Re: [Leica] Re: Hassleblad Xpan

["Joe Stephenson" <joeleica@flash.net>]

Thanks, Tom,
Very helpful--and encouraging.
Regards,
Joe Stephenson
>Joe, I have been using the Fuji TX-1 since October last year. The TX-1 is
the
>Fuji version of the Xpan, only difference is the color (Xpan is black, TX-1
is
>titanium colored). Admittedly I haven't had time to shoot as much as I have
>wanted with it (around 60-65 rolls so far). I have found it very easy to
use,
>the automatic exposure system is remarkably exact, I shoot with it in both
>manual mode and in "Auto" mode, and, if anything, the "Auto" mode is
better.
>There has been no problems with it in any way. The battery consumption
seems
>negligible (the battery indicator has not shown any drain on the power
display
>yet). The 45/4 standard lens shows slight vignetting and soft(ish) corners
in
>the panorama mode when used wide open, but from 5,6 it is sharp across. As
>with any wide-angle lens, it is sensitive to the camera being tilted, the
Xpan
>comes with a spirit level for the accessory shoe and that is not a bad
idea.
>The 90mm lens is good, very sharp even in panorama mode. The lenses are
>typically Japanese in their contrast mode - smoother contrast across the
>board, not the Leica M-lens type of high contrast. It is an interesting
>camera, I find that I leave it in panorama mode 99% of the time, for
straight
>24x 36 mm shooting the M's are better, but in a pinch the Xpan could work.
> There is a slight "lag" in the system, between the time you depress the
>shutter release and the shutter is activated, nothing worrisome, no more
than
>a regular SLR, but having shot M's for 40 years I notice the lag.
> I find that the Xpan/Tx-1 complements the M camera very well, it is not a
>substitute, the lenses are too slow for that, but there are times when you
>want that wide view.
> A couple of days ago I processed some film that had been sitting around
since
>early January, among them where some Presto 100 Neopan, black/white shot on
a
>bright sunny day (one of the very few this winter!) on a beach in Oregon. I
>shoot the worst kind of light you could, early afternoon, white sand, black
>rocks and breaking waves. Sun in the lens most of the time. There were 2-3
>negs that showed a slight hint of flare, but the balance (5 rolls with 21
>panorama shots in each roll) was perfect. Details are visible in the shaded
>parts of rocks and the sand had texture in it!! Even would have been
>impressive with a Leica lens!
> We are off to Europe on March 1st for a month and the TX-1 is coming along
as
>a wide camera, Wide views of Venice and other, hopefully, sunny places in
>Italy, close ups of wine-bottles and pasta plates and other more
interesting
>views in the wide format. Just in case the TX-1 isn't wide enough, I just
got
>my Heliar 15/4,5 today and what can't be covered by the TX-1, should be
>covered by the 110 degrees of the Heliar.
> If I were you I would try to find a Xpan demo and try to shoot a roll with
>it. My next step is to design and make a plate for the bottom that shifts
the
>tripod bushing to the center as well as allowing me to have the strap
attached
>at one end only (somewhat like the M5). The body is quite wide and gets a
bit
>uncomfortable when you carry it with the strap attached to the existing
strap
>lugs.
> I recommend the Xpan, but I would never use it exclusively - I am too
>attached to my M's to be without them.
>All the best,
>Tom A
>
>