Introduction
Panoramic analogue photography requires the photographer to look at the world in an entirely different way. After years of experimenting with photography and shooting many different ratios, the panoramic format is still the most challenging ratio to shoot. The width allows for a lot of empty space that needs to contribute to the story than in any other format. Especially when taking photos of subjects that are more vertically oriented like portraits, my favourite, the space is not as easily filled as with landscapes. Early on in my experience with photography I became fascinated with the ratio. I started like most, taking photos of everything that I could take a photo off. Over time it evolved into a fascination for panoramic landscapes, and fuelled my dream to only shoot panoramas. When I stumbled upon the Hasselblad Xpan or also know as the Fujifilm TX-1, I fell in love and knew one day I needed to have it. Which one day became reality. In this blog post I will share my journey, creative discoveries, and challenges of shooting with either of the two cameras.
A New Perspective: Exploring the World of Panoramic Photography
Depending on your preference of digital camera brand, you will either shoot in one of the following ratios 3:2, 4:3 or 5:4. Once we look at analogue cameras, the ratios become a bit more creative, as many analogue brands offered different ratios over time. The market was more mature than our current digital market is and allowed more differentiation between different brands. The panorama format, especially the 65:24 format offered by the Hasselblad Xpan or Fujifilm TX-1 is one of a kind. The amount of space to fill (or not) in such a panorama requires a mindset shift. This way of looking at scenes, requires a lot of training. However, when you know a little bit about the history of the camera it will give some guidance. The cameras were developed to allow cinematographers to shoot “cheaply” before they would actually shoot rolls of film for a scene. Additionally, some of the worlds greatest story tellers are cinematographers, therefore this camera and its format appeals to storytellers of all kind. If used as the greats one day might have used it the images of a Hasselblad Xpan will immerse you into a scene.
Hasselblad is known for its medium format size and therefore quality. This camera is the only Hasselblad film camera that doesn’t shoot medium format film. It shoots 35mm film, but almost twice its width. It basically combines two 35mm frames in width into one. Making it every shot very high quality, with a touch of 35mm. The benefit of the camera using this film format is that’ll not be running out of any film any time soon and cheaper than its medium format counter parts.
My First Encounter with the Hasselblad XPan
I was reading an article on a film website, can’t recall which one it was, and it mentioned the Hasselblad Xpan and immediately I was overwhelmed with the feeling that this was my camera. I started hunting and noticed it was hard to find, besides that I was introduced to the steep price. Completely demotivated by the steep price, I sporadically kept scouring for the camera. Until one day I bumped into it on a Dutch website for half the price. Too good to be true, I took the gamble and traveled to the store and 3 hours later it was mine.
Superb build quality, simple design and good weight. The Hasselblad Xpan has a range finder, 3 interchangeable lenses and electronic build in light meter simple. The lenses are of an amazing build quality as well.
Quickly went out to shoot the first roll of film. Choose a simple black and white Ilford roll of film to get used to the ratio without needing to overthink the shots too much. I felt goosebumps, could hardly control my excitement and could barely take my eye of it. As picky I was, I still took a full day to finish the roll. At the end of the day, I can say I addicted. In one way one could say the opportunity this camera gave me to look at the world in a different way was astounding, in another way one could view it as a restriction. Personally, I would call it a restriction, but a restriction I desired to have in my life.
Mastering the Art of Panoramic Shots
Before I started using this camera, I customised my Canon 5D mark 2 to be able to see the ratio in camera. It helped, but it wasn’t the same. The photo would always contain data of the entire sensor. I was able to adjust afterwards. The Hasselblad Xpan or Fujifilm TX-1 forced me to take the right photo from the start. It didn’t allow me to review the photo afterwards. It became a training on another level. I had to frame it right, find the right panoramic composition that leads the eye. I was restricted to only one lens, the Hasselblad 45mm f4 lens, a beauty, but on a full frame digital camera in width that equals to 25mm width lens, whilst being restricted to a 45mm lens in height. Does this confuse you? I hope so, cause still confuses me today. No matter how often I remind myself, in height the lens is very restrictive, whilst in width it gives a lot of freedom.
When I bought the Hasselblad Xpan, I knew I didn’t buy it to photograph landscapes, I bought it for people. I just didn’t know how yet. Every photo I took was in some way, an experiment. I was looking for images that would look like they just came out of a movie. Get close, use depth and know where the light is coming from.
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Why the Hasselblad Xpan
The Hasselblad or the Fujifim serve me in many ways. However, there is one important differentiator. That makes it different from any other camera. I can name the creative freedom it gives, how it aligns with my style, etc, but in the end the key differentiators are something the camera provides over any other camera I have tried. Those are:
The 65/24 ratio
Film camera
3 lenses
Build like an every day camera
These differentiators can be regarded as limitations. The good kind of limitations. I thrive with limitations, with digital cameras, I want it all and in the end I have nothing. With this one I have just a few options and I need to make them work. I WILL make them work. I will look for different angles, different ways to portray a subject. It creates a spark within me.
The Hasselblad Xpan Limitations
The Fujifilm TX-1 and Hasselblad Xpan, have limitations that can be interpreted as creative limitations. However, it also has limitations that often annoy me. This might be because I am a slow photographer or because of it being a film camera, it does not matter, but be aware of these limitations if you ever consider buying one:
A 36 frames roll of film of any kind will only give you 20 shots (or 21 if your lucky, which I have been once or twice)
The fastest lens is slow. An f4 lens ain't fast if you like darker situations to take photos in.
The camera is expensive
Taking photos is expensive (this is inherently true for any film camera, but due to the double width, it is extra true)
Its a range finder
There are only 3 lenses, of which 1 is unaffordable
Its electronic
Not every film lab knows how to deal with double width negative
The struggle of finding how the subject fit the frame
If you can deal with these limitations for either the Hasselblad Xpan or Fujifilm TX-1 then this is the camera for you.
Embracing the Panoramic Vision: A Journey Worth Taking
Despite the challenges and costs, I keep returning for photography to the Hasselblad Xpan for its unique panoramic format. There were times, I was about to sell the camera, but in hindsight I am happy I didn’t. The camera makes me appreciate photography more, it deepens my desire to create art. The Hasselblad Xpan is my dream camera when I want to create art. Every shot I take matters with this camera, not because of the price, mostly because of its limitations I put in more effort to make sure it is worth the shot. The joy is gives me after I get all the photos back. The different format always surprises me, it renews my view on the world and makes me wonder what else I can do. Analogue photography with the Hasselblad Xpan is not different from any other analogue camera, but this one makes it extra special to me.
Lessons Learned and Future Endeavors
There are many pros and cons that I might need to break down in another post. Before I do, I will name a few key takeaways from my experience with the Hasselblad Xpan and Fujifilm TX-1:
Its the most difficult camera I have ever worked with and if you are up for the challenge its is definitely worth your time and energy. It sure has proven its worth to me.
A range finder camera requires a lot of practise, but if you want to get up real close, it might not be the right camera for you.
Go out and explore and photograph things with this camera that normally might not be your fav shot, because there is nothing like being surprised by a great photograph after you have developed it.
A cameras worth is determined by the (potential) owner, this is pure speculative, but there is nothing like have a piece of kit that constantly challenges you creatively. Even when the Hasselblad Xpan allows me to shoot in my fav format, its format is also very limiting. Therefore it might not be your every day camera and you might only use it in specific circumstances, but used in the right circumstances its worth all the trouble. With that I think I answered the most important question: Is the Hasselblad Xpan worth your time and money?