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Gear Reviews: Hasselblad Xpan, Panoramic Porn

 
 

Hasselblad Xpan, Panoramic Porn
 

The Hasselblad Xpan or Fuji TX-1 as it is also known, was introduced in 1998 as the world’s 1st and only dual format camera.
It supports both the normal 24×36 and panoramic 24×65 formats at a flick of a switch, though I think its a waste to use it as a normal 35mm camera.
Think of the Xpan as a cross between a Leica M7 and a Noblex 135 or Widelux camera, without the distortion. The Xpan has auto-film loading, AE, motorized advance and rewind making it pretty easy to use.
It was shipped as a 3 lens system comprising of a 30mm f5.6 (Very expensive! Costs more than the camera itself!), 45mm f4 (standard) and a 90mm f4. The Xpan is solidly built with titanium and feels very nice in your hands.
 
I got my Xpan early last year from a fellow RFSG member, Felix a.k.a Raytoei. He was selling it at a really good price and I couldn’t resist it. As you can see from the pictures, my Xpan is in pretty bad shape. It has paint peeling off from its top and bottom plate, some dings and is missing a strap lug and the mid-roll rewind button. It’s still going strong and as they say, ‘If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!’
 
I am a wedding photographer and I’m always looking for ways to make my images stand out from the rest. I’ve stumbled upon the Xpan in 2008 when I was searching for panoramic images on the net.
Back then, I was still shooting digital and though I loved the images from the camera, I didn’t think it was right for me. Fast forward to 2010 and after being a full film convert, I started looking for one again.
After finally getting the Xpan, I realized that I had to re-think my ways of composing a picture. You cant shoot the Xpan as a 35mm with wide angle lens. Its more of a wide, normal perspective. Like looking through the viewfinder with both eyes open.
 
I find that the Xpan excels at busy scenes. It gives me a different way of composing my pictures. I must admit that I’m pretty slack with my compositions. Mostly just adhering to the Rule-Of-Thirds and the occasional breaking of the rule.
I don’t think much before taking a shot. The Xpan will take a normal scene and make it look special. Focusing with the Xpan is easy enough, as anyone who’s ever used a rangefinder will definitely feel at home. The Xpan has a center-weighted meter, much like the Leica Ms. Though accurate, it’s sometimes fooled by bright backgrounds as the wide FOV lets in a lot of light so new users be warned.

 

I’ll discuss some pros and cons of the Xpan below.
 

Pros:
 
Painfully Perfect Panos
-What else can I say? The images you get from an Xpan are really impressive!
 
Painfully Sharp Lenses
-The 45mm lens (the only one I own) is very very sharp and renders everything in superb detail.
 
Switcheroo!
-The ability to shoot normal 35mm and panoramic images at a flick of a switch makes the Xpan and incredibly versatile camera. 
Unique POV
-The Xpan lets you ‘see’ differently. A normal scene shot with an Xpan becomes special. (Ok not really…it’s the photographer not the camera remember?)

 

Cons:
 
Horrible Paint
-Most Xpans will have their paint flaking off by now, an issue Hasselblad solved in the Xpan II. 
‘Bulb’ Mode? What bulb mode?
-Another issue with the original Xpan is that its bulb or ‘B’ mode shutter is not a true bulb mode. It closes after 30 seconds! Some Xpans may have their ‘B’ mode upgraded to 270 seconds so if it matters to you, check before you buy! 
Center Filter
-The standard 45mm and the wider 30mm lenses have a problem with light fall-off at the corners, especially in a sky scene. Hasselblad solved this problem by introducing a horribly expensive centre filter. You effectively lose a stop of light with the filter.
 
In all, I think the Xpan is an excellent camera. It’s one camera that will always be in my bag. Highly recommended for any shooter that wants to spice up their photography.
I’ll leave you with some pictures that I’ve taken with the Xpan.
You can view some of my wedding work with the Xpan here.

  


 
Review Contributed by Fadly
An Analog Affair





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