Is a secondhand Xpan camera too expensive? Make your own instead if your DIY is up to the task!
(Image credit: Aaron Cre)
If you're a massive film aficionado, then there is no denying that film panoramic images are a real thing of beauty. If you're a medium format roll-film user then 6x17 images are the best that you can get, but these cameras are far less known or desired than the Hasselblad XPan. The XPan is a 35mm camera that can take 24x65mm film panoramic images in the most stylish camera body that has ever been made in my opinion.
But with time, a lack of parts, and a resurgence in film photography wanting some of the best film cameras come at a real cost! For instance, to get a Hasselblad Xpan in good condition you're looking at spending $5,000 / £4,000, and for a mint condition one you are talking of parting with $7,000 / £6,000 of your hard-earned cash.
But what if you could make a 35mm panoramic camera for a lot less? well, YouTuber Aaron Cré has done just that by putting his DIY skills to the ultimate test by making a fully mechanical and working Hasselblad Xpan equivalent, but not only that, he has even made it bigger than the original Xpan image size.
While the Hasselblad Xpan captures images of 24x65mm this DIY camera can actually shoot 24x72mm, which in turn gives you a similar ratio to 6x17 medium format film, but in the convenience of 35mm film - which I love!
(Image credit: Aaron Cre)
Aaron made this wonderful camera by first dismantling a Kodak M35 resuable film camera for its winding mechanism and some other internal parts to speed up the building process, he then went on to forage the camera body out of wood and use a large format Rodenstock Apo-Grandagon 45mm f/4.5 lens that had a built-in shutter mechanism to be able to capture the images onto the film.
(Image credit: Aaron Cre)
(Image credit: Aaron Cre)
The end result leaves you with stunning 35mm panoramic images captured on a large format lens, with a total overall design that looks fantastic and isn't too far off the size of an actual Hasselblad Xpan, and most importantly leaves you with a lot more money in your pocket!
The original XPan was launched in 1998, and over 16,000 of these cameras were sold. In 2003, an updated XPan II was produced, of which Hasselblad 5,500 produced before the model was discontinued in 2006. Both models were made as a joint venture with Fujifilm, which sold the cameras as the TX-1 and TX-2.
(Image credit: Hasselblad)
Check out our guide to the best film cameras currently available, and the best film you can buy to put in them
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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
