The Hasselblad XPan remains one of the most coveted film cameras for its cinematic panoramic photos. However, it’s not so easy to find this camera at an affordable price range. However, there’s actually a bunch of affordable digital alternatives that you can get instead!
In the video above, MPB shares their recommendations to those who want the cinematic panorama look for their photos. Of course, there are some DIY options if you’re really on a tight budget, but these are often clunky and don’t really have a panoramic mode or crop built-in.
They listed down three criteria for the ideal Xpan digital alternative. First, it should be convenient and reliable. It also should have the panoramic crop built-in, so there’s no need for masks, special lenses or an external monitor. Lastly, it should provide real time crop preview.
So, they suggested three cameras that fit this Xpan alternative checklist:
- Sigma DP0 Quatro
- Fujifilm GFX 50R
- Hasselblad X1D-50c
These Hasselblad XPan alternatives are in no way cheap. But, of course, if you grab these Hasselblad XPan alternatives secondhand from platforms like MPB, you’ll be able to get them at more affordable prices.
Do you agree with these suggestions, or do you have other recommendations to add to the list? Share them with us in the comments below, or in our group discussion if you’re already part of the Photofocus Community!
I have found the XPan fascinating for a long time, but never would spend the money and take the gamble on buying one. I’m going to try doing a project with my own expedient alternative: a Sony A7R II and a set of Voigtländer manual lenses. When I switch on the 4×6 square grid in the viewfinder, and I disregard the top and bottom rows of squares, the two remaining rows in the center are pretty close to XPan aspect ratio. Thus, I can compose using those and see what I’m doing—which is important with a superwide format. The digital… Read more »
I too have an A7R II and have been doing the exact same thing. What focal range have you found to be most fitting? I like to use 22-24mm to get that super wide look but if you have any suggestions I would really appreciate it.
The Voigtländer lenses that I have on hand are 15mm, 21mm and 40mm. They’re all great lenses, with the 21 and 40 being most generally useful. The original XPan lenses that were available were 30, 45 and 90, which would translate to about 17, 25 and 50 in full frame terms. If I were starting today, it’s possible that I would go with Sigma i-series lens, which hadn’t yet come out when I started with the Sony, then I would have a lot more FL options. Also. . . I recently learned that full-frame Panasonic cameras (S1, S1R, S5, S5… Read more »