Alpa Reflex Model 6c

[matty]

Can't believe it, found an Alpa Reflex 6c in a local junk shop this afternoon. The meter works, shutter fires on all speeds, the paint work is a bit ropey but there are no major dings. The lens is the Kern Switar 1.8 50mm, it is really dirty, possibly fungused but I haven't had chance to look at it properly yet. I paid £25 for it, now I am in a quandry, do I keep it or do I sell it? Once in a lifetime find but the ebay prices look so tempting. I'll try and post some pictures.
Matty

[Stephen]

All depends on whether the lens is 100%, and you want to take film shots that should be exceedingly good, don't forget there are Alpa to Digital converters, you could not fit a better lens to a Micro 4/3.
The Ebay prices are high, but still depend on condition, and Alpa have the notorious painted silver finish on most models, which wears badly.
The Kern lenses can be serviced, but it is costly.
Don't forget most high prices are based on mint condition, you simply do not often see a poor Alpa. There may be interest though as a restoration or service source of spares, and still get a good price, especially in the US market. I would recommend a proper auction house sale with decent reserve, unless it is for quick disposal, then Ebay.

Stephen.

[philbirch]

I know the feeling I have a Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro worth a couple of hundred found in the bottom of a gadget bag. I've never used it.

You are a collector, clean it up and collect it. Its money in the bank if you want to buynsomething more desirable - although I cant imagine what.

My mate always looks at cameras at the car boot on weds morning but his missis tells him dont buy them for Phil he won't want them. He took a photo of a camera yesterday and showed it me this morning.  It was a Leicaflex, probably an SL coz its got that round thing (battery cover?) on the prism. £15. Gutted. I texted his wife and told her it could have been worth a couple of hundred and I'd have given my mate a good price for it. Next time he's taking the sellers phone number if there is any doubt.
He has brought some rubbish for me which I've had to pay for but thats the chance you take.

[matty]

I'm going to get a valuation and then decide. I am very tempted to keep it as it is a truly beautiful piece of engineering but it could do with a bit of sensitive restoration to be its best once again which I could not really afford. The front element on the lens looks pretty shot, there appears to be fungus and it looks like there has been some damage to the coating. I could never afford to get the lens repaired or to find a replacement. I think it is a very good candidate for restoration, so it might be a good idea to pass it on to somebody who can afford to get it back to its true self. Especially as I have been told off for sitting and stroking it, the next comment will probably be "you love that camera more than you love me." In the meantime it is an Alpa, it is mine and it is beautiful.
I'll try and post some pictures when Photobucket stops being stupid with me.
Matty

[philbirch]

Do show us photos of your Alpa.

I discovered Fotki.com I link all my photos from there. It's free, simple, no frills no ads, drag & drop upload it's perfect for me.

[matty]

Finally managed to upload some pictures of the Alpa:




I've gone through the bag it came with and found the body cap, the Practibag M42 adaptor and the Nikonbag Nikon adaptor. All of this is incredibly well made, the body cap is not a simple piece of plastic the lugs to engage with the lens mount are individually screwed onto the back of the cap.

Matty

[philbirch]

Amazing. What a beaut. You lucky b'stard

[belgiumreporter]

What a find, alpa's are allways precious and beautifull, even in battered condition, i even think it's a sign the camera was used for what it was intended and not kept away from active service in a glass closet.