XPan & other RF creativity

[simonpg]

Since this seems the home of RF photography, I posted un update

review of my delight with my XPan II (Oh and yes I'm a Leica M

devotee as well) on the eve of Hasselblad's sad announcement that

from Q2 the Xpan production will be no more!

 

So I thought it may be interesting and fun to see some more unusual

images from the XPan and other RF cameras.

 

Here's a start...<div></div>

[simonpg]

... and some fun in the street - a quick grab...<div></div>

[fototheque]

<center><a href=" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/31/47652811_cb691cf9d1.jpg" width="500" height="184" alt="Persecution" /></a><p>

<a href=" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/25/47086692_f1be07db84.jpg" width="500" height="184" alt="Waterfall" /></a><p>

<a href=" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/47650882_c2e587b4dc.jpg" width="500" height="183" alt="The Fanatic" /></a></center>

[fototheque]

Oops forgot some words, three of my personal favorites...

[db1]

If I could ever figure out how to put a photo "in" my response I would. FOr now, here's an attachement.<div></div>

[john_amiet2]

Simon,

 

I am amused by the fact that the 'Roller' has to park across the road whilst the taxi hogs the spot outside the front door of the Windsor!

 

Off to dinner now. Will post my contribution lar in the evening.

 

Cheers,

[lutz]

David, a) shrink it, so it can be viewed on a commercially available computer screen...;-) b) upload it to any server and include a <img src"(place URL here)"> tag or c) shrink it for good, i.e. to 511 pixels wide and attach it with a caption to your post. BTW, all this information is to be found in the technical guidelines to this site, try a "Search". Cheers.<div></div>

[lutz]

Oops, the tag should include a =, so that it reads: <img src="(place URL here)">

[charliexia]

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3991761-lg.jpg" height="1089" width="400"><br>more <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=517306" target="new">here...</a><br>...yes i know... i'm shameless... :-)

[love4leica]

masai<div></div>

[Alex_Es]

<center><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3036965-lg.jpg"></center>

[janne1]

Everyone interested in pan format should have a look of "Chaos" by Josef Koudelka. It has some fine compositions.

[brambor]

absolutely. Koudelka is amazing.

My only wide crop:

<img src="http://www.widereach.net/rodina/images/portfolio/widebike.jpg">

[love4leica]

Xpan Shot<div></div>

[love4leica]

Xpan Shot 2

[sprouty]

Charlie that shot is fantastic.

[love4leica]

Simon...........Just read your write up in the Hasselblad forum (Xpan section) and saw your excellent shots. It has inspired me to take out my Xpan. I have the 1st version. If I decide to part exchange mine for Version 2, it will cost me lot of money. Is it worth it? I also have a 90mm lens.

[charliexia]

<center>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3981888-lg.jpg" height="400" width="1069">

<br>

<br>

this is one of the times when i wish the 30mm was a stop faster...

[simonpg]

Thanks everyone - nice images posted. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for the XPan. Your shots show that creative minds really can get a great deal from the XPan.

 

It struck me that Hasselblad's conceptual genius was that in the persuit of a "new" and unique product that gave rise to the 1.8x 35mm panoramic frame, included a conventional 35mm frame to ensure the cost of a quality instrument would be supported by wider convenience and usability of the conventional 35mm RF - specialist capability with broader flexibility.

[george_conboy1]

<div></div>

[koh_boonwei]

here is a few from my Xpan.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/boonwei/tauphin.jpg

sapa,vietnam

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/boonwei/hanoi.jpg

Hanoi,vietnam

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/boonwei/2aa.jpg

Singapore

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/boonwei/4amono.jpg

Singapore

[simonpg]

Afzal, sorry to get back to you so late - I think the v2 XPan is certainly a preferable choice to the v1 - when first buying an XPan.

 

BUT that does not make the v1 bad at all - so trading up just depends upon the value you attribute to the improvements which are all functional and not improvements to actual image quality (except only the improved infra-red compatability.

 

I did post a review of both versions having done my pre-buy trial with the v1.

 

The key improvements / benefits the v2 has are:

1. display of the shutter speed inside the view finder - just like the M7 Leica - makes AE shooting more convenient; A v1 user may have become used to taking his eye from the viewfinder to glimpse at the LCD panel. But to a first time buyer this sets the 2 versions well apart;

2. relocation of ISO dial function into the LCD back - functionally better as all the "background" controls are in the one plase = the LCD panel;

3. Bulb exposure longest exposure time is now 540 seconds - longer electronic control of long exposures;

4. lenses supplied with the v2 have an improved locking lens hood - v1 had issues of the lens hood falling of relatively easily;

5. I think the viewfinder LCD display is stronger - if I recall correctly the v1 display was not as "strong". I may be quite wrong here;

6. increased number of multiple exposures to 9;

7. an electronic remote release can be used;

8. infra-red film full compatability;

9. flash sync option of first or second curtain;

10. full diopter lens with a locking device - very nice feature for those who need it;

11. optional film rewind with leader in or outside the cassette;

 

Depending on one's shooting preferences, the prime enhancements are for sure: the inclusion of shutter speed in the viewfinder; increased bulb time limit.

 

So I suppose the size of the net upgrade price determines how worthwhile a changeover really is to an individual.

 

Good luck.