angle of view and aspect ratio

[Joel Seaman <jseaman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have been comparing pano cameras and I am unclear about how to compare
on aspect?  How is the angel of view as related to aspect ratio/film
width produced by different cameras....these are non swing lens
cameras.  More specifically how can one camera with a 93 degree angle of
view (Mamiya 7 w/43mm lens), and another camera with approx. an 83
degree angle of view (XPan),both produce a negative approx 65 mm wide?

The XPan gives one a 65MM neg, but an angle of view, when compared to
35MM SLR, of a 25MM lens...so what is panoramic about the image, other
than a larger negative?

A Brooks Veriwide, something I am considering, has a 100 degree angle of
view.  Is that diagonal....does any know if I am truly comparing apples
to apples...or am I just mixing fruit?

With apprecitation,

Joel