XPAN 90mm

[chgoh]

Hi,

Was wondering if it might be a good addition to the basic kit. Have been using the 45mm all along and am quite happy with it. However, on "step back" environmental portrait situations, I was craving for a tighter composition and thought this might be doable with the 90mm.

Any comments on the above application and ideas where the 90mm might be found now and for what price?

chgoh

 

[Terence]

They pop up from time to time in the 2nd hand stores, price around the $600-$700 region.

I use mine mainly for portraits, works well for me.

 

[chgoh]

They pop up from time to time in the 2nd hand stores, price around the $600-$700 region.

I use mine mainly for portraits, works well for me.

Thanks. Will try to look out for it; the usual Peninsula area I guess?

 

[Terence]

Best bets would be TCW or Prime.

 

[chgoh]

Best bets would be TCW or Prime.

OKay, thanks! Would keep a look out; I like TCW but find Prime's service a little "standoffish". Never done business with Prime though. TCW I'm comfortable with.


Any difference in 2nd hand pricing between the Hasselblad and Fuji branding for the 90mm, or for that matter the 30mm?

 

[Terence]

OKay, thanks! Would keep a look out; I like TCW but find Prime's service a little "standoffish". Never done business with Prime though. TCW I'm comfortable with.


Any difference in 2nd hand pricing between the Hasselblad and Fuji branding for the 90mm, or for that matter the 30mm?

Prime takes a bit of getting used to. They actually warm up to you, regardless whether you make a purchase or not. But I do know about the service attitude you're referring to and fully agree with you.

I don't see that much of a price difference of the Fujinon and Hassey 45 and 90 lenses, and to be frank, the Fujinon is somewhat rarer. There is a marked difference between the Fuji and Hassey 30mm though, with the Hassey commanding a slight premium. That said, the difference here isn't as huge as it is in Europe or the US, probably because the lack of demand of the Xpan, and film bodies in general, here in Asia.

Ebay is another place to try for the 90mm. I can also recommend www.keh.com

 

[chgoh]

Great info!

Talking about rangefinders reminds me of Dr Yao. Maybe I should ask him for a quote too.

 

[Terence]

He doesn't do Hasseys anymore i believe. Besides, the supply of new Xpan II/TX-2 gear and related accessories have dried up since production was halted earlier this year. Best bet would be the used market.

 

[chgoh]

Hmmm.... Terence, I seem to spoken to you in person before .....

Are you using red-dot also, we probably have met some years ago when the Dr was in town during CNY.

Sorry if I mistaken you for someone else. :embrass:

 

[Terence]

Don't think we've met, I didn't know Joseph was in town over CNY. I think I'm more of a Leica collector than user. My RF use is mainly restricted to the Xpan and Mamiya 7.

 

[chgoh]

Don't think we've met, I didn't know Joseph was in town over CNY. I think I'm more of a Leica collector than user. My RF use is mainly restricted to the Xpan and Mamiya 7.

It was quite a number of CNYs ago. :bsmilie: Got my 35'lux from him then, since he was coming over to Sgp; saved on the freight!

Still nice to have "met" you on CS.

Wow Mamiya7.... that's another cool camera. Hmm.. why the Xpan when you could do 35mm pano with the M7 adaptor? Is it fiddly to do so?

 

[Ansel]

Hi,

Was wondering if it might be a good addition to the basic kit. Have been using the 45mm all along and am quite happy with it. However, on "step back" environmental portrait situations, I was craving for a tighter composition and thought this might be doable with the 90mm.

Any comments on the above application and ideas where the 90mm might be found now and for what price?

chgoh

Just out of curiosity here, and also in danger of OT, but may I ask why you would use a panoramic camera for portraits? :dunno:

I am just seeking enlightenment.

 

[Terence]

It's just a different perspective, might work for some and not for others...

Couple of my examples may be found here.

And another 360 pano of multiple portraits (excuse the small size, the image would be too long if it were any larger).

 

[chgoh]

Great shots from India, Terence!

Sometimes for me, it just takes the mind away from the usual rectangular format, and gives the eye/mind combo a fresh look into the world. Just for reference purposes, for movies/DVDs most of them are in panoramic cinemascope. I guess my point is that we need to be daring enough to challenge norms, and sometimes when we do, we are rewarded with a beautiful new perspective.

Just out of curiosity here, and also in danger of OT, but may I ask why you would use a panoramic camera for portraits? :dunno:

I am just seeking enlightenment.

 

[Ansel]

Thanks to both of you. I quite enlightened :thumbsup:

It is interesting to think of it from the movie perspective. There have been quite a few stirring scenes of Zhang Zhiyi in her movies that I won't mind hanging on my wall.