The X-pan was such a great idea of a camera. I don’t know why other manufacturers didn’t build similar cameras using 35mm film to shoot medium format panoramas. Great shots btw.
Video @ 10:27 - Matt, we don't need 'no stinking batteries' plus, why spend $4,000 plus on the Xpan or TX ? - Here's a way to spend less than $400 and get a fully mechanical & reliable Pano - - - Plus use your Zeiss glass ! - Own a classic & fully mechanical 6x6 Hasselblad ? - Well buy an 'old' 12 Back to sacrifice/modify (not the newer A12), then Dremel away three teeth of the large gear (the gear teeth in the 12 Back are visible from the access 'hole' ; the camera uses this to connect to the back). Doing this doesn't allow THE CAMERA to grab the back's transport mechanism. After you get the 12 back mod'ed & reassembled, install Hasselblad's 41151 6X3 panoramic mask KIT into your Hasselblad (this kit doesn't alter your camera body, it's totally reversible). Now, to make it easy to 'Move the Film' , install the OEM accessory; Hasselblad 41076 Quick Winding Crank. Okay, when putting the film to its number one position (the normal procedure for loading & positioning the film), then take a Pano picture. To get the film to the next position, turn the 'rapid crank' on the back 270 degrees (not critical to be exactly 270) - after every picture taken, RESET THE COUNTER back to #1 then again turn the Rapid crank 270 degrees . You'll get 20 wonderfully spaced 30mm X 60mm Pano images. I typically use my WLF, an OEM Spirit Bubble 43117 and a 50mm Distagon lens on my fully mechanical ULTRA reliable Hasselblad 500C/M !
Great job! Yes I shot panos in MF cameras but without the clever stuff you did. I just use Mamiya 6 / 7 etc and they work without any alterations. I have a Hassys too.
I went back to film photography after taking an old Olympus OM20 to New York to "see how things came out", in March 2011. Impressed with the results, I did some research and found an Xpan with 45mm and centre filter for less than £900 on Ebay a couple of months later. Fantastic lens and format, I'm hanging on to it.
Great video, Matt! Thanks a lot for sharing! I am just about to repeat a project that I shot two years ago with a Rolleiflex 6x6, but this time using the XPan to force myself into seeing things differently. New York will also be on my tour, so your images really were an inspiration! If you allow me a question - did you push the film in the Subway shots? After all it's pretty dark down there, so I would think at least 1600ISO for the b&w film?
Thanks and happy I could inspire! (I did the same, 1 trip to NYC was with 6x6 Hassy, the next with Xpan. From memory I used Kodak XX film (Cinestill now do a rebadged version). and you can shoot that from 100-1000 on the same roll so it was likely at 1000 and 1/30.
Hi Matt, I have found no trouble at all changing film mid roll, it’s the same concept, but reversed. You just need to as you say, count the number of frames, before removing the film and count the same number to where you last used that same roll when you put it back in the camera.
Firstly, the thing setting this channel apart is that your photos are truly superb Matt. It's funny reviewing this camera, comparisons are problematic with anything. I can't imagine why you would really use this camera for standard 35mm shots, the lenses are slow and the system a bit clunky. It's really a one trick pony. But what a trick. I've used Pano adapters on mamiya 7 and Pentax 67ii, and nothing quite matches the look and feel of this camera. I would love to sell my TX2 and live in fear of it just irrevocably concking out.... But I just can't. The photos it gives just have a wow factor that nothing else quite matches. Thanks Matt, another great video, and again, beautiful photos.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have heard the Mamiya 7 is a great camera and the lenses are excellent. I can understand that the 43 mm lens would be a favourite.
Great for shaking things up framing wise. Love this Camera and will never part with it again! On a different note i’m pretty certain you can force rewind it out leaving the leader tab out in instances where you need to swap rolls early like to demo inside the camera. Look at the LCD info panel and the recessed button on the bottom right allows you to rewind the roll. I think leaving the tab out is somewhere in a customs setting.
That's a very nice video explaining everything. I will try to crop my 6x6 hass negatives(not close to panoramic but..) Please do a review on that 120 Makro Planar and some tips. Would be awesome!
Yes sorry! As you may have noticed I think i'm saying one thing they say another. I normally try to correct on screen but I missed this. Thanks for asking/ noting.
I bought mine when digital was taking over and film cameras were becoming dinosaurs. It was expensive about 12 years ago at $1800 9I think) with 45 lens filters, lens shade, bag, and bubble level. I stretched but now I am so freaking glad I feel in love with this camera when it first came out and was not affordable to me. I just wish I used it more often...
Hi Matt, I purchased a X-Pan II, 45 and a 90mm lenses brand new, loved that and then sold it unmarked as new with all the packaging it come in some time latter. Regretting selling it to this day. Then I purchased Zeiss Ikon ZM, again regrets selling it, miles better viewfinder than any M Leica. Never had a film M Leica. That rag curtain shutter always put me off it. After couple of digital Ms I now use SL with some AF lenses and via a Leica M to L adapter M lenses combination that I prefer to rangefinder M body. Keep well.
Unfortunately, I did not see the joy of owning a Hasselblad panoramic camera when they were cheap. When digital was making inroads professional photographers were basically giving away their film cameras so I was busy loading up on SLR's, medium format, and rangefinders. I have played around with the panoramic features on APS film and 35mm point and shoot camera. What are your thoughts about using ultra wide (not fish eye) lenses and then cropping top and bottom. I have 17 to 21mm lenses for my 35mm SLR's and a 50mm Mamiya for my 6x9 Universal.
Hi Richard, yes I have tried 35mm film in 6x7 cameras to use as pano. See the Mamiya 7 video I did on that. I've not really tried with digital, I think I need to crop in camera to enjoy it. I do 6x12 on a 4x5 camera too, video still to come on that.
I much prefer the Xpan but the 7 will give you lots of other options too.. tricks.. The Xpan will shoot regular 35mm AND pano so if you like the idea of this go for that.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom i just started shooting film using a Mamiya rz 67 and I loved it, I mean the process. It is so satisfying!! But that camera is really big and you can just run around town looking for something to shoot… so I am on the market for a smaller film camera, my first pick was M6 (or M7) but after watching this video that Xpan and being able to shoot panoramic really got into me. So I am lost 😂 Ps the video is great but so are the photos you took 🤩
@@raphaelmimoun9571 RZ, great! I need to dust mine off (see that video for those photos). Yes I’m better at pictures that talking on camera haha. See the next video I post for small cameras (my daily carry)
Hi Matt, this is a very good review. I have had an XPan 2 for many years and still love it. The XPan also has some clever tricks such as the multiple exposure option and of course the lens can be fitted to many mirrorless cameras, such as Fuji X. And they are beautiful lenses with great resolving power and colour. For colour work I use Silbersalz film and Ektar 100 for colour photographs. And, good old Pan F 50 for B&W. IMHO!
I do own a XPAN 2 and your review is the review I would have loved to watch before I bought it. Mine was almost brand new and the first trip to NY made my camera look similar to your camera. If you want to have another camera with similar format, the Widelux is another panoramic camera which is a lot cheaper but since the lens is moving while taking the shot, the usage differs a lot. Currently I have four different panoramic cameras but the XPAN is the one I use the most. Hopefully the electric never dies
Thanks for your kind words Norman. It sounds like you are well setup for pano! Yes I know the Widelux but I’ve never used. Medium format cameras with 35mm film loaded can be fun too.
Good review Matt. BTW, simple solution to the "changing films mid-roll" problem - two bodies! And if you thought that XPan prices were bad, try finding (let alone buying) the 30mm lens kit. But at half the price of a Leica ultra-wide it's worth every penny.
Beautiful camera and lovely images Matt. Another benefit of the fuji gfx50r is that it has many selectable aspect ratios, one of which is 65:24. I hope you get your hands on gfx50r and some adapted lenses one day as I'm sure you'd love it 🙂🤙
You are such a great photographer. As I understand it, if one of these fully electronic cameras stop functioning, repair is nearly impossible because of a lack of replacement parts. Is this an accurate synopsis?
Hi, I tested a few, the Art lenses are far too big but optically sharp. The DG DN f2 lenses are a better size but I still prefer smaller MF M mount lenses (or vintage lenses)(Leica R glass on SL etc)
Brings back memories of being a poor photography student in in the late 90's when the X-Pan came out. The nice chap at Jessops let me have a play with one in the shop and I thought it was fantastic. The price was pretty horrific though, and then there was the price of the lenses.. But the camera was uber-cool at the time. Funnily enough my camera at the time was a Canon EOS 1000fn which also wound all the film off when you loaded it. Canon dropped that feature after the 1000fn. At the back end of last year before I bought a iiif I thought "I know, lets search for an X-Pan.. it's basically a Fuji so won't be too bad.." Quickly went off that idea when I saw what they were fetching.. If someone gave me one I wouldn't complain, and you never know what you may find in a charity shop lol (when they reopen)
Thanks Rhys, nice memories. Yes keep your eyes open once the shops reopen! That would be an amazing find :) Thanks re Canon, yes others also spotted this. 👍🏻
Oh dear, i was thinking some years ago that I might get an Xpan and even bought the dedicated Xpan Billingham shoulder bag when I happened to be in London. Had second thoughts though (nearest camera store from our Antipodean property here is 250 miles away) but now the price has returned :-) . Looks as if the Voigtlander Perkeo III (E) will still have to fill my exotic shooting needs.. Great review, too.
Just bought a Fuji Tx1 with the 45mm and the 90mm on eBay. I could negotiate it for 4200$ US. My fuji looks like new and works very well. I love this camera because you have to think out of the box to take great pictures.
Great review of the x pan. Wish I had one. Should have bought it when they first came out You should shoot the span more. It's a natural for you. Your images were great on that camera in panorama mode. Hey!!! when are you going to review the Voightlander 35nm vintage F2 Ultron???
Love the B&W New York panoramic images. Not sure if you mentioned it in the video but I'm presuming it's rangefinder focusing? Just had a quick look to see if there were 35mm backs available for my trusty Mamiya RB67 but it looks like that's a non runner :(
Thanks! Yes I only briefly mentioned it was a rangefinder coupled lens. I speak so much about rangefinder cameras I forget I should mention it! I think there was a 35mm back for the RZ but I might be wrong. I use 645, 66, 67 backs on mine. If not see my folding camera videos.. most of those accept 35mm film.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt, I'll check out those videos. One of the things which sets you apart from other gear reviewers is that you always have stunning images taken using the equipment. Great stuff.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Actually you're one of the best presenters, because you're knowledgeable about the equipment you cover yet come across as unassuming and avoid being OTT. I'm subscribed to three photography channels, yours, Zenography (using vintage lenses on mirrorless) and Brian's Photo Show (MF Nikon film cameras). Most of the others are style over content, and some don't even know what they're talking about. So don't change a thing your channel is perfect as it is.
It's quite funny. The XPAN and the Canon EOS 300 (Rebel) have the unwinding of the film after loading in common. Considering they are at opposite ends of the scale in terms of price, reputation and quality, that surprises me.
Those are really great shots of yours, the dynamic range is impressive! Not shooting film in almost 30 years, I may sound superficial but mind telling me how do you get your final images on video nowadays? Do you scan the negatives or the prints?
Based on your images in this video, you have a very good eye for finding subjects that are suitable for panoramic images. How do you describe what makes a good panoramic image?
Thank you.. it's probably hard to put into words but basically find a scene that fills the frame. More important for non-portraits. For portraits, perhaps something of interest in the background rather than a lot of negative space.
No you don't, spacing is the same from memory.. you only loose if you don't have room for 1 more pano but if switch to standard you get one more frame, if that makes sense.. so always end with standard crop if mixing the frames on the same roll.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Sorry I cant follow ... Does that mean, you take a picture from the edge of the lenses picture-circle and the next from the other edge? Because when you shoot standard from the lenses center, then there will be lost Film, when you switch from pano to standard ... Anyway: the camera looks so cool, but I fear, I will never hold one in my hands....
Man great shots, but the prints must be impressive, framed and matted... cherry on top for me I have have seen prints from this format and they blow you away....😱😱😱😱
Thanks Noel, I rarely print but I did treat myself and print the San Francisco images quite big, A3 book double spreads. Agreed with slide film loaded too this is special stuff!
The Fuji GFX series has the option to switch to the 65x24 XPAN format. It is great fun to use it and I used it on my GFX 50R nearly all the time in NYC. But the price of a GFX is not low as well. I heard of a camera from sigma which has the similar format.
Every time I see anything XPan, I get mad that more digital cameras don't have in-camera cropping to wide formats like 65:24 or 2.35:1. Any loss in pixels would be well-balanced by having that compositional tool. Being able to frame things up in a panoramic format would make it a lot easier to go looking for these kinds of shots. Like, adding extra black bars to a digital camera would be essentially free, but add so much fun.
Some of the cheaper plastic Canon EOS Cameras do spool film in the same direction. But I don‘t like that because you always get only 36 pictures and the numbers on the negatives are also in the wrong order. I do have a cheaper alternative to this camera, which is the Horizon camera. A swing lens camera made in Russia. But I did not use it a lot so far.
Yes agreed regarding only 36 frames, good point. I prefer manual loading cameras. I know the Horizon, I’ve not used it but I can picture it in my head.
Check out the work of the late great photojournalist Stanley Greene -- he used one for much of the late 90's and early 00's. Phenomenal camera and format. They sold quite well when released in 1998 but the potential niche market was quickly saturated. By the time the Xpan II came out, digital was starting up and film was slowly being killed. Consumers no longer wanted film, let alone niche film products.
No danger of you driving up the price of the X-Pan, Matt, as it’s already out of the pockets of most photographers. A dangerous camera to take out on the streets these days, as some will kill to get one!
It’s a niche camera, definitely not better than an M6 IMO (I’ve had both). I had an Xpan 1 when it first came out. It becomes very hard to compose images with so much in the shot, unless it’s a complete set up (fashion/wedding) or landscape. I took mine to France on a trip and ended up with many fewer keepers than I would have with my M6. If you can afford to keep one as s second camera, only for when the perfect scenario presents itself. I actually didn’t think the image quality matched Leica, albeit very nice. I sold it after a year, for the used price at the time (not hyped), so I could have kept it and used it occasionally now, but I honestly prefer digital to film.
Thanks Chris, agreed the M6 will last longer and give more keepers but it can be nice to have a double negative size pano option for those occasions as you mention. If I could only own one camera it would be a film M.
love how its expensive as fuck and yet the paint job is rubbish always wanted to try one though, cool feature is you're able tochange the size mid-roll which is pretty interesting indeed
Problems with this camera: severely overpriced and very hard or impossible to find somebody repairing it since parts are no longer available. I personally would not vest into this system for both reasons. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M, and with a simple trick you can use a 35 mm spool in the Hasselblad cartridge and also get panoramic 35 mm shots. Easy and for free if you have a medium-format film camera!
Hi Martin agreed! Electronic film cameras are always a worry. I was lucky to get mine before the price hike. I use 35mm film in many of my MF cameras but I’ve not tried in the Hassy yet.
there are two very good people doing repair work in Europe on the Xpan, Ulf Kühn and Wilco Jansen. so the chance of repairing it is there. i agree with the price, and i am lucky to have bought meine before the hype train started
I had my eyes on this camera, first of all it is not a real Hasselblad, it is made by Fuji. But I thought it was not good enough quality (compaired to real Hasselblad´s) and it was too expensive, so if I was to make panorama images I could (as I already did) crop from 6x6 ;) or get a magazine for 35mm film which got the size 24x55, but I just kept on cropping from 6x6 :)
I don't think you mentioned that it focuses via its rangefinder. I presume it does from the look of the windows on the front? Is it a good rangefinder?
Thanks I did mention rangefinder coupled but yes I didn’t spell it out or mention the RF patch. It’s not as good as a Leica ..but not many cameras are to be honest.
I use a Linhof 617 Technorama. It is a portable large format camera that uses 120 film. Other than the MASSIVE negative size and resolution it is superior to the Xpan in an additional way. It is MECHANICAL. I will NEVER spend a significant amount of money on an electronic camera. That is a huge problem for me when considering the Xpan. It's a miniature Linhof that is almost as expensive and can fail you at any moment. I'll pass.
Thanks, nice setup and I totally agree. Electronic cameras are always a worry. I do use a 6x12 back on my 4x5s. I’ll do a video on that later this year.
its still a dream camera and fell in love with the aspect ratio - maybe use it as a crutch to make my images look more interesting when its really not haha. Though from last research the fuji version - T-X1 is fully manual and maybe reduce the fear of electronics breaking comparing to the hasselblad? many X-PAN solutions as you featured and other people using their fuji medium format camera as well - a sacrifice in size to get a "cheaper" camera that can do a similar thing.
Yes medium format is a cheaper solution. I thought I’d read that the Fuji are the same as the Xpan so I would expect them to take batteries but I could be wrong.
You only needed to Rob a smaller bank some years ago. Now you need to go for much bigger ones I think haha.. Yes I was lucky to find before the prices jumped up.
That, like the Leicas, is a great camera. Problem is, it's still a Volkswage,, I mean a 35mm camera. Takes wonderful 4x6 pictures. For the price, or less, a medium format will do much more, plus you can crop panoramic photos, if you wish.
Thanks John, yes agreed re MF but normal 35mm cameras offer the benefit of economy vs say 6x7. I couldn’t afford to shoot all MF film with models. 35mm makes it more doable.
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The X-pan was such a great idea of a camera. I don’t know why other manufacturers didn’t build similar cameras using 35mm film to shoot medium format panoramas. Great shots btw.
Yes! ..and thanks
13:50 I recognize that photo cause its one of my favorites on Flickr.
Ah thanks Tyson!! (See my other videos for more of my Flickr images)
Great review, did cropping of 35mm years ago and really enjoyed it.
Keep surprising us, very enjoyable !
Thanks Gary! I have plenty more surprises still to come..I’m trying to work through my camera and lens list.
WOW! As always, a very interesting presentation! Thanks Matt!
Thanks Lucy!
At the time of the X-Pan the german company "Zoerkendorfer" made an adapter to mount the Contax G Hologon 21mm lens on the X-Pan
Ah thanks Jean-Claude. Interesting!
Beautiful New York shots.
Thanks Chris, yes I really enjoyed it for photography there. I'd like to visit again one day.
Video @ 10:27 - Matt, we don't need 'no stinking batteries' plus, why spend $4,000 plus on the Xpan or TX ? - Here's a way to spend less than $400 and get a fully mechanical & reliable Pano - - - Plus use your Zeiss glass ! - Own a classic & fully mechanical 6x6 Hasselblad ? - Well buy an 'old' 12 Back to sacrifice/modify (not the newer A12), then Dremel away three teeth of the large gear (the gear teeth in the 12 Back are visible from the access 'hole' ; the camera uses this to connect to the back). Doing this doesn't allow THE CAMERA to grab the back's transport mechanism. After you get the 12 back mod'ed & reassembled, install Hasselblad's 41151 6X3 panoramic mask KIT into your Hasselblad (this kit doesn't alter your camera body, it's totally reversible). Now, to make it easy to 'Move the Film' , install the OEM accessory; Hasselblad 41076 Quick Winding Crank.
Okay, when putting the film to its number one position (the normal procedure for loading & positioning the film), then take a Pano picture. To get the film to the next position, turn the 'rapid crank' on the back 270 degrees (not critical to be exactly 270) - after every picture taken, RESET THE COUNTER back to #1 then again turn the Rapid crank 270 degrees . You'll get 20 wonderfully spaced 30mm X 60mm Pano images. I typically use my WLF, an OEM Spirit Bubble 43117 and a 50mm Distagon lens on my fully mechanical ULTRA reliable Hasselblad 500C/M !
Great job! Yes I shot panos in MF cameras but without the clever stuff you did. I just use Mamiya 6 / 7 etc and they work without any alterations. I have a Hassys too.
..and I sold the Xpan. Way too expensive!
Love the cinematic feel of your photos.
Thanks! Yes the xpan does help with this I think.
Very interesting well explained 👍enjoy a lot 👍
Thank you Maxime 🙏🏻
I went back to film photography after taking an old Olympus OM20 to New York to "see how things came out", in March 2011. Impressed with the results, I did some research and found an Xpan with 45mm and centre filter for less than £900 on Ebay a couple of months later. Fantastic lens and format, I'm hanging on to it.
Great find!! Yes the Xpan is such a good camera in cities like NYC. Great to hear you went back to film too!
Great video, Matt! Thanks a lot for sharing!
I am just about to repeat a project that I shot two years ago with a Rolleiflex 6x6, but this time using the XPan to force myself into seeing things differently. New York will also be on my tour, so your images really were an inspiration!
If you allow me a question - did you push the film in the Subway shots? After all it's pretty dark down there, so I would think at least 1600ISO for the b&w film?
Thanks and happy I could inspire! (I did the same, 1 trip to NYC was with 6x6 Hassy, the next with Xpan. From memory I used Kodak XX film (Cinestill now do a rebadged version). and you can shoot that from 100-1000 on the same roll so it was likely at 1000 and 1/30.
Hi Matt, I have found no trouble at all changing film mid roll, it’s the same concept, but reversed. You just need to as you say, count the number of frames, before removing the film and count the same number to where you last used that same roll when you put it back in the camera.
Thanks Brenton, great tip! (Yes I do it a lot with Leica so that makes sense - count back)
Nice Camera Matt,... but your photos are the masterpieces here, much more than the gear.
Thanks very kind!
Such a cool camera! Nice review!
Thanks!
Very nice, useful video. Thank you.
Thanks Richard!
I am glad to have the XPan aspect ratio directly on my S1R... it was high on my wishlist!
Ah great tip! I'd like to test a S1 / S1R at some point.
Firstly, the thing setting this channel apart is that your photos are truly superb Matt. It's funny reviewing this camera, comparisons are problematic with anything. I can't imagine why you would really use this camera for standard 35mm shots, the lenses are slow and the system a bit clunky. It's really a one trick pony. But what a trick. I've used Pano adapters on mamiya 7 and Pentax 67ii, and nothing quite matches the look and feel of this camera. I would love to sell my TX2 and live in fear of it just irrevocably concking out.... But I just can't. The photos it gives just have a wow factor that nothing else quite matches. Thanks Matt, another great video, and again, beautiful photos.
Thanks for your kindness! There are written posts with images full res on MrLeica.com if interested. Yes very very good for certain photos.
You should check out the Widelux and Horizon for a different pano experience 🙂
Thanks Nico, I know of them but i've not used (yet) :)
I use the Xpan II and it is great. Also fortunate to have the 30 mm lens. Great review!
Thanks Peter! Ah you have the famous 30mm, nice!!
Must admit rarely use the 45 or the 90
@@peterdadson7713 yes I think people do the same with the 43mm on the Mamiya 7
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have heard the Mamiya 7 is a great camera and the lenses are excellent. I can understand that the 43 mm lens would be a favourite.
Great for shaking things up framing wise. Love this Camera and will never part with it again! On a different note i’m pretty certain you can force rewind it out leaving the leader tab out in instances where you need to swap rolls early like to demo inside the camera. Look at the LCD info panel and the recessed button on the bottom right allows you to rewind the roll. I think leaving the tab out is somewhere in a customs setting.
Thanks Malcolm, I did know that re custom settings so thanks! :)
You're absolutely right!
That's a very nice video explaining everything. I will try to crop my 6x6 hass negatives(not close to panoramic but..) Please do a review on that 120 Makro Planar and some tips. Would be awesome!
Thanks Panos. I will try to do a Hassy lens vid when I can. Not much to say on the 120 except sharp at f4 and an amazing lens!
When you mentioned the GF670, did you mean a collaboration with Voigtlander (Bessa III) not Zeiss?
Yes sorry! As you may have noticed I think i'm saying one thing they say another. I normally try to correct on screen but I missed this. Thanks for asking/ noting.
I bought mine when digital was taking over and film cameras were becoming dinosaurs. It was expensive about 12 years ago at $1800 9I think) with 45 lens filters, lens shade, bag, and bubble level. I stretched but now I am so freaking glad I feel in love with this camera when it first came out and was not affordable to me. I just wish I used it more often...
Great! Yes it didn’t suit most of my portrait work but agree a fine camera.
Hi Matt, I purchased a X-Pan II, 45 and a 90mm lenses brand new, loved that and then sold it unmarked as new with all the packaging it come in some time latter. Regretting selling it to this day. Then I purchased Zeiss Ikon ZM, again regrets selling it, miles better viewfinder than any M Leica. Never had a film M Leica. That rag curtain shutter always put me off it. After couple of digital Ms I now use SL with some AF lenses and via a Leica M to L adapter M lenses combination that I prefer to rangefinder M body. Keep well.
Hi Jan, thanks. Yes I’m always scared of selling things. I often regret it. SL and M glass is a nice combination!
Unfortunately, I did not see the joy of owning a Hasselblad panoramic camera when they were cheap. When digital was making inroads professional photographers were basically giving away their film cameras so I was busy loading up on SLR's, medium format, and rangefinders. I have played around with the panoramic features on APS film and 35mm point and shoot camera. What are your thoughts about using ultra wide (not fish eye) lenses and then cropping top and bottom. I have 17 to 21mm lenses for my 35mm SLR's and a 50mm Mamiya for my 6x9 Universal.
Yikes, I just saw the prices on ebay, nope I won't be buying one.
Hi Richard, yes I have tried 35mm film in 6x7 cameras to use as pano. See the Mamiya 7 video I did on that. I've not really tried with digital, I think I need to crop in camera to enjoy it. I do 6x12 on a 4x5 camera too, video still to come on that.
yes crazy prices now!
try 35mm in a MF camera.. cheap option, like a 6x9 folding camera. (I do that too)
reminds me of my favorite camera . contax g2. i want one
Nice! yes they are up on the most wanted list I think ha :)
Great video, so for approximately the same price should I go with a Mamiya 7 plus panoramic attachment or the Xpan ii ? Thank you 🙏
I much prefer the Xpan but the 7 will give you lots of other options too.. tricks.. The Xpan will shoot regular 35mm AND pano so if you like the idea of this go for that.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom i just started shooting film using a Mamiya rz 67 and I loved it, I mean the process. It is so satisfying!! But that camera is really big and you can just run around town looking for something to shoot… so I am on the market for a smaller film camera, my first pick was M6 (or M7) but after watching this video that Xpan and being able to shoot panoramic really got into me. So I am lost 😂
Ps the video is great but so are the photos you took 🤩
@@raphaelmimoun9571 RZ, great! I need to dust mine off (see that video for those photos). Yes I’m better at pictures that talking on camera haha. See the next video I post for small cameras (my daily carry)
Hi Matt, this is a very good review. I have had an XPan 2 for many years and still love it. The XPan also has some clever tricks such as the multiple exposure option and of course the lens can be fitted to many mirrorless cameras, such as Fuji X. And they are beautiful lenses with great resolving power and colour.
For colour work I use Silbersalz film and Ektar 100 for colour photographs.
And, good old Pan F 50 for B&W. IMHO!
Thanks Michael! Sorry for my late answer. I just exposed 8 rolls of Silbersalz so wait to see how the result look! (I'll do a video hopefully)
I do own a XPAN 2 and your review is the review I would have loved to watch before I bought it. Mine was almost brand new and the first trip to NY made my camera look similar to your camera. If you want to have another camera with similar format, the Widelux is another panoramic camera which is a lot cheaper but since the lens is moving while taking the shot, the usage differs a lot.
Currently I have four different panoramic cameras but the XPAN is the one I use the most. Hopefully the electric never dies
Thanks for your kind words Norman. It sounds like you are well setup for pano! Yes I know the Widelux but I’ve never used. Medium format cameras with 35mm film loaded can be fun too.
Good review Matt. BTW, simple solution to the "changing films mid-roll" problem - two bodies!
And if you thought that XPan prices were bad, try finding (let alone buying) the 30mm lens kit. But at half the price of a Leica ultra-wide it's worth every penny.
2 Xpan! I wouldn't dare leave the house!! :) :) Yes the 30mm was to much money even some years ago and I bet the price is crazy now!
It is the titanium finish that is the reason for the paint not adhering, it is extremely difficult to make anything stick to it.
Thanks John, good info!
Beautiful camera and lovely images Matt. Another benefit of the fuji gfx50r is that it has many selectable aspect ratios, one of which is 65:24. I hope you get your hands on gfx50r and some adapted lenses one day as I'm sure you'd love it 🙂🤙
Thank me too! I'll have to maybe speak to the lovely people at Fuji at some point! :)
You are such a great photographer.
As I understand it, if one of these fully electronic cameras stop functioning, repair is nearly impossible because of a lack of replacement parts. Is this an accurate synopsis?
Thank you! Yes sadly that is mostly true.
Matt how do you like the sigma lenses for the Leica sl
Hi, I tested a few, the Art lenses are far too big but optically sharp. The DG DN f2 lenses are a better size but I still prefer smaller MF M mount lenses (or vintage lenses)(Leica R glass on SL etc)
Brilliant images!
Thank you! I try to include photos in all my videos but the Hasselblad Xpan is a bit different I guess.
Brings back memories of being a poor photography student in in the late 90's when the X-Pan came out. The nice chap at Jessops let me have a play with one in the shop and I thought it was fantastic. The price was pretty horrific though, and then there was the price of the lenses.. But the camera was uber-cool at the time.
Funnily enough my camera at the time was a Canon EOS 1000fn which also wound all the film off when you loaded it. Canon dropped that feature after the 1000fn.
At the back end of last year before I bought a iiif I thought "I know, lets search for an X-Pan.. it's basically a Fuji so won't be too bad.." Quickly went off that idea when I saw what they were fetching.. If someone gave me one I wouldn't complain, and you never know what you may find in a charity shop lol (when they reopen)
Thanks Rhys, nice memories. Yes keep your eyes open once the shops reopen! That would be an amazing find :) Thanks re Canon, yes others also spotted this. 👍🏻
Do you have a preference between the 45mm vs 90mm lens
45mm is a better do everything lens.
I don't want one as my film days are well behind me but a very interesting video thank you. 👍
Thanks Nigel!
Oh dear, i was thinking some years ago that I might get an Xpan and even bought the dedicated Xpan Billingham shoulder bag when I happened to be in London. Had second thoughts though (nearest camera store from our Antipodean property here is 250 miles away) but now the price has returned :-) .
Looks as if the Voigtlander Perkeo III (E) will still have to fill my exotic shooting needs..
Great review, too.
Thanks Alexander! Sorry to hear and yes the Perkeo still has it's place. I will be using mine as soon as we are allowed to travel again!
What happened to the camera bag?
Just bought a Fuji Tx1 with the 45mm and the 90mm on eBay. I could negotiate it for 4200$ US. My fuji looks like new and works very well. I love this camera because you have to think out of the box to take great pictures.
Congrats! Yes agreed it makes you think about compositions.
Great review of the x pan. Wish I had one. Should have bought it when they first came out You should shoot the span more. It's a natural for you. Your images were great on that camera in panorama mode. Hey!!! when are you going to review the Voightlander 35nm vintage F2 Ultron???
Thanks John! I don’t own the 35mm f2 so I can only year it if they send me one. Hopefully after lockdown!
Love the B&W New York panoramic images. Not sure if you mentioned it in the video but I'm presuming it's rangefinder focusing? Just had a quick look to see if there were 35mm backs available for my trusty Mamiya RB67 but it looks like that's a non runner :(
Thanks! Yes I only briefly mentioned it was a rangefinder coupled lens. I speak so much about rangefinder cameras I forget I should mention it! I think there was a 35mm back for the RZ but I might be wrong. I use 645, 66, 67 backs on mine. If not see my folding camera videos.. most of those accept 35mm film.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt, I'll check out those videos. One of the things which sets you apart from other gear reviewers is that you always have stunning images taken using the equipment. Great stuff.
@@thewildgoose7467 thanks! I try to use the photos to make the videos a bit more fun. I’m not a natural presenter!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Actually you're one of the best presenters, because you're knowledgeable about the equipment you cover yet come across as unassuming and avoid being OTT.
I'm subscribed to three photography channels, yours, Zenography (using vintage lenses on mirrorless) and Brian's Photo Show (MF Nikon film cameras). Most of the others are style over content, and some don't even know what they're talking about. So don't change a thing your channel is perfect as it is.
@@thewildgoose7467 thanks I appreciate your feedback. I’m passionate about the gear I use so I guess that helps.
It's quite funny.
The XPAN and the Canon EOS 300 (Rebel) have the unwinding of the film after loading in common. Considering they are at opposite ends of the scale in terms of price, reputation and quality, that surprises me.
Thanks yes someone else just mentioned the Canon to me too! Agreed! :)
Canon cameras were doing it long before the 300.
Those are really great shots of yours, the dynamic range is impressive! Not shooting film in almost 30 years, I may sound superficial but mind telling me how do you get your final images on video nowadays? Do you scan the negatives or the prints?
Thanks Kevin, yes I scan with flatbed scanner to the share online. Many thanks
What mount is that and are those lenses worth exploring using an adapter on my FF Leica SL.
Hi William, as far as I know they only fit the Xpan or the new digital Hassy via their adapter. You'd be as well using Leica glass on the SL.
I really hope so
2x negative size :)
excellent video
Thanks Alan, an old video!
Based on your images in this video, you have a very good eye for finding subjects that are suitable for panoramic images. How do you describe what makes a good panoramic image?
Thank you.. it's probably hard to put into words but basically find a scene that fills the frame. More important for non-portraits. For portraits, perhaps something of interest in the background rather than a lot of negative space.
We’re would you develop
the film?
I develop at home but you can use a lab. Scan it yourself
Do you loose a little film, when you switch from panorama to normal? Or does it adjust the film by winding it a little "back"?
No you don't, spacing is the same from memory.. you only loose if you don't have room for 1 more pano but if switch to standard you get one more frame, if that makes sense.. so always end with standard crop if mixing the frames on the same roll.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Sorry I cant follow ... Does that mean, you take a picture from the edge of the lenses picture-circle and the next from the other edge? Because when you shoot standard from the lenses center, then there will be lost Film, when you switch from pano to standard ...
Anyway: the camera looks so cool, but I fear, I will never hold one in my hands....
@@stephanpaier9887 I’m not sure how they do it but you can shoot pano, normal, pano, normal and the spacing is equal
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom There has to sit a little guy in the camera who is capable of providing magic…😂
@@stephanpaier9887 haha..I think the camera knows how far to advance the film depending on the frame selected so spacing stays even.
I want a digital xpan. Someday I’ll get a GFX50R which will get close. Maybe better
I think most of the digital cameras now have enough res to be OK cropped in heavily
Do you know how many xpans were made?
Hasselblad quote 16,800 were made
Xpan II - 5500 were made...
@@mikolajpooczanski9472 What about TX-1 / TX-2?
@@Huginn1000 Sorry, I don’t know. I try find...
Man great shots, but the prints must be impressive, framed and matted... cherry on top for me I have have seen prints from this format and they blow you away....😱😱😱😱
Thanks Noel, I rarely print but I did treat myself and print the San Francisco images quite big, A3 book double spreads. Agreed with slide film loaded too this is special stuff!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom that must be something 👀 to see
I wanted one when they were new, I still want one. They were not cheap then, they are not cheap now. I wish they made a digital version of it.
Thanks John, high res digital sensors are easy to crop in post but I agree it’s not the same as getting it right in camera.
Or at least added an option to get giant black bars on the EVF... A trivial change, but it'd make a huge difference to composition.
@@thebitterfig9903 yes visualization in camera is much better than cropping in post.
The Fuji GFX series has the option to switch to the 65x24 XPAN format. It is great fun to use it and I used it on my GFX 50R nearly all the time in NYC. But the price of a GFX is not low as well. I heard of a camera from sigma which has the similar format.
Sigma DP2 Camera seems to offer a 21:9 format which should be wider than the XPAN format
Every time I see anything XPan, I get mad that more digital cameras don't have in-camera cropping to wide formats like 65:24 or 2.35:1. Any loss in pixels would be well-balanced by having that compositional tool. Being able to frame things up in a panoramic format would make it a lot easier to go looking for these kinds of shots. Like, adding extra black bars to a digital camera would be essentially free, but add so much fun.
Yes agreed! I’m told the Panasonic S1R has this option.
The Panasonic s5 also has a 65:24 aspect ratio (and you already own it).
Have a good day mat
Thanks Thomas!
Some of the cheaper plastic Canon EOS Cameras do spool film in the same direction. But I don‘t like that because you always get only 36 pictures and the numbers on the negatives are also in the wrong order. I do have a cheaper alternative to this camera, which is the Horizon camera. A swing lens camera made in Russia. But I did not use it a lot so far.
Yes agreed regarding only 36 frames, good point. I prefer manual loading cameras. I know the Horizon, I’ve not used it but I can picture it in my head.
Check out the work of the late great photojournalist Stanley Greene -- he used one for much of the late 90's and early 00's.
Phenomenal camera and format. They sold quite well when released in 1998 but the potential niche market was quickly saturated. By the time the Xpan II came out, digital was starting up and film was slowly being killed. Consumers no longer wanted film, let alone niche film products.
Thanks for sharing, I will check him out and thanks for the sales info from that time. That makes sense.
can an apple better than a Toyota corolla left side mirror?
Haha 👍🏻
sad my enlarger is only 6x6, and that i'm dead ass poor ... nice video as always matt !
Thanks! You can scan 6x6 and crop. Still much better than 35mm
I would buy own if the do a digital version of it 🤯👍
Ha thanks Steve! I'm sure you can just crop an image from any high MP digital camera
Do you really think, we are STANDING, while watching your videos??? 🤣
Haha people only normally watch for 5-6mins so I visualise them standing at the bus top killing time haha
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom If I watch I wait until the end...
@@stephanpaier9887 thanks 🙏🏻
No danger of you driving up the price of the X-Pan, Matt, as it’s already out of the pockets of most photographers. A dangerous camera to take out on the streets these days, as some will kill to get one!
Yes I'd like to think I can't be blamed for the Xpan price! :) Agreed almost too expensive to use now.
The Leica SL2 actually does a pretty good job at reproducing this format with decent resolution… but obviously is not itself cheap either!
Thanks, great tip. Yes not cheap but more practical I guess!
It’s a niche camera, definitely not better than an M6 IMO (I’ve had both). I had an Xpan 1 when it first came out. It becomes very hard to compose images with so much in the shot, unless it’s a complete set up (fashion/wedding) or landscape. I took mine to France on a trip and ended up with many fewer keepers than I would have with my M6.
If you can afford to keep one as s second camera, only for when the perfect scenario presents itself.
I actually didn’t think the image quality matched Leica, albeit very nice.
I sold it after a year, for the used price at the time (not hyped), so I could have kept it and used it occasionally now, but I honestly prefer digital to film.
Thanks Chris, agreed the M6 will last longer and give more keepers but it can be nice to have a double negative size pano option for those occasions as you mention. If I could only own one camera it would be a film M.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Fabulous second camera for sure.
love how its expensive as fuck and yet the paint job is rubbish
always wanted to try one though, cool feature is you're able tochange the size mid-roll which is pretty interesting indeed
Thanks Simon! Haha yes that is a great observation! Yes the mid-roll change is useful. Well designed camera.
Whats the best film camera overall. Is there one made for portraits?
Tough question! Depends on your taste. Perhaps the RZ67 for portraits, see that video, but the Rolleiflex SL is also great, Hasselblad..
Problems with this camera: severely overpriced and very hard or impossible to find somebody repairing it since parts are no longer available. I personally would not vest into this system for both reasons. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M, and with a simple trick you can use a 35 mm spool in the Hasselblad cartridge and also get panoramic 35 mm shots. Easy and for free if you have a medium-format film camera!
Hi Martin agreed! Electronic film cameras are always a worry. I was lucky to get mine before the price hike. I use 35mm film in many of my MF cameras but I’ve not tried in the Hassy yet.
there are two very good people doing repair work in Europe on the Xpan, Ulf Kühn and Wilco Jansen. so the chance of repairing it is there. i agree with the price, and i am lucky to have bought meine before the hype train started
I had my eyes on this camera, first of all it is not a real Hasselblad, it is made by Fuji. But I thought it was not good enough quality (compaired to real Hasselblad´s) and it was too expensive, so if I was to make panorama images I could (as I already did) crop from 6x6 ;) or get a magazine for 35mm film which got the size 24x55, but I just kept on cropping from 6x6 :)
Yes agreed, cropping a vintage camera 6x6 image is so much cheaper ..and still fun!
I didn’t see the title and thought this was going to be the Fuji 690 cameras
Sorry to disappoint Douglas! The GF670 will come this month..I'll do my best!
Great review, but too much for me to justify. I’ll stick to my Texas Leica and a mat. :-)
Agreed the price is crazy now!
Hasselblad figures of production
16800 units X-Pan
5500 units X-Pan II
Thanks, ah yes I read 5500 me ruined in my reading do that sounds correct. Thanks for confirming!
I don't think you mentioned that it focuses via its rangefinder. I presume it does from the look of the windows on the front? Is it a good rangefinder?
Thanks I did mention rangefinder coupled but yes I didn’t spell it out or mention the RF patch. It’s not as good as a Leica ..but not many cameras are to be honest.
..but still a nice VF and good enough for the f4 lenses to get accurate focusing.
I use a Linhof 617 Technorama. It is a portable large format camera that uses 120 film. Other than the MASSIVE negative size and resolution it is superior to the Xpan in an additional way. It is MECHANICAL. I will NEVER spend a significant amount of money on an electronic camera. That is a huge problem for me when considering the Xpan. It's a miniature Linhof that is almost as expensive and can fail you at any moment. I'll pass.
Thanks, nice setup and I totally agree. Electronic cameras are always a worry. I do use a 6x12 back on my 4x5s. I’ll do a video on that later this year.
its still a dream camera and fell in love with the aspect ratio - maybe use it as a crutch to make my images look more interesting when its really not haha.
Though from last research the fuji version - T-X1 is fully manual and maybe reduce the fear of electronics breaking comparing to the hasselblad?
many X-PAN solutions as you featured and other people using their fuji medium format camera as well - a sacrifice in size to get a "cheaper" camera that can do a similar thing.
Yes medium format is a cheaper solution. I thought I’d read that the Fuji are the same as the Xpan so I would expect them to take batteries but I could be wrong.
So expensive I think I would prefer to crop a 6x7 or 6x9 and save the money for a good wide lens. :)
Hi Terry agreed, price went crazy in last few years. You can also shoot 35mm in 6x9 folders for a cheap option 👍🏻
if it just was fully mechanical
Right! It is was I would have kept it!
Why doesn't Hassy make one today? (Triple Sadface emoji)
Agreed! So many companies would make a fortune if they restarted production - Hassy, Voigtlander..the list is endless.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Fuji... 😭📷
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I do not think so, these cameras are very expensive to make and threre are a lot of second hand cameras on the market.
@@Anarki2U thanks, there were very few listed outside of Japan when I looked. I think demand just outweighs supply
Yes in digital form with panoramic feature awsome
Matt, did you rob a bank? ;)
You only needed to Rob a smaller bank some years ago. Now you need to go for much bigger ones I think haha.. Yes I was lucky to find before the prices jumped up.
That, like the Leicas, is a great camera. Problem is, it's still a Volkswage,, I mean a 35mm camera. Takes wonderful 4x6 pictures. For the price, or less, a medium format will do much more, plus you can crop panoramic photos, if you wish.
Thanks John, yes agreed re MF but normal 35mm cameras offer the benefit of economy vs say 6x7. I couldn’t afford to shoot all MF film with models. 35mm makes it more doable.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom If you didn't buy Leicas and Hasselblads, you could afford truckloads of 120 film.
@@johnirby493 yes I know haha..I’m learning slowly!
These cameras are ridiculously expensive.
Hi Dirk, check the Nikon FG-20 video (or F80), both very cheap (4-8x less!!) :D