XPan II vs. Mamiya 7 II

[kcky]

Hi,
I've been reading articles on the panoramic shots taken with the XPan II and was wondering if there is any difference with the pictures taken if I were to use a Mamiya 7II with the extra 35mm Panoramic Adaptor attached to it.
Has anyone had any experience using these 2 types of cameras. Are there any differences in the quality of pictures taken with them? How is the handling with the Mamiya setup?
The main concern would be the price. I believe the adaptor is definetly cheaper than getting the XPan II.
I'm seriously consider getting the 35mm panoramic adaptor if the pictures produced are similar to the XPan II.
Thanks for any advice...

 

[XXX Boy]

Hi,
I've been reading articles on the panoramic shots taken with the XPan II and was wondering if there is any difference with the pictures taken if I were to use a Mamiya 7II with the extra 35mm Panoramic Adaptor attached to it.
Has anyone had any experience using these 2 types of cameras. Are there any differences in the quality of pictures taken with them? How is the handling with the Mamiya setup?
The main concern would be the price. I believe the adaptor is definetly cheaper than getting the XPan II.
I'm seriously consider getting the 35mm panoramic adaptor if the pictures produced are similar to the XPan II.
Thanks for any advice...

Not only the price lo...do u think u would wanna carry such a big and heavy camera for travelling? It all depends on what you want lo...and thats why the manufacturing came out with different camera.

 

[kcky]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
Personally, I feel the Mamiaya 7 is not really heavy, bulky would be a better description but the camera fits comfortably in my hands.
I've rang CP and they had quoted me $266 for the pano adaptor. Besides, there are a few comments in the Internet where users had described the adaptor as being clumbsy and "klunky" to use...
Would greatly appreciate for anymore comments on this adaptor.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hi,
I've been reading articles on the panoramic shots taken with the XPan II and was wondering if there is any difference with the pictures taken if I were to use a Mamiya 7II with the extra 35mm Panoramic Adaptor attached to it.
Has anyone had any experience using these 2 types of cameras. Are there any differences in the quality of pictures taken with them? How is the handling with the Mamiya setup?
The main concern would be the price. I believe the adaptor is definetly cheaper than getting the XPan II.
I'm seriously consider getting the 35mm panoramic adaptor if the pictures produced are similar to the XPan II.
Thanks for any advice...

the Xpan has a standard 35mm film back - just drop the 35mm roll into the chamber, slap the lid shut and viola, you're in business.

from what i've read, there's no such convenience with the panaromic adapter. someone once said it's harder than loading a Leica M but this may not be an important factor if you don't have to shoot and reload fast.

i believe (though this is based on pure conjecture, since i have not used the Mamiya 7II before...) that overall the shooting experience should be easier and more convenient with the Xpan for panaromics. the Xpan has been designed for this kind of shooting and overall handles very well.

 

[Jason]

Hi,
I've shot with Mamiya 7 and brought it along with trips. Brings new joy in photography! No much of a hassle changing film...Camera's not that heavy too. Pictures are mind blowing and very sharp! Easier to crop photos from 6*7 than 35mm. I mean, you can crop pics from mamiya to pana and take in what you want.

Cheers.

 

[limhousen]

I suppose the lenses are faster for the Mamiya compared to Xpan at the same focal length. After correction for light fall off with the exorbitantly priced filters, the Xpan would be more difficult to shoot handheld in poor light.

 

[canturn]

I was comtemplating for a long time between the xpan or mamiya 7.

Mamiya 7's the way to go. Gives you the liberty of doing pano or 6x7 or even crop from 6x7 to get pano. The loading of film is not a prob, it's quite fast with a little practice. The only thing is that you've to make sure that you hear a click sound when you close the lid with the 35mm film in there, else it can play nasty games like springing open half way. Happened to me twice before when I first got the cam, but you'll remember these lessons for life.

The pano adaptor is only $200 if you buy from ebay for brand new ones. Used ones cost about $160-170.

 

[kcky]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the prompt replys! Got another concern, is there any trouble composing shots when using the panoramic adaptor? Or is there any aid in the viewfinder to show your composition?
I would be using the 65mm f/4 on the Mamiya (my only lens so far) ;p

 

[kingpin]

I suppose the lenses are faster for the Mamiya compared to Xpan at the same focal length. After correction for light fall off with the exorbitantly priced filters, the Xpan would be more difficult to shoot handheld in poor light.

Thot most mamiya 7 lens are either f4 or f4.5 so not much diff from the Xpan. Could elaborate your views? Thanks.

 

[limhousen]

I am referring to the effective speed after correction with the center filter. This is especially true for the 30mm lens.

I've used the original Xpan for actual day wedding. Sharp and contrasty, but too slow for handheld pictures in the shade. You'll need to put it on a tripod if you want more depth of field.

 

[kex]

i also recommend to shoot 6x7 and then crop the image.

the m7 is too bulky for me becoz the lens protrude too much out.

 

[canturn]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the prompt replys! Got another concern, is there any trouble composing shots when using the panoramic adaptor? Or is there any aid in the viewfinder to show your composition?
I would be using the 65mm f/4 on the Mamiya (my only lens so far) ;p

Composition wise, there are guides in the view finder to help u.

Then again with enough practice, you should be able to frame quite readily.

I do agree with Kex, the 6x7 allows you to really crop, the only thing is your down with 10 shots compared to 18 shots of pano.

 

[kex]

when u use the pano adaptor,u have to finish the whole roll b4 u can switch back to 6x7..

abit restrictive for me,would rather crop the 6x7 and buy 30 rolls of slides with the $$$

pano is really diff from the standard frames we are so used to,very fun~!

 

[kingpin]

I am referring to the effective speed after correction with the center filter. This is especially true for the 30mm lens.

I've used the original Xpan for actual day wedding. Sharp and contrasty, but too slow for handheld pictures in the shade. You'll need to put it on a tripod if you want more depth of field.

Eh isn't that so for Mamiya too?

 

[Tupi Guy]

X-Pan II....... A dream camera of mine.....

 

[kingpin]

Composition wise, there are guides in the view finder to help u.

Then again with enough practice, you should be able to frame quite readily.

I do agree with Kex, the 6x7 allows you to really crop, the only thing is your down with 10 shots compared to 18 shots of pano.

Went to Cathay to look at the Mamiya 7 II. Can't seem to find the guides on the view finder. Asked salesman and he couldn't find them too. Could u elaborate on the guides? Tough if we have to arga arga when using the pano adaptor.

 

[kcky]

Hi kiingpin,
You mean you have tried the Mamiya 7 with the panoramic adaptor attached? So there is no way to determine the composition of your panoramic shots? :cry:

 

[kex]

u have to agar agar to judge the compo using the centre of the exisiting framline,dats y i recommend to crop instead of buying the adaptor.

 

[kcky]

Hi Kex,
So if I'm not wrong, you would have to compose your pano shots within the area from the centre to the bottom of the exisiting framelines when viewing through the camera's viewfinder? :sweat:

 

[kingpin]

Hi kiingpin,
You mean you have tried the Mamiya 7 with the panoramic adaptor attached? So there is no way to determine the composition of your panoramic shots? :cry:

The Mamiya 7 II has the pano adaptor covering the rear end of the film back providing a 24x65 window for the 35mm film. But the viewfinder does not have an equivalent frame for exact composition. There is a centre brighter frame in the viewfinder which u use to focus (rangefinders) and I think u will have to use this to arga arga your composition for the pano shoot. The pano adaptor seem easy enough to put in and use. But then I didn't try to shoot with it as it was demo to me by the staff of CP. If u seriously consider the 7II for pano work using the adaptor then I would strongly recommend u try it out first. As kex mentioned the easier way is not to bother with the 35mm film and shoot with 120 film and crop the portions away.
U have to decide which film format u mainly wan to shoot in- 35mm or 120. 7II is a 6x7 format camera designed for 120 film whilst the Xpan is a 35mm film format that allows u to shoot pano equiv to 6x7 format.
I prefer the latter.
Oh the Mamiya 7II is bulkier than the Xpan. I prefer the Leica :thumbsup: feel of the Xpan too. As for the lens quality - well they are all japanese made, medium format, and as far as I read are very good.