I Drove to Sweden to Buy a Hasselblad Xpan II

I drove my camper van to Sweden to buy a Hasselblad Xpan II panoramic film camera. In this video I collect my new camera, explain why I drove so far for it and shoot a few frames of Kodak Ektarchrome E100 slide film. I hope you enjoy this landscape photography video.
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[@jean-claudemuller122]

Hi thomas Some advice from a long time X-Pan II user. The 45mm lens hodd fits also perfectly on the 90mm lens A Canon jack electrical release fits the X-Pan II You should definitely find and buy the special Hasselblad center filter for the 45mm. It remove totaly vignetting on film, and so you get better quality scans. Luigi in Italy makes (even today) fabulous fine leather half cases for different X-Pan models, with diffferent options. Often changing format on the same film draines massively the batteries (film has to be wound and rewound at each change), so you have ever to carry 2 sets of spare batteries when mixing a lot panos and classical framing. Enjoy your X-Pan

[@clonkex]

As an Australian, I find it so crazy that you can just _drive_ to another country! I'd dearly love to come to the UK one day.

[@britishrose9417]

Post Brexit it would probably cost more than your trip to import it anyway, so why not have an adventure as well!

[@MrY-mc7uv]

I did this with a watch earlier this year - was almost as cheap to have a mini break as pay the VAT……

[@katepaterson4052]

@@hoehlentroll69 nearly half of us didn’t!😭

[@n0w3lly90]

Don't be ridiculous, British Rose!!

[@n0w3lly90]

@@hoehlentroll69 because it was a slow ride towards a federalised superstate, that is why. EU treaty law sneaked in between parliaments from 1993 - 2009 (Maastricht, Nice, Amsterdam and Lisbon) emancipated our legislative and constitutional primacy, stripping powers British voters have control over through hiring/ firing the ultimate lawmakers, and law enforcers, which became EU law, the EU constitution (renamed Lisbon), and the ECJ being the supreme court. And I say that as a person with a Spanish wife and with financial interests overseas

[@gprice1978]

@@hoehlentroll69 not all of us did 😔

[@brianeibisch6025]

There could not be a better owner of this camera. I’m sure we’re all going to see some stunning images as Thomas gets to grips with this amazing piece of photographic technology and all the different films it can take actually being 35mm.

[@MartinFoster-qd9tw]

I had the pleasure of owning and using the X-pan, Which I bought new back in the day. It went all over the world with me, until it fell off a mountain! My saddest day photographically! I'm sure you'll enjoy yours, happy new X-pan!

[@MartinVesiaidNilsson]

For your next trip to Sweden - book in advance! You can often get a discount when you book both the ferry between Denmark and Germany as well as the crossing over the Öresund bridge to Sweden. I suggest maybe a trip to Öland and a visit to Stora Alvaret (the great Alvar). Unique nature and a good excuse to go camping!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Yeah, this did cross my mind, but I wasn't 100% sure of my schedule. Next time 👍

[@CraftThriveTv]

I guessed it would be a Hasselblad , but did not expect an Xpan! I love that you're giving film more of a go as well!

[@IvanRiveraStagea]

Me too! I was fully convinced that it'd be an X2D 100C. :D

[@Jekay]

@@IvanRiveraStagea He did give a MASSIVE hint in the first video it would be a pano camera (~5:43 in the previous video)

[@SuperSuperka]

@@IvanRiveraStagea X2D 100C make no sense

[@IvanRiveraStagea]

@@Jekay Yup, I totally forgot about that hint.

[@IvanRiveraStagea]

@@SuperSuperka Why so? Because he already shoots with a GFX and a Z?

[@EddyTheChump]

I know it's not the same, but you can use 3x6 back masks and a 645 back on the hassleblad 503CXi and CW if you want a mechanical only option for panos. Would make a great comparison video. Thanks Tom for all the great content.

[@JuanbondUT]

I REALLY like the unclose shot of the leaves in the water. I'm thoroughly impressed with what this camera can do, or more specifically, what you can do with this camera.

[@janfrosty3392]

Years ago, I had a X-Pan II with 45 and 90mm lenses, one of the cameras I regret selling. I wish that Fujifilm reintroduce it again similarly like Leica did recently with M6.

[@TheThaiLife]

Would be cool if you show the photos outside of your "color remover, drab look" LUT.

[@paradiseburns2600]

Oooof one of my all time favourite cameras and very high on my wish list. You have impeccable taste as usual. That woodland shot with the valley in the middle is exquisite!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Thanks a lot. I liked that scene a lot and went back to shoot it on the 501cm. Next week's vid 👍

[@connor56347]

Absolute dream camera! That gentleman was so kind to give you such an amazing deal when he easily could have sold it for much more online.

[@JimmyOlsson]

Love this mini series! 📷 Since I'm from southern Sweden, let me guess the locations from the two photo shoots in Sweden. The first two pictures I guess were shot at Odensjön near Röstånga, in the middle of Skåne (Scania County). It's a truly magical lake surrounded by steep hillsides covered with trees. The last shots could be from any forest really, but given the steepness in the last shot I guess it could be shot at Skäralid National Park a few miles away from Odensjön. Anyway, great shots! Looking forward to next episode! 😊

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I'm not great with names, but I don't think you're far off 👍

[@jeremyhendersonphotography]

My guess was Söderåsen - stayed there a coupe of times, a fabulous “Grand Canyon” in southern Sweden!!

[@JimmyOlsson]

@@jeremyhendersonphotography You're right! The official english name is Söderåsen National Park. The location is Skäralid.

[@MartinVesiaidNilsson]

I would have guessed Söderåsen as well. You might wanna head east to Stens Huvud . Both the park with the ocean close by and surrounding area of Österlen has great phot potential!

[@jeremyhendersonphotography]

@@MartinVesiaidNilsson next time!

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Those toll bridges are downright robbery. I paid $40 one time to cross the Pennsylvania Turnpike and felt abused. That's the highest toll I've ever paid.

[@BjørjaBear]

It's a real pity that the ferry between Newcastle and Bergen is not going anymore. You would have had some lovely photo opportunities from Bergen to Sweden. The video was, as always, a real delight.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I know. When doing research for the trip, I was gutted to see there was no Norway ferry.

[@RobertClaeson]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto I believe there's a two-night Germany to Gothenburg ferry though. Not quite the same as Bergen, but...

[@glynjones1582]

I sold my xpan ten years ago and have regretted it ever since. Amazing camera to use. Be careful with slide film - the metering is a bit primitive and can be thrown in contrasty scenes. I always used a separate light meter. The results though are amazing

[@alangauld6079]

Certainly easier to use than your monster Fuji pano. Looking forward to the results. PS. I loved the close-up of the leaves, I';d never have considered those in a pano format.

[@wolfganggerlach1868]

Interesting to see you arriving in Sweden. I live near the Denmark bridge and se it from my balcony. I go often to that nationalpark. I can see that you are shooting att "Odensjön" the "Lake of Odin". Its shape is like a circle, an old glacier niche. Congratulation to that Hasselblad Xpan II. I look forward to for more video from that Nationalpark. I like your Calendar very much! I do not understand the answer to my comment below your previous video having your name with dubbel "n". Did you wrote it? Kind regards, Wolfgang

[@gregorsnell]

Did Tom just shout out G.A.S? @DiarmuidODonovan @DarrenJSpoonleyPhotography

[@aaronza7218]

Congratulations Thomas with your newly acquired Hasselblad Xpan II camera. I cannot wait to see it in action in your future photoshoots.

[@EzyYoutube]

Such a cool camera! loved the last shot, perfect autumn colours and amazing composition !

[@JohnDoe00]

You are brushing your tooth way to agressive 😥 be gentle please for your gums and stuff also I LOVE GREAT ADVENTURE/GEAR VIDEO AMAZING VIDEO

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Haha. Duly noted 👍👍👍

[@AndyBanner]

Trigger happy there, Tom. That's quite a smile you're wearing, despite the stinging cost of a bridge, a ferry, fuel and another Hassleblad! Pleased you got your film processed. Looking forward to seeing the other shots and good to see Harvey the motorhome appearing on another channel! :-)

[@haenzelv6287]

Back on track Thomas!! This is why I chose to follow your photo outings...Great first images from an amazing camera!

[@jameshood3457]

Honestly, I think that road trips are rarely unnecessary. Me and my wife always feel most at home when we are in the car together taking a long and possibly sub-“optimal” route to some new coastal town or walking route. Glad you enjoyed yourself mate, looking forward to seeing some images from the xpan!

[@maxieq]

Nice to see you in Sweden! It's too late in the year now, but I'd really recommend the far north of Sweden, think Narvik in Norway and then go east. The rugged mountains that then descend down to the coast, going from ragged high altitude ecology down to the endless forests near the coast.

[@mashfy6314]

Things we all care about now, such as pano with this Xpan etc. etc. I don't know, watching someone who gives this much effort on crafting image through film cameras makes me happy.

[@Fotofyndet]

Great to have you on a visit in Sweden! I am not that into landscape photography but I have been a subscriber since you built the Ford camper an and I really enjoy your travel videos.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

That's a long time. Glad you're still enjoying the channel 👍

[@denisesavage2382]

Love the excitement you had Tom. It reminded me of a kid who got that present that mattered them most on their birthday. One they've been hankering for a long time and dreaming about. Have fun with the playing! Looking forward to what images you find and capture with it.

[@capturehadsel]

It was clear to me that it had to be Hasselblad, otherwise why go to Sweden? I rather thought that you would buy a Hasselblad X2D 100C with a video of the Hasselblad factory tour... Have fun with the new camera

[@DHShields]

Tom I always look forward to your videos each week and greatly appreciate your format, personality and dedication to the craft! I never really leave comments but just wanted to say cheers from Scotland and thanks for the continued inspiration 👍 Best, Derek

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Hi Derek, thanks a lot for your comment. It's always nice when people who don't usually write, choose to do so. Much appreciated 👍👍

[@DHShields]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Cheers!

[@MHLandscape]

Love following your journey to Sweden, looks like a great camera, look forward to seeing more from it.

[@johnbowyer6902]

I was wondering, Thomas, if you could give us a little tutorial on film processing / developing and printing the images. Thankyou.

[@leeanderson6215]

I had both a 501cm with 55, 80, 150, & 250 with 4 backs Polaroid back, 45 metered prism as well as the hasselblad xpan with 45 & 90 the center spot filter and I sold them both. It is one of the greatest regrets for sure. 😢

[@MartinHJ]

I don`t photograph anymore, gone over to just filming. But I keep watching your videos for the adventure and the good vibes of your channel and videos. Always enjoyable to watch your travels and hiking in different places for the search of good shots. Love the nerdiness and passion of it all. Keep doing your thing Thomas, great stuff :)

[@jeremiahmunavu3089]

I called it 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@macronencer]

You say there was no good reason for taking a road trip to collect the camera... yet I found myself disagreeing. This sort of "because I can" project is exactly the sort of thing I might do myself because life and memories are made of these little adventures! I think it was a great idea :)

[@MartinKaller]

Great to see that you're in Söderåsen Nationalpark! I was hoping you would end up shooting there, absolutely beautiful. I usually try to go down when the colors are peak but got stuck with exams, I surely hope we get to see more of it in the next video! The incredible steep terrain together with the beechwood creates a lot of opportunities for great composition, really beautiful landscapes.

[@TheDavveponken]

I recognized it instantly. Fun to see such a familiar setting!

[@lucashertweck8731]

Man, I've had my XPAN for about 1,5 years now and I totally understand your excitement. And I can assure you that the feeling still holds up. You start seeing the world in panoramic images every time you hold this camera in your hands. It feels nice, it's a beauty to look at and the lenses, while they are not the fastest, are so freakin' sharp that it blows my mind every time. One thing I recommend doing is shooting vertical panos every now and then in certain situations. They make for some nice prints!

[@tiggi3010]

Please call it Baby Bertha

[@tompaste387]

I hate you, Thomas Heaton. I have owned TWO Hasselblad XPans in my time and have sold them. I REGRET THAT EVERY DAY SINCE. Painful memories Thomas 😁 ENJOY

[@clansman66]

Had a look on eBay, you weren’t kidding on price, it is a stunning camera, really look forward to seeing what results you get with it, loved the past two vlogs.

[@AvanteAvenue]

This two part series was a lot fun! Thanks for taking us along for the ride! Great camera! Great pics!🙂❤️👍

[@robmcd]

I would 100% continue to Finland Estonia Latvia Lithuania Poland Czechia Slovakia Austria Switzerland France Belgium to Zeebrhgge and back to the realm

[@jimrookphotos]

Yes, Thomas. Over the past couple of years your symptoms have steadily progressed. Don't know if recovery is possible. Yes, your disease of GAS may be incurable. But take heart and do what must be done.... Enjoy.

[@davecarhart9618]

love your videos and I've been lusting over the xpan for a while now, but my wallet strongly disagrees with the decision. I've just ordered a 135 adapter kit off eBay my Pentax 67. This is supposed to give me about 20 exposure (from a 36 exp roll of 135) with each image 24 x 66mm. I'm hoping the kit with my 45mm lens will achieve similar results.

[@christianlainesse4281]

I've always regretted *NOT* buying an Xpan when they first came out (oops edited)

[@roybixby6135]

The XPan has always been an interesting camera. It would be a relief not to have to stitch pano images...🦘

[@ducgerard2361]

A crazy trip but the project was not Stupid! You have discovered europe And you have taken nice photos. I Would like to know how much did You pay for the gear. Last question Did you get the x pan 1 or 2?....

[@duncanwallace7760]

I remember when you borrowed one years ago and you got some great shots. If ever got back into film that would be the camera for me, because it provides a format that digital just doesn't have, especially for scenes with movement like waves, where stitching is problematic.

[@johnnyhardin3708]

Probably wasn't paying enough attention but discovered eleven minutes in it's a 35mm film camera ha... Extachrome was one of my favourites back in the day (usually with a warm-up filter) Very professional presentation

[@GarrettLucasWV]

I envy your ability to casually drive across beautiful, historic Europe at your leisure. I'd love to visit there sometime for an extended period. Even then, I'm sure I wouldn't see everything that should be seen.

[@dirkdiggler8973]

Next trip to Sweden/Norway/Finland. Theres a package-price with two ferries. From Puttgarten - Rodby and Helsingor - Helsingborg for like 140 Euro open ticket. check it next time and avoid the bridges. Another way is to get the "Brobizz", with this u can travel the nordic countries with a large discount and the bridges is included.

[@MichaelCortese1]

Unbelievable images with it. Now you're triggering my GAS!! I'll buy it from you for $20 more than what you paid haha

[@MiltonGeorges]

That panoramic photo of the leaves in water was incredible! Very inspiring - thanks for a fun video. I ordered a book to help with your ferry and border crossing costs in the future! haha

[@jllanesphoto]

Tom, take a look at 6X17. Your friend Nick Carver has at least one LOL. Enjoy your Xpan. That is a fine camera. Can not go wrong with a Hassy! Stay safe.

[@aliskandari]

What happened to your Fuji panoramic camera? Anyway, if GAS can boost your enthusiasm, there's no harm in it whatsoever, if kept under a slight control

[@millymucci]

good fun.both these sweden videos. (did a TH YT catch-up marathon last night on my telly, here! thank you for the wonderfully enjoyable content🙏🏼)

[@thebitterfig9903]

It irks me to no end that Fuji (who collaborated in the building of the XPan) don't have the 65:24 TX-1 crop on their APS-C cameras. That'd be delightful. Sure, it's not hard to crop in post, but it's not as easy to compose. Getting that aspect ratio as black bars on the EVF would make the experience a lot nicer. However, I've recently been experimenting on my new X-Pro3. If I stick my TTArtisan 17mm lens on there, but tell it that I've put a 26mm lens, and then tell it to shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, the frame lines in the OVF are very close to where they ought to be for the 65:24 crop, and the full width of the OVF is pretty close to the field of view of the lens. Makes composition a lot easier. Not as much as proper XPan aspect ratio in-camera would be, but better than nothing. I still really want the crop in-camera, though. Again, Fuji helped build these. Honor that legacy on the FX line as well as GFX.

[@nicokremers7150]

There is an easy solution. Panasonic s1 or s5 have the XPAN aspect ratio as an option.

[@thebitterfig9903]

@@nicokremers7150 I'm too invested in other systems to switch, alas. I just feel really passionately that far more cameras should offer more in-camera crops. Like, is even a custom aspect ratio impossible? Swap between 67 or 617 at will, or maybe 16:10, which shows up some places, not just 16:9. I know some folks like 5:4. There's so many options, and it seems like it should be trivial for the camera, but yet...

[@nicokremers7150]

@@thebitterfig9903 I understand. I have used a Sony A7 with some cardboard.😉

[@TimberGeek]

My current GAS fixation is on a Kase system similar to yours (although I haven't completely ruled out the Wine Country system) and a proper set of legs that will get my heaviest camera & lens up to eye level and above. And don't get me started on film. I'm an old Mamiya guy so beyond something like the X-Pan there's a must acquire compulsion for an RB67 and a two body small press kit (Super 23 & Universal) with 5+ lenses and at least a half dozen backs including the polaroid back for the Universal and ground glass/sheet film setup for the Super23.

[@rishabsahni1761]

your videos are wholesome Tom. can even watch you driving around Europe (and complaining haha) all day :) good luck with the xPan!

[@saintpreferred9223]

Gen Z music. Please....Expensive to travel there because all the politicians want to make you pay for their Ukraine support.

[@historicalnuggetsyt]

Just watched how billionaires spend their Money Now everything is looking cheap 😊😊

[@angelksaxena]

Thomas, I tried buying the calendar in India. I think it isn't possible to get it here. Can you do something?

[@batworker]

I’m sure I’m not the only fan of scando crime thinking … “you didn’t actually photograph The Bridge?”

[@absolute1020]

I'm sorry to say that I would buy the fujifilm version instead of hasselblad version because they are the same thing built by fujifilm, if anything goes wrong, you have slight chance fujifilm will repair your camera, but no factory will repair the hasselblad version, both camera are old with electronic shutter. I don't have confident how long it would last, I wouldn't buy it for its price.

[@jliparis2989]

Yay!!! for Thomas. Driving many miles to buy a camera that requires chemical processing of film. Thomas doesn't give a hoot about the environment he purports to care about So sad for Thomas.

[@bardofhighrenown]

Love the way that Ektachrome reproduces colors. Feels like it's very saturated at the lower frequencies and mutes the higher frequency light. Also how does it compare to your pano Fuji that you had/have?

[@mickeyjmoons]

Your GAS would have been out of control in the 80s, not only were the camera manufacturers in overdrive but the darkroom equipment catalogues were like an Aladins cave. I miss the days of film and wet processing and the knowledge that the craft required, nowadays anyone with the price of a decent camera calls themselves a photographer and hangs out a shingle.

[@Fessoid]

Thomas, where your Fujifilm panocamera and why you preffer Hasseblad over it?

[@DaveBowman]

Sold my mint XP2 and complete lens kit a few years ago. They are indeed silly money for what they are, which is why I cashed in at the time. Couldn’t justify holding on to a non - mechanical camera that would undoubtedly fail to electronics eventually and then just end up an expensive paperweight. T’was a fun camera to use for the years that I had it though.

[@ericpmoss]

I wish I had waited for the XPan II to fix some of the glitches - not show stoppers but still…. Maybe I should sell and save up for the XD2.

[@GR8SALAD]

Dude offers to sell it for what he paid several years ago when they were cheaper to ease the cost, buyer spends a ton of money roadtripping over there to get it. I'd be hella mad if making videos about journeys like this wasn't your job XD

[@pioni2]

Paint chipping... My Xpan has no paint left; it's now beautiful champagne titanium colour. :)

[@plutoearth5964]

First

[@NickPetrides]

They are very expensive, I sold my 1st edition a couple months ago and put it on ebay for a stupid amount of just over £4.5K and to my shock someone bought it 😂

[@Yannick_84]

hey thomas, next time you are in hamburg, you better stop in pinneberg schleswig-holstein for some propper landscape photography! ;)

[@tonygaskins565]

My X pan was stolen from my car back in the late 1990s and I couldn't replace it, I still miss using it. I hope you have a s much pleasure using your x apn as I did mine.

[@nevilleholmes1324]

You do know that it isn't Swedish, made by Fuji! Japan by camper, that would be a field trip?

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Landscapes are all well and good, but I think you're legally required to shoot at least one service station at night per roll of CineStill 800T.

[@ianashton1593]

Had the Fuji version which I bought used from a dealer in Japan, kept it for a couple of years and sold it which I still bitterly regret 😢

[@melshearer3289]

I just received my Calendar and I hope the money I sent you for the calendar will help you Pay for the Hasselblad, enjoy and have a great time…..

[@nsg6225]

Taking a ferry anywhere from the UK is so expensive! I wanted to take my children to Ireland but the ferry was more than airplane tickets, just not worth it.

[@jonathantee1880]

Enjoy, I still have my Xpan bought new in 2000, very special camera.

[@johntazbaz1121]

OK, Thomas, please let me know if you ever plan to sell it. If you do I’d like the right of first refusal and hopefully you’d sell it at your purchase price. 😄

[@7829mk]

I would have suggested a ground level composition of the half broken pier with the comment that eye level can be borning. Again just a suggestion with all due respect.

[@aerial88]

My DREAM camera.. Probably nerver going to experience it..

[@wobblycoastalfish1726]

You left through the port of tyne, 5 minutes from where I live. Very cool adventure and of course, a brilliant camera!

[@npdarcy123]

What do you think of vertical panorama as a concept? I've used this on my phone camera for castle interiors and this produces quite a look, although there's a risk of some distortion around the middle if the image. This could be seen as a feature rather than an issue.

[@alfredmullner5495]

So, where is the digital Xpan, Hasselblad??🤔 Would love to get one...😉

[@daconpictures]

Good luck and enjoy. Hope the new camera will not be a HUSSLE paid in BLOOD...:)

[@DavidMeggers]

Far too self critical Thomas, any one of the photos you showed in this video would make me very happy to have taken. I really like the b&w jetty photo 🙂

[@samrelob]

Another great video as usual, Tom. However I cannot believe you missed the opportunity to use 'it will all *pan* out' at 7:04 🤣

[@chriskoran836]

That shot of the fallen leaves with water droplets was my favorite. Thanks for taking us along with your excitement!

[@T-Prime848]

Would it be possible to try a cheap Agfa 400 Black and white film with this camera …

[@c.augustin]

So you've spent the money saved on the purchase of the Xpan II for your trip to collect it (and get the opportunity to do some video and shooting) - sounds like a perfekt deal … 😁

[@MrMadwyn]

The import tax and VAT will cover the trip well, x-pan costed a fortune even 6 years ago.

[@stevenmccaughan2752]

The lens will work on medium format cameras bought it when it first went on sale did you get the lens filter to correct the vignette I wish Kodak would bring back Kodachrome

[@RogerKeith74]

Today, 11 15 22, I received your 2023 calendar. I love it!! Thank you so very much!!