Hasselblad Xpan – Perfect Panoramic Rangefinder Camera
Perfect panoramic rangefinder camera
Hasselblad Xpan II
A mind hacking machine
Hasselblad Xpan – Perfect Panoramic Rangefinder Camera
Perfect rangefinder camera
Hasselblad Xpan is a very solid and well built machine. It is almost a perfect rangefinder camera to me, with aperture priority, auto film loading and rewind function. It can switch between pano and 135 format too. And even can have the option to leave a film tip out of the cassette.
The main difference between Xpan I and Xpan II is the shutter speed and exposure data displayed inside the viewfinder, Xpan II has this feature so that you wont fire a shot that is actually too slow and Xpan II can take double exposures.
Both of them have accurate lightmeters and all the control dials and buttons are very well designed. The only complaint is the paint which falls off quite easily.
Panoramic format
Panorama is a very cinematic and timeless format. However, I wouldn’t use it as my everyday camera. Mainly as my second camera if I want something different. Sometimes I do want a scene in 135 format and also shoot with the xpan for comparison.
Mind hacking machine
This camera made me constantly visualise how the pictures look like in pano format. Especially when you take a shot with the Leica and then change to Xpan.
Unless you work on panoramic projects or you would like to bring two cameras with you on different trips. I think it is just my personal preference to focus in one system and probably stick to one lens at a time. But it is always good to try something different to know what you actually like.
Final thought
It guess it is the same as contax T2 or T3, you never know when these cameras are going to fail. I am always worried that it will stop working one day and hard to find any donner or right expertise to fix the camera. It is always a constant debate for myself to actually want or own this camera. But overall, I enjoy using it very much. If you haven’t tried it yet, please go ahead and get one!
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That very last picture reminds me of those old movies you see from HK from the 70-80’s. Makes me want to pick up my xpan again
It is time to use your Xpan!
Crazy… Your shots are so great and show the essence of the pano format. Especially for the colorful street views of Cuba. And the cost of owning one XPan is also crazy nowadays…I regret not squeezing my wallet 10 years ago when I came to know this camera from magazines and internet.
It warms my heart to hear you say that. The Xpan camera has become incredibly special to me. Once you try it, I’m confident you will fall in love with it as I have.