30f5.6 for the Xpan!!

[sinetsin]

Hey!
I'm being tempted for this lens recently..
I need some advice/experiences of 30mm owners, pics are very welcome also!It's too wide or just perfect?
Thanks in advance!

 

[sailronin]

I purchased this lens (30mm f5.6) for this trip....yes, it's perfect on the Xpan

 

[sinetsin]

Nice Samples Sailronin!seems you enjoyed the trip!;-)
Just another question...what about using it with the viewfinder?is it confortable to use?

 

[maclaine]

I purchased this lens (30mm f5.6) for this trip....yes, it's perfect on the Xpan

These are fantastic! Especially that first one.

 

[sailronin]

Thank you,
The trip was great! Loved Turkey and the Roman ruins at Aspendos and Perge.
Using the Xpan with the 30mm finder is very easy, depth of field even at f5.6 mean that you can set the focus at 5 meters and everything from about 3 meter to infinity is sharp for landscapes. For other work you focus through the normal viewfinder and then frame with the upper finder.
I've now taken to just leaving the 30mm finder on all the time as I use the 45 only about 15% of the time.
Dave

 

[didjiman]

If you can afford it, get it. Use it carefully and it'll be one of best lens you own!

 

[nksyoon]

Great lens! Can sometimes be too wide but I find the 45 a bit restrictive a lot of the time.

 

[JonP]

Go for it - you will not regret it

 

[Efra1]

sinetsin.... jejejeje
I´m looking for the same lens to my EEUU travel, but is hard to found one.

 

[Darshan]

I purchased this lens (30mm f5.6) for this trip....yes, it's perfect on the Xpan

These are gorgeous.

 

[zhengpeng]

I am tempted by this lens too. Wish I could afford it.

 

[sinetsin]

Thanks all for tips and comments!!
I really like to get one!
the thing is....i'll have to sell some stuff and, well, it's a terrific lens indeed..
but i don't know if is better wait ans save for that lens or sell my version2 50summilux pre-asph and some other things to afford it.

Zhengpeng...you have tones of nice stuff...why don't you sell something to afford it (as i have to do!)

Efra!! good look finding one!

 

[whitecat]

Beautiful. Does any lab scan these?

 

[sinetsin]

i use my Epson 4990..and works fine.

 

[whitecat]

I scan them successfully also. I wonder if there is a lab that does it.

 

[sinetsin]

i know few labs here in Spain..hope someone from US can help you!

 

[sailronin]

I'm scanning my Xpan and 6x6 film on an Epson V500. The cost was less than $200USD and the results have been very good. Prints of A3 (13x19") are beautiful, I'm going to have a lab print the B&W at the top of my post very large, so will see how the scan files hold up to a 20"x60" print.

 

[didjiman]

Dave, for a 20x60 print, have someone scan it on a high res film scanner like the LS-9000 or Flextight. It will hold up MUCH better than the V500.

I have printed my XPan images that way and they do look good up to 50"+ long!

 

[berci]

Hi Sinetsin,

The 30mm lens can be "too" wide, you really need big things or go near things to fill the frame, also having to attach the external viewfinder can be a bit of a pain. But the biggest drawback is probably the speed of the lens, really good lighting or a tripod is essential for quality shots, so if you prefer not using a tripod like I do, you may find the lens a bit restrictive.

It really is a great lens but takes a bit of patience to use. I used my 45mm lens a lot more because of all these until my most recent trip when I left the other two lenses at home in order to force myself to use this one.

All in all, if you can get one, do get it, it's unlikely that you would regret buying it.

 

[simonxpan]

This was the last lens I purchased - it should have been the 1st!
This is what the xpan was made for. get one you won't regret it. The Fuji version has a more compact viewfinder. I have seen a voigtlander 15mm viewfinder masked for the Xpan 30. It wont be cheap though.