Riva Panorama, Baby!

Some years back, I became fascinated with the Hasselblad X-Pan (or Fuji TX-1, which is the same build). Photos taken with either camera were super interesting to look at. I liked it. Owning a Hasselblad X-Pan or Fuji TX-1 is usually connected to paying huge (in relation) amounts of money. I think these cameras usually go for a mid-five-figure number on eBay. Furthermore, it is a film camera. One has actually to go and develop the film. I was looking for alternatives: Cameras designed to take panorama photos. As far as I know, There are no cameras in the digital world. Still, I eventually found a camera that would be a cheap alternative to explore panorama photography: The Minolta Riva Panorama (or, in some markets, Minolta P’s). Like the Hasselblad/Fuji, this camera is also a film camera.

I bought a Riva Panorama on eBay for ~40 EUR, which I found was a great deal. Now, this camera is not a contender to Hasselblad or Fuji, but I consider it a fun little alternative to carry around. Turned out that it would have its first chance to convince me on a trip to Japan. I loaded it with a roll of Ilford HP5+ and…well… used it.

It did not stand a chance with my Ricoh GR II which was my main camera on that trip regarding sharpness, etc., but I like the results. Have a look: