cnphoto
Well-known
Just scanned my first roll, loving it! Neopan 1600 in Rodinal 1:50
even at 1/8th second.
even at 1/8th second.
stompyq
Well-known
Really nice.
Photosynthetech
Established
That's a first roll to be proud of
arthur sadowsky
Established
Superb pics!
Correct me if I'm mistaking, but the framing must be really hard (comparing to "regular" 135 format), please upload some more!
Correct me if I'm mistaking, but the framing must be really hard (comparing to "regular" 135 format), please upload some more!
amoslu
Newbie
great work ...
maclaine
Well-known
These are great. I love the ultra-wide format. It seems most people use these for landscape stuff, but as you've shown, it has it's place with people photos as well. If I ever get the spare cash to get one, that's what I would use it for, too, as I'm a poor landscape photographer. I've tried the kind of panoramic cameras with swinging lenses, and it's just not the same.
Last edited by a moderator:
cnphoto
Well-known
@arthur - i haven't found it vastly difficult to frame the shots, it's just different. i think that i may find composing some photos on the xpan easier for some shots compared to the standard 35mm format. bit hard to say after just one roll though.
here are a few others from the roll:
i look forward to shooting some more formal portraits with the XPan later in the week. i think that the Xpan and either an XA or the M3 with a fast 50mm Nokton will be my stadard kit now.
here are a few others from the roll:
i look forward to shooting some more formal portraits with the XPan later in the week. i think that the Xpan and either an XA or the M3 with a fast 50mm Nokton will be my stadard kit now.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
I've had an XPan for several years (have one for sale currently in the classifieds if I may plug shamelessly).
They're great cameras, very compact and solidly built. The framing is quite easy, as the parameters are set in framelines in the viewfinder. The really ingenious part is that with a simple switch, you can go from shooting regular 35mm format to panoramic format, and back again..at any time.
Nice shots, I think you'll be addicted as I am soon.
They're great cameras, very compact and solidly built. The framing is quite easy, as the parameters are set in framelines in the viewfinder. The really ingenious part is that with a simple switch, you can go from shooting regular 35mm format to panoramic format, and back again..at any time.
Nice shots, I think you'll be addicted as I am soon.
emraphoto
Veteran
hasselrad, love that. bleeding through also happens to be in heavy rotation on my end these days!
the xpan is the one camera i have longed to try out!
Colin, out of curiosity have you shot anything on the xpan that has been run in print?
the xpan is the one camera i have longed to try out!
Colin, out of curiosity have you shot anything on the xpan that has been run in print?
shyoon
Well-known
Nice photos - I understand what you mean about the negative space as well, the panoramic format really works well.
I really want to try out an XPan now; a friend of mine has one which has been lying in her cupboard unused. I might ask if I can shoot a roll through it next time I see her.
I really want to try out an XPan now; a friend of mine has one which has been lying in her cupboard unused. I might ask if I can shoot a roll through it next time I see her.
Parkes Owen
grain fed
Wow, what a great first roll! Neopan 1600 is my favourite B&W film for the xpan. It`s an awsome camera, i`ve had mine 6 years and could never part with it. Enjoy!
martin s
Well-known
Some of those are nice; yet, I sometimes think people shoot panoramic the way they would 35mm, except for a lot of unnecessary "stuff" on the right and left.
OTOH, Wim Wenders book "Picture from the surface of the earth" has some incredible panoramic shots, he fills the frame all the way. I'm not saying negative space never works for me; it sometimes does.
martin
OTOH, Wim Wenders book "Picture from the surface of the earth" has some incredible panoramic shots, he fills the frame all the way. I'm not saying negative space never works for me; it sometimes does.
martin
Turtle
Veteran
I have a well used Xpan Mk I on the way to try some new perspectives on a current project. I'm really excited and figured if it does not work out well for me I can always sell it for what I bought it for. I will only ever use the 45mm to keep things simple and me fluid and really think it will work out well. Seeing shots here is like a trailer for how much fun I think it will be. I never had an interest when I as shooting mainly landscapes, but perversely, it now appeals immensely for documentary work!
Here's my theory on composition: Some people think a lot about composition and others are more instinctive/intuitive using the format itself as a visual took to work to a composition. That you had no issue transitioning suggests you are more intuitive and just 'worked the camera' until you got something you found worked in the VF. It does seem that Xpan compositions that allow you to read the frame from side to side work well.
I hope I find it equally easy to work with the format too. Should be here in a week!
Here's my theory on composition: Some people think a lot about composition and others are more instinctive/intuitive using the format itself as a visual took to work to a composition. That you had no issue transitioning suggests you are more intuitive and just 'worked the camera' until you got something you found worked in the VF. It does seem that Xpan compositions that allow you to read the frame from side to side work well.
I hope I find it equally easy to work with the format too. Should be here in a week!
Wallo
Member
Nice stuff. I would really like to try one of those some day.
Vincent.G
Well-known
How many pano frames can one get from a regular roll of 36 negatives? I saw an nice xpan on sale at a local store but the price is pretty too.
Parkes Owen
grain fed
You will get 21 pano shots per 36 roll, if you buy the xpan and don`t like it, you can easily sell it without much loss, but it`s quite likely you will keep it for a long time!
cnphoto
Well-known
yes, i agree. i also happen to love negative space as well and often shoot 35mm or other formats with negative space when i feel it works.
this was a first roll so naturally everything was shot panoramic
but i like the ability to switch to a standard format on the same roll when desired, and i would wager that i would do that as much as i would shoot in the wide format.Parkes Owen said:
yes, i really do like it. especially in Rodinal 1:50. I bought bulk TMax 400 recently, but now wish I'd bought Neopan 1600 instead.
emraphoto said:
thanks, yes they're nice people too. easy to work with, and where genuinely interested in the 4x5 and the process. the interview went well too.
cnphoto
Well-known
thanks, yes that's how it worked for me i guess. i had used my LX3 quiet a bit exclusively in 16:9 mode while i was making the decision and hunting for a good price. i think that that helped me 'see' in a wider format a little before the XPan came, and also made me realise that I really do enjoy the format and the XPan decision was a good one.
i also think that if you're used to rangefinders you will find it relatively straight forward with a little forethought. the hardest part is keeping straight horizontal lines straight!
i think you will enjoy it, do post the results. like others have said, if not it is easy to sell for a little loss if any. the build quality / construction and feel of the camera is also first class (aside from the finish, though this one is in good condition and almost "minty"
i think i may have rubbed a little of the finish off one of the corners, not that i really care so much).
emraphoto
Veteran
i would be very interested in seeing how it works out for you as a documentary tool my friend. it wasn't until i saw Subotzky's work that the xpan became more than a gimmick. i have also seen quite a bit of Towell's xpan work (mostly landscape'esque) and it's admittedly quite impressive.
Turtle
Veteran
Mine has just arrived and I am seriously impressed with the build quality and feel. The RF is off but I am going to try to adjust that myself or get it done by service if that fails. I'm intending to use it for zone focused street shooting and so the RF is not such a big deal for now. That 45mm lens is seriously sharp, the shutter release is lovely, the motor and shutter is nice and quiet and the machine just oozes quality. It feels so good in my hand I just know it is going to work out really well for documentary work. lack of shutter info in the VF seems like a big deal until I remembered that all my Leicas are the same I will prob meter the same too i.e. use manual, making adjustments as I need rather than using AE.
Such a shame this camera is gone. After saving the money for a 75 cron asph, I decided to go for a Summarit and use the left over money for this Xpan. I am very glad that is what I did. Now to return the duff Summarit and get one that works. At least I can shoot the Hassy!
I will prob meter the same too i.e. use manual, making adjustments as I need rather than using AE.Such a shame this camera is gone. After saving the money for a 75 cron asph, I decided to go for a Summarit and use the left over money for this Xpan. I am very glad that is what I did. Now to return the duff Summarit and get one that works. At least I can shoot the Hassy!