Alpa TC article
The Alpa Tc
Pure, Simple, Precise, and Fun!
By Paul Slotboom Summer 2010
What is it about the Alpa TC that is so appealing to so many? After all, it's nothing more than a very small ultra light metal frame that simply holds a lens on one side and a film or digital back on the other.
For some, it's exactly this compact, lightweight simplicity that draws them to the TC for wilderness back country photography or photo reportage and street work.
Others see the TC as the ideal basic building block to build a completely custom tailored camera system to suit a particular specific need. Whether it be aerial, scientific, macro, ultra-wide, or even formal portrait work, a TC can be configured to achieve any task.
What is certain to all, is that when someone first handles a TC camera body, they immediately recognize they are handling something truly special, and then begin to consider all the possibilities that this system has to offer.
The Alpa TC is designed for what I call "pure" photography. That is, it's intended for the photographer that wants to think about and consider all aspects of the creation of an image. All decisions are the responsibility of the photographer, and the TC is just there to ensure the most reliable, repeatable precision result of your intent. There are no gimmicks and no shortcuts. But for those willing to travel this path, the Alpa delivers, time and again, the ultimate image quality possible.
I often comment that the Alpa TC is to cameras what the Harley Davidson is to motorcycles. In that, no two are alike.
Some extreme backpackers only want to pack with the body, digital back and a couple of lenses. They have no need for the extra weight of a grip or any sort of finder or focus device. A typical Minimalists Alpa TC outfit (see right) consists of body, back and 47mm lens, weighing in at a mere 2.8 pounds.
While on the other hand, some photographers doing extreme macro work will have their TC fully outfitted with levels, ground glass, focus bellows, accessory shoe for flash triggers, grip, and a series of extension tubes. The ability to attach accessories to all four sides of the TC makes all of these custom configurations easy, quick and fun to set up. This ultimate close-up configuration consists of the following components from front to back: Schneider 120 macro short barrel lens, 34mm multi purpose adapter, 16mm extension tube, TC body, 52mm extension tube, Pro Grid Screen ground glass set, small focus bellows, Rodenstock 4X loupe. On the near side of the camera is a rotatable hand grip, on top is an accessory shoe with spirit level holding a flash trigger, on the far side of the camera is an accessory shoe holding a two way bubble level. (Scroll to bottom of page for a larger view of this image).
My own personal Alpa TC kit is shown at right. It contains the following parts: TC body with fingertip grip right hand side, Schneider 47mm XL and 72mm digitar lenses, viewfinder with mask etched to match the 47 and 72 lenses, set of three extension tubes (6.5, 16 and 34mm) back adapter that has been shimmed to my particular back, Pro Grid Screen with small focus bellows and 4X loupe. And that Alpa cap not only looks great on my head, but it acts as a lens shade! With this kit, I can accomplish nearly any photographic task that I stumble upon, and it all weighs in at a comfortable 8 pounds. (Scroll to bottom of page for a larger view of this image)
The TC is the ideal entry into the addictive world of ALPA cameras. It will lead to renewed joy and love of "pure" photography. Fair warning... once you use an Alpa, you won’t be satisfied with anything less!
Specifications of the TC body:
size: 4.29x4.29x.78 inch
Weight: .485 lbs
Email me to see how to begin your Alpa adventure.
