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Type: 35mm Single Lens Reflex Camera with electronically controlled exposure system, fully automatic aperture-priority type.

Picture size: 24mm x 36mm.

Film: 35mm cartridge film.

Lens mount: Pentax/Praktica mount.

Viewfinder visibility: 92% of negative size.

Mirror: Quick return system.

Shutter: Metal focal plane, vertical path, electromagnetically controlled.

Shutter speeds:  Auto 2 sees - 1/2000 see (stepless). Manual B,1 sec-1/2000 see, and "X".
        Mechanical shutter operation at "X" (1/90 see).

Exposure meter:  TTL centre weighted measuring system employing two Silicon blue cells.
        Automatic exposure range of EV 0-19 with ASA 100 (2 sees at f/1.4 to 1/2000 sec at f/16).

ASA range:  25 - 3200.
 

Film wind: Single stroke in an arc of 134° with 20° play.

Film counter: Automatically indicates number of exposures and resets to zero when the camera back is opened.

Self-timer: 6-10 seconds.

Exposure memory: Push button with lock in conjunction with shutter release button.  Indication by a green signal lamp.

Film rewind:  Folding crank type.

Accessory shoe:  Built in hot shoe.

Synchronization:  X (X=1/90 sec)

Multiple exposure: Multiple exposure provision.

Power source:  6V silver oxide battery (Eveready No. 544 or equivalent).

Viewfinder blind: Built in viewfinder blind to prevent extraneous light from affecting the meter reading when the
        camera is used away from the eye.

Battery test:  Indication by a green signal lamp.

Dimensions:  (Body only) 145mm (W) x 97mm (H) x 54.5mm (D).

Weight:  (Body only) 760 gr.

To install battery:

1. Using a coin. unlock the battery chamber cover by turning it counterclockwise. 2. Place the 6V silver oxide battery with the minus ( -) side facing upwards as indicated by the symbol in the battery chamber (Fig. 1).

3. Replace the battery compartment cover by turning fully clockwise  (Fig. 2).

Note:
Clean the battery with a dry cloth or paper before inserting and thereafter at regular intervals. Make sure that the battery is inserted correctly, i.e. check polarity.
The shutter will operate only when a battery is installed except for the'' X ( l/90 sec.) position.
 

To test battery:

Test the battery when:

A new battery is installed.
The camera is not used for a long period of time.
The camera is being used continuously for many hours.
 

To test the battery, set the shutter speed dial to the "Auto" position (Fig. 3). Wind the film advance lever and press the shutter release button half way. If the battery is in good condition, the green lamp in the viewfinder frame will go on. When the green lamp does not go on, replace the battery (Fig. 4, 5).

Note: Every time a photograph is taken in the auto mode, the green lamp should go on, indicating that the the battery is still in good condition. When the indicator lamp fails to go on, replace the battery at once.

LOADING THE CAMERA

Use 20 or 36-exposure 35mm film.

1. Pull out the film rewind knob until the camera back is released, (Fig. 6) then swing the camera back fully open. 2. Keep the film rewind knob pulled all the way out, insert the film cartridge into the film chamber with the protruding end towards the base of the camera. Push in the film rewind knob (Fig. 7)

It may be found necessary to turn the knob slightly so that the rewind shaft engages the film cartridge spool. Insert the trimmed end of the film into the slot of the take up spool. Holding the film lightly down onto the transport sprockets, operate the film advance lever. Having checked that the upper and lower film perforations have engaged the transport sprockets, close the camera back firmly (Fig. 8).

Note: Do not load or unload the camera in bright sunlight.
 

ADVANCING THE FILM

To make sure the film has been loaded properly, operate the film advance lever through a full stroke (Fig. 9). Now turn the rewind knob clockwise until resistance is felt. Do not force it. Keep observing film rewind knob; it should turn counterclockwise every time the film is advanced.

Operate the film advance lever and release shutter until figure ''1'' is opposite the pointer in the frame counter window. The camera is now ready for the first exposure (Fig. 10).

Note: When the shutter release button lock lever is engaged, the shutter cannot be released. Turn the lever to the left to unlock (Fig. 11).
 

Important:
Set the shutter speed dial to the "X" position when making two blank exposures to dispose of the first few inches of film which were exposed during loading. After the film counter indicates you are ready to take the first exposure, be sure to return the shutter speed dial to the "Auto'' position.

THE FILM SPEED SETTING

The ASA/DIN speed of the film is indicated on the film box or in the instruction sheet packed with the film. Select the desired ASA/DIN speed by turning the ASA selection pin until the appropriate ASA number appears in the ASA dial window, (Fig. 12) and then align the ASA/DIN number with the white index line on the camera top cover by turning the ASA/DIN dial.

SHUTTER SPEED SETTINGS

The ALPA Si 2000 camera is equipped with an electromagnetically controlled shutter for either automatic or manual exposure control. To set the camera for automatic shutter speed selection rotate the shutter speed dial until the ''Auto'' mark is opposite the index line on the camera body (Fig. 13). To set it for manual exposure control, turn the shutter speed dial until the desired shutter speed is lined up with the index mark on the camera body.

THE APERTURE SETTINGS

The aperture is are set in the usual way by rotating the lens diaphragm ring until the required F-stop is set against the red diamond index mark on the lens barrel (Fig. 14, 15). With the shutter speed dial set at "Auto" the electronic metering system will set the corresponding shutter speed to ensure correct exposure of the film.

FOCUSING

Set the Auto/Manual control on the lens to the "Auto" position. (Fig. 16) Observing the subject through the viewfinder, turn the focusing ring on the lens until the image in the microprism disc in the center of the viewfinder appears crisp and clear (Fig. 17,18). Once this point is reached it is advisable to continue turning the ring through the area of sharpest focus and then back again. This procedure ensures without doubt that the image is at its sharpest.

 Scale focusing 

The distance scale may also be used for focusing. Estimate or measure the camera-to-subject distance in feet or meters, then set the focusing ring to this figure (Fig. 19).

AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE

The meter on/off switch is incorporated in the winding mechanism. It is therefore necessary to advance the film advance lever before proceeding. Set the shutter speed dial to "Auto" (Fig. 20) and select the aperture according to your purpose for shooting the picture. Focus the subject. Depress the shutter release button as slowly and smoothly as possible. When the shutter release button is half way depressed, the exposure meter needle will indicate the correct shutter speed figure according to the light value which corresponds to the chosen aperture value (Fig. 21). Further depression of the shutter release button will release the shutter at the shutter speed indicated in the viewfinder.

Exposure Meter Needle

1. Over exposure: Over exposure will be indicated by the meter needle moving into the upper striped area of the viewfinder scale (Fig. 22). Should this occur the lens aperture must be reduced until the needle enters the shutter speed scale. If the needle will still not enter the scale a neutral density filter must be used.

 2. Correct exposure:

While the exposure meter needle stays within the scale (arrow marked) correct exposure will result It will be found when handling the camera that automatic shutter speed selection is a function of the aperture and the ASA values chosen. As the lens aperture is altered the shutter speed will alter accordingly. Therefore, if the camera selects a speed that is considered unsuitable for the subject to be photographed, alter the aperture until a suitable shutter speed is selected.

Should the meter needle move below 1/30 sec. then the use of a tripod is recommended, providing that a larger aperture cannot be set (Fig. 23).
 

3. Under exposure:

Under exposure will be indicated by the meter needle moving into the lower striped area of the viewfinder shutter speed scale (Fig. 24). To compensate open up the lens aperture until the needle moves back onto the scale. Should the needle still not re-enter the scale additional lighting or a flash unit must be used.

UNLOADING THE CAMERA

When the red figure "20" or "36" (20 or 36 exposures) appears against the index mark in the frame counter window, the end of the film has been reached.
 

Steps for Unloading the Camera:

1. Press in the rewind release button on the camera bottom (Fig. 25).
 

2. Lift up the rewind crank on the rowing knob (Fig. 26).
 

3. Turn the rewind crank in a clockwise direction (Fig. 26). Tension will be felt as the film is being rewound into the cartridge. Stop rewinding when the tension ceases. Open the camera back by pulling out the rewind knob all the way and lift out the film cartridge (Fig. 27). The rewind button on the camera bottom will snap back into position when the film advance lever is next operated. Have the film processed without delay.
 

CHANGING THE LENS

The ALPA 2000 is equipped with a thread mount which accepts any interchangeable lens with the Pentax/Practica thread mount. To remove the lens, keep turning the lens counter clockwise until it is separated from the camera body (Fig 28, 29) .

Note: Do not remove or replace the lens while the camera is functioning.
 
   

THE EXPOSURE MEMORY BUTTON

On normal use the ALPA Si 2000 will produce perfectly exposed photographs, due to the automatic exposure system incorporated in the camera.
However some lighting conditions will occur that could misguide the system. Subjects with very high contrast or strongly back-lit are examples Such misguidance occurs with electronic shutter cameras since the exposure system continuously follows the fluctuations of light intensity up until the very instant that the exposure is made. To overcome these conditions a memory lock has been incorporated.

Steps for using the exposure memory:

1.  Focus the subject. Make sure that the shutter speed dial is set at the ''Auto'' position.

2. Press the shutter release button half way and measure the light on the main part of the subject you want to shoot, excluding all unnecessary light from the side or background (Fig. 30, 31, 32). Then press the exposure memory button which will instantly memorize the light value on the subject (Fig. 33) and twist the memory button backward until it is locked. When the memory button is locked, the green lamp in the viewfinder will go on.

 After the exposure return the memory button to its original position. When the memory button is released the green lamp is turned off. (Fig. 34)

3. With the exposure memory button locked compose the subject in the viewfinder as you desire (Fig. 35), and press the shutter release button all the way to take the photograph.

Note: The exposure memory system will be erased by releasing the exposure memory button before shooting.  The memorization only functions by simultaneous operation of the shutter release button and the exposure memory button

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

For special purposes such as multiple exposure, exposure compensation can be accomplished by resetting the ASA/DIN dial. The following guide will be found useful in determining the correct length of exposure (Fig. 38).

(1 ) white index 2/3 over exposure

(2) white index 1/:4 over exposure (Fig. 36)

(3) red index 1 x correct exposure

(4) white index 1/3 under exposure

(5) white index 2/3 under exposure (Fig. 37)

As an example if over exposure to the extent of x 2/3 is required, set 100 ASA to the red index (1). With this method it is possible to compensate from 40 to 250 ASA (Fig. 38). After the exposure has been made the ASA number must be returned to the red index mark.

MANUAL EXPOSURE

By moving the shutter speed dial off the ''Auto" setting manual shutter speeds are set. There are two methods of selecting the correct exposure. 1. Set the required shutter speed on the dial. While depressing the shutter release button observe the meter in the viewfinder. Rotate the lens aperture ring until the needle aligns with the corresponding shutter speed figure on the scale in the viewfinder (Fig. 39).

2. Set the required aperture on the lens. Slightly depress the release button and observe which shutter speed is indicated in the viewfinder. Set this speed on the shutter speed dial.

If for special purposes it is necessary to either under or over expose the photograph, proceed by either of the previous methods. Then rotate the lens aperture ring to bring the meter needle above the shutter speed indicated in the viewfinder. This will produce over exposure.
Conversely if the needle is brought below the indicated shutter speed then under exposure will result.
 

The Manual shutter speeds can be used for:

1. A particular shutter speed that is required and beyond the coupling range of the meter, e.g. 1 sec exposure at 3200 ASA.

2. Exposure compensation.

3. " B " ("Time" exposures longer than that possible in the Auto mode).

4. Flash synchronization ("X").
 

Caution: Get into the habit of immediately returning the shutter speed dial to the "Auto" position after using the manual mode to avoid possible future incorrect exposures (Fig. 40).

Mechanical shutter operation:

Since the "X" (1/90 see) position employs a mechanical shutter, it is usable even when the battery is dead. Setting the shutter speed dial to the ''X" position whenever loading the camera with film or operating the shutter in an unloaded camera will also save unnecessary battery drain.

MULTIPLE EXPOSURE

When desired, the shutter can be wound without transporting the film. This feature enables making double or multiple exposures on a single frame of film.

Take the first picture in the normal way. Before moving the film advance lever, slide the multiple exposure switch to the left, as far as it will go (Fig. 41). A red signal appears in the window indicating that the film advance lever can be wound, but it will only wind the shutter and not transport the film.

Depress the shutter release to make a second exposure on the same frame. Operating the shutter release returns the multiple exposure knob automatically to its original position to prevent accidental multiple exposures. If a third exposure is desired on the same frame, just move the multiple exposure knob to the left once more, operate the film advance lever to wind the shutter, then depress shutter release. This procedure can be repeated to obtain any number of exposures on the same frame of film.

DEPTH OF FIELD

Depth of field designates the nearest and furthest limits of the area that will be sharp in the picture in front of and beyond the subject. Depth of field is controlled by the f/stop. The larger the lens opening (f/stop), the shallower is the depth of field. The smaller the lens opening, the greater the depth of field will become (Fig. 42, 43). Visible check in the viewfinder: Set the lens at selected lens opening on the F-stop ring. Depress the shutter release button half way and observe the subject through viewfinder. This will enable you to preview the area of sharpness in the picture before shooting.

Depth of field scale: The depth of field scale indicates (after focusing) the approximate area that will be sharp in the picture. Locate on the depth of field scale the corresponding pair of f/stop figures. The distance between these two f/stop figures on the focusing ring will be the area of sharpness in your picture. (Fig. 44)

THE SELF TIMER

This device, when set, trips the shutter mechanism after a delay of 6-10 seconds. It is necessary if the photographer wishes to be in the picture, and is useful for tripping the shutter at a slow shutter speed if a cable release is not available. When using the self-timer the camera must of course be mounted on a tripod, or a solid support of some kind.

To operate, move the self-timer lever counterclockwise as far as it will go. Advance the film transport lever. Upon pressing the shutter release button the self timer mechanism will start to operate. (Fig 45, 46). If the self-timer is used in the " Auto " mode, turn the viewfinder blind lever clockwise, closing the viewfinder system and thereby preventing extraneous light from influencing the metering system (Fig. 47).

It is advisable to use flash when the exposure meter indicates that the light level is too low, such as indoors, at night time, or in daylight where the subject is too dark to provide adequate exposure (Fig. 48, 49).

P.C. outlet for "X" (Fig. 50) (Webmaster: very few new flashes come with the old flash cord. This is usually for off the camera flash units to help eliminate "red eye".)

Electronic and conventional flash units having a foot with built-in contact may be used without a connecting cord. As the hot shoe has ''X" type synchronization, it can be used with electronic flash at ''X" (1/90) (Fig. 51) or at slower shutter speeds, the lens aperture is determined by the calculation table indicated on flash units
(Webmaster: slower shutter speeds can bring in the background lighting but could blur the image due to camera shake.  A tripod is recommended)

USING INFRA-RED FILM

To use infra-red film an extra focusing adjustment must be made. After focusing note the figure that is adjacent to the red diamond on the distance scale then move that figure over to the red "R'' marked to the right side of the red diamond. (Fig. 52) This adjustment is only required for black and white infra-red film. When using color infrared film, focus in the normal way.   As of 2020 there is a company making B&W IR film.  If you wish to really use IR, go digital. There are many cameras that are fixed to allow you to shoot B&W and IR in color.
(Go digital - much easier, they still make B&W IR film - 2022)

Your ALPA Si 2000 Single Lens Reflex Camera is a precision instrument. Used with care, it will provide years of service.
Protect our camera from dirt, rain, dampness, and excessive heat. Avoid touching the lens. To clean the lens wipe it gently with a soft, lintless cloth or tissue. Do not use eyeglass tissues as they might damage the lens coating.