Is the Xpan a gimmick?

wdenies said:
- is f4 not the "normal" speed for modern zoomers?
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I'm certainly not looking to reopen the debate on lens speed, but 2.8 is normal zoom speed for me (of course, these aren't zooms!), and 1.4 for prime lenses. F/4 does seem slow, and that's more for the optical effect the DOF gives than the sheer amount of light gathering available.

But that doesn't really matter, because my normal 2.8 or 1.4 lenses don't do panoramas on 35mm film! So if I want THAT...I shoot at F/4.
R
 
Having picked up a brand new Fuji TX-2 at Christmas, i've been using it alongside my Lecia's on a current long term project. What's unique about this type of camera is the speed at which you can switch formats and still have an accurate frameline to compose in. I've only got the 45/4 but in both formats it performs very well with a good OOF rendition at F4. The motor wind noise is quite discreet.
Using it alongside a couple of M bodies with faster lenses (35 and 50 1.4's) is really effective as it allows me more options in a very short space of time. F4 is not really an issue for me as i can uprate the film to 800-1600 if i'm working in dim interiors. Despite reading on the net about light falloff when used in the pano mode i've not noiticed any fall off - i am using b/w film though - colour transparency film may show this - so i'm glad i didn't have to fork out for the very expensive graduated filter for the 45/4 lens :)

I think it's a very well thought out camera design with a good rubbery grip and body covering (unlike the MP! :bang: ) It also has the option of Aperture Priority mode (a feature i haven't really used) and shutter display in the viewfinder window. I'm now thinking of buying another one.......
 
I spent part of the day with my XPan II in NYC today. I have Leica Ms and Hasselblads and a Roundshot. The XPan is light, inconspicous (well, smaller than my son's DSLR), makes a negative large enough to eat, and is ergonomic. I use the 30mm lens generally. I scan the negatives or slide (24/65) with no problem. It is a very easy to use, small, reliable panoramic camera. But I do not carry it unless I am on a pan project that day. Today it was only the XPan.

It is expensive however. No denying that. But a great tool.
 
Robert White had a used TX-2last week when i checked their site.
 
Simon Larby said:
Despite reading on the net about light falloff when used in the pano mode i've not noiticed any fall off - i am using b/w film though - colour transparency film may show this - so i'm glad i didn't have to fork out for the very expensive graduated filter for the 45/4 lens :)
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The falloff issue is noticeable only with the 30mm -that's why they provide a filter with it...
I love the XPan too. The only thing missing on the system is a macro lens!

Pako
www.phototeka.net
 
Widelux or Xpan?

Widelux or Xpan?

I am sure I will get flamed here, but what about the widelux as an alternative to the XPAN?

It seems there is a huge following for both cams.
my question is:
Is XPAN or Widelux a true Pano or just a wide angle cam?
I own neither, but would love to own one.. which one is the best?
Am I comparing apples to Oranges?
 
I see the Widelux and XPan in the same category of camera with the Widelux offering even a great angle of view.

Digital stitching or superwide lenses are not replacements for the XPan or Widelux or any panoramic camera. These offer wide fields of view with having to resort to computer trickery. And with the added advantage of taking a single image and not having to worry about objects appearing twice in the frame.

I believe the Fuji version was a Japan-only model so as not to compete with the Hasselblad product. However, these turn up now and then -- I've seen them on eBay.
 
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The Xpan is a great camera wish I didnt sell mine. I owned an XPan I with the 45mm and 90mm lenses. The 90mm rarely got any use. The 45mm was awsome. The ability to shoot a normal 35mm frame and then at the press of a button be able to shoot a panoramic picture is awsome. The lenses are super sharp and easy to focus. The viewfinder is bright and clear. The camera is a little longer than most 35mm cameras but then again so is the negative that it shoots. The camera is super portable and very quite. I like others would have rathered a purely mechanical xpan with a battery only to operate the meter a la leica m6. I never shot with the 30mm lens because of the steep price tag.

Prices have been going up because of the xpan no longer in production and people realising what this camera can do. The Fuji version of the camera is the same exact camera just a different color and a fuji badge on it instead of the hassy. The hassy paint on the camera tends to chip off pretty easily, but besides that I know its a super rugged camera and if I had it my way i would have another :)....

I would take a hassy xpan over a leica for 80% of the situations.
 
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