Widelux F7

The Widelux F7 was released by the Panon Camera Shoko of Japan in 1975 and was produced until 1988 when it was replaced by F8. 

The F7 is a panorama camera so it is not a daily shooter for most people. The fact that it is very large and heavy adds to the reluctance to use it as a primary camera. Shooting is limited to 1/15, 1/125 and 1/250 shutter speeds. Aperture ranges from 11 to 2.8. To get the panorama, the lens  rotates from right to left. Winding the film also moves the lens to the right. On release the lens stays open and rotates. 

This is a complicated camera and there are some reported issues. Banding seem to be one of the key issues that happens because dust in the gears make for uneven exposure. It can be fixed with a CLA. There is also the problem of holding such a big heavy camera still during the rotation without getting your fingers in the picture. I resorted to holding on the top and bottom and avoiding the sides. 

My model was in rather bad shape with a broken viewfinder and in need of a CLA but the price was right so even after the repair I was in for less than most.

My Take: 

I love this camera for what it is. It just has such a great look, both as a camera and for the images. It is not the simplest camera to control and requires some thought. Loading the film requires a road map - under, over, under and around - reminds me of learning to tie a bowline knot as a boy scout. I shot a roll just to see the results but I really want to find a project to do with this camera. It will have to be intentional because there is not way I'm putting this brick in my bag for a chance shot.

Lens: fixed rotating LUX 26mm f2.8 

Film: Kodak Professional BW400CN

Links:

https://rrjphotography.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/widelux-f7/

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Widelux

http://www.jeffbridges.com/widelux.html

UPDATE: NB: Thanks to Eduardo for letting me know the introduction date was 1975 not 1979. He was lucky enough to buy one of the first F7 in New York. Hope you are still enjoying it!