No Cropping: The 2.7:1 Native Panorama of the Hasselblad XPan
In traditional 35mm photography, many so-called "panoramic" modes were little more than internal plastic baffles masking the top and bottom of a standard 24x36mm frame. In 1998, HASSELBLAD, in historic partnership with Fujifilm of Japan, revolutionised the field with the Hasselblad XPan (counterpart to the Fujifilm TX-1): a genuine dual-format rangefinder that exposes an expansive, uncropped panoramic frame across ordinary 35mm film.
The defining brilliance of the XPan lies in its format selector dial, allowing the photographer to switch on the fly between standard 24x36mm and native 24x65mm panoramic frames on the exact same roll. In 24x65mm mode, the aspect ratio matches the cinematic cadence of 2.7:1, capturing roughly 1.8 times the negative area of a standard 35mm frame. A standard 36-exposure cassette yields approximately 21 panoramic frames of stunning detail and tonal depth.
HASSELBLAD astutely noted that a 65mm frame width enters the realm of medium-format dimensions. While loading ordinary 35mm cassettes, the camera’s internal transport and imaging circle are built with the optical rigour of a 120 medium-format instrument.
Dedicated Focal Lengths Covering an Expansive Image Circle
To ensure tack-sharp resolution and minimal falloff across the extensive 65mm exposure gate, three bespoke lenses were engineered for the system.
30mm f5.6: The legendary ultra-wide lens. Delivers a sweeping horizontal angle of view equivalent to a 17mm lens on full frame. Ideal for vast architectural spaces and horizons. As the built-in rangefinder window cannot encompass this width, a dedicated top-mounted optical finder is required.
45mm f/4: The versatile standard lens. Equivalent to approximately 25mm in horizontal perspective. Perfectly balanced between environmental context and subject detail, this is the premier street optic.
90mm f/4: The moderate telephoto lens. Equivalent to roughly 50mm horizontally. Exceptional for compressing visual planes and crafting environmental portraits with distinct narrative separation.
Viewfinder Telemetry and Long-Exposure Precision
The XPan family advanced across two generations.
1998 Hasselblad XPan (TX-1): Established the electronically controlled dual-format coupled rangefinder within a rigid titanium and aluminium chassis, launching an era of uncropped panoramic field photography.
2003 Hasselblad XPan II (TX-2): Delivered key professional upgrades. A new internal LCD display inside the viewfinder allows photographers to inspect shutter speeds and exposure metrics without taking their eye off the subject; bulb exposure capabilities expanded to 540 seconds; a multi-interval self-timer (2 or 10 seconds) was added, alongside rear-curtain flash synchronisation.
Horizontal Cadence and Negative Space
Expanding vision to 2.7:1 demands an active shift in compositional habits. Novices often struggle with cluttered edges or empty visual voids.
- Harness structural leading lines: Architectural horizontals, railway platforms, and long coastlines guide the viewer's gaze across the frame, introducing an organic temporal progression akin to a cinema tracking shot.
- Rangefinder uninterrupted view: Unlike SLR mirrors that black out upon release, the XPan's direct optical window permits continuous tracking, allowing you to anticipate moving pedestrians precisely as they enter the periphery.
- Embrace intentional negative space: Positioning your protagonist along an outer third while surrendering the remaining breadth to shadows, mist, or sky creates profound visual poignancy.
As an authorised HASSELBLAD distributor in Hong Kong, PandaCamera welcomes you to our Kwun Tong or Causeway Bay showroom. Look through the panoramic brightlines, feel the solid titanium balance of the XPan, and explore our film develop & scan and printing services.
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