
light to prevent
film. lf no other
shade
is
your
backto the
light.
lmportant: lfyou have a
ed film, make a note of
Fig.
12
the ALPA in
f
ogging of the
available,turn
partia
llyexpos-
the numberof
exposed frames as indicated by the
exposurecounter, before rewinding the
film into its cartridge
and opening the
camera back. The automatic counter
returns instantaneously
to zero when
you remove
thecamera
back"
2l Unloading
When the cou
nter indicatesthe 19th
or 35th frameof your 20 or 36 exposure
roll,
wind the high speed
winding lever
with caution"
Accordingto your way of
loading,
you may
obtain
1 or 2 exposures
more or iessthan the specified
number.
lf you feel a strongerresistance
when
winding, do not use any force. Other-
wise you may tear the perforations
or
detach the filmend from the cartridge,
which makes
rewindingimpossible.
The high-speed parallelogram
rewind
crank rewinds the fully exposed film
quickly, within seconds. Depress the
rewind
release
knob (O Fig.6), in order
to disengage
the sprockets.
lt remains
depressed
during rewinding and auto-
matically
jumps
out, when you wind the
high-speed
winding lever
again to ad-
vance
the new film. Pull out the high-
speed parallelogram rewind crank
(Fig.
11) and turn it in the direction
of
the arrow.While rewinding
the film,
you
feel a distinct resistance
at first. Once
the film has been completely
rewound,
you hearan audible
signal
that indicates
the separating
from the take-up spool.
Open the ALPA and removethe origi-
nalcartridge
with the
exposed
film.
Important : lf yo
u depressthe rewind
release
knob accidentally,
while winding
the camera,
this may cause a double
exposure
(see page 3). Releaseshutter
with lens cap over lens frame and
advance the film once, making sure
that the rewind release
knob jumps out
again,
which re-engages
the film trans-
port sprockets.
E. ALPA LENSES
1) Ghanging the lenses
Press
the lens lock button (O Fig.2)
and turn the lens anti-clockwise.
To
insertthe new lens line up the two red