Rangefinder Panoramic
The Xpan is a rangefinder camera, that is to say that you are not looking through the lens, but through a finder separate and apart from the lens. It is possible to see images and make exposures with the lens cap still on the lens! But, to help you out, the Xpan has an alert (a flashing “–” symbol appearing in the finder) which indicates that the light is very low or that the lens cap is still on the lens.

The angle of view is so wide that a center filter is required. At apertures of f/4, f/5.6, and f/8, light falloff at the edges is not an issue and the center spot is not required to maintain an even exposure. It’s only when stopped down to f/11, f/16, and f/22 that the center spot filter is needed in order to avoid light falloff and the resulting dark edges. I keep my center spot filter on all three of the lenses all of the time as a general practice.

Focusing can take some getting used to because of the split-screen focusing. In nature, and for other scenes that don’t move, using hyper-focal focusing is the way to go. Just set the lens to f/22 and turn the focusing ring until the “infinity” symbol is on f/22, as it appears on the right end of the depth of field scale, for greatest possible depth of field. This same move can be done using f/16, f/11, f/8 for maximum depth of field at those respective apertures, but works best, giving the greatest depth of field, at f/22 and f/16.

Three Lenses Available
There are three lenses available for the Xpan: the 45mm (49mm filter size) which comes separate or with the kit when you buy the camera; a 90mm (49mm filter size) short telephoto lens; and the 30mm (58mm filter size), super wide lens, which comes with its own finder which attaches to the top of the Xpan body. The center spot filter is not included with the lenses. Although I do use all three lenses for very specific reasons to be discussed, I use the 30mm lens about 90 percent of the time! When I was in California, I visited a fairly large camera shop and looked through the 30mm for the first time. It was unbelievable and I had to have it! One of my favorite features of the Xpan is its ability to focus within 3 ft using the 45mm and 30mm lenses. It enables one to compose almost intimate panoramic images and much smaller scenics.

Exposure Tips
The angle of view is quite wide on the 45mm and 30mm lenses and includes far more in the scene than one may be used to seeing. You may want to consider metering using the “aperture priority” mode and using the “auto-bracketing” feature until you get a sense of exposures in the panoramic format. There is so much area being included that one needs time and a little experience to get a feel for metering. There is no need to compensate for the center spot filter when on aperture priority, because metering is being done in the camera and center spot compensations are made automatically. But, when using a handheld meter, you need to open up 1 stop on the 45mm and 90mm lenses to compensate for the center spot filter and open up 11/2 stops to compensate for the 30mm center spot filter. This is normally done on the 45mm and 90mm by opening up the shutter speed 1 stop after setting your exposure. On the 30mm, open up 1 stop on the shutter speed, then open 1/2 stop on the f-ring, for example from f/22 to f/16.5.

At least 80 percent of my exposures are made using the aperture priority, center-weighted metering system at +1 on the exposure compensation dial and bracketing by 1/2 stops, using the auto-bracketing feature. The auto-bracketing feature will create three exposures. The first will be at the standard exposure, the second and third will be made at the exposure modification you assign, your setting, either 1/2 stop or 1 full stop.

Panoramic Vision
Composition has been discussed as being a bit difficult in the panoramic format because of the irregular “letter-box” shape. I actually read on discussion boards how it was so frustrating and impossible to make a meaningful composition in the “letter-box” shape, also something about the “rule of thirds” not being applicable. I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading, and photographers wrote it! I mean, since when does the shape of the space determine whether one can compose an image or not? Composition is how you place items in the picture space…any picture space! The panoramic format invites you to see “differently.” It’s possible to be intimidated with the wide format, especially coming from 35mm or square formats. Just keep the basic rules of composition and balance in mind and apply them to the wider format. No matter how wide the area, it can still be divided into thirds and image content can be balanced!

Panoramic Prints
Making prints in-house is an issue with panoramic film. How do you scan it? How do you print it? Do you need an expensive drum scan? It is actually quite easy to make high quality, fine art, razor-sharp prints in the comfort of your home or office. The lenses are actually medium format lenses, despite their small, compact sizes and render medium format sharpness. I use the Epson 2450 flat-bed scanner with SilverFast scanning software (a light version is bundled with the scanner) to create exceptionally sharp and brilliant 6x18” prints on the Epson 2200 printer. I have several drum scans given to me by clients and printing 12x36” and larger is no problem. The sharpness is quite impressive!

Xpan Profile
Even though the Xpan is mostly used for its panoramic format, it also shoots in normal 35mm. It can be switched by turning a button. When in pan format, a “P” is visible. Don’t forget to remove the center spot filter when in 35mm format, else the edges will be overexposed. One can switch from 35mm to Xpan and back at anytime during the roll. This is possible because when loaded, the film is completely unwound and retracts back into the canister as exposures are made. A 36 exposure roll will give 21 Xpan images. The aspect ratio of the panoramic images is approximately 1.75 to 1.

Since the center spot is always on my lenses, I can stack only one other filter before the lenses begin to vignette. I add an 81B warming filter 95 percent of the time. When using infrared film, I stack the 25A red onto the center spot, removing the 81B.

There are two exposure modes: manual and aperture priority.

And one metering system: center weighted. The longest exposure possible on the “Bulb” setting is 4.5 minutes.

The Xpan format is becoming more prevalent at stock agencies because of ease of storage and exceptional sharpness. And you can get an excellent desktop scan of an Xpan image using the Epson 2450 flat-bed scanner.

Here are some facts about mounting plates. Kirk Enterprises (http://kirkphoto.com) makes the PZ46 low profile Arca style mounting plate for the Xpan. Really Right Stuff (http://reallyrightstuff.com) makes the B49L “L” bracket, which enables you to switch from horizontal to vertical formats by just turning the camera, without flipping the camera over on the tripod head. And Xpan mounts, kimac sleeves, and pages are available from The Stock Solution, (800) 777-2076.

And last but not least, don’t forget to inform your lab when you hand them Xpan rolls, perhaps keeping them separate and marked with a felt-tip pen. Reputable professional labs look at film before cutting and mounting, but just to make sure, let them know. The labs will not be able to mount them anyway because of the specialized mounts needed. I get my Xpan film uncut (processed only) and sleeved.

I cut and mount them myself using the mounts from The Stock Solution mentioned earlier. The prices on the body and lens are as follows: The Xpan 35mm Rangefinder Manual Focus Panorama camera body is $1668. The 45mm f/4 lens is $478; the 90mm f/4 lens is $595; and the Super Wide Angle 30mm f/5.6 goes for $2566.

In conclusion, I find the Xpan to be a different and commercially viable addition to my equipment arsenal. It has a heavy, over-built, rock-solid feel. The controls are simple and straightforward. The lenses are razor sharp, rendering a medium format look to the images. Plus, the most important thing is that it’s a really fun camera to use!

All images shot on Fuji Velvia transparency film and scanned using the Epson 2450 flat-bed scanner.

For more information about the Xpan, visit Hasselblad’s web site, www.hasselbladusa.com.

Tony Sweet is a professional nature photographer, author, lecturer, and workshop instructor living in Baltimore, Maryland. You can view his web site at http://tonysweet.com.