X-pan users-Is it worth it?..to buy

[anaanda]

I am considering buying this camera, its the most expensive of the three I am looking at..(Bronica RF, Hexar AF)...

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Adorama has one with the 45 for $1350..90 day warranty..

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I would have got one if the negative scanning had been available locally.

 

[david b]

HELLLLLLLLL YYYYYYEEEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!!!


It kicks ass and is totally worth it. Take a look at the xpan gallery.

 

[photogdave]

If I could afford the 30mm I would buy it in a heartbeat!
I borrow for now...

 

[Finder]

If you are comparing it to a Bronica or Hexar then I would say the X-pan might not be worth it. If you are looking for a general purpose camera, the Bronica and Haxar are better. You will find the panaramic format limiting. It also takes a lot more work to get something out of a panoramic camera once you go beyond the gee-whiz stage of the aspect ratio. The X-pan have slower lenses as well once you realize you need to stop down to f/11 to reduce vignetting. You may find you would want the center filter which would such up more light as well.

Don't get me wrong, I love panoramic cameras. I have several myself. But they present more challenges than most folks realize.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I like my panoramic camera for the similarity between my images and movies. I can watch a great movie by a talented director and see how they frame the shots and get inspiration that way.

The X-PAN is conventional 35mm format too of course. And you can change formats at any time, but I think you may need to tell the lab to be careful when cutting the negs.

 

[Doug]

The 24x65mm format does make the XPan a specialty item, as noted made more conventional when using the 24x36mm option. And the XPan is a really nice solution when you want to go after panos while using 35mm film.

The Bronica 645 would be more general-purpose, more flexible, and offers panoramas as well... just crop the 41.5x56mm frame to the same proportions, or whatever proportions fit your particular subject. A 21x56mm crop would get you the same proportions as the XPan. Further, this 21mm strip can be anywhere in the 41.5mm frame; top, middle, bottom... so you can get some lens rise & fall effect for perspective control. The other differences are in using 120/220 film instead of 35, the camera is taller, and there's no 30mm lens.

Of course you could do the same proportions with the Hexar AF, but the crop would be to about 13x36mm; quite a lot smaller.

 

[anglophone1]

Xpan clear winner..........................
Mine cost me USD 1600 with 90 + 45 in NYC [photovillage] nearly four years ago, cosmetically rough but works a treat.
Great kit, very versatile , will do the same [nearly] as the hexar in standard 35mm [option seems to be ignored by many] and panoramic too.
Bronica , in my view, neither fish nor fowl, if you want 35mm RF see above, if you want MF has to be Mamiya 6 or 7.
My 2 EuroCs................ 😉
Clive

 

[anaanda]

What about shooting in Low Light? ...especially with that filter they say you need to cut vignetting?

 

[anglophone1]

I've never used a center filter, and F4 is only two stops slower than f2.8 , so i will shoot Provia 400 instead of Velvia 100.
See http://www.clive-evans.co.uk/cgi-bi...?ref=Corporate and Commercial&image=11014.jpg
shot with 45mm at either wide open or f5.6 [can't remember exactly] 1/30
Clive

 

[anaanda]

I am definitely wanting this camera...just trying to fiqure out if I want to shell out the money!!

Thanks...!

 

[anglophone1]

I've never used a center filter, and F4 is only two stops slower than f2.8 , so i will shoot Provia 400 instead of Velvia 100.

I mean f4 i s only two stops slower than f2 whic is probably the hexar wide open?
No more sancerre for me............................ 😱
Clive

 

[Guy Bennett]

It's a fine camera that is definitely worth the money, IMO. It's main drawback is the slow lenses, which are stellar in every other respect.

I should say that I use the Xpan primarily as a panoramic camera, which is why I bought it, and I shoot only b&w film. I have the 45 and 90 lenses. I've never used the center filter and vignetting has never been an issue.

If I had it to do all over again, would I still buy the Xpan? Yes I would. I wanted a panoramic camera I could hand-hold and that wouldn't break the bank. I first looked at the Linhoff Technorama 6x17 but in the end decided it wasn't for me. The Xpan was my next choice.

 

[flipflop]

I had one but had to sell because of bills and school. A very well made camera with a great viewfinder. The camera is long than most rf's. Being able to switch betweem pano and 35mm is nice. 21 frames on a 36roll. I had the 45mm and 90mm lenses. Used the 45mm 80% of the time. Both are super sharp. I didnt see vignetting without the center filter. f/4 was not that limiting.

Great camera as long as you have others as well. It would not be my only camera.

 

[anaanda]

I am so close to buying this camera..Do you thik its a good all around choice? I only shoot BW and i like available light photography so the lens speed has me a little nervous. I guess I could use fuji 1600 for Indoor weddings Fuji 800 if I want color?? I just bought a Hexar that should be arriving soon, i really can't afford both so I'll return one.

The Xpan seems exciting but will the panorama feature lose its effect?? Will it get in the way or will it do the opposite? Is panoram

 

[Parkes Owen]

Tough decision, if it`s going to be your main camera for weddings, I think the bronica would be a good alrounder.(it would be wise to have an SLR over your shoulder as well,and keep the RF for the arty or signature shots) It is challenging to fit certain scenes into the pano format, but if you get it right the results can be awsome.
I`ve shot a few rolls of neopan 1600 with the xpan in standard and pano mode and love the results. I woudn`t be too worried about the slow lenses on either camera,with 1600 or 3200 ilford or tmax, hand held speeds are quite reasonable unless your in a coal mine with no torch!
Having said all this, it just comes down to the film you want to shoot, 120- go the bronica, 35mm -xpan would be hard to beat!