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Another XPan owner here. Yes, it's a great camera, and the lenses are lovely, and the aspect ratio is really great, with plenty of interesting uses. I rarely use the 'normal' 3x2 mode you can select, but there is a certain joy of realising that if you switch to it, it shuffles the film back by counting sprocket holes so that you don't lose any space on the film.<p>The sprocket reading mechanism uses IR if I remember correctly, so you can't use IR film in the XPan without getting leaks from this mechanism.<p>Also, labs used to automatically mess up cutting negative into strips for this due to the unusual framing, so you are best to home develop or use a pro lab that understand this sort of thing.<p>If you like the look, but can't or don't want to afford an XPan, the other option that I can think of is to get a Mamiya 7 with their 35mm adapter plate, giving the same aspect ratio. I've not tried it, because instead, I just shoot 120 film in a Mamiya 7 and crop if this is the aspect ratio I want. I also get shift for free doing this...<p>The other option i've tried, which is mind blowingly awesome is a Fuji 617, which is the XPan aspect ratio on 120 film. The problem is that you need an 8*10 enlarger to print these, and obviously the cost per shot is higher, but the quality is beyond what you can imagine.
If you think you might want an XPan, spend eighty bucks on a Lomography Sprocket Rocket and see if 24x72 is really a way you want to make photographs.<p>You see, the thing about the sprocket rocket is it comes with an insert to mask the sprocket holes...well and the other thing is you won't worry about dropping it because it is both cheap and rugged enough to survive three feet onto concrete and lacking electronics falling into the stream adding foreground interest to your volcanic Iceland panorama.<p>Plus it weighs nothing.<p>I ain't saying it is as good an Xpan, but if sharpness is the most interesting part of your pictures, it will be the cure.<p>And with all the money you'll save you can book a nice trip to Iceland.
What an incredible article, conveying the excitement and passion for a niche subject so well and clearly even for the uninitiated. It's so rare these days. Much to learn about writing here too.
The pictures it produces have a very 'filmic' quality to them, as we are accustomed to the anamorphic format of motion pictures. Always wanted one after seeing Kai's pictures on this DigitalRev video - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38plXCYCvKQ" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38plXCYCvKQ</a><p>Seeing how it has such a cult following and how much the prices have shot up on eBay, it boggles the mind that they won't make another version. There are a number of DIY projects on various websites that use medium format lenses with integrated shutters, however they usually end up quite expensive as well.
Why do websites insist on customizing their scrolling speeds? I'm used to my defaults so I get motion sickness browsing this website. It literally adds nothing positive to the experience - it doesn't look or feel nicer in any way, instead it feels worse and uses more processing power.
I find the camera to be perfect for environmental portraits. Not just because of the image quality or even the unique framing, but also because the camera itself looks so basic in comparison to over-designed professional-looking DSLRs. It feels much less threatening to your surroundings. Had a lot of fun with it as a travel camera: <a href="https://rybakov.com/blog/guinea_babka/" rel="nofollow">https://rybakov.com/blog/guinea_babka/</a><p>P.S. I own two XPans and would be willing to sell one. Hit me up if you are in Germany/EU and are interested.
I couldn’t find my preferred film in 35mm before a recent trip to Europe, so I brought my hasselblad 500cm with an 80mm lens. I found so many instances where I wished I had this camera, but I reserved myself to shooting 6x6 and cropping to 4x5 ratio.
I probably would fall into the trap of buying this camera for landscapes, taking a few photos with it that were amazing, not using it enough and selling it, then regretting that as well.
Cagey about what he paid for Hasselblad. (I don't know why people are that way.) Looks like on eBay they're going for about $6K.<p>Yeah, that's steep. I maybe paid $500 for one of my nicer TLR cameras....