I joined ALPA in March last year as managing partner and I’m also an active artist and photographer.
The fully mechanical design is not retro chic. It’s a choice for certain photographic disciplines where precision and physical control matter more than speed or automation. E.g. architecture, landscape, art etc.
ALPA is a very small, niche manufacturer producing low volumes in Switzerland with tight mechanical tolerances and a focus on serviceability. It’s not intended as a general-purpose system. That’s by design.