x-pan viewfinder compared to M7

[TJV]

Hi all,
I've got the pleasure of borrowing a friends x-pan for a few days and using it I'm surprized how it handles and feels, and not in a good way as such. Ergonomically it seems to be a bit worse and the viewfinder is nowhere near as good as the Leica. These things really took me back as I assumed they'd be about equal. Makes me think that the Zeiss-Ikon and Hexar RF camera's really are worth their weight in gold as good alternatives to M series Leica camera's. But, I suppose, the proof will be in the results and I'm yet to process anything from the x-pan. I've never been a fan of pano shots but it's been fun experimenting.

 

[AusDLK]

I own both an M7 and an Xpan II (plus several Hexar RF's).

On a recent weekend when I carried the Xpan and two Hexar bodies, I was surprised how many times I went for the Xpan.

I don't think that a viewfinder comparison is really important when considering the Xpan. It is what it is. The Xpan is a valuable (and fun) alternative to "regular" 35mm photography.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've always found the handling of the XPAN2 to be quite nice- I could grouse that my 45 feels a little stiffer than I'd like, but handling has never seemed bad in my use both on tripod and off. I replaced the plastic grip with the wooden one from the TX2, and find the slightly larger grip a bit easier on my hand for extended hand-held work. The VF is certainly a bit less 'sparkly' than the M7, but it has a lot over the Contax G VFs, and the frameline style is something I really appreciate (they could have gone with a G style window). But in the end it does come down to personal preference. Just be glad you didn't buy it before finding out you don't like it.

 

[TJV]

Don't get me wrong, I do like the X-Pan, just find it quite a bit more clumsey to use due to the strange grip and shape. The viewfinder is definately not to my tastes. Perhaps that has something to do with it's smaller rangefinder patch and wider FOV. It also seems quite a bit more dim than my M7's, not a massive problem but one that seems to slow me down. The only other gripe I have is the 45mm lens seems to be quite stiff and I'm constantly moving the focus ring instead of the arpeture because the later is a little recessed. I've enjoyed shooting it and maybe I'll eat my words when I see some photo's I've taken with it. I've never dabbled in Pano's before...