Any Widelux shooters at RFF?

[Keith]

I thought I'd give this thread a bump and mention that I am now a Widelux owner courtesy of the F7 that just surfaced in the classifieds. This thread was very helpful in making my decision to go ahead and grab that very reasonable Widelux that appeared this morning.

I am really, really looking forward to getting the camera. It has a level of quirkiness that really appeals to me and I'm more than impressed with the images posted in this thread.

Thanks all.

[Sparrow]

This may be of interest Keith, Monz has lots of good stuff from both the xpan and widelux ... I'm a bit tempted myself, but scanning and printing would require the purchase of a lot of new gear

[thegman]

Very cool camera, I used to have a Horizon Perfekt, which was surprisingly sharp, and an interesting, affordable camera.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

This may be of interest Keith, Monz has lots of good stuff from both the xpan and widelux ... I'm a bit tempted myself, but scanning and printing would require the purchase of a lot of new gear

Thanks Stewart ... some great images there.

I realised as soon as I saw the images form the swing lens camera I prefered them to the X-Pan ... not sure why though!

Not to mention I find X-Pan prices a little scary!

[Sparrow]

... yep, I'm also a rectilinear type of chap

[ricnak]

I am glad someone bought that F7 this morning. I was so tempted. I love the distortion of the widelux. Looking forward to seeing your panoramas.

[Texsport]

Congratulations on the acquisition of the F7. You'll enjoy having it in the arsenal.

I often use the Widelux and XPan as a "walkin' around" team, as each has distinct strengths.

I also use the team to find and record sites with potential for more formally planned, higher quality, tripod mounted sessions with my Noblex, Linhof 617 or Fujica 690s.

Never had a banding problem with my F7, but I do "exercise" it before use.

Texsport

[rodt16s]

Last night it looked like someone in the Olympic crowd using a widelux type camera during one of the laps of honour..

Capture.JPG

[Colin Corneau]

I had an exhibition of my images from an F7 - wonderfully sharp lens, I made enlargements to 20 inches wide with no problem.

http://www.colincorneau.com/?gallery=exhibition

(skip past the first frame, it's an introduction that isn't working)

Maybe it's my sense of humour, but I like having only 3 shutter speeds to work with - less is more.
It's a great camera for street photography, since you can shoot very unobtrusively and it doesn't really look like what most people think a camera is.

[Texsport]

Wonderful!

Thanks for sharing.

Texsport

[Colin Corneau]

[quote=Sparrow;1934611][url=... ... I'm a bit tempted myself, but scanning and printing would require the purchase of a lot of new gear[/QUOTE]

Not necessarily. For scanning, my Epson film holders are 'open' so whether I scan regular format or wider, it's no difference.

For wet printing, which I prefer, I simply purchased an extra negative holder, marked off the wider measurements of the Widelux format and used a laser torch to cut it out...I sanded it smooth and had a custom neg holder for less than $20 (and a little bit of elbow grease)

[Keith]

Woo hoo ... took the Widelux out for it's first outing today!

The camera only got here yesterday ... a month from the US to here! What is wrong with the mail system ... it seems to happen to me constantly?

As luck would have it the skies were blazingly bright today and at minimum aperture and maximum shutter speed 100 film was right on the limit of correct exposure.

I have the negs hanging to dry and they look interesting ... possibly a few are over exposed ... it's hard to tell until I scan them.

Keeping your hands and fingers away from the front of the camera is tricky I have to say ... and it took a conscious effort to remember to do so while shooting. The viewfinder seems reasonably accurate combined with the arrows that indicate the field of view on top of the camera. I was impressed how easy it was to load!

[ricnak]

Originally Posted by Colin Corneau

I had an exhibition of my images from an F7 - wonderfully sharp lens, I made enlargements to 20 inches wide with no problem.

http://www.colincorneau.com/?gallery=exhibition

(skip past the first frame, it's an introduction that isn't working)

Maybe it's my sense of humour, but I like having only 3 shutter speeds to work with - less is more.
It's a great camera for street photography, since you can shoot very unobtrusively and it doesn't really look like what most people think a camera is.

WONDERFUL photos you have there Colin. Now I REALLY want an F7.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by ricnak

WONDERFUL photos you have there Colin. Now I REALLY want an F7.

They are great pics and an inspiration Helen ... get that Widelux!

It's true what he says about the camera ... having three shutter speeds and apertures from f2.8 to f11 along with fixed focus at eleven feet is actually quite liberating. You stop worrying about the photos you can't take and concentrate on the ones you can.

[ellisson]

I find using the Widelux a really fun experience! Its perspective is unique, and the lens is excellent. Even the distortions can be interesting and actually add to the image. Just plain fun to use!! Happy shooting, Keith!

[mfogiel]

Great photos Colin !

[ricnak]

Originally Posted by Keith

They are great pics and an inspiration Helen ... get that Widelux!

It's true what he says about the camera ... having three shutter speeds and apertures from f2.8 to f11 along with fixed focus at eleven feet is actually quite liberating. You stop worrying about the photos you can't take and concentrate on the ones you can.

Keith.

It is very tempting but I don't think I would be able to use that one around the family without them noticing yet another new toy. I am sticking with black rangefinder bodies because they look sort of similar and I am getting away with more than one.
Just have to make sure that no one finds my stash!

Cheers

h.

[Monz]

Originally Posted by Keith

Woo hoo ... took the Widelux out for it's first outing today!

The camera only got here yesterday ... a month from the US to here! What is wrong with the mail system ... it seems to happen to me constantly?

As luck would have it the skies were blazingly bright today and at minimum aperture and maximum shutter speed 100 film was right on the limit of correct exposure.

I have the negs hanging to dry and they look interesting ... possibly a few are over exposed ... it's hard to tell until I scan them.

Keeping your hands and fingers away from the front of the camera is tricky I have to say ... and it took a conscious effort to remember to do so while shooting. The viewfinder seems reasonably accurate combined with the arrows that indicate the field of view on top of the camera. I was impressed how easy it was to load!

Congratulations on the Widelux Keith. For sunny Oz, you may need the filter set (which includes a 2 stop ND filter). I find that attaching a small handle to the tripod thread and holdingthe camera with the left hand whilst tripping the shutter with the right prevents accidental inclusion of fingers in the frame.

[Monz]

Here is a recent example from me:


Walking the Walk [5] by *monz*, on Flickr

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Monz

Congratulations on the Widelux Keith. For sunny Oz, you may need the filter set (which includes a 2 stop ND filter). I find that attaching a small handle to the tripod thread and holdingthe camera with the left hand whilst tripping the shutter with the right prevents accidental inclusion of fingers in the frame.

It's a bit like learning to use a Kiev or Contax without covering the rangefinder window with a stray finger!

The Widelux certainly wasn't that comfortable in the conditions I used it in yesterday. The sun was mind numbingly bright and I was shooting mid afternoon. The swing lens design with the travelling slit is not happy with a direct intense light source I've discovered. With the sun at my back it was OK but to the side or forward of me it created some strange results!

If I was serious about 135 panoramic landscapes I think I'd pony up for the X-Pan. I haven't discounted that possibility because after looking at the scans from the Widelux I see the potential of the panoramic format for my style of photography in the back of beyond!

[Riccis]

I am actually working in Europe and instead of dropping a ton of cash in the Leica Shop in Vienna, just purchased a Widelux 1500 (the medium format version) from a great shop across the street from them

Cheers,

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Riccis

I am actually working in Europe and instead of dropping a ton of cash in the Leica Shop in Vienna, just purchased a Widelux 1500 (the medium format version) from a great shop across the street from them

Cheers,

When you get a chance I would love to see some images from that at some stage Riccis!

I knew they existed but not common I gather?

[Riccis]

Originally Posted by Keith

When you get a chance I would love to see some images from that at some stage Riccis!

I knew they existed but not common I gather?

Yes, they are pretty hard to find. This is an image I posted on my Instagram this afternoon...

http://instagram.com/p/O9WIVGRno2

Cheers!

[raid]

Originally Posted by Colin Corneau

I had an exhibition of my images from an F7 - wonderfully sharp lens, I made enlargements to 20 inches wide with no problem.

http://www.colincorneau.com/?gallery=exhibition

(skip past the first frame, it's an introduction that isn't working)

Maybe it's my sense of humour, but I like having only 3 shutter speeds to work with - less is more.
It's a great camera for street photography, since you can shoot very unobtrusively and it doesn't really look like what most people think a camera is.

Thanks. The images look great.

[Keith]

Here's one of the pics from the first roll. I think the format really conveys just how hot and bright it was yesterday and it also captures the way I see this land. And it's still effectively winter for god's sake! It was around 30 degrees in this vast rural valley I spend so much time in.