Alpa 111972

History

Pignons (Ballaigues, Switzerland) made Alpa cameras starting 1944. The line evolved through Reflex II, 6, 7, 9 (1965), 10, and 11 (1972). Variants: 11a (basic), 11si (silicon meter, 1979), 11el (electronic). Production ended 1990 when Pignons closed. The Alpa name was revived in the 1990s for medium-format technical cameras (different company, different camera concept).

Why It Matters

Alpa is the Swiss-made luxury alternative to mainstream Japanese and German SLRs. Hand-assembled, individually inspected, expensive new ($1,500+ in 1980). Working photographers rarely chose an Alpa over a Nikon F or Leicaflex — the Alpa was a connoisseur's body. The image quality with Alpa-branded Kern Switar lenses (Swiss-made) is excellent, but the lens system was expensive, slow to expand, and never reached the depth of Nikkor or Leica R lines.

For 2026 buyers, used Alpa 11 bodies command $2,500–6,000 — collector-tier prices. The cameras are shootable but expensive to service (specialist Swiss watchmakers handle CLA), and parts are essentially gone.

Lenses & Accessories

Alpa proprietary mount: Kern Switar 50/1.8, 50/1.9, Macro-Switar 50/1.8 (legendary), Apo-Switar 100/4. Alpa system adapters for Nikon F, M42, T-mount lenses. Interchangeable finders.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Karl Lagerfeld — owned and shot Alpa.
• Cult Swiss luxury collector body.
• Featured in Alpa retrospectives and luxury camera publications.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Alpa
• Wikipedia: Alpa