XPan - Hasselblad silence

[berci]

Hey fellow Gear Acquisitors,

I managed to save enough money for the 90mm lens for the XPan and ordered it on Adorama. They don't have it in stock so they told me that I can order it and they will ship it as soon as they get it from Hasselblad.

I asked them how long it is likely to take and they could not answer.

Then I asked Hasselblad USA, same answer.

Then I sent an email to the Hasselblad HQ, no answer at all.

Silence.

I am afraid I will not have enough time to save up for the 30mm lens.

I bought my XPan in a shop in central London off the self last year, there was a big Hasselblad promotion. According to the Hasselblad website the shop is a Hasselblad stockist, I went there before and after christmas and they did not have a single piece of Hasselblad, only an old XPan poster on the wall.

I think I will send another email to Hasselblad and ask them to put me on their website as a Hasselblad stockist, I have more Hasselblad gear then an official Hasselblad stockist.

My other plan is to build a space ship in the kitchen this weekend and go to the Moon to pick up all the Hasselblad gear left there.

 

[rover]

My suggestion would be to cancel your order with Adorama and deal with B&H.

I have read in a few places that the XPan has been discontinued. Honestly, a call or email to B&H will answer your questions. At this point Adorama will not be responsive in an attempt to protect their order.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Robert White is still listing XPan stuff.

 

[berci]

No, I don't mind waiting,I just find it strange that no one seems to be able to give me an answer. And Adorama says they will ship it as soon as they get it from Hasselblad, that's OK with me.

 

[sfb_dot_com]

XPan has definitely been discontinued, and has been well reported as in the UK press as such. However given the nature of this kind of kit, I would have thought that some stock should be available still. I certainly would hope so, although the rapid disappearance of KM products off the shelf here in the UK following their recent demise may have set a worrying precedent.

It's also a shame that Hassleblad are apparently getting out of this market, to concentrate on their high-end digital backs as for many of us (me included) the Xpan was an aspirational camera to own one day

Maybe there will be an Xpan digital? Now that would be a mouthwatering prospect 😎

Andy

 

[wyk_penguin]

Since oblique incidence is a big problem for CCDs, I doubt the possibility of ever seeing a digi-Xpan.

 

[stephanj]

XPan has definitely been discontinued, and has been well reported as in the UK press as such.

Really? I'm surprised to have missed that. I read a shocking number of publications each month.

Stephan

 

[berci]

I didn't see anything like that either, googld it a lot and checked the Hasselblad website but not a word about that.

 

[msmmgr]

scan XPan images with 5400

scan XPan images with 5400

berci,
I am a Leica MP user and am going to buy XPan II this week.
I use a Minolta 5400 and found that you scanned XPan images with 5400 II.
Could you let me know what software you used and how to do it?
Some users recommended a flatbed scanner because stitching is doable, but it is time consumming and doesn't work on some images. I like my scanner very much and like to try first before buying a flatbed scanner.

 

[berci]

Hey,

I scanned the two halves of the XPan pictures with auto everything turned off (except autofocus) and then glued them together with Photoshop Elements Photomerge.

It works perfectly although time consuming.

Berci

 

[EmilGil]

I spoke to one of Hasselblad's salesmen in Sweden a month ago and he confirmed that the Xpan was to be discontinued, the reasons being decreasing sales and new electronics legislation. For more information, please see this thread from a few weeks ago.

 

[berci]

I have just received this from Hasselblad:

"Unfortunately we have a significant back order situation for XPan 90 mm lenses. Meaning that we cannot be sure when US will get additional shipments.

Sorry for the situation and thanks for your patience.

Best regards


VICTOR HASSELBLAD AB"

 

[rover]

Call and cancel the order from Adorama now!!! They will not offer this information to you and keep your money forever. I have had some good dealing with them, but they are terrible with backorder situations.

 

[berci]

Hey Rover,

They did not take my money, they told me they will only charge my card when they have the lens.

So that part is fine.

I am just not good at waiting.

 

[stephanj]

I spoke to one of Hasselblad's salesmen in Sweden a month ago and he confirmed that the Xpan was to be discontinued, the reasons being decreasing sales and new electronics legislation. For more information, please see this thread from a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the reference, there's been a few of these in various forums. The point in question though is a verifiable press report.

 

[panandscan]

I was at Samys here in Los Angeles on 2/19 and they have two 90mm Xpan lenses and two 30mm lenses sitting on the shelf in their showroom. They have a website you can order through samys.com. Regarding scanners, I have an Epson 4990 flatbed scanner that produces fantastic scans with film holders that let you scan an Xpan neg in one shot.

 

[Westgarden]

If you don't mind buying second hand (Hasselblad users tend to be very careful with their materials?) you can also check eBay. In the last weeks I've spotted at least 5 90mm's for sale. Bought mine yesterday for just under $600.

 

[espressogeek]

Im about to secure a 90mm because of the disco status of this camera. One question, will the fuji lenses continue to be available from Japan? I can justify the slight increase in price of the 90mm for the Hassleblad name , for the purpose of resale, but not the cost difference in the Hassleblad 90mm and Fuji piece.

 

[Jon Graham]

Update from Hasselblad USA: according the them, production will cease in September. I have had one on order for several months. They seem to be catching up with the flood of last minute orders.

 

[Double Vision]

Just to add more confusion Komamura is introducing the Horseman 3D camera based on the TX-2 later this year...

http://www.komamura.co.jp/3d/index.html

Web scuttlebutt has it that the Fuji TX-1/2 (Hasselblad XPan) panoramic RF camera is out of production and will be discontinued once current stocks are gone. If so, it will be going out in deliciously baroque style. At PMA, Komamura showed the Horseman 3D, a stereo camera built on the TX-1 body, with a pair of 38mm f/2.8 Fujinon lenses to make dual 24x32mm exposures for each shot. Here's how they describe it:

An innovative stereo solution, which will appeal not only to wedding and portrait photographers, but to the medical and industrial fields. This appeal is not only because of its 3D pictures, but because of its unique integration - it is one camera with two lenses mounted in a single shutter, not two lenses with two shutters.

So does this mean Fuji will continue to manufacturer the TX-2 and it's just Hasselblad that is pulling out? Unless this company is buying a bunch of them in advance. I wonder if this can be used with the rest of the Fuji/Hasselblad lenses?