Panon

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Widelux F7 panorama camera for 35mm film image by Rachel Rayns (Image rights)

Panon is the maker of the Widelux panoramic cameras. The camera uses a lens which swivels through a horizontal arc, projecting an image onto a cylindrical film gate. The principle is similar to the Noblex and Horizont cameras—or for that matter the Kodak Panoram series, begun in 1899.

Panon was the name of the company's original 1952 panoramic camera for 120 film. In 1958 the company introduced the Widelux FV which used 35mm film (135), and which underwent various model upgrades (last model F8, cease production mid 1990s). The Widelux F-series models were designed for 35mm film, giving horizontal coverage of about 126° and a vertical coverage of 55º (24 x 59mm image size). Based on serial numbering, it seems that only about 20,000 total 35mm cameras were produced. Beginning in 1990 Panon resumed offering a model for 120 film, the Widelux 1500.

Models

120 format

• Panon (1952)
• Widelux 1500 (1990)

Widelux 1500 for 120 film image by Jean-Luc Elias (Image rights)

135 format

• Widelux FI (prototype?)
• Widelux FV (1958)
• Widelux FV I(~1964)
• Widelux F6 (~1970)
• Widelux F6B (~1970s)
• Widelux F7 (1979-1988)
• Widelux F8 (1988–mid 1990s)

Other

• Septonflex accessory reflex finder

Sample Photos

Widelux: Swans, Lake Burley Griffin Canberra image by Camehbro (Image rights)

Uneven movement of the lens turret (due to build-up of dust and grime in the gears) results in characteristic banding image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

Links

Technical details:

• Widelux FV at www.garloo.com
• Widelux F7—Movie showing the turret turning at two exposure speeds

Tips:

• Tips on operating the Widelux camera By John Stamets on Jeff Bridges's website (yes, the Jeff Bridges)