Re: Hasselblad Xpan

[User787748@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 2/25/99 3:39:16 PM Canada Central Standard Time,
mogman@xxxxxxx writes:

<< Hello group:
 I sent this note to Jamie Drouin who asked about the Xpan several weeks
 ago.
 
 There was some discussion about the camera when it was announced last
 summer, but nothing of any real value to someone who is considering
 buying one.
 
 I handled one last week in the local camera shop and I was fairly
 impressed with it. Fit and finish seem excellent, the camera seems to be
 easily hand holdable, yet still has some heft to it. I e-mailed
 hasselblad usa and got a brochure and an evaluation by Joseph Meehan
 (for one of the Hasselblad publications). I further asked if they
 intended to do a "system" for the camera. The reply was that more lenses
 were likely but that probaly nothing beyond the lenses would be offered.
 It was interesting to me in their literature, Hasselblad was touting it
 as compared to cut down 35mm panoramics. 
 
 Since that first reply from Hasselblad, I asked if a center filter was
 required and/or forthcoming. Something is coming this spring but no
 price or availability details.
 
 The only negative thing I could come up with was that I thought the
 finish on the back of the lens which mounts to the body left a lot to be
 desired, especially since the rest of the camera seemed to be nicely
 finished.
 
 I think a positive aspect of the 35mm format is that it will be easier
 to get prints made from 24x65 than from 6x17 medium format (which is the
 other choice that Ive been considering). I think this is the only fixed
 (non-rotational)lens 35mm pan camera. I prefer the non rotational image.
 I also think it may be easier to sell panoramic images that aren't
 "distorted" in the middle.
  >>