world travels...Xpan, Xpan2 or wait

[samdj1210]

Hi Guys,
Ok, I'm going away travelling for a year. I'm not going to take my Canon 350 and lens due to weight and being in open dorm hostels etc.

So i am thinking taking a cheap digital camera and my Bessa with 21mm 35mm and 50mm.

Now, the thing is, I'm toying the idea and getting a Xpan but I need some help. Should I buy a second hand Xpan or get a new Fuji TX-2 from Robert Whites (When they get them in, in the next few months) Is there any real upgrades in the XPAN-2/TX-2 that I really need that the Xpan doesn't have.

Thanks
Sam

 

[sf]

If you don't want to take something expensive since you'll be in hostels. . .how does an Xpan fit the bill?

If you really want one, they're built like tanks and you'd be fine with a used one. The upgrades are useful in the second generation models. For sure. But not vital.

and. . .how do you get away for a year? I want to know your secret. We all do.

 

[clarence]

Probably since the Xpan isn't a digital camera, and is therefore worth nothing in the eyes of thieves.

I don't really believe in this, actually. Opportunistic thieves will take a camera, LCD or no.

Clarence

 

[samdj1210]

If you don't want to take something expensive since you'll be in hostels. . .how does an Xpan fit the bill?

I guess its more the attention SLR create, I thought xpan being small and using film wouldn't appeal to the Average Jo.

and. . .how do you get away for a year? I want to know your secret. We all do

I'm taking a career break.... well I've worked for 7 years so I think its time for a break LOL and chillout for a year or two.

 

[sf]

I guess its more the attention SLR create, I thought xpan being small and using film wouldn't appeal to the Average Jo.

I'm taking a career break.... well I've worked for 7 years so I think its time for a break LOL and chillout for a year or two.

hmm. yes, the xpan is smaller than an SLR in some ways - but it is more exotic looking.

 

[kbg32]

"I'm taking a career break.... well I've worked for 7 years so I think its time for a break LOL and chillout for a year or two."

7 years? Hmmmm, I'm lucky if I get a 7 minute chillout

 

[Parkes Owen]

As a user of the xpan 1, I highly recommend it as a travel camera. The extra features on the 2nd model would be useful but for the price difference I can live without them(more money for essentials like film and beer).

I think the resale value of the hasselblad would be better than the fuji because of the name. If you`re staying in hostels, keep your cameras(no matter how cheap or expensive) close to you at all times as I`ve "lost" a few items in certain countries!

Good luck!

 

[Jim Watts]

OUOTE: "Now, the thing is, I'm toying the idea and getting a Xpan but I need some help. Should I buy a second hand Xpan or get a new Fuji TX-2 from Robert Whites (When they get them in, in the next few months) Is there any real upgrades in the XPAN-2/TX-2 that I really need that the Xpan doesn't have".

Sam,
I think the secondhand route would be best especially if you want to save money and less loss should you be unfortunate enough to get it stolen on you trip. The original XPan's offer the best value, so it's not really worth the extra for the XPan II unless you can't live without the minor changes (shutter speed in finder, better able to use IR film).

The cameras are very durable (except for the black paint work - reputedly better on the II) and its easy to check the total number of exposures to see how much use any particular camera has had (hold in AEB button on switch on). I brought mine secondhand over 2 years ago in the U.K. for about 950 GBP from Jacobs and its seen quite a bit of use since without any problems. Now you can find decent examples of the original for about 800 GBP. The XPan II seems to run at about 1200 GBP secondhand (both dealer prices - presumably cheaper on E-Bay). I brought a 90mm lens for about £300. Unfortunately I can't find a 30mm lens at a price I'm prepared to pay.

Jim

 

[OscarGarrido]

As a user of the xpan 1, I highly recommend it as a travel camera. The extra features on the 2nd model would be useful but for the price difference I can live without them(more money for essentials like film and beer).

I think the resale value of the hasselblad would be better than the fuji because of the name. If you`re staying in hostels, keep your cameras(no matter how cheap or expensive) close to you at all times as I`ve "lost" a few items in certain countries!

Good luck!

Totally in agreement

 

[BlackCloud]

quite simply

quite simply

The Xpan II does have some useful additions to the original. However, none of the addiitons are worth the xtra cost in my opinion.

As for thieves, well, I find that everyone, & I mean EVERYONE who sees the Xpan stares at it, especially when you strap on the 30mm viewfinder.

The damn thing just looks expensive; and I suspect thieves are watching...

 

[samdj1210]

Thanks for all your advice. It was a really help. I think i'm going to try and find a second hand xpan off ebay. Unless someone on here is selling one LOL.

Thanks Again.
Sam

 

[GrahamWelland]

I would get a secondhand XPan - if you are going to be travelling then it'll get beaten up anyway and they are almost indestructible. As mentioned before, don't be surprised if you lose a little paint around the extremities of the camera.

I toyed with the idea of upgrading to the XPan II for reasons of the viewfinder display of exposure time (vs rear) and the menu driven ISO selection (which avoids accidently moving the front ISO dial), but ultimately I couldn't justify it.

One thing to remember about the the XPan is that it's a great travel system but there are times when you'll be reminded of the weight of the camera & lenses.

 

[Terence T]

Save yourself the extra $$ and don't bother with the center filter for the 45mm. I've not gotten any noticeable vignetting on mine without the use of the filter even though I have it.

A bit of creative application of gaffer tape on the name plates will make the xpan look rather nondescript.

 

[GrahamWelland]

Save yourself the extra $$ and don't bother with the center filter for the 45mm. I've not gotten any noticeable vignetting on mine without the use of the filter even though I have it.

A bit of creative application of gaffer tape on the name plates will make the xpan look rather nondescript.

Ditto for the centre filter. I spent $$$$ on one and even with slide film I've never needed to use it. For me, it was a complete waste of money really. YMMV.

Given that images are going to be scanned / printed it's very easy to correct any vignetting that might occur anyways. You'll also appreciate the fact that you're not losing the extra stop or so of light too.

 

[Lucien_vd@mac.c]

The Xpan is exactly the camera I'll will take for the kind of travel you are planning.

I'm always surprised by the number of subject which are working well (or better) in panoramic mode.

IMO, it's THE travel camera.

With it's 3 lenses and little compact camera like the Contax T2 (or the equivalent in Digital FUJI F10-11-or 30), you will be ready for 95% of the subjects.

Another possible backup will be a Leica M with 50/1,4.

I'm not ready anymore to travel with an SLR or DSLR only because of the remaining 5% for which will need a longer tele or tele-zoom.

 

[samdj1210]

On the Xpan can some one tell me how long the shutter can be left open for on <blub> . Do you need a special cable release or is that just for the XPAN2.

 

[GrahamWelland]

Original XPan takes a standard cable release and will expose up to 32 seconds on bulb. I recall that the new version supports up to 270 sec but not sure whether you need a special cable release for that one.

 

[Filmboy]

If you're on a budget when travelling then having a Mk II model would help as you can set it to rewind films mid-roll without the leader going back into the case, so you can change film according to situation but not waste any because you could always reload a partially used roll. Would also keep weight of used film in your bag down (slightly!) This was certainly a deciding factor for me, anyway.

 

[samdj1210]

If you're on a budget when travelling then having a Mk II model would help as you can set it to rewind films mid-roll without the leader going back into the case, so you can change film according to situation but not waste any because you could always reload a partially used roll. Would also keep weight of used film in your bag down (slightly!) This was certainly a deciding factor for me, anyway.

OOOO that is a good thing. I was wondering if the Xpan had that option. Trying to get hold of one at the moment is like chickens teeth.

 

[stephanj]

Original XPan takes a standard cable release and will expose up to 32 seconds on bulb. I recall that the new version supports up to 270 sec but not sure whether you need a special cable release for that one.

I've used a 1998 original Xpan that exposed up to 32 seconds and I briefly had in my possession a 2002 original Xpan which went up to 270 sec. Okay, to be precise it PROBABLY went up to 270 sec since I got bored holding the shutter release down. Based on this experience it seems that a change was made to the B setting before the arrival of the Xpan II.