I'm a relative newcomer to ULF and have launched my 7x17 project.
However, ever since I saw Jeff Bridges demo his 35mm Widelux on a recent episode of the television program, "Sunday Morning," I've found myself quite curious. Am I understanding all this correctly?
A rotating lens panoramic camera, like Widelux, Noblex, or Cirkut (??) inherently seems to produce field curvature. I find this objectionable. But I understand, I think, that depending on the nature of the subject and it's distance from camera obvious curvature can be avoided to a great extent. Is this basically correct?
Secondly, looks like a camera like the Fuji GX-617, with stationary but (by choosing a) very wide lens, avoids the field curvature problem (but, of course, not the natural distortions inherent in using an extreme wide angle lens). That "natural" distortion, for me, is far more tolerable than the obvious field curvature produced by a lens that moves.
What do you folks who like these cameras most like about them? Fixed or rotating lens? Do you like the look of the field curvature, or do you avoid it? The extreme portability and relative ease of operation seems attractive. Plus, in 35 mm color format, film is obviously (even in 120) simple to get and process (by lab). How about printing? Any hassles there? I assume you need custom lab work. How big do you like to print? Do the built in lenses of the Noblex and Widelux, for example, produce images sharp enough to enlarge to decent size?
Well, you can tell I'm very curious. Anyone who would be willing to further my education a little will be very much appreciated! Thank you, thank you!
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