Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks for the web address for the resurrected Alpa - their page indicates it's a smaller Hasselblad 903 SWC 6x4.5. Sounds interesting. The older Alpas, the ones with the black pentaprism housing/chrome body/funky reverse lever wind, always struck me as exceptionally handsome. I'm not quite sure how to define 'handsome' but it has a lot to do with the pleasing aesthetics of the shape and coloring. Others in this category include the Leicaflex SL (a look never approached by the R series), the old 'bullseye' Contarex, the Retina IIIC, many TLR Rolleiflexes and, of course, the lovely Leica M3, preferably with a chrome rigid Summicron. I've never been fortunate enough to own the Alpa or the Contarex, and wonder if anyone has any thoughts on these based on real world use? Thomas