ALPA 10d User manual

instructions for use
of the ALP A 10d
35 mm Single Lens Reflex

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
A. The ALPA 10d ﹒ General Description
2
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B. External Control
Winding
Setting of ASA Film Speed Rating
Setting of Shutter Speeds
Shutter Release
Selftimer
FlashSynchronization
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C. Framing ， Focusing and Depth-of.Fleld
Control
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1) Single Lens Reflex System
2) Focusing
a) Ground Glass
b) 45
0
Diagonal Split-Image Rangefinder
c) Distance Scale
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6
8
D. Loading and Unloading'
Loading
Unloading
2)
8
8
9
E. ALPA lenses
1) Changing the Lenses
2) ALPA Lenses
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F. Exposure Readings
Basic Principles
Two Methods
a) Correct Aperture for given Shutter
Speed
b) Correct Shutter Speedfor given
Aperture
Recommendations
Rangeof CdS Meter System
Battery Change
Filter Factors
1)
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Useful ALPA Hints
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Instructions for use
of the
ALPA 10d
The ALPA 10d and the complete ALPA
system of photography are the culmina-
tion of over 30 years of research and
development ， to meet the most demand-
ing requirements of today's photo-
graphers.
Purpose of this manual is to give γou
complete instructions for the best
possible performance from your ALPA
equipmen t.
For general information on photographγ ，
please refer to the manγexcellent photo-
graphic handbooks available.
A. THE ALPA 10d -GENERAL
DESCRIPTION
A masterpiece of Swiss precision
engineering ， the ALPA 10d is literallγ
custom built to your order like the finest
Swiss watch. It is an ALL-IN-ONE
camera of unbelievable versatility with
all desirable features ， γet compact and
lightweight for maximal convenience.
Highly automated and functional-the
ALPA 10d is virtually foolproof ， for
utmost handling ease. Easγto frame ，
easy to focus ， easy to expose ， it is the
dream of picture taking simplicitγ. You
can completelγconcentrate onγour
photographic assignment ， without fum-
bling for a dial ， a ring ， or a knob-even
when wearing gloves.
Automatic ， instant exposure readings ，
clear visibility of exposure needle ， dials
and figures ， rapid diaphragm and speed
settings ， quickchange baγonet lens
mount ， high speed ， short stroke wind-
ing lever (without removing ALPA from
your eye) ， high speed parallelogram
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rewind crank ， etc.-everγthing is dyna-
micallγstrea.m.'ined for instant fingertip
co~trols ， quickest operation and -rapid
action photography.
ALPA's ingenious ， electronic behind-
the-lens meter sγstem thinks for γou.
Foregoing inaccurate and delicate Ilnk-
age systems ， it couples optica l! γ-with
anγlens ， anγlens accessorγ ， at anγ
distanc~ ， for. an extreme film speed
range from 3-6400 AS A. The 3 .CdS
cells with highlγsensitive galvanometer
co~pute absolutely precise exposure
settings.
The precision grou nd prism with paral-
lax-free ， through-the-Iens viewing sys-
~em guarantees precise framing ， focus-
ing and depth-of-field control-with any
lens ， at anγdistance. You have your
choice. of attractive chrome or deep
satinγblack finish ， with black ， dark red
or dark green leather covering that is
scuff proof ， sweat proof and unaffected
bγheat ， cold and other climatic influ-
ences.
The ALPA 10d's uncompromisingly
solid and exclusive light metal construc-
tion ， is geared for more than 100 ， 000
operations ， withstands the most rugged
use ， for lifelong durabilitγ. It is virtu aIIγ
impossible to deform the ALPA bodγ.
The complete range of functional
accessories ， more than 20 ALPA lenses
and supplementary equipment fit the
earlier ALPA models ， 4-5-6-7-8 ， 4b-5b-
7b-8b ， 6c ， 9d and 針， with a few minor
exceptions.
Every precaution has been taken t 。
make the ALPA 10d as foolproof as
possible. Nevertheless ， we strongly
recommend thatγou carefully read these
instructions before using γour ALPA 10d.
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Fig. 1
B. EXTERNAL CONTROL
1) Winding
The high speed ， short stroke winding
lever (A Fig. 1) cocks the shutter ，
advances the film and counts the expo-
sures. Because of the short travel of
only 160
0
and its 3 separate functions
γou feel a certain resistance. Ifγou do
not wind the lever completelγto its
positive stop ， the shutter release will be
blocked. Just wind it once more ， without
anγforce ， to unblock i t.
The high speed winding lever never
interferes with γour viewing ， so thatγou
can rapidly release and wind γour ALPA
again and again ， without ever removing
it from γour 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 correspond to inter-
national standards: 3-6-12-25-50-100-
200-400-800-1600-3200-6400 AS A.
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
γou 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 speed dial (P)
to the desired setting ， indicated by the
red line across the transparent disc.
Do not trγto force the red line past the
black sector. Shutter speeds can be
changed at any time ， whether the shutter
is cocked or no t. Their calibrated range
corresponds to international standards:
1/1000 ， 1/500 ， 1/250 ， 1/60 ， 1/30 ， 1/15 ，
1/8 ， 1/4 ， 1/2 ， 1 second.
B permits γou to take time exposures of
anγdesired length. The shutter remains
open ， as long as γou keep the release
knob depressed. For longer time expo-
sure or ifγou mount γour 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 your automatic lenses ， or
make sure that the shutter release
remains depressed for the entire dura-
tion of the exposure. The setting of 1/60
second is marked in red ， indicating that
it is the fastest shutter speed for sγn-
chronization with electronic flash. If 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
usua l! γdepends on the mobilitγofγour
subjec t. Consider speed ， direction ，
distance as well as focal length and
stability of γour camera. For maximal
sharpness ， use one of the faster shutter
speeds.

Fig. 2
4) Shutter Release
Located on the front of the ALPA 10d
(D Fig. 2) the hair-trigger release instan-
taneouslγoperates the quiet ， lightning-
fast reflex-mirror and smooth-gliding ，
vibration-free shutter. Press γour thumb
against the camera back in the opposite
direction ， so as to hold your ALPA as
steadilγas possible. The conical thread
inside the release button accepts a
cable release. All lenses with automatic
diaphragm have integrated release but-
tons ， which in turn depress the release
button on the camera. The flip-up
reflex-mirror immediatelγreturns to its
normal position ， after the shutter is
closed ， even ifγou keep the release
button depressed. Anγvibration γou
maγfeel is caused bγthe flipping
down of the mirror ， which has no
longer anγinfluence on the sharpness
of the picture.
Important: Ifγou still depress the
release button when starting to wind the
camera ， the mirror maγnot flip up for
your next exposure and one frame would
be lost.
The shutter release lock (V Fig. 2)
provides for light readings ， previewing
depth-of-field and accidental exposure
prevention. The lock does not function ， if
γou use a cable release in the release
button of the camera itself.
For extreme wide angle lenses with
protruding rear elements ， the ALPA
mirror can be locked in its flip-up posi-
tion. Wind the high speed winding lever ，
holding it in its extreme position 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 ， photomicrographγ ，
etc. depress the release button very
slowlγ ， so that the mirror flips up first
and the shutter is released afterwards
onlγ.
Intentional double exposures can be
taken as follows: After the first expo-
sure press the rewind release knob at
the bottom of the ALPA (Q Fig. 6) ，
while operating the high-speed winding
lever the second time. The film will not
advance ， so that a second exposure can
be taken on the same frame. However ，
perfect registration cannot be guaran-
teed ， as the take-up spool is still turning.
3

Fig. 3
Out of focus
的 Self timer
The built-in selftimer (R Fig. 2) can be
adjusted from 1-20 seconds. Turning
the lever to its extreme position corres-
ponds to a delaγof approximately
20 seconds. If moved 90° onlγ ， the delaγ
will be about 6 seconds.
Wind the ALPA first ， set the selftimer ，
then depress the release button com-
pletelγ. This sets the delaγed action into
motion ， giving γou plentγof time to take
upγour position in the picture'\
Important: When using the selftimer ，
disengage the automatic diaphragm of
γour automatic lenses. Otherwise the
picture will be taken at full aperture.
Ifγou use the selftimer with the shutter
set on 8 ， 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
apertures.
The extremelγgentle release bγthe
selftimer permits vibration free expo-
sures ， especiallγuseful at slow shutter
speeds. If for anγreason a picture is
not taken after the selftimer has been
se t， simplγlock the release button
(V Fig. 2) ， then keep the release button
depressed until the lever (R) returns to
its original position.
6) Flash Synchronization
The upper X and F contact (Fig. 2) is
for sγnchro 川 zation with electronic
flash at shutter speeds up to 1/60
4
Fig. 4
(L)
In focus
second. Ifγou try faster speeds ， onlγ
part of the image will be exposed. At
slow speeds up to 1/15 second ， γou can
also use this contact with the more
economical flashbulbs for central shut-
ters ， which have a short peak (class F
bulbs with 5 milliseconds delaγ) .
The lower M contact (Fig. 2) is for
synchronization with class FP bulbs for
focal plane shutters. Theγhave 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 exactlγ25 x35 mm ， i. e. 24 x
36 mm less a 1/2 mm safetγmargin on
each side. This corresponds to the 23 x
35 mm frame of standard slide mounts ，
so that there are no cut-ofts on the
projection screen ， which guarantees
absolutelγaccurate composition.
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 subjec t， when γou view it with your

naked eγe. And it can still easilγbe
seen ， when stopping down to small
apertures for depth-of-field contro l.
When using longer telephoto lenses or
close-up attachments ， the upper edge
of the image maγbecome slightly shad-
ed ， because the reflex-mirror does not
reflect the entire cone of light raγs.
However ， this has no effect whatsoever
on the actual picture.
The eγepiece of the ALPA 10d is equip-
ped with a large ， soft-rubber eγecup to
exclude extraneous straγlight. It can be
rotated for taking horizontal and vertical
pictures. Its bayonet mount offers in-
stant interchanging with a magnifier or
angle viewfinde r. The standard 1:1
ocular of the ALPA viewing sγstem can
be replaced bγa special 1:0 ， 7 eγeplece ，
so that people who wear glasses or have
recessed eγes easilγsee the entire
image. An adapter with standard diop-
ter or prescription lenses snaps easilγ
into the eγecup.
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 ring
until image is critically sharp.
b 45° Diagonal Split ﹒ Image Rangefinder
The standard groundglass screen has a
built-in optical rangefinder with a 45 。
diagonal split-image ， formed bγa pair
of prisms which appear as 2 semi-
circles (Fig. 5). You can pinpoint focus
for both horizontal or vertical lines
instantlγ-with anγlens ， at anγdistance.
Select a specific detail in the subject to
be photographed and turn the focusing
ring until the image in the 2 semi-circles
is in perfect alignmen t， with no displa-
cement at the dividing line. Now γour
focus is perfect (Fig. 3 and 4).
The clear glass ring (aerial image)
around the rangefinder (diam. 5 mm)
permits γou to see everything visua l! γ
sharp ， which is in front or behind the
depth-of-field zone of sharpness on the
groundglass. You can also use it for
rapid location of 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-
graphγ. The image is in perfect focus
when both the aerial image and one of
the two lines (L Fig. 4) appear equally
sharp.
Both semi-circular prisms will appear
uniformly bright under normal condi-
tions. Under certain circumstances
(smaller lens apertures ， close-up photo-
graphγ) one of the semi-circular prisms
maγappear to be shaded. In this case
γou can alignγour image between the
other ， bright prism of the split-image
and the clear glass ring.
Important: The perfected optical sys-
tem of the ALPA 10d with 1: 1 LIFE size
magnification on the groundglass
makes focusing remarkably easy. How-
ever ， this should not temptγou to take
photographs of subjects which cover
only a small part of the entire area. You
can easilγavoid this bγcomparison
with the 3 rapid reference scales on the
ALPA groundglass: The diameter of
the rangefinder is 3 mm ， the width of the
clear glass ring is 1 mm which brings
the total diameter to 5 mm. The overall
length of the cross-hair is 10 mm
(Fig. 3 ， 4 and 5). These 3 reference
scales clearlγindicate when a different
(telephoto) lens ought to be used. Theγ
are even more useful for measurements
and comparisons in macro-photogra-
phy.
c Distance Scale
ALPA interchangeable lenses are cali-
brated with distance scales to preset a
specific distance ， where focusing on the
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groundglass or with the rangefinder is
impractica l. When taking flash pictures ，
the available light maγbe so dim that
groundglass focusing can become diffi-
cult ， especia l! γif the lens is stopped
down to a smaller aperture. In sports
photographγγou frequentlγhave no
time to do anγfocusing at al l.
Location of the film plane is visibly indi-
cated bγthe exacting calibration on
camera top ， to the right of the reflex-
pns 口 1.
D. LOADING AND
UNLOADING
1) Loading
Li ft the hinged keγ(M Fig. 6) at the
bottom and turn it to the right clockwise ，
as far as it will go. Pull the keγto remove
the combined camera back and bottom.
Alwaγs lift off the back upwards and
never downwards to avoid damaging
the film pressure plate. Fig. 8 shows γou
the best method of how to hold the
cartridge to insert the film leader in the
slit (marked bγan arrow) of the empty
take-up spoo l. Keep the film edge
against the lower flange of the spoo l.
Pull out just sufficient film ， so that the
cartridge can be placed in its chamber.
Turn the take-up spool bγadvancing
the film with the high speed winding
lever once ， so that at least 1 laγer of
film is wound around i t. Make sure that
the sprockets engage in the film perfo-
rations. You do not necessarilγhave to
wind the film until the sprockets engage
the perforations on both sides (Fig. 9).
After the film is correctly positioned
replace the camera back from above
holding it bγthe keγ. Lock it bγturning
the keγto 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 release the shutter 2 or 3
times in succession. in order to elimi-
nate the fogged film leader before you
take the first picture.
The automatic frame counter (C Fig. 7) ，
which alwaγs starts 3 numbers below 0 ，
advances simultaneously to 0.
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Fig. 8
Fig. 9 Fig. 10
7

Fig. 11
Whenever possible load the ALPA in
subdued light to prevent fogging of the
film. If no other shade is available ， turn
γour back to the ligh t.
Important: Ifγou have a partia l! γexpos-
ed film ， make a note of the number of
Fig. 12
exposed frames as indicated bγthe
exposure counter ， before rewinding the
film into its cartridge and opening the
camera back. The automatic counter
returns instantaneously to zero when
you remove the camera back.
2) Unloading
When the counter indicates the 凹的
or 35th frame of γour 20 or 36 exposure
roll ， wind the high speed winding lever
with caution. According toγour waγof
loading ， γou may obtain 1 or 2 exposures
more or iess than the specified number.
Ifγou feel a stronger resistance when
winding ， do not use any force. Other-
wise γou maγtear the perforations or
detach the filmend from the cartridge ，
which makes rewinding impossible.
The high-speed parallelogram rewind
crank rewinds the fullγexposed fiIm
quicklγ ， within seconds. Depress the
rewind release knob (Q Fig. 6) ， in order
to disengage the sprockets. It remains
depressed during rewinding and auto-
matically jumps out ， when γou 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 ，
γou hear an audible signal that indicates
the separating from the take-up spoo l.
Open the ALPA and remove the origi-
nal cartridge with the exposed film.
Important: Ifγou depress the rewind
release knob accidentallγ ， while winding
the camera ， this maγcause a double
exposure (see page 3). Release shutter
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) Changing the lenses
Press the lens lock button (0 Fig. 2)
and turn the lens anti-clockwise. To
insert the new lens line up the two red
8