Alternative to an xpan/Fuji 617

[tdp]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about trading in my Olly E500 for a 7D or a 5D MK2 recently, but then I started looking on flickr at some panoramic images. I've always loved panoramas and my favourite genre is landscapes, therefore I started looking at the Xpan.

I simply can't afford a Fuji 617 so have rules that out. I'd like something like an Xpan eventually but was wondering if there was something that I could try
to get me going and then maybe trade up to an xpan. Is there a cheaper camera, mamaiya or similar that I could buy for less money to see how I get on with this format rather than shelling out a lot of money for an Xpan.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Lensflare]

How much were they asking you for an X-Pan out of interest?

 

[ujjwaldey8165]

great men think alike

I have been thinking the same thing; and apart from making a 'Ambermile' ( see his post in the film section) the only other option I found was to use a 40mm lens on a 6X6 camera, which gives the same angle of view as the Xpan 45mm on a pano shot

A hassy 40 mm costs 500 £ at least, so thats ruled out. The only other option is using a Mamiya 6x6 and a 40 mm lens, which could be cheaper.

Then offcourse chopping of the top and botom of the 6X6 shot to get a pano aspect ratio

All things considered; the X pan is not such a bad option, price wise.Given that it can take normal 35mm, easy to carry and the same format gives both type of shots. The problem is d&p of X pan films which is aroud 20£ even at the cheapest place

 

[john-oh]

I would keep to digital and use a Nodal Ninja http://www.nodalninja.com/ and PTGui http://www.ptgui.com/, or some of the alternatives.

A useful resource is : http://www.panoguide.com/

This would also provide the option of making 360 panos.

I tried panoramas on film and life is too short, unless you want to specifically record a pano on a single frame.

 

[Wail]

....

I tried panoramas on film and life is too short, unless you want to specifically record a pano on a single frame.

That sort of sums-up things rather nicely, in an odd way.

I feel horrible whenever I realise that I've given up film for digital; giving in to "instant gratification".

That aside, back to the OP, if you're really keen on panorama shots; why not get yourself a good panoramic ballhead and an application do stitch the shots in post processing?

 

[tdp]

Thanks for the advice chaps, all worth thinking about.

I'm tempted to get a pano head and just keep using my Olly until I can get something like a D700 or 5D mk2 but was wondering about the Xpan. I have seen them for about £850 including a 40mm lens (IIRC).

However, I hadn't thought about the cost of D&P, £20 seems quite dear especially now that I've been used to Digital for around 4 years!

Hmmm.....

 

[dazzajl]

Shooting digi images to stitch together with software is nothing like shooting real pannys. I've been lucky enough to have a 617 and such a joyous way to shoot. I know they are way too expensive for what they are and that's why I sent mine on but I got more than I paid and I'd have another in a shot if I had ££££'s that I could afford to tie up for a while.

I have a panny head and I shoot a lot of composite images for clients, so I know just how effective it it's to work that way but the where I loose all the enjoyment is in the composition. I loved working off that massive ground glass screen and seeing the image come to life as I was framing and working. Shooting multiple images just doesn't let you compose properly and you lose that connection with the moment.

The X-pan also carries a fairly hefty price tag for what it is but it's a lovely little camera and will make you smile just holding it. If economy is the way into this format though, it seem a really nice way to start would be with a cheap 6*45 or 6*6 camera. There are some great bargains to be had out there, like the TLR's and fixed lens models. If you get one with a ground glass viewer you can cut a panoramic mask for it and away you go for just a few quids.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

X-Pan is non digital. It could be more fun to use, but it doesn't have the versatility and speed of 5D mk2. I personally recommend open source software called HUGIN - as long as you are careful taking shots it does a first class job.

 

[ujjwaldey8165]

Thanks for the advice chaps, all worth thinking about.

I'm tempted to get a pano head and just keep using my Olly until I can get something like a D700 or 5D mk2 but was wondering about the Xpan. I have seen them for about £850 including a 40mm lens (IIRC).

However, I hadn't thought about the cost of D&P, £20 seems quite dear especially now that I've been used to Digital for around 4 years!

Hmmm.....

Can you please let me know if you see a Xpan going for 850 ish price. I am looking for one. A PM will be greatly appreciated, pointing towards the shop where its listed.

To get the same angle of view of a Xpan 45mm with 6X6, the lens on 6X6 need to be 40mm. And that is only possible with a SLR ( Cant remeber whether a Mamiya C series did a 40mm). And those lens aren;t cheap.....

 

[tdp]

Can you please let me know if you see a Xpan going for 850 ish price. I am looking for one. A PM will be greatly appreciated, pointing towards the shop where its listed.

I've seen a few on Ebay that went for just above that price, but I did see a slightly tatty one in a secondhand dealers a while back for £850 ish. Unfortunately I can't remember where it was, if I do then i'll drop you a PM.

Think i'll stick with digital for now, but I'd love to have an Xpan one day (don't think i'll ever afford a GX617!).