Chasing Frames: My Ongoing XPan Obsession

If you're into photography - especially anything wide, cinematic, and just a little bit impractical — you eventually end up staring longingly at the Hasselblad XPan.

I’m no different.

The first time I saw an XPan frame, it felt like seeing a movie still pulled straight out of real life. That long 65:24 ratio, the subtle distortion, the way it forces you to think completely differently about composition - it’s addictive.

But let’s talk about the obvious problem: the price.

The XPan is one of those cameras that seems to get more expensive every year. The bodies, the lenses, even the accessories - it’s all part of this niche little cult of panoramic photography that sits somewhere between passion and pain.

And yet... I still want one.

In my head, I imagine wandering through Tokyo at night, shooting empty streets glowing under neon signs. Capturing wide cinematic frames as the city breathes - from Shinjuku’s chaos to the quieter corners of Kanda or Ginza. That’s the XPan dream.

But with prices often hitting well over $4000 USD (body + lens), I’ve been forced to get creative.

I’ve experimented with:

*Cropping 35mm frames in post (fine, but not the same feeling)

*DIY panoramic adapters - the photo of which is above using my Mamiya RB67. The 3D printed back was too woeful to use seriously. The shots are from Wenzhou in China, probably the best under-discovered Blade Runner city out there. I have some undeveloped rolls that I need to post asap.

*And of course, occasionally just sighing and scrolling eBay while drinking coffee.

The truth is: panoramic photography is as much about mindset as it is about gear. Whether you have an XPan, a crop sensor, or a simple point-and-shoot - the fun is in seeing the world differently, slowing down, and composing for width.

That’s part of what inspired me to build pixfolk in the first place — to connect with photographers who love to shoot in their own way, with whatever gear they’ve got.

👉 If you’re a fellow pano fan, film shooter, or just someone who loves wide frames - I’d love to hear what you’re shooting with. 👉 And if anyone wants to host an XPan night walk in Tokyo - count me in. Seriously.

— Elliot Founder, pixfolk

8th June - Starting pixfolk

Hi, I’m Elliot — founder of pixfolk.

I’ve always loved two things: photography, and exploring new places with a camera in hand. Most of my best travel memories involve getting slightly lost, finding great light, and shooting for no other reason than the joy of it.

But I also noticed something: while it’s easy to book a hotel, a flight, or a food tour — it’s surprisingly hard to find great local photographers to shoot with, learn from, or simply explore alongside.

So pixfolk was born.

pixfolk is a platform where:

Creators (photographers, photo guides, studio hosts) can offer sessions, photo walks, or workshops.

Explorers (like me, and probably like you) can book unique photo experiences while travelling — or even in your own city.

We’re starting small — launching first in Tokyo, Bangkok, and Hong Kong — and building carefully, one creator and one experience at a time.

This is very much an MVP right now (Minimum Viable Product). The paint is still drying. But I believe in building publicly, being transparent, and inviting others to join as we grow.

👉 If you're a photographer who might want to host, get in touch. 👉 If you're a creative who wants to join one of the first sessions, sign up for early access. 👉 Or if you're just curious, feel free to follow along here — I’ll be sharing regular updates on the build, challenges, wins, and lessons learned along the way.

Thanks for visiting pixfolk. This is just the beginning.

— Elliot