Best lens for digital alternative to XPan

[knutov]

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Hi all!

 

I like the view from Hassleblad XPan with 45mm lens but I want it with more compact and digital camera.

 

Which lens for Leica is best alternative for this task? Can VC 15mm III be good replacement? Will it take comparable (after a little crop) images ?

 

45mm from XPan is like 17mm to 35mm. I saw images with Leica and Canon 17 tilt/shift, but it's too huge for me.

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

The wide setting on the 45mm XPan lens is like a 23mm (horizontally) in a 35mm equiv. The CV 15mm is much wider. The 15mm would be closer to the 30mm 5.6 Xpan lens in pano mode which is about a 17mm.

 

Gordon

 

p.s. I'm not the only one who'd drop the coin for a digital XPan, I don't think.

[knutov]

The wide setting on the 45mm XPan lens is like a 23mm (horizontally) in a 35mm equiv.

 

oh, it's easier. Will be Zeiss 18mm f/4 a good choice for M8.2 ?

[MarkP]

...but there is no peripheral distortion on the X-Pan compared with 21-24mm wide angle lenses on a 35mm camera.

 

Furthermore, The X-Pan is really a MF camera, the negative is 65x24mm whilst the same image proportions on a 35mm camera would require cropping a 36x24mm file/negative to 36x13.3mm if maintaining the same proportions. Thus there is a significant loss of information (~55%).  This would reduce the data on a M9 file from 18 to about 10MB or from 24 to 13.3MB on an M9.

 

Perhaps just use

 

I have regular access to an X-Pan II with 45 & 30mm lenses, the latter is spectacular but slow when used with the center ND filter which slows it to f11 so it really requires a tripod in most situations.  This is unlike toe 45mm lens hand holding is possible in more situations. But for panorama landscapes compared with quirky street work, etc. it's really requires a tripod.  

 

I too would love a digital X-Pan  . One was rumoured before the last Photokina but never eventuated   .

[FlashGordonPhotography]

While the Xpan is indeed a medium format camera, I think the resolution is similar to a cropped M240 image. When I scanned my XPan films the available options were a 4000ppi Coolscan file or a 3200dpi drumscan. Both give about the same horizontal resolution as the M240. Of course, Mark is totally correct about the peripheral distortion.

 

When I can I will do a stiched panorma with my M. Not for all shots but for static objects it works well and is easy in Photoshop.

 

Gordon

[MarkP]

My main scanner is a Coolscan 5000 which will not accept panorama negatives   , one of the resons I've used the X-Pan less.

My Epson V700 doesn't produce as good scans as the Coolscan.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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It's actually pretty easy to do a scan of each end and let Photoshop do the rest. I only have a Canon FS4000 left from the film days but Vuescan lets me scan each side with a horizontal offset for overlap and Photoshop does the rest. Now with a DSLR and a slide holder you can just shoot.  the film to digital so easily.

 

My problem is that I sold my Xpan. Had all three lenses. Used to process Velvia at home and scan on an Imacon. But I knew I'd not use it when digital arrived.

 

I do miss it though. Wonderful, wonderful camera.

 

Gordon

[gyoung]

I've done one or two panos using 4 vertical shots with the 35mm Summicron asph on a Nex 6 and stitching them in photoshop CC. Last one was 60+ mp and very sharp. This avoids the 'failings' of ultrawide lenses? But only good for subjects that don't move!

 

Gerry