Camera number 0290547.

#ALPAinside - Today is May 29.For ALPA, this date carries a particular meaning.

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The late Thomas Weber, developer of the ALPA 12, owned the first ALPA 12 WA camera with serial number 0290546. A number that reflected his date of birth: 29.05.46.

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The next serial number was 0290547.And it belongs to the first serially produced ALPA 12 WA, ordered by Raymond Depardon in 1996, delivered in 1998, and used by him ever since. A camera shaped by the traces of a photographic life over almost three decades.

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When this camera recently came back to us for service, we approached it with the same principle that guides all our work: preserve what carries meaning, restore what is needed for use, and never erase the story written into the object.

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Because of its special meaning to us, we chose to capture this service on film.

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The result is an observation of care and continuity, and of a camera returning to use – even thirty years after it was made.

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We publish this film today in memory of Thomas Weber, who passed away in January. And in recognition of the friendship and history connecting Thomas, Raymond Depardon, and ALPA.

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You will find the full 16-minute film on YouTube:

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