Got myself a Hasselblad...

[ehasler]

...lens!

I've recently convinced myself to buy an XPAN II panoramic camera, and while I haven't got the body yet I managed to luck out by finding a 90mm lens for less than 1/2 price in the Christmas sales!

It's a lovely bit of kit, and surprisingly small and light compared to the Canon zooms I'm used to!

Has anyone else used one of these? I'd be grateful for any recommendations on places to get the film developed, and also tips on scanning (on a Nikon Coolscan)

[andyparrott]

ehasler said:

...lens! I've recently convinced myself to buy an XPAN II panoramic camera, and while I haven't got the body yet I managed to luck out by finding a 90mm lens for less than 1/2 price in the Christmas sales! It's a lovely bit of kit, and surprisingly small and light compared to the Canon zooms I'm used to! Has anyone else used one of these? I'd be grateful for any recommendations on places to get the film developed, and also tips on scanning (on a Nikon Coolscan)

I've had the mk1 version for nearly 4 years now. I found it increasingly difficult to get films processed and printed (at decent quality and for anything like a reasonable price). I switched to transparency and bought a film scanner. Lovely lovely camera, although my original one failed after about 9 Months. Hasselblad were great and replaced it after they failed to fix it properly.

I use a medium format film scanner with an xpan mask so don't have any problems with scanning.

[ehasler]

andyparrott said:

I switched to transparency and bought a film scanner. Lovely lovely camera, although my original one failed after about 9 Months. Hasselblad were great and replaced it after they failed to fix it properly. I use a medium format film scanner with an xpan mask so don't have any problems with scanning.

I only use transparency film too - do you get them developed locally, or mail order?

I currently use Fuji direct, but I'm not sure if they'll cope with panoramic images.

[andyparrott]

ehasler said:

andyparrott said: I switched to transparency and bought a film scanner. Lovely lovely camera, although my original one failed after about 9 Months. Hasselblad were great and replaced it after they failed to fix it properly. I use a medium format film scanner with an xpan mask so don't have any problems with scanning. I only use transparency film too - do you get them developed locally, or mail order? I currently use Fuji direct, but I'm not sure if they'll cope with panoramic images.

I use Peak Imaging (mail order) for processing and ask them not to cut the film. I then cut it into appropriaye lengths for my scanner. I also bought some Xpan mounts from a company in America, although I have never used them. The theory was that I could then project them using a Medium Format projector I picked up on Ebay. Never felt the need as I use an Epson inkjet printer that can take continuous stationery and I can then setup the paper size manually and print anything I want.