GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
I visited Optechs Digital today to drop off some gear and while there had the chance to take a look at the Alpa STC in the flesh.
It certainly is the mini-me version of the Max or a beefy TC. With just the ground glass on it and lens it seemed like it weighed no more than a Leica M8/9 with a 35 Summilux on it and just as rock solid in the hand with the wooden grip. Even with a back attached I would expect it to be a great portable solution, certainly a LOT smaller than a Max. It fits in a Think Tank digital accessory bag about the size of the "Speed Changer". The interlocks on the shift mechanism and zero detent clicks seem a bit beefier than those on the Max and so if you want to lock it all down the interlock certainly is a benefit (I could use it on the Max on occasion). It certainly seems to fit the mold of an SWA for horizontal stitching - I.e. Great for panos and landscape work if rise/fall might is not so important for you. (like the SWA you can flip it if you want that)
Now I really need another Alpa technical camera body like I need a hole in the head but I confess that I left with just a little teeny bit of camera lust.
It certainly is the mini-me version of the Max or a beefy TC. With just the ground glass on it and lens it seemed like it weighed no more than a Leica M8/9 with a 35 Summilux on it and just as rock solid in the hand with the wooden grip. Even with a back attached I would expect it to be a great portable solution, certainly a LOT smaller than a Max. It fits in a Think Tank digital accessory bag about the size of the "Speed Changer". The interlocks on the shift mechanism and zero detent clicks seem a bit beefier than those on the Max and so if you want to lock it all down the interlock certainly is a benefit (I could use it on the Max on occasion). It certainly seems to fit the mold of an SWA for horizontal stitching - I.e. Great for panos and landscape work if rise/fall might is not so important for you. (like the SWA you can flip it if you want that)
Now I really need another Alpa technical camera body like I need a hole in the head but I confess that I left with just a little teeny bit of camera lust.