LENS-DB.COM

Specification

Manufacturer description #1

Göteborg Jul 98 - The Hasselblad XPan is a new 35 mm film based dual-format camera concept that has been developed and produced by Hasselblad in close co-operation with Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. The Hasselblad XPan camera can be seen as a new complement to the already extensive Hasselblad camera system, serving as a natural link between the medium- and 35 mm- formats.

Through this successful co-operation Hasselblad can offer its customers a technically advanced camera which provides all the convenience and advantages of the 35 mm format, but with the additional option to rapidly switch to a full panorama format without changing film. Unlike the "panorama effect" produced with some cameras by horizontally masking a 35 mm frame, the Hasselblad XPan provides a full frame panorama format, the width of the panorama images being 65 mm, similar to medium format. Consequently, the Hasselblad XPan will always give you superb image quality, whichever format you use.

Hasselblad considers its successful history of OEM co-operation as a very beneficial business development from many aspects, and carefully selected partners in the high quality field include Zeiss, Rodenstock and Schneider to mention but a few. For the Hasselblad XPan camera project, Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. has proven to be the ideal partner.

The research and development co-operation between Hasselblad and Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. is a long term project relating to 35 mm film based dual-format cameras for professional and discerning amateur photographers. It will include development and production of additional accessories to expand the versatility of the Hasselblad XPan camera.

The Hasselblad XPan concept adheres to the Hasselblad business philosophy; image quality, reliability and timeless design. It follows on in the well-established Hasselblad tradition of superb craftsmanship founded on intensive development which has helped create the world famous name.

Manufacturer description #2

Göteborg Jul 98 - Hasselblad is now expanding its world of imaging by opening the door to a 35 mm film based dual-format camera - the Hasselblad XPan. This new camera concept can be seen as a bridge between the medium format and the 35 mm format, and is a natural development of the Hasselblad camera system, enabling it to cover an even broader spectrum of photographic needs.

The Hasselbad XPan appeals to a wide variety of photographers involved in advertising, architectural, nature photography and beyond. In addition, its use in illustrative and art photography can be advantageous as the full panorama format can provide an additional creative input into image making.

The Hasselblad XPan incorporates a dual-format facility providing a full panorama 24x65 mm format as well as a conventional 24x36 mm format on the same film. This innovative camera offers all the convenience and advantages of the 35 mm format, but provides the option to rapidly switch to the full panorama format, without changing film. It becomes, therefore, the first and only dual-format camera on the market that expands the format instead of masking it, ensuring that every exposure utilises the full area of the film. In addition, the 65 mm width of the full panorama images is similar to the medium format, ensuring that the Hasselblad XPan will always give you superb image quality.

The Hasselblad XPan is a feature-packed and highly professional rangefinder type camera that combines the user-friendliness of modern technology with Hasselblad quality. The camera body is compact and ergonomically designed. It is a robust aluminium and titanium construction partly clad with synthetic rubber and built to withstand many years of hard work - a camera suitable for the true professional photographer as well as for the discerning amateur.

The full panorama format is made possible by the large image circles of the two interchangeable 4/45 mm and 4/90 mm lenses, which have been specially designed for the Hasselblad XPan. These light and extremely compact "medium format" lenses are characterised by razor-sharp image quality and excellent coverage. Multicoating of the glass elements ensures top quality results, exhibiting brilliant contrast and full tonal scale. The focusing ring with its smooth action ensures quick and accurate focusing, and the lenses are stylishly finished in black, in tune with the rest of the camera.

Viewing and focusing are by way of a bright-frame viewfinder and coupled rangefinder. Viewfinder information is adjusted automatically according to the focal length of lens as well as an automatic parallax adjustment for close shots. No accessories or manual adjustments are necessary, so changing lenses is rapid and trouble-free.

Film loading is automatic and convenient. After being inserted, the film is automatically withdrawn from the cassette. The camera has a DX code sensor with manual override for maximum control. As the film is exposed, it is transported back into the cassette, frame-by-frame. This valuable feature cleverly protects the exposed section of the film, even if the camera is opened by accident.

The TTL exposure meter supplies a centre-weighted average reading to provide an automatic aperture-priority facility with manual override.The camera can be used in single or continuous exposure mode. In continuous mode the frame rate is 3 frames/s with 24x36 format and 2 frames/s with 24x65 format. Using the camera in its auto-bracketing mode provides three consecutive exposures in ± 0.5 or ±1- step differences.

The main LCD display, located on the camera back, presents all necessary information including film speed, shutter speed and battery status. Another LCD provides exposure counter information, with further information being shown in the viewfinder.

The Hasselblad XPan camera was introduced at a Press Conference in Frankfurt, Germany on 20th July 1998, and deliveries will commence in September 1998.

Manufacturer description #3

Göteborg Sep 98 - Hasselblad News Autumn 1998

The photokina ‘98 exhibition provides the platform for the launch of the latest developments from Hasselblad, which will make the world’s largest and most professional medium format camera system even more complete.

• the Hasselblad CFi/ CFE lenses - the new lens generation
• The Hasselblad XPan- the new 35 mm film based dual-format camera
• The Hasselblad 555ELD - the ideal studio camera for film and digital photography
• The Hasselblad View Magnifier - the new magnifier for critical focusing

The Hasselblad XPan

Hasselblad is now expanding its world of imaging by opening the door to a 35 mm film based dual-format camera - the Hasselblad XPan.

The Hasselblad XPan incorporates a dual-format facility providing a full panorama 24x65 mm format as well as a conventional 24x36 mm format on the same film. This unique camera offers all the convenience and advantages of the 35 mm format, but provides the option to rapidly switch to the full panorama format, without changing film. It becomes, therefore, the first and only dual-format 35 mm camera on the market that expands the format instead of masking it, ensuring that every exposure utilises the full area of the film. In addition, the 65 mm width of the full panorama images is similar to the medium format, making it in reality a medium format camera for 35 mm film, ensuring that you will always get superb image quality.

The Hasselblad XPan appeals to a wide variety of photographers involved in advertising, architectural, nature photography and beyond. In addition, its use in illustrative and art photography can be advantageous as the full panorama format can provide an additional creative input into image making.

The Hasselblad XPan is a feature-packed and highly professional rangefinder type camera that combines the user-friendliness of modern technology with Hasselblad quality. The camera body is compact and ergonomically designed. It is a robust aluminium and titanium construction, built to withstand many years of hard work - a camera suitable for the true professional photographer as well as for the discerning amateur.

The full panorama format is made possible by the large image circles of the two interchangeable 4/45 mm and 4/90 mm lenses, which have been specially designed for the Hasselblad XPan. These light and extremely compact "medium format" lenses are characterised by razor-sharp image quality and excellent coverage. Multicoating of the glass elements ensures top quality results, exhibiting brilliant contrast and full tonal scale.

Viewing and focusing are by way of a bright-frame viewfinder and coupled rangefinder. Viewfinder information is adjusted automatically according to the focal length of lens as well as an automatic parallax adjustment for close shots.

The Hasselblad XPan has been developed and produced in close co-operation with Fuji Photo Film CO Ltd and deliveries will start after the photokina ´98 exhibition.

Manufacturer description #4

This camera incorporates an innovative dual format facility providing a 24x65 mm format - full panorama - as well as a conventional 24x36 mm format on the same film. This means you can have all the convenience and advantages on the 35 mm format but can produce an image with one side wider than the 6x6 cm format. Put simply - medium-format panorama quality from a 35 mm camera while still providing the option of the conventional format! The XPan was voted as "European Professional Camera of the Year 1999-2000".

It follows on in the well-established Hasselblad tradition of superb craftsmanship founded on intensive development which has helped create the world famous name. The quality and reliability of Hasselblad equipment was clearly witnessed when it was chosen by NASA for the lunar missions.

The Hasselblad XPan is a feature-packed and highly professional tool. It includes both automatic facilities and total manual override for complete control to suit all situations and working methods. Auto exposure, auto bracketing, coupled rangefinder and pre-wind are just some of the advantageous features.

The camera body is robustly built from aluminium and titanium for the long working-life expected from such a camera. The interchangeable Hasselblad lenses are made to the most exacting standards producing excellent coverage and 'razor' sharpness for top quality images. Digital technology controls a host of functions making camera use simplicity itself so you can concentrate more on composition and image making.

***

CAMERA TYPE: Couple rangefinder with interchangeable lenses.

DESIGN: Aluminium and titanium camera body.

VIEWFINDER: Bright frame viewfinder (ambient light), automatic parallax compensation, automatic standard/panoramic switch over via format selector dial, automatic bright frame switch-over according to lens fitted, integral LED exposure metering indication. Field of view 85% or more.

FOCUSING: Lens helicoid interlocked to coupled rangefinder.

FILM TRANSPORT: Pre-wind type, automatic positioning according to format, automatic wind-on, automatic rewind. Single-frame and continuous.

FILM TYPE: 35mm.

FORMAT: 24x36 mm and 24x65 mm.

FRAMES PER FILM: 36, 24 and 12 frames in standard format or 21, 13 and 6 frames in panorama format from 36 exp, 24 exp and 12 exp cassettes respectively.

EXPOSURE COUNTER: LCD. Automatic, shows number of frames remaining. Illuminated. Panorama format indication.

SHUTTER: Focal plane shutter, B (max 270s) - 1/1000 s, flash synchro from B - 1/125 s. Activated by button or cable release socket. 1EV step control on manual, 1/12 EV step control on automatic, self-timer with 10 s delay.

EXPOSURE CONTROL: TTL measured at shutter plane, centre weighted averaging system, aperture priority automatic/manual switch over, +/- 1/3EV accuracy, 4EV (f4) - EV19 (f22) (ISO 100).

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +/- 2EV at 1/2EV step intervals.

AUTO BRACKET: 0.5EV or 1.0EV step intervals. Order: standard, under, over.

FILM SPEED: Auto DX setting and manual setting. ISO 25 - 3200 sensitivity.

LCD AUTOMATION: Illuminated. ISO, Tv, Auto bracket, self-timer, battery check, total exposure counter.

BATTERIES: CR2 x 2 (6v total).

From the editor

The camera was produced for Hasselblad by Fujifilm under the name Hasselblad XPan (black finish). According to Hasselblad, about 16,800 XPan cameras were produced between 1998 and 2002. It was also sold by Fujifilm in the Japanese market under the name Fujifilm TX-1 (champagne finish).