Hasselblad XPan | First Impressions, Thoughts, and Photos

[@linusfotograf]

I love the look of these Matt. Great job on getting them right!

[@fodiographer]

I love my xpan .. i use it for street photography and it works really well! Got it in a yard sale for 300 dollars 3 years ago and was in mint condition. Best investment i ever made 😀

[@fjalls]

300 dollars?! Well done

[@xiedragon4331]

ohhhh, can't believe these old cameras are getting so expensive so quickly

[@fjalls]

@@xiedragon4331 they still compete with the best modern cameras. If ypu want a good digital today youll have to spend at least 2k dollars for a decent setup. I guess we like the process aswell, making every shot count. Not just blasting 150 shots and pick 1 or 2

[@xiedragon4331]

@@fjalls nah i spend 1k on my canon 6d and a really sharp lens, and it can definitely can compete with medium format, i have a mamiya rb67 and a sharp Klein lens myself, i can tell they are not so different if u scan the film with a normal flatbed scanners, such as epson 750, and film cameras has a really high long-term cost

[@fjalls]

@@xiedragon4331 Cannon came with the lens? I scan and develop by myself so my cost is like 1 dollar per 120 roll and I bought my Hasselblad for like 400 dollars but now it sells for like 7-800 dollars. You could actually make money buying and using good old analogs. And I dont even bother taking pictures digitally anymore. Its like the procedure is half the joy. For example I bought an Yachica T5 for 10 bucks a few years back now it sells for 3-500 dollars.

[@jeffrodriguez2163]

Go out and shoot some big landscapes with that beast, I think that's one of the main uses for the XPAN. Also, since the aspect ratio is similar to a movie, shooting CineStill or any of the Kodak Vision is amazing, I have seen other videos when people do that. Awesome video as always, Matt.

[@mattdayphoto]

Jeff Rodriguez Gonna try to shoot some fall landscapes with it as soon as the color here really hits! Thanks, man!

[@photonutz09]

I know what you mean about aspect ratio. The Xpan is the same as 6x17 aspect ratio (what I've been shooting a lot recently) which is actually the same as Cinemascope from the old days of motion picture. I found studying how filmmakers who shot in that format a lot composed their shots was very helpful

[@mattdayphoto]

A Life In Words And Pictures That’s a good idea! It’s so interesting to see what people do with a frame when it’s this wide.

[@mattparkin7224]

This is such an intriguing format! The combination of the really short and long ratio with the film grain gives real 90s movie feels

[@kylewood8327]

When i bought mine back in 2000 it was for landscapes only, and has been a wonderful camera for that!

[@joshuajoldfield]

Great video Matt, really love the way your style translates to the panoramic format of the Xpan. There’s a real sense of place in the these photos. Hope you shoot more with it!

[@ckrug32]

Beautiful work, Matt! Probably my favorite video of yours, for multiple reasons: 1) concise, interesting, and useful information and commentary, 2) gorgeous photos, and 3) I really appreciate that you showed us some of the photos that didn't work as well -- it's humbling and inspiring to see that from an artist you admire. (By the way, my favorite shots were the dogs, the fence, and all of the shots of your family.) Keep it up!

[@APisceanSlant]

I actually loved photo #2. #4 was also great. Loved the colour photos, as well. Some of my favourite photos, are panoramas.

[@macbookdieter]

I have one with the 45 and 90mm. Just came back from the UK and got some fantastic B&W shots with it.

[@mattdayphoto]

Derek Leath Nice! Really looking forward to trying the 90mm out.

[@MrCharlesLeonard]

One of the coolest camera formats out there. I passed on getting one a year ago and swore I’d never use another camera but this video got me wondering what if.

[@wisebuddhaboiy]

i really love how these came out!!!! these are beautiful and i hope you get to make more photos with it.

[@petesorchids]

Xpan has been on my wish list for along time, even have a original sales brochure, keep up the good work Matt

[@mattdayphoto]

Peter Donnan Thank you, sir!

[@FabrizioZago]

I've bought it 8 years ago when the price was still relatively reasonable, with the 45 mm and the 90 mm lenses (the 30 mm was already too expensive). I really enjoy the camera, the panorama format it's challenging but it's also rewarding at the end. I find even more challenging to find a good composition for a vertical panorama, it's not easy. I've taken some photos of graffiti/murals in a skateboarding area, I think you might enjoy that.

[@wildernessandme1744]

It is only when you print (and hang on the wall) those panoramic photographs that you will appreciate how beautiful those pictures are.

[@chrisperceval193]

Vignetting is less of a problem if you hand print the negs as the fall of towards he edges of the enlarger lens tends to cancel it out. I've had one of these things for the last 20 or so years. Takes a while to get used to - got to appreciate negative space...!

[@stefanol9272]

love the photos of the bike and stop signs

[@alwheeler8458]

Love the photos. Love how it gives the focal length the eyes see but with the width the eyes see as well. Awesome photos!

[@SteveKleinheider]

Heh Matt...I really enjoyed your video about the Hasselblad XPan! You do an excellent job of talking to your audience through video. It seems well balanced, calm, and really down to earth. Good work and have a nice day!

[@braystaylor]

Really love the family shadow shot the most personally and then some of the nature shots! Good stuff, Matt.

[@Pezinokrm]

Good review and I didn't realized the camera can be used in panoramic and 35mm format, well done Matt! now I can give this camera some seriously consideration for getting. Cheers! 🥃

[@mattdayphoto]

Pezinok Thank you! Glad it was helpful.

[@jasonwilkinson7079]

Like the aspect ratio with these shots Matt. Great job

[@mattdayphoto]

Jason Wilkinson Thank you!

[@AwesomeCameras]

Oh man! I live the one of your dogs! You should definitely make a print of that!

[@mp3remix171]

missing u guys! pls start posting again

[@AwesomeCameras]

@@mp3remix171 weve got some videos in the works! just havent had much free time to work on them :(

[@mattdayphoto]

AwesomeCameras It’s growing on me! I wasn’t crazy about it at first but the more I look at it, the more I like it.

[@samhardy2479]

All the best on your upcoming new office. You’ve earned it.

[@samatkinsphotography]

I’ve been lusting after an X-Pan, like yourself, for years. I almost pulled the trigger on one a month or so ago but then read about the reduced stock of parts to actually repair the X-Pan cameras so essentially if they die they die for real. I spoke to a repair specialist who also said the same and to advise to take care when purchasing and have the knowledge that if something drastic happens be prepared to write it off 😪

[@alvareo92]

sam atkins I believe Hasselblad still repairs the cameras, not so for the original Fuji-branded model

[@mattdayphoto]

sam atkins That’s a real shame! If they were more readily available for repair, I think that would alleviate a lot of the worries people have about buying them.

[@tonyhayes9827]

Great images Matt. The first photo of the dogs is excellent. . Its a concept worth exploring with this format. I think it works in the fort collective photo as well. A person working in the background would add something ... transcendental? contemplative? The photo of your son on the road is brilliant! The penultimate photo of the wire fence with the vine over it works for me too. I like these panorama photos when the point of interest, the in focus point is off to one side leading into a long sweep of gathering out of focus area. I have a Toyo 4x5 monorail camera and a Horsman 6x12 roll film back for it which Ive just started using. You've given me some great inspiration for it

[@SamuelElkinsPhoto]

Awesome video - dying to try one of these out

[@mattdayphoto]

Samuel Elkins Thanks, dude! It’s a lot of fun.

[@jcaldrey1039]

Awesome video Matt

[@mattdayphoto]

JC Aldrey Thank you!

[@zguy95135]

Yes, hype it up in case I ever need to sell mine lol! When shooting the Xpan it's difficult to switch between formats... If you shoot it like a 35mm or 6x6/6x7 etc you will not be happy. You really have to dedicate yourself to working with the aspect ratio and when you do, it's brilliant. Also for the people worrying about reliability, for a film camera it's quite new and there are very few reports of them failing. I didn't spend anywhere near market price on mine either though, so I'll keep it until it (or me) dies someday.

[@mattdayphoto]

Joseph Delgadillo You bought at the right time apparently! Haha. Enjoy it!

[@zguy95135]

@@mattdayphoto I got extremely lucky at the time, and I'm looking forward to the review!

[@2007rSix]

All these photos are fire!

[@b.brauner7500]

Hey Matt, the vignetting is quite strong wide open but if you stop down it improves signifficantly. Not ideal as it is not the fastest lens but sharp like hell!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Hi Matt, good to see you out with the XPan. I enjoy using the pano kit for the Mamiya 7 which gives the same frame size. Love that shot with your dogs looking in opposite directions. Cheers.

[@jasonblake5576]

Shots worked out very well for first time!

[@OrangePillow815]

The dream camera.

[@SecretCrowds128]

I never knew you could switch the frame size. I’ve always wanted one but couldn’t justify the price since I thought it was a panoramic only camera. But now that I know I think I’ll have to pick one up

[@AlexSavin]

Whoa I'm so in love with this aspect ratio and the vignette

[@drewrobertson6286]

AlexSavin, Lightroom

[@AlexSavin]

@@drewrobertson6286 iPhone and Lightroom?

[@nickfanzo]

Awesome camera . Love this with slide film

[@adampanker]

Love your impressions on this camera. I've been waited for this video since I first saw it on your IG :D

[@nico.m8346]

Very nice pictures Matt

[@Super.Quasar]

Did you consider using the 3:1 format a a starter and then cropping it to 2:1 etc ? Seems that maximum frame size could be restricting.

[@nicolasignorelli7360]

Would love to see some more ektachrome through that Hasselblad! Keep on the great work Matt 🔝

[@MarcoAries]

Those panos are really cinematic, love them!

[@mattdayphoto]

Marco Aries Thank you!

[@guaitnius]

A lovely camera that I would love to have, but having an M6 with a 35mm and (a future) 21mm would be redundant for me. With the M6 and 21mm you can crop at 24:65 (or 65:24) in postproduction and the result is almost equal. You have to force your vision a bit more, but that's why shoot rangefinders, isn't it?

[@ekevanderzee9538]

So does the change to pano mode enlarge the shutter to one side? Or does it advance the film a bit? And when chamging back? How does it work? As the e posed are of the film changes, there must me some consideration to not overlap exposurws or waste film...

[@ShawnBrezny]

This spot here at 4:07 pretty much sums up my experience with using the Xpan 🙃. As I get older (and wiser 😉) I am realizing that I only need my M2 + 35mm for nearly everything I shoot. Peace!

[@mattdayphoto]

Shawn Brezny I feel you, man! I actually just filmed a video this morning that kinda touches on that. My M6 and a 35mm lens and I’m fine.

[@ShawnBrezny]

@@mattdayphoto Really look forward to the topic. I wish more of us could have discovered this simplicity sooner in life, would have saved me so much time and money on gear buy/sell/swaps over the years. I like new(old) gear like anyone else, but I've found it has slowed the development of my photographic vision. I think it takes time (years) to build a harmony with ones gear and to harness your vision into using that gear. I am slowly finding this with my M2. Sorry if this is getting too deep... peace brotha!

[@noahhutson3718]

It's so tough to "see" with panorama cameras. When a composition doesn't work, you end up with a lot of weird empty space. When it does work though... I can't shake off the dream of using an xpan for environmental portraits. Nice work dude!

[@paulreinhold-]

absolutely true Noah! I shot roughly 30 rolls with the xpan so far in different environments and just now i start to be able to imagine the final frame in my head. you really have to get used to the format.

[@bananabert680]

Would be awesome to see some some scenic landscapes with it!

[@mattdayphoto]

Felix Rossel Planning on it!

[@jonasfloriani]

great video Matt! It would be great to watch a review of the other lenses...

[@parcm]

Hey Matt, one thing I just came across ... I put a UV filter on my 45mm lens to 'finally' protect the glass. But now I can no longer put on the lens hood, because the bayonet no longer fits. So always with filter but without lens hood or vice versa. Fuji (Hasselblad) didn't think about that ... or is there a solution I overlooked?

[@chrisdechristophe]

How about using a 6 by 7 camera with 35mm film? I think you'd get a similar pano. Also not too happy about the vignette, given the xpan lenses were designed to do these panos I find the level of vignettes disappointing. Especially on the 45mm. Interested to see the 30mm and 90mm in action. If you can get minimum focus to do it on the 90mm a close up eye shot (just the two eyes) would be interesting. Is there a bellows or close up lens that allows that?

[@Biosynchro]

Some of those photos were terrific. And I had no idea that you could change formats on that camera. Shame about the vignetting but at least you can use a filter.

[@rodrigopfs]

Little late on this video, but just wanted to say panoramics are the best. The wider the better!

[@Thomasbrownphoto]

Nice images Matt, love the pathway way leading into the sloped forest at 8:43. I'm surprised how much vignette this combo can show. Have you considered getting the pano kit for the Mamiya 6?

[@bogdantrach]

I also just got the xpan with a 45mm. Really enjoyed some of the shots you showcased here (the one of dogs was my favorite). Can you share your process of digitizing these? And if possible a couple of the actual image files? There are not a lot of good crisp xpan shots out there to play around with in post and examine the different film tonalities.

[@PhilKnall]

Been waiting for this one. What a cool camera, I'll probably never own one though due to cost and the fear of electronic parts breaking :/ PS love those woods photos, I think the diagonal ones turned out nice! The family shadow is still the best though.

[@mattdayphoto]

Phil Knall Thanks, Phil! Really loved the family one, planning on printing it pretty big.

[@SokolHazizi]

I'm curious, when you switch from panorama to standard frame, does it wind at panorama steps or does is scale down the steps saving film?

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Sokol Hazizi when changing format, the X-Pan drives masks into the film guiding rails, changes the viewfinder frame, changes the frame counter to the number of remaining shots of the format setting and moves the film to be flush with the precedent picture. The film advance is in accordance with the format, there is no film loss. The only caveat of changing often format is the batteries capacity that falls significantly. You have to always have spare batteries in your camera bag, batteries can collapse fast.

[@bluesmandingo]

Good vid. :) As a photographer camera hording is a thing, but on my abridged dream list, XPan is on there. Side note: as some one who is practical/lazy, the oddest and oldest on my list is the Mercury II.

[@jeremyw4649]

Does your normal lab scan these without issue? Do you need a special scanner than normal to get full 35 pano scans?

[@Incredzible]

Matt - the Pentax 67 has a panoramic adapter that's also worth a look!

[@mattdayphoto]

Incredzible I haven’t had a chance to try one of those out but I’ve definitely wanted to.

[@Incredzible]

@@mattdayphoto They're dirt cheap and work really well!! Only disadvantage is the size of the 67 and you have to remove the film in a darkroom

[@ChrisTurnerPhotographer]

Love your videos dude

[@mattjamesbenson]

Been waiting on this one for a loooong time.

[@ColinBloodworth]

Dope video, Matt. I've always heard about the Xpan and knew almost nothing about it other than "it does panoramic".

[@chrislim6851]

I've wanted one for a long time until I got the panoramic adapter for my Mamiya 7, which has almost the same aspect ratio as the xpan (the mamiya 6 has one too - check it out Matt). A little clunkier to use the adapter, but the upside is that you can shoot into the sprockets if you don't use the mask and you have a medium format option in one camera. Great video and pictures!

[@shaunhall8158]

Chris Lim you can also get a really good 35mm pano kit for the Pentax 67/6x7 which works really well. Would love to try one but having had a Contax G1 die on me I know how hard it is to get completely electronic cameras fixed (if possible at all) and the sudden way they just stop.

[@honzawerre]

4 people almost saved up for the X-pan and sudenly the prices went up again :D

[@yasha8951]

Matt what's the brand of your M6's strap?

[@bodythetan]

Hey Matt, tell us more about that 35mm lens on your M. Are you not using the 1.4 Voigtlander any more?

[@srad.]

love that bike shot 🔥

[@mattdayphoto]

srad Thank you!

[@adamb9931]

Lovely photos

[@gyozashinobi994]

Great video as always, Matt! How about to try some motion picture film with an xpan? Either cinestill or Vision, just because of it's cinematic aspect ratio... Could be very interesting to look

[@markmadderra4834]

Enjoyed video, to expensive for my pocket. I wanted to ask you what you thought of the Fuji GW690 series of cameras. Thanks Mark

[@herr_schuette]

How does the field of view of the 45mm xpan compare to the 45mm on the Pentax 6x7? Since I can't afford the xpan, I'm shooting 35mm film in the Pentax with an adapter and was wondering how close I'm getting to that look 😂 thanks for sharing, I really like the pictures you took with the xpan 👍

[@coreywolfenbarger8992]

I did not know you could switch to normal 35mm frames. That is sick lol.

[@mattdayphoto]

Corey Wolfenbarger Makes it much more useable for general use, in my opinion.

[@polarjeez]

XPan always looks good

[@ElliottWatson]

All this time I didn’t know you could switch 35mm to panoramic ... Great video as usual!

[@fredrikwardhoff]

Just love the aspect ratio from the X-pan and I’m I digital guy so i crop that way sometimes but unfortunately I can’t go back to regular format so these days I generally crop in 21:9 and I’m starting to see in that way now and you can be quite creative in the letter box or X-pan view... Nice episode. 🤩 //freddie

[@mattdayphoto]

buford.t.shutter Thank you!

[@ljgomez594]

these wide shots would work great for your skateboards

[@theoldcameraguy]

Image at 8:20 is Ohio in a nutshell - Beautiful capture!

[@mattdayphoto]

theoldcameraguy Thanks, man! Definitely feels like home.

[@ryans_life]

fantastic camera; favorite tool of the @the_real_sir_robin. Loved the shots and perspective mate. Sadly like you said in the beginning, the prices of it and the Fuji variety continue to skyrocket, pretty much like everything else here in England recently 🙃

[@mattdayphoto]

Ryan H He does some great work with it! I’m still trying to figure it all out. Haha.

[@zhendiz5237]

can't wait to see the in-depth review video! I wanted to have/try out this camera the very first time I got to know it. if possible, could you show how the viewfinder looks like in the next video? like what does it looks like when in normal 35mm mode and in panorama mode (different viewfinder lines maybe?) and the lens, it is 40mm focal length in 35mm mode and is it also 40mm focal length in panorama mode? thanks for the effort, cheers👍

[@DonTheDino]

I’ve really wanted one but the prices are crazy bought a Leica MP in black paint instead 👍

[@zachanderson303]

Hey Matt does the XPan have a crop factor when shooting panoramic? Great video as always btw

[@patricstahl]

X-Pan is cool but that Buzz Lightyear, now that's awesome! (:

[@barrycohen311]

I like the hammock shot! Think out of the box! :-)

[@guaitnius]

BTW, my "dream project" would be a Route 66 travel with this beast and Cinestill colour film. Or XX BW film too.

[@keithschuessler3435]

I’d love to have one, but fears of it breaking with ( as I understand it) replacement parts being non- extant keep me from grabbing one. Am I correct in my opinion, if it breaks, it’s an expensive brick? Also, where is your coffee shop/ office space? I’ll swing by one day on one of my motto photo jaunts.

[@RamoArt]

You didn't seem too happy with the picture of your mother with your daughter, but I think the fact that they don't take up the entire frame and instead there's houses in the background makes for a neat effect. It gives context to the image in a way. The Hasselblad is way out of my price range. Are there any affordable panorama cameras?

[@franks8462]

Unfortunately, no. This camera has been on my radar for years and the prices only go higher. What makes this camera so unique is the fact that it uses the full frame and has, virtually, no lens distortion. There ARE other cameras out there that offer the full-frame panoramic aspect ratio, but are severely flawed one way or another. Most of them have a rotating lens that basically does a 180 degree rotation to get everything in frame; however, due to the movement of the lens, you get really weird distortions and movement blurs. The other option is going with a toy camera. There are currently 3 cameras (that I'm aware of) that are pretty decent (but are also expensive and difficult to find): the Holga 120 Pan, Sprocket Rocket by Lomography, and the Belair by Lomography. Again, these will not give you even 60% of the quality you'll get out of the XPAN, but they could offer a fun experience by giving you another format to work with.

[@RamoArt]

@@franks8462 I appreciate the funky results you can get with Lomography cameras, but I'd really like the clean and sophisticated look of the Hasselblad. I'm currently looking into using a 120 camera with 35mm film to shoot panoramas. I haven't found a camera that I love quiet yet though.

[@lamsonkwok696]

nice photo!

[@thehealthpotions]

man... 8:16 reminds me of forrest gump

[@Niele160]

Not gonna lie, this Squarespace push is having an adverse effect on me. It's fucking everywhere.

[@davehyper7835]

Awesome job with the X-Pan...... You make that camera fit everywhere buddy. Highly recommend you don't return it yet ;-)

[@briansegarra9312]

Really like the ones with ektachrome very goo camera but one that I probably never will get 😂😭

[@punkrachmaninoff]

x-pan mirrorless, please?

[@mattdayphoto]

Punk Rachmaninoff Can you imagine?!

[@punkrachmaninoff]

@@mattdayphoto i would start crying.

[@calvinchann1996]

Fuji GFX have an Xpan crop

[@punkrachmaninoff]

@@calvinchann1996 true... but it doesn't say hassleblad on the camera.

[@MrDexArts]

i fcking love that portrait of ohio. u sure gotta get this bad boy printed large. its got such a nice vibe, good colours and clearly shows the place

[@ikmarsarbini3337]

Beautiful photo !!!

[@mattdayphoto]

ikmar sarbini Thank you!

[@alexcarrillo4143]

Hey Matt, just for the record, that is Not a Hasselblad, they never made 35mm cameras in Sweden. What your holding is a FujiFilm TX-1 in which Fuji made two models, TX-1, and TX-2. It was a shot live camera. Fuji exported them as the TX models, as when in it was shipped o the US that they did not want to have Copyright problems with Kodak at the time as the models were called TX. It was not a True wide Panoramic camera since the film plane was only 120mm as the one true camera the Widelux was a true wide format of 140mm. And yes they are pricey if it is either badge as a Fuji or Hasselblad model. This Model was always ask to be rented out when I was working at a camera store back in the late 1990's to the mid 2000's but very long time to get it fix since after the camera ended it's run most repairs shops stop fixing it due to lack of parts. So if you consider of getting it -TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. Have fun with it. Oh the one thing that this camera is more popular than it's Russian Horizent, that the film plane does not CURVE like the Hasselblad/Fuji model. I know I have the Russian 1967 Horizent model in which their is a slight curve in the middle, but sharp, and contrasty.

[@anjuk6255]

If I had a film camera and a darkroom I would ditch my DSLR..I don't know what I like better in film cameras ..maybe the dynamic range..they always look better for me than digitals

[@sulaimanellison6893]

Matt your work i very good. don't be o hard on you. enjoy the feeling. I have a widelux F7 .

[@nickfanzo]

The 45 mm vignettes. the other lenses don’t as much

[@jurajzahumensky6378]

now imagine you have that 30mm, with external finder..

[@acadia5898]

beautiful photos! they are so expensive!

[@mattdayphoto]

ACADIA That’s for sure. And thank you!