[Leica] OT: Advice needed: Franken-lens choice for XPan

[richard-lists at imagecraft.com (Richard Man)]

Thanks Frank and others for their replies. They are valuable.

First image circle size: the shift lens for 35mm are not bad, most of 
them should cover up to 60-62mm wide, not quite the 65mm of the XPan, 
but close.

Second: why not tripod? In addition to making the F8 not so much of 
an issue, I understand that using a tripod will do more to improve 
one's pictures in terms of sharpness, resolution etc., but I am just 
not a tripod person. I rather throw a camera and a couple lens tin 
the backpack and go. I think portability is the biggest advantage of 
the XPan - so much more panoramic is available if you just take the 
camera with you.

Third: stick with the 30mm and live with F8. It's not altogether a 
bad choice. If I shoot Neopan 1600, I can go a lot of places with it. 
Provia 400X (my slide film of choice),... not so many places.

Fourth: available cash. Not really at the moment. I can almost 
justify under $1000 purchase since I just sold the 90/2AA and the VC28, 
but...

Thank you all...

// richard (This email is for mailing lists. To reach me directly, 
please use richard at imagecraft.com)