Any other Widelux owners out there?

Widepan

Widepan

Hi, I love the kiln photos, I think that swing lens cameras are great for indoors and confined cityscapes. I have a Widepan Pro 2, which I have so far only used for landscapes, with mixed results, but you have inspired me to try some industrial locations. Thanks, Andy.
 
I had one for a number of years but sold it due to constant mechanical problems. I purchased a used Soviet Horizont, the old one, and haven't had a problem in 15 years. For about ten or so years i had a roundshot and absolutely loved it. Fantastic 360 images. I purchased it for som eannual report shooting and found many uses including a golf course shoot where I shot the course at sunrise and sunset and blew the images to 17 ft long. Fantastic images. I sold it and now wish I had another. I think if I buy another it will be the 120 version that uses the nikkor 28mm.
 
to Widelux or to XPAN

to Widelux or to XPAN

I am torn between getting a Widelux or an XPAN..
I am sure this will open a huge debate, but is it like comapring Apples and Oranges?
XPAN is just a wide angle cam?
Widelux is a true pano?
:bang:
 
Walker said:
I am torn between getting a Widelux or an XPAN..
I am sure this will open a huge debate, but is it like comapring Apples and Oranges?
XPAN is just a wide angle cam?
Widelux is a true pano?
:bang:
Click to expand...
Swing-lens cameras (like the Widelux, Noblex, Horizon, etc.) and rectilinear cameras (like the Xpan or Fuji or Linhof 7x17 cameras) do in fact produce quite different results. Which is better really depends on the application. If you shoot architecture, you may be happier with a rectilinear camera since it preserves straight lines much better than a swing-lens camera. On the other hand, subjects near the edge of rectilinear images made with wide-angle lenses show more distortion.

The Widelux is a bit of an odd bird--it has a fixed-focus lens and a fairly imprecise viewfinder. The fixed-focus lens is focused at about 11 feet IIRC, so even stopped all the way down elements at infinity are not quite sharp.

To get a feel for what you can to with a widelux, check out Jeff Bridges' (yes, the actor) website at:

http://www.jeffbridges.com

I cannot really comment on rectilinear panorama cameras since the only one that I have ever owned is the Widelux.

Hope this helps,
 
Walker, it seems to me the choice must depend on which "look" (as described by motosacto) is more to your taste, but aside from that I've heard numerous complaints about the mechanical reliability of the Widelux over the years. I was checking one out at a local camera shop once and it jammed on me - just from winding and releasing the shutter a few times. This is, of course, anecdotal, but it might be good to hear from Widelux owners on the reliability issue.
 
Walker said:
I am torn between getting a Widelux or an XPAN..
I am sure this will open a huge debate, but is it like comapring Apples and Oranges?
XPAN is just a wide angle cam?
Widelux is a true pano?
:bang:
Click to expand...

Very different. I have a Widelux and a Horseman SW612. I perfer the Horseman as I find it more versatile. Once you get over the "WOW NEAT" effect of the Widelux, it becomes very hard to make really good images.

No, the Xpan is a panoramic camera, as is the Widelux. A panoramic camera is one with an aspect ratio of 2:1 or greater (3:1 does not define a pano camera otherwise the Widelux, Noblex, Xpan, Linholf and Fuji 6x17, and a host of others would NOT be pano cameras). Angle of view does not define a panoramic camera - unless you are a pano snob.
 
My Widelux broke only once over a period of 14 years (about 3 month after I bought it). But the Widelux is not the most reliable of cameras. You MUST set the shutter speed and aperture BEFORE winding on. Treat it well, and it will work for many years.
 
Finder said:
Once you get over the "WOW NEAT" effect of the Widelux, it becomes very hard to make really good images.
Click to expand...

I agree to some extent, but I think it's really subject dependent. I found the Widelux to be really good for people shots and pretty hard to use for landscapes and architecture. My best architecture shots were of non-rectangular subjects (the terra cotta kilns at Gladding McBean).
 
Wow. all very good feedback and advice. Thank You All
So I did this, I bought an xpan and a widelux and will do some sort of side by side and post some photos soon.
 
Walker said:
Wow. all very good feedback and advice. Thank You All
So I did this, I bought an xpan and a widelux and will do some sort of side by side and post some photos soon.
Click to expand...

Cool! I'm looking forward to it....
 
Finder said:
My Widelux broke only once over a period of 14 years (about 3 month after I bought it). But the Widelux is not the most reliable of cameras. You MUST set the shutter speed and aperture BEFORE winding on. Treat it well, and it will work for many years.
Click to expand...
Actually, it's just the opposite. You should only change the shutter speed after advancing the film. Aperture can be set at any time.
 
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