BeerPan - a 35mm panoramic camera for everybody
A new Panoramic camera is exciting news!
For many photographers, an Xpan/TX1 or a Widely, is something of a wish list camera but the exorbitant prices and anxiety inducing age can be a massive barrier to pulling the trigger. Even if cost isn’t a problem, knowing that the life expectancy of a new acquisition is limited could be rather off-putting.
In comes Robin Beerman, with his BeerPan project. The BeerPan is a 65x24 ratio 35mm film camera that has a lot going for it. Firstly it just looks cool but, more importantly, if is thought through and offers a lot of what we photographers need in our gear.
It’s a fully mechanical camera, so no worrying about batteries running flat, electrical gremlins that are hard to diagnose and it will operate in a wide range of environments, which can only be a good thing.
The winder and gears are of a metal construction, which should feel positive to operate and just look at that viewfinder. Waist level and with the appropriate aspect ratio. It looks fantastic and if you’ve never used a ground glass, you are in for a treat. It’s a very different experience to looking through a normal SLR viewfinder.
That 65×24 ground glass looks amazing.
The BeerPan uses the Bronica ERT lens mount, with the body controlling the shutter, which is a leaf shutter in the lens. This means users can grab a bargain lens from a second hand reseller, auction etc and get the benefits of wonderful medium format glass. Many are available but I can see the price going up, as this camera is sure to raise the popularity, so it might be worth grabbing a couple now, while they are cheap!
Another aspect of the BeerPan that I’m really appreciating is Robin’s wish to make it open source. Once the production run is finished, in about a year, he intends to make the plans and parts available publicly, meaning for those who wish to repair, modify or otherwise tinker with it, they can. I love this approach and kudos to Robin for planning this.
Price and availability
Currently in a very successful kickstarter campaign, which has blown away the initial target, the BeerPan will cost £660 for a version with nylon top and bottom plates, or £840 for the premium version with aluminium plates. The internals are the same for both versions, being made from brass and aluminium.
The campaign ends in March 2026, with the first run of cameras expected to be delivered in December. It’s a bit of a wait but I have a feeling it will be absolutely worth it.