So, who is buying a Alpa these days?

[Phase V]

Well, in this interview with p: berlin: https://pberlin.net/2024/08/30/iv-alpa/ (German only)
Hans Keist, the current Managing Director of Alpa will tell you.

Spoiler, it´s 99% Chinese and this one you have to swallow:
"Professional photographers in Asia, on the other hand, rarely buy our cameras. But this trend actually also applies to the European market."

The good thing is, they are working together with Cambo, and Arca Swiss to get a replacement
for the Copal Shutter because there is a growing demand for analog film.

So, that´s the future for Alpa, Cambo, and Arca Swiss, going back to film?
Good luck.

 

[SrMphoto]

Well, in this interview with p: berlin: https://pberlin.net/2024/08/30/iv-alpa/ (German only)
Hans Keist, the current Managing Director of Alpa will tell you.

No permission to access that link.

 

[Paul Spinnler]

The article seems not acccessible; my latest info from a few days ago is that the idea re copal has been scrapped due to high costs / not enough expected sales of copal shutters, so I am not sure how current this is.

Also, it has never been much different re Alpa - the workmanship and precision is the highest you can buy, but it was always priced at a premium making it more a luxury item than a common tech cam. If you don't have the cash you go for AS, Cambo, Alpa / P1 XT in that order.

Owning XT, Arca Swiss and Alpa cameras, I can say without doubt that from just a pure feel and breadth of optionality (Pano, TC, etc.) it is the most interesting system, although at a cost. The precision of the gear is just on another level.

In addition you need to take apart the drivers - professionals across the board don't have the cash anymore to amortize even a P1 system and most just work with Fuji, Hassy at below 10k price points. So in a way the fact that there's not many professional photographers is a product of many already having a system and in general the demise of paid commercial photographic work as a viable profession.

China is a 1bn+ country with strong GDP growth over the last 20 years, creating a lot of millionaires - this said, they also buy the XC and as of recent the market has been setback in China as well post Covid and post changes in bribery laws which also impacted Leica sales btw. Add to that cultural shifts against consumption post Covid and the real estate crisis and thre you go you have a disappearing luxury market in China atm. Which is also affecting LVHM, Gucci, etc.

Alpa has a very niche following, but this following is not so price sensitive and cherishes a certain quality of product standard.

Ie its not rare for them to get bigger orders at list price randomly from some well-off amateur who just wants to do sth nice in his free time. You know, body, 4-5 lenses in one swoop.

 

[Phase V]

I dont´know what´s wrong with the link, i swear this was working just a few hours before.

 

[tcdeveau]

I really enjoyed the Alpa system when I used it. I have a print with the STC and IQ4A I have in my house (that was also exhibited at a local museum for a few months), and I had some ppl over this weekend for my son's bday party and some other photogs were commenting on how amazing the print was. I didn't buy new though, and I spent a considerable amount of time assembling a used kit from pieces here and there over time.

I'd love to get back into it some day, but, it's definitely hard for me to justify the cost of anything more than a used GFX100S kit these days.

 

[drevil]

me, i recently acquired a MAX, from the chinese second hand market

in the past 10-15 years china was a huge market for alpa and phase one, i remember a picture from a meeting of the official alpa/phase one fan club in china, 20-30 people standing next to their equipment. as paul mentioned the boom in china created alot of wealthy people, who didnt know what to do with their money.

but in the last few years in china, i could tell there was a shift, hugely in favor for Fuji GFX and Hasselblad X syxtem.
but that happened before covid and now people are saving money ahead of insecure times

 

[lookbook]

I dont´know what´s wrong with the link, i swear this was working just a few hours before.

.. I am warned before forwarding the link ..

 

[lookbook]

me, i recently acquired a MAX, from the chinese second hand market

.. I sold my last Alpa (XY) to China

Otherwise, the excessive prices of this brand can be explained by the fact that they buy their products and don't manufacture them themselves.
I recommend Arca - less image - better camera!

 

[dchew]

I'm going on 15 years working with the same STC camera. It fits perfectly in a F-Stop SmallPro ICU along with four lenses, a digital back and all the accessories I need to shoot in the mountains for 5 days.

I'm not switching any time soon. Who else is buying, or not, isn't on my radar.

Dave

 

[darr]

I have three Alpa bodies and five lenses, including an STC I picked up this year. My current setup covers all my needs, with lenses I’ve used for over a decade still performing well. A key advantage of the Alpa system for me is its seamless integration with much of my Hasselblad V gear. As I continue with Hasselblad and expand my three-lens 907x kit, Alpa remains essential in my shooting toolbox. I stick with gear that works—Hasselblad for 40 years, and now Alpa for 15 years for medium format technical shooting. These systems complement each other, and I’m content with them for the long haul.

 

[lookbook]

.. a major disadvantage for me with my XY at Alpa was that they don't keep spare parts in stock for cameras that are discontinued.
They would have had to find someone to make the spare part for them. They can't do it themselves!

 

[Paul Spinnler]

The Alpa XY was a system made for the studio photographer using the large IC crossover lenses such as the SA XL 72 which Greiner for example mounted for Andreas Gursky for enormous stitching reserves. It is incredibly solidly built, but for most impractical for use in the field. It has the distinct advantage of being able to shift 25mm left and right on top of endless shift up and down so it is the perfect camera for the 60XL, 90 HR SW, 138 SW.

Of course, that's a limited circle of people who can afford such a kit.

Another problem Alpa has is a that the quality of their products is so good, you buy once and keep it forever.

Its the so called "Linhof Master Technika" problem ... also last ages. But this doesnt sell systems if you produce for the ages!

IMHO one of the finest cameras one can buy and the SWA with Linhof rollfilm back is a) a beauty and b) an incredibly precise system for film - when you make money as a fine artist or just wnat a piece of gear for 20 years this is the system to get. A perfectly sharp 6x9 shot on SWA is just nice.

Think about it - if you buy an STC and own it for 15 years - its quite cost efficient.

I have the AS Rm3Di, Factum, F-Line. While great, the build quality doesnt touch Alpa's. Also, the anodization is miles ahead - you easily see the white aluminium with AS gear. The back attachment mechanism is flimsy and frankly dangerous and over time the geared movements become sticky. Mounting lenses in the field can be annoying.

Lastly - Alpa employs a inner rail system which makes it incredibly precise for shifts compared to other systems which use two plates against each other which can lose precision through wear over time.

I also sold my Max to China for more than offered here. I was marketing the hell out of it here and on eBay a fellow from HK just snapped it up in a micro-second - sold in two days. Guy was super happy.

There's worse things to do than to let out a roll of 6x9 Kodak Tri-X on this guy:



Those who complain about the price, don't get it.

Its about buying a tool that exemplifies quality, perfection and that you buy once in your life.

I have not had to replace any of my Alpa cameras ever.

 

[Paul Spinnler]

I'm going on 15 years working with the same STC camera. It fits perfectly in a F-Stop SmallPro ICU along with four lenses, a digital back and all the accessories I need to shoot in the mountains for 5 days.

I'm not switching any time soon. Who else is buying, or not, isn't on my radar.

Dave

That exemplifies the main benefit and core user of an Alpa. You own them for ages and you are done searching other equipment because you know you have the best. Like the Linhof MT or a Leica M6 - its just liberating to kill off the gear search (except a new back every few years).

Linhof since years is backed by a sponsor who wants to keep the brand alive - their biggest enemy is themselves, their Master Technika's last forever!

I need to add the Hasselblad V to the list as well. Products for the ages.

 

[lookbook]

.. tools are for professionals - they have to work and be able to be repaired quickly if they malfunction!!
I'm not a professional but I have similar demands.
For me, the SWA is also one of the most beautiful technical cameras ever built -
But it's not practical (as a technical camera).
I also enjoyed taking photos of it and it's actually the most viewed photo of me - it's a beauty queen but can't cook very well

​

 

[Paul Spinnler]

The article is reachable again, its worth a read - English users can use Google Chrome's automatic translate feature.

I highly recommend, money permitting, to one day treat yourself to an Alpa camera - it stings a little more, but you'll keep the camera a long time and its a perfect tool for the the perfectionist.

 

[f8orbust]

I've used Cambo, A/S, Linhof and Alpa at various times over the years, and - as others have said before me - there's just something about an Alpa camera that sets it apart. Sort of reminds me of using an Ebony camera back in the LF days. If you have the money and are looking to move to a technical camera, you won't be disappointed with Alpa. It's just a shame lens prices are so high - they're probably the biggest barrier to entry now for most systems, not just Alpa.

 

[Paul Spinnler]

They have low margins on the lenses, their main margins lie with the big bodies.

The problem is that Rodenstock has continually raised prices over multiple price hike rounds in the last years as they are private equity owned as well and given they have a monopoly for the niche of large IC tech cam glass are seeing at which point milking the cash cow stops to work out.

My understanding of the situation is that although sales are down, it is still a very nice cash business for Rodenstock.

To save money you can remount an existing Rodenstock lens with them.

 

[sunhouwang]

In the past, Alpa products were purchased by two main groups, one is top amateurs, pursuiting highest quality images, one is successful business people, owning Alpa for their hobbies.
Today, people are more rational about buying Alpa's products, while more similar alternatives are available.

 

[Paul Spinnler]

It is a luxury product, the moaning of Alpa's products has existed since forever. I think someone interested in an Alpa ALWAYS knew there are cheaper alternatives. You also get what you pay for, as said.

I bought my first Alpa camera end of 2000s - it was clearly the more expensive solution compared to Cambo, AS - but I liked the look and feel the most so I went for it.

What has changed is that China's middle and upper class is massively hit by the real estate crisis + weak economy after the pandemic. There's rampant unemployement with the youth and the US and EU are also looking to impose sector sanctions, ie on the automotive sector for example. In a few years this will turn back again, like back in 2009 and the boom after 2012, but right now its just dire everywhere.

If you put a large portion of your net worth in a high rise apartment in Shanghai or HK and values plummet by 30-50% - you have other problems than an Alpa camera, no matter how great of a current job you have. You might even be asked by the bank to inject equity into the mortgage if the loan-to-value drops - this is what kills the newly rich middle class.

On top, my understanding is that culturally there's a trend to not show consumption anymore (most likely supported politically)- ie an austerity focus which further hampers consumption of Western luxury items. Its called "luxury shame".

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/luxury-shame-hits-china-s-luxury-market-as-elites-dial-down-on-austerity-124071600969_1.html
Europe you can forget economically and the US is also struggling economically after very high interest hikes and under the current administation.

Global crises and cost inflation across the board don't help either to create luxury customers.

And well-paid commercial photography? - Going down the drain in the world of AI, good cameras in every iPhone, etc.

All this said - if you can afford it go for it, if not, you can stick with Fuji, Hassy, et al.

 

[lookbook]

... great article - I really like the new man at the top from what I've read.
In important parts I find myself well represented with my view of things ...