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

Galvanometer Potentiometer
Galvanometer
needle visible
dots, press lens lightly to the camera
body
and turn it clockwise
untilit clicks
tn.
2l ALPA lenses
ALPA has chosen an incomparable
selection
of lenses
produced
by the most
well-known
manufacturers:
Kern,Kinoptik,
Ang6nieux,
Schneider,
Zoomarand Zeiss.
Eachlensundergoes
a rigorouscontrol
of
an extremely
high standard.
The lenses
have a range of focal lengths between
24 and 600 mm and their bayonet
mountingsystem
has
remained
unchanged
since
1952. Among this fine
selection
of
lenses
are three
exclusive
to ALPA- the
welf
-known Kern Macro-Switar
1.9/50
mm (the standard
lensof the ALPA) and
the
Kinoptik
apochromats.
F. EXPOSURE
READINGS
1) Basic Principles
Fig. 13 illustrates
the ingenious,
elec-
tronic behind-the-lens
CdS meter sys-
tem which couples optically-with any
Photoresistor
compensafes light
entenng
the eyepiece
Fig.
13
of the more than 20 lenses,
any lens
accessory, at any distance, for an
extreme
film speed range f
rom 3-
6400
ASA.
All f
/stops, shutter speeds and ASA
ratingsare directly
cross-coupled
to the
highly sensitive galvanometer
for ins-
tant exposure settings, automatically-
or manually.
Two CdS cellstake accu
-
rate overall light readings
with predo-
minance on the center area,
while the
third CdS cell electronically
compen-
sates for light entering the eyepiece,
for absolutely precise exposures. The
well iltuminated
needle
is always clearly
visible, either at eyelevelin a separate
window below the viewing screen,
or at
waistlevel
in a second window in the
accessory
clip on the camera
top.The
camera release button automatically
activatesthe 2 standard
Mallory
mercury
batteries (
PX 450), extending battery
life to 2 years or more. G
o
ldPlated
co
ntacts g u
ara
ntee accu
rate fu
nctio
n
-
ing of the meter system, even while
battery
voltage
decreases.
I
mportant : Always check ASA rating,
when changing
your film (see
page 2)

2) Two Methods
a) Correct Aperture for given Shutter
Speed
Usually
you set your shutterspeed
first,
based on the moving or stationary
subjects
(Fig. 7). Slide shutter release
lock towards lens (V Fig. 14). Keep
releasebutton ( D Fig. 14) depressed
and turn diaphragmring until the well
illuminated needle is centered (see
page 9). lf your picture is properly
framed and focused, simply slide back
lock (V) a
nd press release
butto
n (
D
)
to take
yourpicture.
b) Correct Shutter Speed lor given
Aperture
As an exception
you maywish to setthe
aperture first, based on the required
depth-of-field.
Slide the shutter release
lock (V) towards lens. Keep release
button (D) depressed
with diaphragm
stopped
down to preset
f/stop and turn
speed dial u
ntil needle is centered.
Slide back lock (V) and press release
button
(D) to take
yourpicture.
Fis.
14
3) Recommendations
Lightreadingscan also
be taken
without
locking the sh
utter release.
Eitheryo
u
read the exposurebefore the camera is
wou
nd, or you caref u
lly press the
releasebutton and stop down the dia-
phragm, before releasing the shutter.
lf you cannotcenterthe needle, there
is
not enough ( - sign) or too much
(
+ sign) light and you have
to change
the shutterspeed or f/stop accordingly.
At your convenience you can also
change f/stops or shutter speeds ma-
nually,independentof the meter system,
for personal exposurecontrol.
Keep your eye as close as possible to
the large, rotating soft-rubber eyecup
while
taking
a lightreading.Thiselimi-
nates strong reflections caused by
eyeg
lasses
or incident lig
ht, which may
not sufficiently be compensatedby the
third CdS cell. lf you centerthe needle
at waistlevel
in the window on top of the
camera, cover the eyepieceeither with
your
hand
orthelenscap.
10

4) Rangeof
Filmspeeds
ASA DIN
CdS Meter System
Range of
Sh
utter Speeds
f astest slowest
36
69
12 12
25 15
50 18
100 21
200 24
400 27
800 30
1600 33
3200 36
6400 39
/60
/125
/250
/500
/1
000
/1
000
/1
000
/1000
/1
000
/1
000
/1
000
/1
000
seco
nd
)
)
)
)
/2)
/4 D
/8)
/15 D
/3O )
/60 ))
/125 )
lf the speed requiredis outside these
ranges,the correct
setting can be easily
determined,
as the ASA film speed
ratingsare directly proportional
to the
shutter speeds and f/stops (with the
exceptionof the maximum apertures
on
certain
lenses)
.
Example:You wish to take a picture
with an ASA 12 film at a shutter speed
of 1/1000 second.
The fastest
possible
shutterspeed is 1
/500 seco
nd. Assu
m
-
ing
the correct
f/stop with 1/5OO
second
isf/5.6,
you simplyopen the apertureto
t
14 and set the shutter speed to the
desired1
/1
000 second.
lf the shutter speed exceeds1 second,
you can easily determinethe exposure
based on the ASA film speed rating.
Example:You wish to take a picture
with a 25 ASA film. The lens is set at
full apertureand the shutter speed at
1 second,
but the need
le still cannot be
centered.
Change the ASA setting on
your dial until the needleis centered.
Assuming
that it indicates100 ASA, i.e.
2 stops above your film speed of 25
ASA, yo
u easily determine the exact
shutter
speedof 4 seconds.
5) Battery Change
lf the needle no longer moves, while
you depress the release button, the
batteries
have
to be changed. Make sure
there is no film inside your ALPA-
(counter
must be 3 numbers below 0,
see page 6)-and remove the camera
back.
Unscrewthe largelid of the bat-
tery
housingat the bottom with a coin.
Fig.15
Insert
2 new standard
Mallory Mercury
PX 450 batteries,both with the + sig
n
facing outwardsi.e. towardsthe camera
bottom
(Fig.
15).
6) Filter Factors
Exposurefactors caused by filters are
automaticallycompensated
for by the
behind-the-
lens CdS meter system,
except
for certain redfilters.
11

G. USEFUT ALPA HINTS
ALPA camerasare well known for their
exceptionally
solid and exclusive light-
metal construction that withstands the
most rugged use. This has been proved
time and again under the most trying
climaticconditions,in many expeditions
to the artic, the tropics, the ocean
depths and up the highest mountains
of the world.
Nevertheless, the ALPA is also a
precision instrument, which deserves
your continued care,so as to maintain
its high performance standards. The
same principle
appliesto all ALPA len-
ses and accessories. Please pay special
attentionto the following points:
1) Protect your ALPA from sudden
blows and falls, by using a carrying
case. Avoid continuous vibration (on
the floor of a car close to the propeller
shaft, on the luggage grid of a motor-
cycle,etc.).
2) Do not leave your ALPA wound
during prolonged periods of time.
3) Keep your ALPA away from dust,
wind-blown sand and too much humi-
dity. In the tropics keep it in an airtight
container together with a desiccating
agentsuch as silica
gel. In winter.when
carrying your ALPA from outdoors
into a warm room, metal and glass
surfaces may become misted over with
condensation.Do not wipe this off, but
wait until the mist disappears
as the
camera
warms up.
4) Clean the film channel and pressure
plate from time to time with a piece of
fluff-free cloth (never use cotton or
wool).
5) Do not touch the reflex-mirror with
your fingers, which may smudge or
scratch its surface. Your nearest dealer
or service stationwill be happy to clean
it for you.
6) Do not try to lubricate the ALPA
mechanism and shutter. They are
geared
for more than 100,000operations
without lubrication.
7) Do not attempt to dismantle the
ALPA. This operation requires not
only extensive knowledge and skills, but
also special tools. Your guarantee
becomes void, if the ALPA or ALPA
lenses are serviced by any unauthorized
person or service station.
8) The ALPA is not watertight. Special
water-tight cases are available for
underwater photography. lt the camera
is dropped accidentallyinto the water,
it should be dried immediately and sent
at once to an authorized service station
or to the ALPA factory. lf dropped
into salt water, the camera must first
be rinsed several times in fresh water
before being dried. lf salt water dries
inside the camera, the increasing
concentration of salt will erode the
metal components including chrome,
and destroy the mechanism.
9) Standard 35 mm film cartridges may
sometimes be faulty. When loading
your ALPA make sure that the film
moves easily out of the cartridge and
that its lips are not too tight or dented.
lf the film does not pull out freely,
gently insert a penknife blade between
the back of the film and the lip of the
cartridge and open the mouth slightly.
Make sure that there are no loose velvet
threads hanging from the cartridgelips.
They may tear
lose
and get caught in the
film window, which produces shadows
on your photographs.
10) Register
your ALPA with the agent
in your country or with the factory to
validate the warranty.
11) lf your ALPA is lost or stolen,
report the serial number of both camera
and lens to your dealer, the ALPA
agents in your country or the ALPA
factory immediately. This is the only
possible method of finding the camera
and returning it to you. We strongly
recommend that you insure your ALPA
equipment.
12) Over 4Oo/o ol the ALPA factory are
engaged in most severe, total quality
controls,certifiedby an inspectionlabel
attached to every ALPA. And each
ALPA carries a world-wide guarantee
for highest mechanical, electronic and
optical performance. I
12

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. The AIPA 10d - General Description 1
B. External Gontrol 2
1) Winding 2
2) Setting of ASA Film Speed Rating 2
3) Settingof ShutterSpeeds 2
4) Shutter Release 3
5) Selftimer 4
6) Flash
Synchronization 4
G. Framing, Focuslng and Depth-of-Fleld
Gontrol 4
1) Single Lens Reflex
System 4
2) Focusing 5
a) Ground
Glass 5
b) 45' Diagonal Split-lmage
Rangefinder 5
c) Distance
Scale 5
D. Loading and Unloading
1) Loading
2) Unloading
E. ALPA lenses
1
) Changingthe Lenses
2) ALPA Lenses
F. Exposure Readings
1) Basic Principles
2) Two Methods
a) CorrectAperture
for given Shutter
Speed
b) Correct ShutterSpeedfor given
Aperture
3) Recommendations
4) Rangeof CdS Meter System
5) Battery
Change
6) FilterFactors
G. Useful ALPA Hints
6
6
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
12

S\MTZEFILAND
PIGNONS S.A. CH- t338 Ballaigues
Printed in Switzerland 5 00857 GB 3-72 Haefeli