Xpan, how is it?

NorwayPhoto

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Hello all.

Well, after using my M2 for some time, happy with it, I do feel I need a new camera....
Have been looking at R6/6.2 and the R8. The R8 is great, but the looks is to modern for me.
Sorry.

Then, I did find the Xpan, a camera you do not se everyday nor read a lot about.
Like the look of it, classic.
How is it?
Quality, craftsmanship, its user-friendliness...or lack of it?
 

alexfoto

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Hello!!
I try one time from a friend years before and the quality overall is outstanding, but i find the lenses is over contrast for my taste and lack tonality in shadows. The same time i have try the noblex 135mm panorama and the lens is from other planet!! the perfect compination of tonality and sharpness, but of course its not a camera for everyone.
 

darkosaric

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My friend wanted to borrow me Xpan, so that I can test it. I was holding it for a minute or two and then reject the offer. Because it feels so great in hands, and with unique format that makes - that I am afraid that I would need to spend couple of thousands for it after a test roll.
 

Sirius Glass

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I like the swing lens of the WideLux and the cost is much lower.
 

LJH

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Swing lens are rubbish if you need long exposures, especially if there are moving components in the shot.

I had a MkI Xpan for about 5 years, using it as a travel pano camera. However, in the end, I sold it as I just couldn't enlarge the negs enough. I sold it and have gone back to lugging a 6x17cm 'round again.
 

Sirius Glass

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I do not need to take long panorama exposures with the swing lens camera, so the camera is not rubbish, but you should rinse out the garbage from your trash mouth. From what you posted, you obviously could not accomplish what you wanted ==> what does that say about you?
 

TheFlyingCamera

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Children, children... Please!!!

I had an Xpan for a couple years and used it with great success. Some of my favorite images (that are still hanging in my house to this day) are from my trip to Cambodia in 2003 where I brought the Xpan and used it for the temples at Angkor. I'd dispute the assertion that the lenses are too contrasty and lack shadow details, but I'll chalk that up to one person's opinion.

Here are two examples I shot with it (NOT from the Cambodia trip):

 

LJH

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One, it says that I can read/comprehend. I said nothing about you needing to do anything. I really couldn't give two hoots (not my primary choice of word, but it will suffice) what you do, nor don't do.

Second, it says that I am not someone suffering Narcissistic Personality Disorder, This was about a camera lens, not about you.

Third, pretty sure that there was NO "trash mouth" comments, so perhaps stop reading things that are not there.

Forth, I did not say that the camera was rubbish; I said that swing lenses are rubbish WITH THE CAVIET of when it comes to long exposure and/or images with moving subjects within.

Finally, what does it say about me? Geez, it's not hard to work out that the film size didn't let me make big enough enlargements. I REALLY thought that was a fairly bloody obvious proposition when I wrote, "I just couldn't enlarge the negs enough". I'm actually flummoxed that you didn't understand what that meant about me...

(By the way, if you want to know what garbage can come from my mouth, PM me your phone number and I'll let you know. Just a heads up, it'll be pretty blue.... My dad was a Fish Monger, and I learnt everything I know from his wife).

Lighten up, Sirius...
 

MattKing

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Should we recommend that APUGuser19 becomes a subscriber so he can see TheFlyingCamera's most viewed photo?
 

MattKing

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Should we recommend that APUGuser19 becomes a subscriber so he can see TheFlyingCamera's most viewed photo?
 
OP
OP

NorwayPhoto

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Hello.

Well, huh, wow.
My question did bring out, well some interesting reply.
Did not have it on my mind that some will end up in a argument.

Back to the camera, from what I do understand it is a great camera, but maybe not for us all.
So, for me, to have a SLR maybe these one is not the best solution.
Mainly, it was the maker, Hasselblad and its quality record and the look of the camera that made me think about it.

Thanks for looking.
 
OP
OP

NorwayPhoto

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Ups, sorry all.
I did mean RF nor SRL.
I am happy with my M2, but I "need" some new.....
 

LJH

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NorwayPhoto said:
Mainly, it was the maker, Hasselblad and its quality record and the look of the camera that made me think about it.
Click to expand...

You might get a surprise if you research who actually designed and built the XPan...

Doesn't take away from its quality, though.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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I'm truly surprised you're offended by those photos...
 

TheFlyingCamera

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LJH said:
You might get a surprise if you research who actually designed and built the XPan...

Doesn't take away from its quality, though.
Click to expand...

Fuji is who's making most of the current Hasselblad lenses - Zeiss isn't making their glass anymore. I think they're making the H-series bodies as well but I could be wrong on that.
 
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