The ALPA 12 STC (Shift Travel Compact) sets the standard for very compact and light cameras with an integrated shift (perspective correction). The STC thus also offers a stitching function and a corresponding multiplication of the number of pixels for one shot. A lateral lens shift is turned into a rise or fall option by a simple rotation of the camera by 90°. All ALPA cameras provide such surprising rotational and reversal positions which turn front to back, top to bottom, or horizontal to vertical. Typically for ALPA, we do not even have to list all the variants – most of our customers like to work out their own special combinations for their particular practical purpose. They, and we, have no time for ‘one size fits all’.
There could hardly be a bigger difference from mass-produced solutions. From a design aspect, the STC, like all ALPA cameras with an integrated shift, offers one feature that no other camera manufacturer does: all shift movements take place over the full length of movement on roller bearings.
The ALPA 12 SWA (Shift Wide Angle) was the first model in the ALPA 12 medium format camera series. First only with roll film backs and later, not least thanks to its superior precision and extremely tight tolerances, also with digital backs. It is physical confirmation of ALPA’s philosophy of no artificial obsolescence, no change for change’s sake.
The ALPA 12 MAX is intended predominantly as a tripod camera; however, it is also just small and light enough to also be used as a hand-held camera. The ALPA 12 MAX offers extensive shift options (perspective control) in vertical and horizontal directions simultaneously, without the lens being moved and without unwanted stereoscopic effects arising.
The ALPA 12 XY (X and Y stand for the two shift movements in x and y axis) is a camera for use on the tripod simply due to its size and weight. These properties are highly desirable there for reasons of stability. This in particular applies when very large movements (shift) have to be accompanied by very precise guidance for multiple stitching. These are all demands which the qualities of the ALPA 12 XY meet in full. For instance, in the Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France), Paris, where these cameras are used for the most demanding photographic reproduction work.
This is the ideal camera for traveling (Travel Compact). As small and light as possible, while offering full integration into the modular ALPA 12 camera platform. All current digital backs fit the ALPA 12 TC with the correct adapter. The more traditionally inclined can also make use of roll film backs up to a format of 6×9 cm – which allows truly ‘unplugged’ operation. All lenses with an ALPA adapter fit the ALPA 12 TC and all other ALPA 12 cameras. The ALPA lens adapter is available in different versions: ‘long barrel’, ‘short barrel 17 mm’ and ‘short barrel 34 mm’; adapters are also available with and without an integrated tilt/swing option.
The ALPA 12 FPS (focal plane shutter) opens the door into a new dimension: from the modular camera platform to the open toolbox. The ALPA 12 FPS is a shutter module when it is used together with another ALPA 12 camera. It is, however, also an independent camera when it is combined on its own with a back, a lens and a suitable adapter. This opens up the use of brand-new or fond old lenses from dozens of different manufacturers of optical systems – with or without a central shutter and with or without manual or electronic aperture control. Plus a free choice of format – only limited by the image circles of the lenses and by the sensor sizes. Multi exposure capability adds artistic functionality not seen like this in digital medium format photography.