Why would anyone spend big $$'s on an XPan?

Tōrō

H
Tōrō

  • 0
  • 0
  • 5
Signs & fragments

A
Signs & fragments

  • 4
  • 0
  • 56
Summer corn, summer storm

D
Summer corn, summer storm

  • 2
  • 2
  • 57
Horizon, summer rain

D
Horizon, summer rain

  • 0
  • 0
  • 57

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,820
Messages
2,781,333
Members
99,716
Latest member
Thomas_2104
Recent bookmarks
0

Eric Rose

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2002
Messages
6,842
Location
T3A5V4
Format
Multi Format
When they can pick up a used Blad really cheap and just crop. Weight is probably very similar with a waist level finder. I realize the XPan might be a bit easier to handle for some but the advantage of being able to change film type on the fly etc. seem to outweigh the XPan's form factor in my mind.

Just curious what others think.
 

Andrew Moxom

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
4,888
Location
Keeping the
Format
Multi Format
some people just like to use a rangefinder for ease of use and it's more discreet and quiet that's all. I agree you can crop a regular 120 neg down, but the XPAN uses 35mm film and you have the option of getting more frames per roll than a regular 120 roll can. Especially onto a 36 exposure film, and 220 film is very limited in choices.
 

Jesper

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 29, 2009
Messages
878
Location
Sweden
Format
Multi Format
The Xpan makes 24x65mm negs and takes a 30mm lens. This is wider than what is possible even with an SWC with its 38mm lens.
That could be one reason.
But why not get a Widelux?

I think that it may also be a different way of taking photographs. You work with the Xpan as you do with a range finder.
But I can understand the question. I have many times wondered why any one would pay for a 6x17 or 6x24 when you can get a 8x10" at only a small part of the price.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,263
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
As Andrew says because it's a more practical camera to use. The same argument can be use regarding 612 & 617 cameras compared to a 5x4/5x7 camera.

Except when shooting commercial work where both B&W & Colour was required I've never ever wanted or needed to change film on the fly In fact I always used 2 cameras when colour & B&W where needed as it's much faster to work that way.

I did consider an Xpan before buying a 617. U also considered a Widelux or Noblex but the swing lens systems distort perspective badly nad I prefer a 75mm on my 617, which is all I use.

Ian
 

Tom Kershaw

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 5, 2004
Messages
4,974
Location
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Format
Multi Format
Firstly, I do not own an XPan, and they certainly do sell for high prices in the UK. However, I do find that I almost invariably compose to the viewfinder or ground glass. In my own work I'd be more likely to look towards a 6x17 camera.

Tom
 

lxdude

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
7,094
Location
Redlands, So
Format
Multi Format
You can put Kodachrome in an XPan!
 

Mike1234

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
1,908
Location
South Texas,
Format
4x5 Format
Marketing hype... brand name (prestige)... not knowing the better alternatives... take your pic. :smile:
 

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
19,974
Location
Honolulu, HI
Format
Large Format
It's a camera that has its niche. For 35mm rangefinder users it handles in a familiar way, and the option of not being full-time panoramic is an attraction. Medium format panoramics (6x12, 6x17, 6x24, Noblex 150) are a lot bulkier and the lenses are slower, and in the case of swing lens cameras, handheld can be difficult unless you have a lot of light, because the rotation time of the cylinder is substantially greater than the exposure time.

Swing lens and wide angle panoramic formats both have their distortions, and sometimes one looks more natural than the other, and sometimes those distortions can be used in interesting ways. I shot 6x17 for a few years and ultimately decided that unless I was going to get a 5x7" enlarger, it wasn't such a useful format for me. Eventually I got a good deal on a Noblex 150, so my pano options are that, cropping from 4x5" or 8x10" or using the half darkslide mask on the 8x10" camera. Swing lens negs can be astonishingly sharp, because you don't have the usual falloff of resolution at the extremes of the frame so a 6x12cm Noblex neg looks sharper than a 6x17 neg to me, both cropped to the same proportions and printed to the same size.
 

bill schwab

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Jun 16, 2003
Messages
3,751
Location
Meeshagin
Format
Multi Format
Although I do not use it nearly as much as I should, I love my xPan and wouldn't part with it for anything. I too used to put a mask in my 500 thinking it was the same. That was until I finally tried one. All other things aside, I think differently about what I am photographing when using it and that is enough for me.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,263
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
I think you hit a nail on the head there Bill, it's psychological and about instinctively shooting to a format. Very different to going out with a larger camera and then deciding you'll shoot knowing you'll crop.

Ian
 
OP
OP
Eric Rose

Eric Rose

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2002
Messages
6,842
Location
T3A5V4
Format
Multi Format
I don't want to poo poo the ad in the classifieds. The price he is asking is probably fair but I'm not an expert on these cameras. Indeed the ad is what triggered my question. I have a Blad and like many I generally compose to the ground glass, but I also take shots knowing I will do extensive cropping to get the image I want. I suppose if the money bag was over flowing I might consider the XPan as I think it's a nifty camera, but since it's not I will stick with what I have.
 

TheFlyingCamera

Membership Council
Advertiser
Joined
May 24, 2005
Messages
11,546
Location
Washington DC
Format
Multi Format
I used to have an Xpan, and I loved it for what it was. I traded it away after I realized that I wanted to make contact prints from bigger negatives and switched to a 5x12. The great convenience of it was that A: it was handheld, and B: the viewfinder was very accurate in terms of what you see is what you get. I shot a lot of great images with it, several of which still adorn my home to this day. Were I still using 35mm film to any great degree, I'd have one again in a heartbeat.
 

Mike1234

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
1,908
Location
South Texas,
Format
4x5 Format
My criteria is different. If I can get several times the neg size (print size) for the same money with a camera that's easy enough to use I'll go for the bigger camera. I would love a really good 120 rotational pano but those are out of my price range... and I no longer have the brain power to build one.
 

Colin Corneau

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
2,366
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada
Format
35mm RF
I currently own an Xpan (and a Widelux F7, too...may have to simplify in the new year) and also shoot a lot of medium format.

They're two different creatures, cropping issues aside.

I shoot MF to get MF images. I shoot an XPan to get its unique perspective. Different tools for different jobs. I'm interested enough in a panoramic format to get a tool dedicated to just that...the fact it's lighter and smaller is a bonus.

I will also say the price being asked for the one in the classifieds today is VERY fair. I spent almost twice that for mine a few years ago (and I didn't even get the lens hood). It's a quality camera with beautifully sharp images.
 

Peter Black

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
1,012
Location
Scotland, UK
Format
Multi Format
I recall going for the halfway house of a 135 Wide back for my Bronica SQ which gave a frame size of 24x54mm, or just over 2:1 as a ratio. While the screen that came with it allowed you to see what was out of shot above and below, there was always the temptation to bracket the shot slightly up and slightly down, and you would end up thinking that a 6x6 shot cropped later might be a better idea. Whether through lack of use or not, the back became unreliable as far as winding on and frame spacing was concerned, so I stopped using it.
 

Mike1234

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
1,908
Location
South Texas,
Format
4x5 Format
Pun intended? Or just misspelled? I guess you could just easily lie and get away with it if you're too proud anyways - just thought I'd comment on it - good pun!. :smile:

I'm a very prodigious and tenacious lier... always awaiting/skulking for the chance to fake a pun.
 

canuhead

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2006
Messages
832
Location
Southern Ont
Format
Multi Format
that price is beyond fair and who ever buys it at that price is stealing it :wink: if he took paypal, I'd be seriously considering getting it even though I already have one.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom