Beg to differ! Re: V-pan problems

["Mitchell P. Warner" <indepth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've owned a V-pan for about 2 years and had NO trouble with it.  If
anything the machining is a Machinists dream come true.  Perhaps overdone,
but absolutly NOT lacking in refinement. I've shot with it from steaming
jungles in the Micronesian Islands to the teeming concrete jungles of SFO,
Chicago and NYC with no problems. Despite it being a dedicated tripod
camera I've even been able to do some aerial work from a helicopter with
the doors off.  The slide/lock mechanism for the rear standard is so finely
machined that I often use IT for fine focus adjustments.  If I have a
complaint it is that it is built like a tank and weighs accordingly. 

Having full front moves, and, with a little creativity, being able to
simulate tilt and swing on the back via tripod head movements, makes the
camera a valuable tool.  Comparing it with a Fuji is inappropriate, as the
Fuji was intended to be able to be hand held. Comparison with a Linhof may
be more appropriate, but not having had the joy of shooting with one I
can't say.  
	When I was getting ready to purchase a 617 I was ready to buy the Fuji
but, at the last minute I asked my Pan agent which camera they recommended,
which sold the most. Hands down it was, at that time (I don't know now
nearly 2 years later) V-Pan.
	Another advantage was that I could easily slip all my XL 4x5 lenses onto
the V-Pan, saving thousands in lens purchases. 




At 07:07 AM 3/27/99 -0500, you wrote:
>It is probably better to make your own V-pan using a 5x7 camera to which you
>attach a Navy-Torpedo or a Burke & James Royal panoram 6x17 rollfilm back.
>I've heard that the V-pans are not as refined as they ought to be.
>
>Again, film flatness is also determined by how well the film is "pulled" back
>on the film supplying roll. There should be enough resistance.
>
>
>
At Your Service, 
                         Mitch Warner

In-Depth Photography: GUAM
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