Fair price for an XPAN I?

[Roberto V.]

Hi guys. The XPAN has long been one of my most desired cameras, and now that I can afford it, I'd like to try one to see how I get along with the format.
I was recently offered an XPAN I with a 45mm for $1900 USD. The camera is in decent condition, it has some paint loss on the bottom plate, mostly around the tripod socket.
What do you guys think, should I go for it? I really want to try this camera since my 6x17 SLR 🙂cool🙂 isn't anywhere near finished yet. My main concern would be if I'll be able to sell it in case I don't like the camera (I'm more of a fast lens guy, I shoot a lot at night.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[newsgrunt]

sounds a bit much for a vers 1 Xpan. keep your eyes peeled and you'll probably see one here at a much better price.

 

[Mister E]

I'd pay no more than $1300 for a working XPAN with 45/4.

 

[Roberto V.]

I managed to talk him down to the equivalent of $1250 USD. I'll think about it for a few days. I could do other stuff with the money.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Rob-F]

If you decide to go for it, check it over carefully, especially to make sure the framelines are displaying correctly. There is a frameline set for the 45 and another one for the 90. With the 45 fitted, the proper framelines should come up. If they don't, the fix can be expensive.

$1250 sounds like a very good price if it's in good shape. You could get at least that much on resale if you get tired of the camera.

 

[Roberto V.]

Thanks Rob, I just asked him about the framelines, according to him they work alright. The guy added me on MSN and has been talking to me about all the gear he has for a while now 😱. He seems like a nice guy though, has a barnack and a Nikon F4. I think I'll go for it, I've always wanted to try one.

 

[GaryLH]

Did it come with the lens hood and center filter? If he bought the pan kit it also came with a level u can attach to the hot shoe.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

FWIW ... I just checked keh, even a bargain grade xpan body is slightly over $1100.

 

[newsgrunt]

I paid $1300 for mine sans hoods so I think if the camera is fine, I'd grab it at that price....or send me his contact info 🙂

Can you get him to send you photos of the camera ? check the shot count as well. I do fine without the hood and actually find it easier to use the 45 without since the hood is snug beside the aperture ring.

Good luck, you won't regret it !

 

[Roberto V.]

I'm not sure about the center filter, but it does come with the hood. He did send me pics, and it looks great besides the wear I mentioned on the bottom. I think I'm going to go for it. I don't think I'll ever find another XPAN here in Mexico, at least not for a decent price.

 

[tokengirl]

My main concern would be if I'll be able to sell it in case I don't like the camera (I'm more of a fast lens guy, I shoot a lot at night.

At $1,250.00, you shouldn't have much trouble getting your money back as long as it functions correctly and is in decent physical condition.

However, it's just not a great nighttime camera. You will find out quickly just how slow f4 is. So if you think you can enjoy the camera for what it is and make time to use it during the day, that's great. But if you're hoping to shoot it a lot at night, I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Roberto V.]

At $1,250.00, you shouldn't have much trouble getting your money back as long as it functions correctly and is in decent physical condition.

However, it's just not a great nighttime camera. You will find out quickly just how slow f4 is. So if you think you can enjoy the camera for what it is and make time to use it during the day, that's great. But if you're hoping to shoot it a lot at night, I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

I'm aware that this camera isn't gonna be particularly useful at night. I guess I'll have to see if I can live with that. Worst case scenario would be that I end up selling it for what it cost me, so why not.

 

[Roberto V.]

Also, someone should adapt a Contax 80mm f/2 to XPAN mount. THAT would be awesome.

 

[atlcruiser]

I paid $1450 for mine with no hood and a rough filter. The advantage was that mine had been sent back to the factory for a full CLA and service and worked as new....looked like it was beat to hell ...looks worse now
I would think $1200 to $1500 would be very fair.

Check out Igor at Igors cameras. I bought a hood from him and he seems to have some good stuff in stoc as good prices.

 

[Mister E]

Someone snagged the Xpan II I was planning to buy from B&H last night. $2500 LNIB with 45/4.

 

[DabCan10]

You can still use an xpan at night, you just need to support it. I went out with fp4 one night (by accident) and using a gorilla pod, lamp post, garbage cans, or anything else that was stable, I was able to get great night shots, left the camera on aperture priority and it did an excellent job metering.

That's a good price, I'd go for it, the paint chips are only cosmetic and won't affect your pictures. Mine must be missing about 15% of the paint, I think it just looks like a camera that actually gets used and not one that sits on a shelf. As long as you shoot BW you don't really need the centre filter, even colour negative film is usually ok, only slides where you'll really notice you need it and even then sometimes I think the vignette adds to the picture.

 

[Roberto V.]

Well, looks like there isn't anything to lose. And it's nice to hear about the center filter, since I'll only be shooting B&W and some color.

 

[atlcruiser]

i shoot 1600 all the time in low lght...no problem

x pan shutter is crazy quiet and soft. easy to handhold