XPan 45/90 Optimum Aperture Settings

[GrahamWelland]

I'm just returning to shooting with my XPan and I was wondering what aperture the 45 & 90 lenses are optimal at. For instance, my Leica 35mm lenses are all generally optimal either wide open or within 1-2 stops. Traditionally I've always shot my XPan off the tripod between f/8 - f/16 and obviously the results are great. However, without going through a lens test exercise, I was wondering what the optimal apertures were for these lenses.

Anyone?

 

[jaffa_777]

Yes, as a new owner of an X-pan myself, I am also interested in this. Also with street shooting, have people found the hyperfocal markings to be quite ok.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I happen to like the results at f 5.6 or f 5.6/8

 

[szekiat]

i hardly ever stop mine down beyond f8 unless i want the slow shutter speeds. I find it works great at f4!

 

[GrahamWelland]

Thanks for info folks - I decided to blow off some film over the weekend shooting street and general stuff at f/4 & 5.6 to see how sharp it turns out.

I'm ashamed to say that in the five years I had this camera I've NEVER intentionally shot below f/8. I'll sulk off with my head in shame right now ... 😱

 

[Ben1]

Given that the xpan panoramic format is really designed for landscape work, i find it really hard to believe anyone would shoot this thing wide open (or close to it)...

The DOF (even with hyperfocal distance focusing) wide open is rubbish.
I havent shot either lense wider than f11, and with landscapes i still find f11 not that great. Personally for the type of work its designed for, f16 is prime IMO.

I know most opinions are that for ANY lense the best DOF comes from f11 or there abouts, but i just seem to have found that f16 is better with these lenses, especially the 45. Yes, you pay the price with slow shutter speeds, but thats what tripods and cable releases were designed for.

I know some will disagree, but i bet any of those shoot negs. Shoot at f.4 or there abouts on a good tranny and get a high res scan. Blow it up big on your computer and theres the story right there. Its trash.

Graham id be much interested in hearing your results and your thoughts from your weekend shooting tests. 🙂

 

[Finder]

You can look past the corner of the film gate to examine where mechanical vignetting stops. (Most likely two stops from full or around f/11.) Below this, you get mechanical vignetting and also lower resolution at the edges because of uncircular apertures.

 

[szekiat]

ben, i dunno if i can agree that the xpan was designed with landscape in mind. A lot of us use it for street and some of the hasselblad masters as promoted by hassy have used it for wedding etc. I personally find that the DOF at f4 is actually quite thin especially at MFD which is where i use mine a lot and hence its easy to mistake poor focusing with poor sharpness. I've some of my gf with the 45mm at f4 using astia 100 and its sharp enough that when scanned, i can easily count her eyebrows (if i'm that bored)

 

[BlackCloud]

I couldn't imagine using the xpan for fast speed action like a wedding.

THough church pics would be spectacular if you've got the time to settup....

 

[jaffa_777]

I think using the X-pan for documentary and street shooting is a great idea!. Why stick to the box like everyone else when you can shoot outside the square. I have seen some great stuff shot on the streets with the X-pan which inspired me to buy one. I have shot some of my shearing series on the x-pan, which will be posted on my flick site soon.

 

[Finder]

I can't see why you cannot use the X-pan for any kind of photography? I use a 6x12 panoramic camera for documentary work as well as portraits, macro, and photomicrography (and landscapes too). But it is not thinking outside the box. I cannot find a single reference that limits the type of photography by format.

 

[GrahamWelland]

If anyone's interested, here's a good objective review of the XPan lenses. Bjorn Rorslett lens review