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New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

wideluxx.com

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Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#21

Post by freetime2 »

I'm glad that this exists. I hope Wideluxx is able to make a profit and remain in operation.

But for me, while I think film is cool, that's one rabbit hole that I have no interest in going down personally. And if I did, I would probably buy used vintage gear rather than spending $4,400 on a new (and extremely niche) film camera.

Digitial photography and retro film simulations/filters are good enough for me if I want to add some "character" to my photos. And ideally most of the character would come from the subject rather than the medium. But I get that lots of people derive inspiration from the process and the medium - and that's why I'm glad things like this exist.

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#23

Post by tedggh »

freetime2 wrote: post #21

I'm glad that this exists. I hope Wideluxx is able to make a profit and remain in operation. But for me, while I think film is cool, that's one rabbit hole that I have no interest in going down personally. And if I did, I would probably buy used vintage gear rather than spending $4,400 on a new (and extremely niche) film camera. Digitial photography and retro film simulations/filters are good enough for me if I want…

It sounds like you are not the customer for this camera.

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#24

Post by khazhoux »

For those that don't understand the connection: Jeff Bridges has been using Widelux cameras since at least the 80s. He's even got shots from the set of Tron!

https://archive.nytimes.com/lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/3...

https://www.reddit.com/r/lebowski/comments/1rjcrfj/behindthe...

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#25

Post by freetime2 »

tedggh wrote: post #23
freetime2 wrote: post #21

I'm glad that this exists. I hope Wideluxx is able to make a profit and remain in operation. But for me, while I think film is cool, that's one rabbit hole that I have no interest in going down personally. And if I did, I would probably buy used vintage gear rather than spending $4,400 on a new (and extremely niche) film camera. Digitial photography and retro film simulations/filters are good enough for me if I want…

It sounds like you are not the customer for this camera.

Probably not.

But I do think it's cool and look forward to seeing reviews when people start getting their hands on them.

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#26

Post by keyle »

peteforde wrote: post #2

I've been patiently waiting for this to drop for ~5 years, and I was hoping that it would somehow be under $1000. Oh my god. $4400 is... a lot of money. $175 shipping had better include a Jeff Bridges Cameo video. Don't get me wrong: I suspect that he's spent millions of dollars getting the project to this point, and that it's a mechanically perfect instrument. Huge respect for caring this much and seeing the project…

That is bonkers pricing. There is no way they actually expect a sell out with this price.

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#29

Post by bravura »

_aavaa_ wrote: post #27

> I confirm that this is a customized product and that the statutory right of withdrawal under Section 312g(2)(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB) does not apply. Interesting checkbox on the purchase page. I wonder what the implications are.

When you buy something in Germany and the EU, you typically can return it.

That does not apply to custom buildouts, like this camear.

Re: New mechanical panoramic film camera from Jeff Bridges

#30

Post by marssaxman »

peteforde wrote: post #2

I've been patiently waiting for this to drop for ~5 years, and I was hoping that it would somehow be under $1000. Oh my god. $4400 is... a lot of money. $175 shipping had better include a Jeff Bridges Cameo video. Don't get me wrong: I suspect that he's spent millions of dollars getting the project to this point, and that it's a mechanically perfect instrument. Huge respect for caring this much and seeing the project…

I feel better now about the $700 I spent buying a 35mm panoramic film back for my medium-format Bronica SQA. It seemed like a real splurge at the time, but for the price of this new camera, you could get a whole Bronica system - including four or five lenses, an alternate viewfinder, a couple of 120 backs, and the panoramic film back - with enough left over for a year's worth of film and processing.

People must really like that swing-lens effect. It's not for me, but I imagine that this camera must seem much more compelling if it's what you're after.

> Huge respect for caring this much and seeing the project through.

Second that: product development is hard, and manufacturing is really expensive in small quantities.

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