Widelux cameras

what are the differences between the Panon Widelux F5, F6, F7, and F8 cameras?

other than the earlier ones being chrome, later ones black, and different shutter speed

configurations....otherwise they all seem identical...

Thanks for the great link!

My Widelux F6 has shutter speeds of 1/15th, 1/125th, and 1/250th like the F7 and F8. Possibly it is a later model F6?

Widelux operation is pretty easy to figure out, but here's a less obvious tip. Don't change the shutter speed before the camera is cocked; apparently this causes damage, and will eventually require repair. I've had to send mine in for repair before I knew about this, and I think it may have been the cause.

One important difference is that the F8 clockwork gears are cut helically instead of square,

so the action is smoother and less likely to cause banding from irregular movement. I

think quite a few of the F7's had their insides retrofitted with F8 gears, once they became

available. All of the Wideluxes require care to avoid getting dust, grit, and film chips in the

gears. They shouldn't live in a camera bag unless you regularly vacuum out the bag, and

they need regular exercise to avoid banding.

This is the perfect opportunity to ask a question here that I asked in Feedback. Anyone

interested in a panoramic photography forum here on P.N>?

thank you for the great link! answered all my questions.

just got a F7 and am having fun....