Any Widelux shooters at RFF?

Keith · 07-11-2012

I noticed a few weeks ago there was a Widelux for sale in the classifieds and not being familiar with the camera ... aside from being aware that Jeff Bridges uses one ... I googled.

What an intriguing camera and very impressive images IMO ... Jeff Bridges work is really good and I find it interesting that he would choose to use something like the Widelux in preference to an X-Pan ... which he could obviously afford if he was inclined in that direction.

Who uses one or has in the past and what did you think of it? I understand they suffer from banding when in need of service and exposure and focusing options are rather limited.

Michiel Fokkema · 07-11-2012

I have a Noblex. Does the same thing but no banding.

mfogiel · 07-11-2012

A nice camera. I have an F7, which would need some maintenance, but as long as there is no banding, I keep on shooting.
The lens is quite sharp ( it only needs to cover a 24mm circle, so it is like a Pen lens), in my version the contrast is on the low side, and there is some flare, but images in B&W are very nice.
This is not a conventional tool. The range of exposures goes from f 2.8 1/15th:

W20110510 by mfogiel, on Flickr
To f 16 1/250:

W20110411 by mfogiel, on Flickr
I normally load it with Tri X @500 EI, and shoot quite easily in most situations. The lens is focused on 3m, so by f8.0 you geet the infinity sharp as well.
It takes practice to learn how to use it, but the images are fun:

W20110409 by mfogiel, on Flickr

W20120215 by mfogiel, on Flickr

W20110421 by mfogiel, on Flickr

If you want a better lens version and no banding issues, get the F8 model, but it will probably cost twice as much.

Keith · 07-11-2012

Thanks Marek,

I love those photos you've posted ... the look is special and very different to an X-pan.

I just watched an F7 go for $600.00 on eBay and there is a F8 listed for around $1000.00 and what you have just shown me hasn't helped the cause ... depending which way you look it I guess!

Do you have the filter kit with yours?

Riccis · 07-11-2012

I have the FVI model and love it!!!

Riccis · 07-11-2012

Search for Widelux in my blog and you will see more.

Cheers!

Keith · 07-11-2012

Thanks Riccis ... love those shots also!

I was looking at the Widelux serial no registry to identify your model (FVI) ... they didn't really make a lot of them generally ... any model!

Riccis · 07-11-2012

I believe the FVI is the oldest model but it works like a charm for me... Adorama has two listed...

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20467259.html

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20490466.html

Cheers,

bobbyrab · 07-11-2012

I have a very well used example but unfortunately it's developed a problem of the gearing slipping occasionally, I need to find someone I trust to repair it as it's sat in my cupboard for a few years now.
In the mean time I picked up a Lomo horizon perfect, it's not quite as sharp but has a much more usable range of shutter speeds and apertures. getting the correct film tension in these cameras is important as every now and again I'll get a small area slightly lift from the film plane so that area goes OOF, actually quite a nice effect in a strange way, but it will only be one or two frames per roll, so I can live with that. Nothing quite like a swing lens. Oh and keep your fingers out of shot.

Widelux

Robert-bw2 by
fatbobbyrab, on Flickr

Widelux

126 by fatbobbyrab, on Flickr

Horizon with OOF area

pan2 by fatbobbyrab, on Flickr

pagpow · 07-11-2012

[quote=bobbyrab;1922780]I have a very well used example but unfortunately it's developed a problem of the gearing slipping occasionally, I need to find someone I trust to repair it as it's sat in my cupboard for a few years now.

Robert, Bob Watkins seems to be the man for Widelux repairs -- I ain't no relation.

Giorgio

Bob Watkins
Precision Camera Works
ARCA-SWISS Authorized Service
7064 W. Main Street
Niles, IL 60714
www.precisioncameraworks.com
Tel:847/470-3350
Fax:847/470-3351
bobpcw@comcast.net

pagpow · 07-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Who uses one or has in the past and what did you think of it? I understand they suffer from banding when in need of service and exposure and focusing options are rather limited.

Hi Keith,

XPan and Widelux make for very different captures.

There are comparisons of the features of the Widelux, Noblex, and Horizon 202 on the web.

Some people prefer the Widelux over the Noblex for street shooting because there is a much shorter shutter lag, since the Noblex was designed to take the picture after the lens had come to speed to avoid variations. Others prefer it because it is smaller. The gearing on the F8 is said to have been changed, reducing the likelihood of banding, tho I saw one for sale on eBay where the seller indicated he had had to have his F8 serviced for banding. Bob Watkins indicates he has no F* gears left but that F7 are about as good and can be put in the earlier bodies.

All the above is hearsay -- ie I have not played w either F7 or F8, only FVI.

Filters seem to add quite a bit to the price when you can find a camera cum filters.

Giorgio

MikeL · 07-11-2012

I had one with banding problems and slipping. I returned it, but I'll get another when one comes along. It makes you think different, which can be fun.

Giants vs. Phillies, playoffs, 2010

Pier 24

Keith · 07-11-2012

I'm being completely sucked in by the photos being posted in this thread.

Mike L ... that second shot is superb!

maddoc · 07-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I'm being completely sucked in by the photos being posted in this thread.

Mike L ... that second shot is superb!

My thoughts exactly.

twopointeight · 07-11-2012

I was selling the Widelux that was listed on RFF for friend in Portland. It almost sold to someone in Singapore but then the prospective buyer had a change of mind. So it's still available.

mfogiel · 07-11-2012

Keith, I have a set of filters.
The filters are useful, but not indispensable, and when you insert them, you sort of have to handle the camera in a steady way, else you can lose them... This is not really a landscape camera, so in the end you will not use them all that often.

MikeL · 07-11-2012

Thanks Keith and Gabor.

Keith, anyone around you have one that you can try one out for a couple days?

My take- they are great to use when you feel like capturing stuff in panorama, and there's action going on. For more still stuff, it may be less hassle to get a wide-angle digital point and shoot, bang out 5-6 photos, and stitch things together.

Crazy Crab (modern) in Giants WS parade.

twopointeight · 07-12-2012

The owner of the Widelux recently offered will repost it in the classified next Monday. I personally agree that its a great people/event type camera. With landscapes I find the distortion distracting. Again, go to Jeff Bridges website to see some of the best Widelux work.

michaelbialecki · 07-12-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

Pier 24

Hey Mike, is that where we are going when I am in town at the end of August? I hope so.....

cheers, michael

MikeL · 07-12-2012

Hi Michael, that's the place. I'm going to rally the troops soon for the Pier 24 visit. We can reserve 30 days in advance, and it fills up fast (only 20 spots for the 2 hour windows). Vesuvio's before or after or both. See you soon!

didjiman · 07-12-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

Hi Michael, that's the place. I'm going to rally the troops soon for the Pier 24 visit. We can reserve 30 days in advance, and it fills up fast (only 20 spots for the 2 hour windows). Vesuvio's before or after or both. See you soon!

Pier 24? San Francisco? If so, please PM, I may be interested in going with a group, depending on the timing too.

Thanks

kdemas · 07-12-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

Hi Michael, that's the place. I'm going to rally the troops soon for the Pier 24 visit. We can reserve 30 days in advance, and it fills up fast (only 20 spots for the 2 hour windows). Vesuvio's before or after or both. See you soon!

I'll be happy to invite myself along

michaelbialecki · 07-12-2012

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, so sorry.....but yeah, come one, come all....would like to meet some other rff members.....I'll be free any day from Wednesday, August 29th to Monday, September 3rd.....

cheers, michael.......

BTW, I would love to use a Widelux camera, these images above look awesome

I am down to go to Vesuvio's anytime, I love that bar.......

maddoc · 07-12-2012

I want to go to Vesuvio`s! What is a Widelux ?

MikeL · 07-12-2012

Keith, sorry I temporarily derailed the thread.

Bay area folks, I've started a thread here- Pier 24 visit

Mods, if you want to delete the Bay Area posts, I think everyone would be cool with it. Or they can be real or fake mad at me, and I'll buy them a beer when I see them.

Gabor, Vesuvios isn't as cool as the Oden joint in Shinjuku, but the beer is good and the bathrooms are a little bigger.

Back to Widelux images and thoughts!