Question 1

What makes the Hasselblad XPan special compared to other 35mm cameras?

Accepted Answer

The XPan was the first dual-format 35mm camera to physically expand the frame rather than mask it. In panoramic mode it exposes a genuine 24×65mm negative — every millimetre of that frame carries real optical data. The titanium-aluminium body is built to precision standards, and the rangefinder form factor makes it genuinely portable compared to medium-format alternatives.

Question 2

What are the most common problems with a used Hasselblad XPan?

Accepted Answer

The most widely reported issue is viewfinder misalignment when switching from the 45mm f/4 to the 90mm f/4 lens — the framelines or rangefinder patch can drift out of alignment on bodies that haven't been serviced. Aged light seals are a standard film-camera concern and easy to replace. The panoramic mode switching mechanism is electronic-mechanical, so confirming it works correctly on both format modes before buying is essential. A recently CLA'd (cleaned, lubricated, adjusted) body sidesteps most of these issues.

Question 3

What is the aspect ratio of the Hasselblad XPan in panoramic mode?

Accepted Answer

In panoramic mode the XPan exposes a 24×65mm frame, giving an aspect ratio of approximately 1:2.7. In standard mode it shoots the normal 24×36mm frame at the familiar 2:3 ratio. Both modes use the same roll of 35mm film — you can switch between them frame by frame.

Question 4

What lenses are available for the Hasselblad XPan?

Accepted Answer

There are three lenses designed for the XPan system: the 30mm f/5.6 (ultra-wide panoramic), the 45mm f/4 (considered the standard lens for the system), and the 90mm f/4 (short telephoto). All three were co-developed with Fujifilm and are fully compatible with Fujifilm TX-1 and TX-2 bodies as well. The maximum aperture across the range is f/4.

Question 5

What is the difference between the Hasselblad XPan and XPan II?

Accepted Answer

The XPan II (second generation) added a dedicated on/off switch that doubles as a shutter lock, a multiple-exposure mode, and minor ergonomic refinements. Image quality and lens compatibility are identical across both generations — the same 30mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses fit either body. If multiple exposures or the shutter lock matter to you, hold out for the XPan II; otherwise the original XPan delivers the same panoramic results.

Question 6

Is the Hasselblad XPan the same as the Fujifilm TX-1 or TX-2?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The XPan and Fujifilm TX-1 are the same first-generation camera sold under two different brand names — Hasselblad sold the Hasselblad-branded version while Fujifilm sold the TX-1. The second generation is the XPan II (Hasselblad) and TX-2 (Fujifilm). Both brands share the identical lens mount, so XPan lenses work on TX bodies and vice versa. The Fujifilm-branded versions often sell at a lower price on the second-hand market for identical hardware.

Sensor format	Niet van toepassing
Camera type	Rangefinder
Film or Digital	Film

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Hasselblad Xpan

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About the Hasselblad Xpan

What makes the Hasselblad XPan special?

Key Specifications

XPan vs. XPan II — what are the differences?

What to watch for when buying a used Hasselblad XPan

Frequently asked questions