If I had a dollar.....
:ROTFL:
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From Alpa TC to SWA or STC ?
- Thread starter OliverM
- Start date
:ROTFL:
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
rayyen
Member
I'm using TC, STC & SWA. Agree with Dan, Graham above. The SWA 2 grips design is a real classic look and absolutely helpful if u like shooting handheld a lot. 25mm upward shift is lot more than 18mm and if u do a lot upward shift, SWA would be a better choice. Weight, very similar. Size, also very similar.
Thank you all for your great input.
I took many pictures handheld with the TC which do not have the technical perfection that the camera is capable of when mounted on a tripod, but which have still the unique tones that the lenses and back are capable of, and that I like better than any DSLR.
I am less and less interested in multiplying the number of pictures with a convenient and versatile DSLR, I prefer 1 very nice picture than 10 very decent ones. I still have one dslr (2 btw), but use it when the back really doesn't work (low light, zoom).
I think I should use upward shift mainly, and was particularly interested in Dan's comment that a +5mm shift is his standard when walking in the streets.
I don't have the experience to evaluate if I would need the extra 7 mm shift capability of the SWA, just I don't like architecture shots with too much shift to keep vertical lines.
The TC with the back is already a bit heavy around the neck, I have the impression that the extra weight of the SWA could be partially compensated by its wider shape (?).
I also try to use the tripod more and more (excellent RRS TVC-24, mall and light) and it is convenient to keep the camera mounted when walking. Then the extra weight of the swa could be a pain.
One last question to you ray, who have the TC, SWA and STC (!) : as you have those 3, I assume you also want to optimize weight, size and capabilities ... if you had to keep only one between the TC and the SWA, which one would it be ?
Kind regards
Oliver
rayyen
Member
If I had to pick one, definitely SWA, even I like go hiking with my TC, you know when you go hiking, you want to keep your bag as light as possible. SWA is just too beautiful and hard to resists of not having one if you love ALPA... ;p
I'd say a TC and SWA is a very good pair, or TC & STC.
Just don't sell your TC, it's a fantastic little gem.
I'd say a TC and SWA is a very good pair, or TC & STC.
Just don't sell your TC, it's a fantastic little gem.
shortpballer
Member
Oliver,
Just saw that your location says Paris. Prophot Paris has a demo SWA right now thats priced quite well. I was going to buy it but decided on a max instead. If you are not familiar with Prophot, the address is 103 Blvd Beaumarchais. Go speak with Olivier.
Eric
Just saw that your location says Paris. Prophot Paris has a demo SWA right now thats priced quite well. I was going to buy it but decided on a max instead. If you are not familiar with Prophot, the address is 103 Blvd Beaumarchais. Go speak with Olivier.
Eric
Thank you for the info Eric !
Btw, the funny thing is I was just looking to your sale of alpa lenses ... if I move to a SWA, I will have to replace my Alpar 35mm by a 35 xl ... Also I really like the Rodenstock 60 HR but apparently the image circle is limited ...
jotloob
Subscriber Member
Don't sell your TC . :thumbdown: You will regret that . I am sure .
Oliver , can you please tell me , why you have to replace your
ALPAR 35mm . Sorry , I just don't understand that .
OK, I follow everyone's opinion, I won't sell it :salute:
Perhaps there are different versions of Alpa 35mm, mine is the ALPA AAA Apo Alpar 4.5/35 mm. I was told it is well adapted for digital until 33 Mpix, under the condition of using the center part of the circle, without movements.
I have a 22 Mpix back for the time being, so if I can avoid to replace it, I will be happy !
Thanks
The original lens is named "Digital", offers a wide image circle, but Alpa mentions on his site that it should be limited to 9 µm sensors.
When I bought it, this is what I was told :
- "very good results even with a 7.2 micron size pixel sensor AS LONG as you remain within the center of the immense image circle of this lens"
- "if you would use the full image circle up to the max, in this case 9.0 micron size pixel would be even too small"
I think Alpa has extremely high standards and want their customers to get the best and aren't disappointed.
For sure, with a TC and a 7.2 or 9µ back, the results are amazing (I used it with a Sinar 54 and a Leaf Aptus 75s).
You use it with a 39 Mpix back.
Max rise is 35 mm with that lens, but SWA rise is "limited" to 25 mm ...
My bet is then that it should remain very good in most cases with the SWA and a 22 Mpix back.
I don't know if the 35 xl with better specs delivers visible differences on a 22 Mpix back. This is very possible as the Rodenstock 60 HR, even if not comparable to the 35mm of course, seems to shine more.
O
OJO
Guest
I have 1 TC, 1 STC, 2 SWA, 1 MAX and 1 XY. My favorites among these are the SWA and the XY. I sold the TC and STC. I will consider selling the MAX and one of the SWA in the future. I will eventually get the FPS and keep the XY and one of the SWA.
"I have 1 TC, 1 STC, 2 SWA, 1 MAX and 1 XY ... "
That's a lot of miles on you gold alpa-card ! :bugeyes:
" My favorites among these are the SWA and the XY. I sold the TC, STC and going to sell the MAX "
What do you like so much in the SWA : the rise capability, the way you can hold it, the look, ... ?
The day you sell one of your SWA, if rosewood, don't forget to send me a pm ... I will buy one in January (last week I was fool enough to visit an art gallery and couldn't resist ... )
Thanks
Oliver
That's a lot of miles on you gold alpa-card ! :bugeyes:
" My favorites among these are the SWA and the XY. I sold the TC, STC and going to sell the MAX "
What do you like so much in the SWA : the rise capability, the way you can hold it, the look, ... ?
The day you sell one of your SWA, if rosewood, don't forget to send me a pm ... I will buy one in January (last week I was fool enough to visit an art gallery and couldn't resist ... )
Thanks
Oliver
O
OJO
Guest
OliverM,
I find the SWA to have all the qualities you mentioned, but the really important element of the SWA that I appreciate is the balance of the camera in my hands whether I use it with a digital back or a filmback.
When my Alpa card hits the limit, I pull out my GetDPI card which has a higher limit for the Alpa lens, accessories and second copies of items you really like to back you up in the field.
I find the SWA to have all the qualities you mentioned, but the really important element of the SWA that I appreciate is the balance of the camera in my hands whether I use it with a digital back or a filmback.
When my Alpa card hits the limit, I pull out my GetDPI card which has a higher limit for the Alpa lens, accessories and second copies of items you really like to back you up in the field.
shortpballer
Member
OliverM
As I said, there is an SWA demo unit with rosewood grips for sale right now at Profot Paris. Tell Olivier that DosSantos/Lemone sent you, he will give you a good deal!
Eric DosSantos
As I said, there is an SWA demo unit with rosewood grips for sale right now at Profot Paris. Tell Olivier that DosSantos/Lemone sent you, he will give you a good deal!
Eric DosSantos
the really important element of the SWA that I appreciate is the balance of the camera in my hands
Hmm, one more point.
When my Alpa card hits the limit, I pull out my GetDPI card
In France, casinos check your Id at the entrance, to avoid that black-listed people who got ruined in money games continue to loose. I wonder if GetDPI owners receive requests from photographers' wifes, asking to black-list their husband ...
Hmm, one more point.
When my Alpa card hits the limit, I pull out my GetDPI card
In France, casinos check your Id at the entrance, to avoid that black-listed people who got ruined in money games continue to loose. I wonder if GetDPI owners receive requests from photographers' wifes, asking to black-list their husband ...
jotloob
Subscriber Member
Psssst. You should not have mentioned that .
If my wife reads your comment , I will surely be the first on that list .:ROTFL:
Another addict here with TC, STC and Max. "different horses for different courses" etc. Not to mention the other cameras...
I love the TC as my lightweight walk around camera.
The Max is for architectural and 4 way stitches, maximum quality/file size
The STC is the one I take with me when I might do both - stitch and/or walk around, its small, does a good 2 way stitch (or 2 way rise/fall). Its what I took on a 3 week trip to New Zealand.
Yesterday the TC came out with me, 60mm Apo-Digaron-S (f4.0 very useful extra stop). And an Olympus VF1 finder, which matches the 60mm FOV very well. Alpa HPF ring and laser rangefinder. A nice light kit, and pretty rugged too. I use the Alpa single shot cable, so I don't need Zero latency, but that cable doesn't work as well as they claim IMHO.
I love the TC as my lightweight walk around camera.
The Max is for architectural and 4 way stitches, maximum quality/file size
The STC is the one I take with me when I might do both - stitch and/or walk around, its small, does a good 2 way stitch (or 2 way rise/fall). Its what I took on a 3 week trip to New Zealand.
Yesterday the TC came out with me, 60mm Apo-Digaron-S (f4.0 very useful extra stop). And an Olympus VF1 finder, which matches the 60mm FOV very well. Alpa HPF ring and laser rangefinder. A nice light kit, and pretty rugged too. I use the Alpa single shot cable, so I don't need Zero latency, but that cable doesn't work as well as they claim IMHO.
Dear all,
I received a SWA yesterday. Looks like the ideal camera for me (balance, easy to handle, rise, great feeling). Don't be surprised if you see a TC for sale in the coming weeks (and more, I think I need to buy some lenses ...).
Many thanks for your help, it was not so easy for me to decide.
Oliver
I received a SWA yesterday. Looks like the ideal camera for me (balance, easy to handle, rise, great feeling). Don't be surprised if you see a TC for sale in the coming weeks (and more, I think I need to buy some lenses ...).
Many thanks for your help, it was not so easy for me to decide.
Oliver