XPan is on its way :)

[newtorf]

Wonderful pictures! Xpan is my favorite camera. I am pleased to hear that you enjoy it too.

Regarding the battery issue, yes the XPAN (and XPAN II too) drains battery power even if you power it off. I always take out the batteries after use and insert them just before use. It's a bit hassle.

Well, I was handed one of these to test (the owner hasn't shot it in many a year) so here are my initial impressions:

Pros:
- Build quality is typical Fuji. Very hefty build, smooth lens movement, very functional
- Lens (40mm on this one) is tack sharp and has great contrast
- The format is lots of fun and give you a lot of negative to play with
- 21 shots out of 36 roll is more than I expected and makes it feel totally justified
- changes your shooting habits and is a lot of fun!

Cons:
- The tripod mount is waaaaaaay on the corner...what gives? It was all wonky on my tripod
- Cost me $16 for a set of batteries, which died after two days because I left it on in my pack (no auto-off?)
- Printing. Who has a holder for these? And how to frame em? Also, you need a MF printing lens for them (these aren't issues for me, per se, but thought I'd throw that out there)
- More lenses cost quite a lot

Alright, here are some pics from my recent vacation into the Enchantments Wilderness in Central Washington. We got hammered by a storm.

View attachment 74870

View attachment 74871

View attachment 74872

These are all Neopan 400 in Pyrocat 1:1:100 for 15 minutes.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, I was handed one of these to test (the owner hasn't shot it in many a year) so here are my initial impressions:

Pros:
- Build quality is typical Fuji. Very hefty build, smooth lens movement, very functional
- Lens (40mm on this one) is tack sharp and has great contrast
- The format is lots of fun and give you a lot of negative to play with
- 21 shots out of 36 roll is more than I expected and makes it feel totally justified
- changes your shooting habits and is a lot of fun!

Cons:
- The tripod mount is waaaaaaay on the corner...what gives? It was all wonky on my tripod
- Cost me $16 for a set of batteries, which died after two days because I left it on in my pack (no auto-off?)
- Printing. Who has a holder for these? And how to frame em? Also, you need a MF printing lens for them (these aren't issues for me, per se, but thought I'd throw that out there)
- More lenses cost quite a lot

Alright, here are some pics from my recent vacation into the Enchantments Wilderness in Central Washington. We got hammered by a storm.

View attachment 74870

View attachment 74871

View attachment 74872

These are all Neopan 400 in Pyrocat 1:1:100 for 15 minutes.

I noticed that at least two of the photographs looked cloudy. Clean the lens before using again.

 

[TheToadMen]

You can build your own panoramic camera very cheaply and reasonably easily and you get a better lens this way...

View attachment 74874

It's called a "HolgAgon".

Some pictures on Flickr just search for "HolgAgon"

It's become one of my favourite cameras...

RR

Nice project for the winter

 

[PKM-25]

- Printing. Who has a holder for these? And how to frame em?

Beseler and Omega make Xpan neg carriers, I have a brand new Beseler one I have been trying to sell since I now use an LPL. If interested, PM me.

 

[aoresteen]

Get TWO spare batteries for it BEFORE you leave on vacation. Without a battery the camera is an expensive paper weight!

 

[aoresteen]

...

- Printing. Who has a holder for these? ...

.

Beseler does make one for the 4x5 enlargers -cost is a whopping $233.50 from B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=219941&is=REG&addedTroughType=search



They do not make one for the Beseler 23C which I use. So I sent SK Grimes a regular 23C 35mm carrier & a sample xpan negative and had them machine it out to 24x65mm. Cost was $65 back in 2006/2007.