XPAN Prices Going sky-high!

[Fjäll]

I picked up a Mamiya 7 with the 35mm panoramic adapter. Not only does it give you an even wider frame but it was cheaper and shoots 6x7 as well.

 

[f.hayek]

I picked up a Mamiya 7 with the 35mm panoramic adapter. Not only does it give you an even wider frame but it was cheaper and shoots 6x7 as well.

At this point in time, probably the better choice.

 

[filmtwit]

It works just fine.

I am loathe to interpose a $10 flEaBay adapter between a $5k camera and a $3k lens though Fotodiox has one, but am unfamiliar with their build quality and tolerances.

 

[filmtwit]

You're thinking the wrong way here. You gotta do a 180. Say you have the tx1 and lenses already, now isn't the GF system more tempting knowing you have 2-3 lenses you can use from the start if you pick up a GF body?

But really, buying an XPAN and lenses with the thinking of using the lens on a digital body when the XPAN dies feels odd. One could do that but all the FOVs have changed pretty dramatically. You can get similar focal lengths for less money (much less on on the 30mm) with potentially more functionality (closer MFD, tilt/shift) or different focal lengths to try to match the FOV.

Shawn

 

[shawn]

You're thinking the wrong way here. You gotta do a 180. Say you have the tx1 and lenses already, now isn't the GF system more tempting knowing you have 2-3 lenses you can use from the start if you pick up a GF body?

I was responding to the point about being able to reuse the lenses if the Xpan/TX1 dies, not having two working systems.

If the Xpan/TX1 dies, sell the lenses and get more functionality out of lenses for less cost while pocketing cash. If the 30mm really goes for around $3k you could pick up a used GFX 50R and a Nikon 28mm PC for that and get closer focusing and shift functionality.

Shawn

 

[f.hayek]

I was responding to the point about being able to reuse the lenses if the Xpan/TX1 dies, not having two working systems.

If the Xpan/TX1 dies, sell the lenses and get more functionality out of lenses for less cost while pocketing cash. If the 30mm really goes for around $3k you could pick up a used GFX 50R and a Nikon 28mm PC for that and get closer focusing and shift functionality.

Shawn

Indeed, the wiser course.

 

[Dante_Stella]

The Xpan's virtue is that it handles like a 35mm camera. I would give that feature a grand all by itself.

But these days, you can get a Fuji GL690, a pano adapter set with mask, and a 50mm Fujinon and finder for a fraction of an Xpan's price, and it takes 24x84mm images, which is far more panoramic. Not automatic and not light, but it's like the Leica M2 to the Xpan's Hexar RF/Contax G.

Dante

 

[f.hayek]

The 30mm lens aside (it was always expensive), spending $4k+ for a body and the 45 is buying into the ‘Tulip Craze’. But there’s nothing quite like it. And it shoots a standard 35mm frame with a flick of a switch. 😎

 

[filmtwit]

Except no more tulips are being made and the repairability is at a dead end too.

The 30mm lens aside (it was always expensive), spending $4k+ for a body and the 45 is buying into the ‘Tulip Craze’. But there’s nothing quite like it. And it shoots a standard 35mm frame with a flick of a switch. 😎

 

[f.hayek]

Except no more tulips are being made and the repairability is at a dead end too.

There were several repair shops in the US still doing doing work on the Xpan. Was there an announcement by anyone that there are no repairs possible?

 

[filmtwit]

I went through this a few years ago when I dropped my Xpan. The shutter was technically damaged (despite it falling on lens and the lens being perfectly OK). I sent it out to Hasselblad USA back then and they were a great big Nope. Checked with Hasselblad Europe, they were also a Nope. Even checked with Fuji USA and Japan, but were a great big Nope. Why, because none of the shutter parts were available. If you know where to find the parts, then you might get lucky, but then you also need a good repair person too. Good luck on that.

There were several repair shops in the US still doing doing work on the Xpan. Was there an announcement by anyone that there are no repairs possible?

 

[Rob-F]

If I had any ideas about getting another XPAN, you fellows have given me a good reality check!

 

[Abbazz]

But these days, you can get a Fuji GL690, a pano adapter set with mask, and a 50mm Fujinon and finder for a fraction of an Xpan's price, and it takes 24x84mm images, which is far more panoramic. Not automatic and not light, but it's like the Leica M2 to the Xpan's Hexar RF/Contax G.

I concur with these wise words. A good ole G690 with the mighty 50mm lens and a 35mm adapter, and you beat the xPan in field of view: the xPan with its 45mm lens has a 71.68° horizontal angle of view vs. 80.06° for the G690 +50mm. You can even omit the 35mm film mask to get the so trendy sprocket-schmocket framing.

OK, the GL690 is not close to being as practical as an xPan but at least there is no unavailable circuit board or electronic shutter waiting the right moment to turn your fancy camera into an expensive brick. No leaky battery, no drying capacitor, no corroded light metering cell, the GL690 is the epitome of the all mechanical camera.

When I don't want to be bothered with having to deal with the idiosyncrasies of my GL690, then I take the Sigma SD Quattro H with the 8-16mm lens used in 21:9 aspect ratio to shoot panoramic pictures that easily rival those from the xPan.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[shawn]

The Xpan's virtue is that it handles like a 35mm camera. I would give that feature a grand all by itself.

But these days, you can get a Fuji GL690, a pano adapter set with mask, and a 50mm Fujinon and finder for a fraction of an Xpan's price, and it takes 24x84mm images, which is far more panoramic. Not automatic and not light, but it's like the Leica M2 to the Xpan's Hexar RF/Contax G.

Or with the Pentax 6x7. With the GSW690 you have to do a couple of tricks to get the feed working.

I did the same with a Mamiya press 50mm and back which advance 35mm just fine. Body is 3d printed to cut way down on weight.

With that you can switch from 65ish to 85ish mm wide by using a 6x7 or 6x back.

Shawn

 

[shawn]

When I don't want to be bothered with having to deal with the idiosyncrasies of my GL690, then I take the Sigma SD Quattro H with the 8-16mm lens used in 21:9 aspect ratio to shoot panoramic pictures that easily rival those from the xPan.

Cheers!

Abbazz

Yeah, Sigma did a great job with that mode. Loved the two masking options in the Sigma. I do the same on the GFX in its 65:24 aspect ratio.

Or shoot 617 on 120.

Shawn

 

[Ted Striker]

Three grand for the 30mm without the center filter renders it relatively limited; dramatically, hopelessly and irredeemably vignettes. Good luck to the lucky bidder ever finding a filter. Hoods and central density filters for the 45/90 are more common but at heady prices.

The singular bright spot if the camera were to catastrophically fail, is that the trio of compact lenses project a 6x7 image circle and can be used with an adapter on the Hasselblad X cameras.

Stopping down reduces the vignetting. Scanning the film makes vignetting irrelevant.

 

[Ted Striker]

A quick look on sold prices for epay says over $6300 for a pretty good conditioned T1 w/45 and 90 (no 30mm).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174815491129?hash=item28b3d0b439:g:2XcAAOSwspBg1eCe


then add nearly a $3k more for the 30mm set

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164911868554?hash=item2665836a8a:g:N~oAAOSwae9gxt8W

Note - neither sale appears to have the center density filters or and the 45 and 90 lack their original hoods.

Daaayummm.. I'd sell my *mint condition* TX-1 set up for $10k (I have the 30mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses). AND I have the center filter too!

 

[shawn]

Popflash recently had a complete Xpan system for sale with the three lenses, filters, viewfinder and so on. It was listed for a little over $10k. Looks like it is sold now.

Shawn

 

[Ted Striker]

Popflash recently had a complete Xpan system for sale with the three lenses, filters, viewfinder and so on. It was listed for a little over $10k. Looks like it is sold now.

Shawn

Wow! I'm sitting on a gold mine. I never use my TX-1 at all. I think I paid around $4k for a mint camera and all the lenses.

 

[shorelineae]

I recently took my Champagne colored TX-1 + 45mm on a trip to Turkey. For me, the true test of a camera is when you take it on a trip. I had a Konica Auto S3 as my B&W camera and TX-1 as my main color camera. I shot about 10 rolls of color film in a few days, and enjoyed it a lot. Surprisingly, I never thought I would use the normal 35mm frame switch but it actually came in handy a couple of times.

Braced against a pillar and holding my breath, I even shot at 1/8 hand held a couple of times.

Apart from the size (and the price), there isn't much to say against it. I haven't been using it much recently but reading the comments, perhaps I'll keep it instead of sell it.