The Hasselblad Xpan vs. Horizon / Widelux... which panoramic film camera is better? It depends!

[@solidground4157]

Came for the cameras, stayed for the photos, subscribed for the ending!

[@Relatosdelanoche]

At this point, the Xpan is absolutely overhyped. Great camera, but the price is crazy. The photography work of Jeff Bridges with the widelux is the reason I choose that camera over the Hasselblad, and I'm very happy with that choice.

[@PatrickStromme]

For exposure on the Horizon, I meant to say it is determined by the *shutter speed* not the aperture!
My bad, y'all! You know what I meant!

[@_analog_photo]

Xpan photos looks classic, Horizon more dramatic. It is not just about lens quality, but also how to use camera - when you know what it does. With Horizon you get closer, and you get more unique look. Not for everyday use, but definitely your results form Horizon wins.

[@PatrickStromme]

Great way of saying it. Classic vs dramatic. And 100% agree. It’s totally about the photographer and how they use the tool.

[@PatrickStromme]

Glad you like my Horizon shots!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

First to the Horizon camera
It's cheap because it's an entry level swinging lens camera, the high end with focusing, aperture settings and many speed settings with a sturdy construction is the Noblex that's much more expensive than the plastic Horizon. The Rolls Royce for this kind a camera is the Swiss Roundshot.
With the Horizon you can have a strait horizon line, but you have to place it level and exactly in the middle of the frame (like what you have to do with a current fisheye lens).
The biggest caveat of a swing lens cameras is the "rolling shutter" effect you have with moving subject, with heavy unpredictable distorsions. They can be used creatively, but its a niche use for a camera.
The swinging lens geometrical effect is not unique, it's the same as what you get with multiple shots on a panoramic tripod head, with stitched scans.
The X-Pan or Fuji TX
It's a unique camera because it can mix panoramic and normal frames on the same film, as you want it. When travelling the X-Pan as an only camera with the 3 lenses in little bag does all you want. When a subject does not fit nice in a panoramic frame, you switch without delay to normal, without loosing film.
You also can freeze movement, what a swinging lens cannot.
Last but not least, it produces a natural orthoscopic image, not a cylindrical projection like the swinging lens.
Horizon and X-Pan are basically so different with totally different uses that imo they can be used by the same photographer depending on what he want to do.

[@elliotthogg1934]

Loved all the images from the horizon, especially the ones at the fair. Very nice!

[@TheTraxlerb]

Thank you! I really loved this video. My favorite camera is my Horizon Perfekt and I have been looking for videos on others that are using this camera.

[@ItsThreezy]

I really enjoyed this video. I agree in that I like swing lens camera results much more. Your results from the swing lens camera were great! Especially the carnival ones. O and the first shot you showed from the Hasselblad. All around great work. You seem very comfortable in front of the camera and I thought the ending was quite funny. When I record a video a majority of the footage is the mumbles of frustration. Fun you kept it in. Definitely a sub from me

[@PatrickStromme]

Awe man. Thanks for the encouragement! This comment definitely made my day. I try but yeah, it’s not always the smoothest sailing when making videos like this! Glad I come across as comfortable and glad you liked the shots.
For me, as with most cameras, panoramic or not, getting a little closer to the subject always makes it more interesting!

[@MarcoAries]

Nice video, but the ending is gold! 😂

[@PatrickStromme]

Lollllll I mean, that’s pretty much the reality of making my videos. It doesn’t always come naturally! Haha Glad you stuck it till the end!

[@Narsuitus]

I think I would rather shoot panoramic images on 35mm film in my RB67 instead of in the Horizon/Widelux or the Hasselblad Xpan panoramic cameras.

[@andornot4988]

They are different also in the shooting angle: 120° for the horizon and 90° for the hasselblad. I've got a old horizon from the '60, I agree with you, praise for imperfection with the soviet one.

[@matthewdejager9887]

Thank you

[@inkaststudio]

“End it with a fart” 🤣🤣🤣

[@PatrickStromme]

She’s a dork!

[@inkaststudio]

@@PatrickStromme 😅

[@MichaelWellman1955]

I've been doing a lot of research on these cameras because the panoramic format fascinates me. From what I learned the horizon will look normal on the Widelux/Horizon if you keep the camera level. If you don't then you will get some bizarre bending of the horizon. Also, you get 140 degree coverage with the Widelux (Horizon is 120) which is much more than the X-pan. I would love to have an Widelux but the Horizon looks to be a inexpensive compromise, are you still shooting with that?

[@thomasboone1356]

I really like your feelings about the horizon I shoot some with a Kodak panagram and really like the effect as well as the lumber graphic 360 spinner I agree with what your feelings are and I think you're doing some good work enjoy it

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Really good pictures. now I also want to buy a horizon. :( the end is great 😂

[@PatrickStromme]

Hahah, the Horizon is pretty awesome, man.

[@DOPPrashantd]

❤️

[@y34r]

I like my camera when i could venture with it anywhere anyhow without having to worry if it breaks it gonna cost arm and legs. Horizon seems great enough for that! And really great photo, thx for sharing

[@PublicUniverse]

Love the Horizon. Simple, limited function of some models keeps you thinking. Inexpensive and relatively easy to repair

[@sandrag.3855]

Nice video. Love the "outtakes", no perfectly scripted video with awesome light setup and bling bling. Just a normal dude, dealing with normal dude stuff.
And I think after seeing the images from the Xpan (the feel like cropped medium format images) in comparison to the Horizon, I made the right move to get myself a Horizon camera.

[@PatrickStromme]

Haha, I'm a pretty normal dude, for sure. Hopefully thats relatable!

[@NorbiWhitney]

Just saw this posted on FB, and had to come subscribe. Really nice video and unexpectedly informative comparison!

[@PatrickStromme]

Hahah great man. Glad you found it informative!

[@rodrigoagatonnavarrobolado6674]

Thanks for your review! Helped me a lot! :)

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

Very interesting camera.. i wanna try widelux as well for landscape..

[@B3D5X]

That XPan could've helped pay for your child's college someday. They were going for $1500 when I got back into film 6 years ago. They're going for $4k now you said?! Insane.

[@IainHC1]

:-D She nailed it!! :-D Great review & comparison :-) I have a Horizon and love the images it produces :-) ..............Subscribed :-)

[@DavidPMcEntee]

Great vid man :) I subscribed!

[@PatrickStromme]

Thanks, dude!

[@spangancayco]

Do you have to shoot the Horizon on a tripod because of the swing?

[@jeffsutera2439]

Have you ever had issues with the S3 having an overexposed band at the beginning of the frames sometimes?

[@fredlada1634]

The hasselblad xpan is this overpriced, but perfect panoramic camera.
Most people use it like an everyday camera shooting portraits and day to day scenes, of the streets and what not, and these people have no idea what they are doing.
Again, its a panoramic camera, not an everyday every purpose camera, its as specific as a camera can be, much like a big focal length or a zoom lens is to a camera, its not the thing you’re going to use everyday and for every subject, you’re better off with a 50mm for a 35mm camera, a 80 for 120, 90 for LF…
If you know how to use it and with the proper subject matter, you cant be wrong with the xpan. The ability to use the zone focus precisely to create some panorama pictures is such a must have, and mostly the reason why people desire it. It allows for more creativity, blurring that background and creating one of a kind type of images, if not fine art pictures really.
The horizon and its swing lens is imperfect and allows for an easier artistic touch in the pictures, atmospheric indeed, i think the word you used suits it perfectly, but the major bummer is the lack of zone focusing… you can try to get it done using the various apertures, but it lacks precision, requires a lot of experience and study, eventually calculating the distance from the subject, but more often than not its going to be blurry and a fail…
If i could afford the xpan, i would totally go for it, again, the precise zone focusing it has makes it the better out of the two, it has way more creativity range than the horizon, and very precise. But if you think 4 or 7k is too much to create panoramas, indeed, the horizon is better suited, if not the best and most affordable on the market.
If i may, most people who use panoramic cameras dont know what they are doing, they put the subject in the center, they shoot in confined spaces, and overall use it as a day to day camera, and these ways of using a panoramic camera cannot be more wrong i think..
If you take a look at a master of photography using a panoramic camera, you will easily understand what im talking about.
Go check the unprecedented work of Josef Sudek and his use of the legendary now cannot be found kodak panoramic 5. It had a swing lens, it was a medium format panoramic camera, producing 30x10 centimeters negatives, bigger than anything we can find today, and it had zone focusing in the likes of the horizon, so very approximative regarding the focusing, but precise in its mechanism. The negatives even back then had to be cut out of large format paper negative.. It didnt have any proper range finder, even for composing, so careful planning needed to be done, eventually metering the distance for some shots, even though most of his work show all in focus panoramic views but if you’re into panoramas, Sudek is a must study photographer. I cannot think of anyone else who used the panoramic format as best as he did.
With that being all said, there is actually another option, a little bit more expensive than the horizon s3 pro, but much cheaper than an xpan hasselblad, and it is simply a custom panoramic camera body, that allows you to use 120 rolls of film, and a large format lens of your choice.
You can take a look at Malefic 6x17 or 6x12 medium format cameras. Though i never used one of those custom panoramic bodies, I’ve seen the quality of the images, and it is incredible if you want to dedicate yourself to panoramas. It may actually be the best out of all panoramic cameras, including the xpan for the fact that right off the camera you get a very large panoramic negative.
And anyways, great video comparing these two cameras, i recently got myself one of those horizon s3 pro, which i am yet to use but its the best option to go along with other cameras in the backpack !

[@patrickdumont7302]

Life as a creative and a dad, you make me laugh...
Ok interesting considerations between the two cameras and renditions. Different to you I somehow get drawn more towards the Hasselblad picture look as per your illustrations. I think there are several factors for that
(1) in the image proper I perceive the space as better filled somehow by the even (you say boring) sharpness across the field
(2) The horizon warping I admit is kind of endearing in some pictures (the fishing ones especially), but it is an effect, and effect can quickly get boring. Would not like to think I have put myself in the one trick pony situation,
(3) Historically I had considered th Xpan very seriously when it came out so there is a potential unconscious bias on my side, and I really like the rangefinder form factor as you know.
Now spending over GBP 4000.00 for that, not for me. I would rather go for an intrepid and 6x12 back for instance. Form factor cannot be more different I admit. Yeah the Xpan is unique. Oh there is the sprocket rocket too :)

[@PatrickStromme]

hahah oh yea. I have my MFA and mainly focus on drawing and painting, so this whole dad balance thing is tough! Way more time with the fam these days, compared to my artwork. But hey, this little girl is the most important thing in my life and will be for quite a while, if not, forever!

[@PatrickStromme]

Also, maybe thats where I also draw the line. The money. Dont get me wrong, I love the images I took with the Xpan, but the Horizon comes pretty close and 4K really adds a lot to our first (attempted) house downpayment!

[@christos1973]

The X-Pan is not a true panoramic camera, just cropped medium format on 35mm. Nothing beats the Horizon, provided you get one that works.

[@PatrickStromme]

That’s exactly how I’ve felt. It just feels like a cropped image!

[@humbertomorales6559]

I just discovered your chanel and thought you looked familiar. Turns out I've been following you on Instagram for a long time 😂. I've subscribed here too

[@PatrickStromme]

Sweet man! haha, thats funny! Thanks for your support!

[@Taotao515]

nice review

[@renguney]

I dunno anything about cameras but that guy look kinda hot tho

[@Socman86]

Get the spray attachment for your toilet 🚽

[@PatrickStromme]

Already did! Hahahahhaha

[@florianbauer6455]

Hi Patrick, how did you take photos with the Horizon in low light situations? The aperture is not so big, this is difficult. Do you know a possibility to do this without tripod? Did you push the film?

[@parcm]

Well...I happily disagree! I always have problems with images who are warped.
They easily becomes gimmicks. And with the Horizon, it's even inevitable.

[@PatrickStromme]

To each there own! If I see an image that captivates me and later find out its an XPan, I'm totally fine with that! Its not about the gear when the final image draws in the viewer.

[@akyerit]

Hahaha wifeys awesome 👌

[@constastar1660]

48E49

[@constastar1660]

203E204

[@6wop]

❤️