XPan I vs Xpan II - your advice please

[AussieUser]

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I am planning to purchase an XPan with a 45mm lens to further my (amateur) panoramic career.

I have a couple of questions please.

Most importantly is it worth spending the extra money on an XPan II or is it ok to stick with an XPan I ?

What would be a 'reasonable' price to pay for an XPan I +45 mm lens (or XPan II with 45mm lens) in Jan 2008 ? I realize that everyone wants a bargain - I am however asking for what seems generally fair and reasonable to pay at this stage.

Any thoughts on what I should look for in terms of a purchase (and maybe where best to source the camera and lens) would be gratefully received. Also, maybe what to make sure I avoid, would also be very useful.

What accessories do you think are important for a general kit - for an XPan and 45mm lens ? Is a center filter important, for example, for a 45mm lens?

Thanks again for your time in answering this, I know, very newbie question
Looking forward to many happy hours with my Xpan.

Thanks again.

 

[Jim Watts]

Hi Aussie User - Welcome to the forum.
This topic has been covered in depth a number of times in threads here, but some of these past threads no longer show in search. There is one here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47943&highlight=XPan+V+XPan+II

The only real differences between the models is that the shutter speed shows in the viewfinder of the II and not the I and the II is able to use infrared film, which the film postion control will fog in the I. If these are important to you then you should go for the II. The durabilty of the paint finish is also thought to be better on the II it tends to flake a bit on the I.

My own view is that these differences are not worth the difference in secondhand costs of the two models. In the UK, from dealers, an XPan I with 45mm lens is about £800 ($1500) and the II about £1200 ($2200).

Both models are equally well built and very reliable. You can tell how old the camera is from the serial number:
Hasselblad Serial Numbers Decoding/Dating Sequence: 1234567890 = VHPICTURES. (for Victor Hasselblad Pictures)
Therefore the two letters in the Serial Number = the year.
E.G. EE in mine = 99 = 1999

You can tell how many exposures have been made with the camera by holding down the AEB button on the back and then switching the camera on. Multiply the number on the LED x10 for the number of exposures.

Just check the accuracy of the rangefinder. Check that it reads distance correctly, and that it is not out of alignment vertically or horizontally. Check that the camera switches between normal and panoramic mode properly and the shutter is not sticking. Just normal precautions, there are not many reported problems.

In my opinion you do not need the centre filter for the the 45mm lens, the vignetting is not significant and can be helpful, but I shoot negative film and some (not all) slide film users find they need it.

Hope you can find an XPan at a suitable price. You are sure to enjoy it.

Jim

 

[Parkes Owen]

Hi , welcome to RFF.

Last time I looked a mint xpan 1 with 45mm in box was going for AU$2000 -$2300 . I have seen cheaper ones in average cond.
The xpan 2 has a few nice extra features(shutter speed in viewfinder,bulb setting is longer and mid roll rewind), but you will pay a few hundred $ more , but I would rather have the xpan 1 and spend the extra $ on film, as I can easily get by without those features.
When it comes to the center filter, most people will say you must have it, but I mostly shoot f8 or f16 so the vignetting isn`t noticable. You could try the Photographic Trader(from the news agent)as it usually has a couple of xpans for sale, or European Cameras and Mainline Photographics in Syd. Good luck, you will love the xpan!