Should I buy a Widelux F7?

jusxusfanatic said:
That's good :) Yea I don't like the Xpan
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What was the deal w your Xpan? All three I have had - now down to two sold one - have been fantastic cameras with lenses equal to Leica's, great metering and handling, and the flexibility of shooting 35 or pano format on the same roll.
Many people did not understand the metering pattern. It meters from the middle third area of the 35mm frame lines. Using that and the meter hold functionality with the half press of the shutter button means I have never got an incorrectly metered shot.
This of course is in the owner's manual, but who reads that? ...
 
jusxusfanatic said:
Its the price, build quality and the meter! I just don't like the meter. Its a bit too big and thats probably it
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Complaining about the price after you bought one does not make any sense. The build quality is far better than the Widelux. Both the Xpan and the Widelux can shed their paint very easily. What is the issue with the meter?
Too big? It's about the same size as the Widelux.

xpan%20vs%20Widelux_zpsdecbh8ck.jpg


I've owned a perfect F8 - which is an improved F7 - and currently own several Xpans/TX cameras

Bottom line, if you just want a Widelux, nothing wrong with that. They are cool machines.
 
Huss said:
Did you really have one? Complaining about the price after you bought one does not make any sense. The build quality is far better than the Widelux. Both the Xpan and the Widelux can shed their paint very easily. What is the issue with the meter? You keep saying 'don't like the meter'..
Too big? It's about the same size as the Widelux.

I've owned a perfect F8 - which is an improved F7 - and currently own several Xpans/TX cameras

Anyway, looking forward to reading the next new gear thread asking what to buy once you're bored with this one.
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I thought the samething. The xpan beats it hands down as as far as the meter just ignore it. I currently own an xpan and had a second one plus two Fuji 6x17's and a Roundshot. Also having owned a 202, Horizon and Perfekt I'd take the Perfekt over the Widelux F7 that I owned on the basis of reliability, no banding ever and better range of shutter speeds. The perception of better construction is meaningless if the camera bands.

One thing I've observed here, most people already know what they're going to buy but ask these questions hoping someone will validate their decision.
 
The viewfinder is not very useful in this camera once you get a feel for how wide the image will be. Looking through the small viewfinder makes it harder to keep the camera level. Two markers on the camera body indicate the approximate frame width and you'll get a feel for the height with some experience. As mentioned above, visit the Jeff Bridges widelux website for more useful information on shooting with these cameras.

Your challenge will be to keep the camera level and without tilt to minimize the bowed horizontals that are prominent with tilting. Be prepared for the banding issue and rotate the turret periodically to make sure it moves freely. I don't use mine often and will likely sell it along with the filter set. Nowadays, you can get as much or more for the filters than you can for the camera. Which reminds me, the filters are a pain to use with these cameras. Not worth the money, IMO!
 
I hope with this purchase you find peace and finally start shooting pictures and sharing them here instead of posting another should i sell/buy this thread :D
 
x-ray said:
Also having owned a 202, Horizon and Perfekt I'd take the Perfekt over the Widelux F7 that I owned on the basis of reliability, no banding ever and better range of shutter speeds. The perception of better construction is meaningless if the camera bands.

One thing I've observed here,most people already know what they're going to buy but ask these questions hoping someone will validate their decision.
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I don't really buy an argument of Horizon not banding. How many of them did you have? I go to flickr and I see enough examples from Horizon Perfekt with at least some banding and plenty with light leaks. My F8 is currently not banding, but I cannot conclude based on this that F8 does not band in general.
 
One thing that is important with Wideluxes is to keep everything moving by exercising the shutter regularly ... described on the link at Bridges' site.
 
Just get the Widelux...I have an even older F6. Looking at my last 30 or so Instagram postings, 2/3 are from the Widelux. Quirky but beautiful looking 60 year old machine that works and outputs like nothing else.
 
jusxusfanatic said:
Should I buy a Widelux F7?

I had an xpan but sold it, since I hate the built in meter, the quality and the price! Now someone offered me a widelux f7 for 460US with shipping. I'll be studying in the UK soon, so there will be more landscapes than street :) thanks
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If you sold it on account of the meter or the quality, I think you acted too hastily. I personally would not buy a Widelux owing to the banding issue; but also to a peculiarity of perspective, curvilinear distortion, I see in many Widelux images. The XPAN is not free of distortion either: it stretches the images at the left and right ends (any extreme wide angle lens does that). But I tolerate that kind of distortion better than the Widelux kind.
 
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