New EC law forces Hasselblad to discontinue XPan camera

Total beaurocratic lunacy...

Total beaurocratic lunacy...

Barmy!!

Barmy!!

Bloody european parliament!! beaurocracy gone mad

Bloody european parliament!! beaurocracy gone mad

damn, i was gonna get one when i had enough money. but too be fair it is quite of Lead, which is a danger tot he enviroment. can always but one in the USA?

damn, i was gonna get one when i had enough money.

but too be fair it is quite of Lead, which is a danger tot he enviroment.

can always but one in the USA?

I don't understand why the XPan requires lead solder on its circuit boards if the vast majority of current cameras do not. Any thoughts?

I don't understand why the XPan requires lead solder on its circuit boards if the vast majority of current cameras do not.

Any thoughts?

Tony, it could be that the only other material that would work well enough would be gold. With obvious cost implications.

Tony, it could be that the only other material that would work well enough would be gold. With obvious cost implications.

fcuk the EU

fcuk the EU

falls fowl? what's that got to do with chicken?

falls fowl? what's that got to do with chicken?

Absolute lunacy, There are a million and one other things that probably contribute by a factor of a million and one to lead in our environment. Has the world gone mad?

Absolute lunacy,

There are a million and one other things that probably contribute by a factor of a million and one to lead in our environment.

Has the world gone mad?

An unbelievable and regrettable development. And high time someone put a stop to this kind of bureaucratic idiocy.

An unbelievable and regrettable development. And high time someone put a stop to this kind of bureaucratic idiocy.

I'm speechless.

I'm speechless.

Unreal it really is

Unreal it really is

I am a real tree hugger, but also a scientist. How is the Lead going to escape the camera body and poison anyone?? It's not a disposable that goes in a landfill, and is too well built to shed particles of debris. This just discredits real, vital environmental efforts.

I am a real tree hugger, but also a scientist. How is the Lead going to escape the camera body and poison anyone?? It's not a disposable that goes in a landfill, and is too well built to shed particles of debris. This just discredits real, vital environmental efforts.

What a load of rubbish, the world is getting madder by the day, I don't have an Xpan but they must weigh a tonne to be a hazard!!!!!!! how much lead is in there?????? 10g?? can't be much!

What a load of rubbish, the world is getting madder by the day, I don't have an Xpan but they must weigh a tonne to be a hazard!!!!!!!

how much lead is in there?????? 10g?? can't be much!

The only thing I could think off is someone has to service and possibly repair them. They would be the ones most at risk as they would be in the guts of the camera itself amongst the circuit boards and possibly using the solder.

The only thing I could think off is someone has to service and possibly repair them. They would be the ones most at risk as they would be in the guts of the camera itself amongst the circuit boards and possibly using the solder.

More to the point, if you had one, why would you ever throw it away?!

More to the point, if you had one, why would you ever throw it away?!

If Hasselblad was a French Company it would stick two fingers up at the E.C. and carry on regardless as this is what it appears the French do to any regulations ! !

If Hasselblad was a French Company it would stick two fingers up at the E.C. and carry on regardless as this is what it appears the French do to any regulations ! !

FWIW: It's not the camera containing lead that's the big problem. It's having the solder baths full of a couple of tons of molten lead in the electronics manufacturing plants that causes the greatest problems. As a consequence of the ROHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) regulations these plants have to migrate to other environmentally free methods, and that involves the designers making significant changes. Lead free solutions require higher temperatures to melt the solder, and not all electronic components are available lead free anyway. So in some cases it's not possible, or cost effective, to update a design. Still, this directive has been known about for a long time... In the case of this camera - it's a great shame. Would've liked to actually see one (have seen some of the great results).

FWIW: It's not the camera containing lead that's the big problem. It's having the solder baths full of a couple of tons of molten lead in the electronics manufacturing plants that causes the greatest problems. As a consequence of the ROHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) regulations these plants have to migrate to other environmentally free methods, and that involves the designers making significant changes.

Lead free solutions require higher temperatures to melt the solder, and not all electronic components are available lead free anyway. So in some cases it's not possible, or cost effective, to update a design.

Still, this directive has been known about for a long time...

In the case of this camera - it's a great shame. Would've liked to actually see one (have seen some of the great results).

No way. I'm shocked!

No way. I'm shocked!

This was one of my 'one day when I'm rich' dream cameras. Now its going to be my 'one day when I'm exceptionally rich and can afford the even higher prices to which it will now no doubt soar' camera. I'd vote for a new EU regulation to control the emission of methane gas and semi-solid animal effluent from the EU's legislative ar**, sorry, I mean arm....

This was one of my 'one day when I'm rich' dream cameras.

Now its going to be my 'one day when I'm exceptionally rich and can afford the even higher prices to which it will now no doubt soar' camera.

I'd vote for a new EU regulation to control the emission of methane gas and semi-solid animal effluent from the EU's legislative ar**, sorry, I mean arm....

The reality I think, is that Fuji (who actually make the XPan, and sell it under their own name in Japan) wanted out for whatever reason, and the EU Directive is, to an extent an excuse. Its a shame to see the camera disappear however.

The reality I think, is that Fuji (who actually make the XPan, and sell it under their own name in Japan) wanted out for whatever reason, and the EU Directive is, to an extent an excuse.

Its a shame to see the camera disappear however.

If its made by Fuji, does that means its actually made in Japan? Therefore, does the new law affect imports too? Or are they saying that the world market isn't enough once you remove the EU from the equation?

If its made by Fuji, does that means its actually made in Japan? Therefore, does the new law affect imports too? Or are they saying that the world market isn't enough once you remove the EU from the equation?

The laws regarding not using leads been about since the 90's and as Matt said it's more to do with the huge amounts used by the electronics industry in general. Most people have been on a lead free process for years. It involves slight redesign of the circuit pads and certain components but is by no means rocket science. This just smacks of an excuse to me. D

The laws regarding not using leads been about since the 90's and as Matt said it's more to do with the huge amounts used by the electronics industry in general. Most people have been on a lead free process for years. It involves slight redesign of the circuit pads and certain components but is by no means rocket science. This just smacks of an excuse to me.
D

Have you heard about how this change affects church organs!!! Theres an interesting issue.

Have you heard about how this change affects church organs!!! Theres an interesting issue.

don't suppose it affects church bells does it? some of us love a lie in on sundays!

don't suppose it affects church bells does it? some of us love a lie in on sundays!

on a serious note tho, i agree with deviant and feel that this is an easy way for a corporation to blame bearocracy when it basically feels it wont be able to make enough money out of a product.

on a serious note tho, i agree with deviant and feel that this is an easy way for a corporation to blame bearocracy when it basically feels it wont be able to make enough money out of a product.

on a serious note tho, i agree with deviant and feel that this is an easy way for a corporation to blame bearocracy when it basically feels it wont be able to make enough money out of a product.

on a serious note tho, i agree with deviant and feel that this is an easy way for a corporation to blame bearocracy when it basically feels it wont be able to make enough money out of a product.

"Don't suppose it affects church bells does it?" Perhaps not but earlier in the week there was a news item that St Paul's Catherdral in LONDON may not now be able to restore their organ pipes which apparently contain lead.

"Don't suppose it affects church bells does it?"

Perhaps not but earlier in the week there was a news item that St Paul's Catherdral in LONDON may not now be able to restore their organ pipes which apparently contain lead.

This is an absolute travesty.

This is an absolute travesty.

Today, I got a replacement Nikon UC-E4 USB cable for my Nikon DSLR and it contains the warning, "WARNING : Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known in the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING". So are they going to ban USB cables, too?

Today, I got a replacement Nikon UC-E4 USB cable for my Nikon DSLR and it contains the warning, "WARNING : Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known in the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING". So are they going to ban USB cables, too?

I use multi-core solder every day. I seem to recall that solder is 60/40 lead and tin (please correct me - it's been a while!) so... am I going to have to find something else to do for a living because they're going to ban solder?? ... and the first one to say 'Scotch-Locks' gets it!! OK!!

I use multi-core solder every day. I seem to recall that solder is 60/40 lead and tin (please correct me - it's been a while!) so... am I going to have to find something else to do for a living because they're going to ban solder??
... and the first one to say 'Scotch-Locks' gets it!! OK!!

They've gone too far this time - I wanted that camera!

They've gone too far this time - I wanted that camera!

>Or are they saying that the world market isn't enough once you remove the EU from the equation? I understand the UK was the most successful market for the XPan (as it apparently was for the much missed Fuji medium format rangefinders), but the sales of the camera have been declining. For the current sales volume, Hasselblad say it would simply be uneconomic to redesign the circuit boards to eliminate the lead. They are annoyed by this, because the EU legislation is primarily aimed at short life-span consumer goods like computers, mobile phones etc, but as is so often the case, the half-wits who draw up these rules prefer to condemn all the innocent as well, rather than let one guilty man go free. I did see that piece about church organ pipes being caught up by this rule; indeed, I very nearly mentioned it in my previous post, but thought it a bit OT. The problem seems to be that many modern instruments use electric motors to pump air through the pipes. Presumably, some of those contain lead solder (as mentioned the pipes are also partiaally lead, and to remove it would have a detrimental impact on the sound quality). Someone recently commented that our obsession with health and safety is costing us dear in the quality of our lives - how true that is. :(

>Or are they saying that the world market isn't enough once you remove the EU from the equation?

I understand the UK was the most successful market for the XPan (as it apparently was for the much missed Fuji medium format rangefinders), but the sales of the camera have been declining. For the current sales volume, Hasselblad say it would simply be uneconomic to redesign the circuit boards to eliminate the lead. They are annoyed by this, because the EU legislation is primarily aimed at short life-span consumer goods like computers, mobile phones etc, but as is so often the case, the half-wits who draw up these rules prefer to condemn all the innocent as well, rather than let one guilty man go free.

I did see that piece about church organ pipes being caught up by this rule; indeed, I very nearly mentioned it in my previous post, but thought it a bit OT. The problem seems to be that many modern instruments use electric motors to pump air through the pipes. Presumably, some of those contain lead solder (as mentioned the pipes are also partiaally lead, and to remove it would have a detrimental impact on the sound quality). Someone recently commented that our obsession with health and safety is costing us dear in the quality of our lives - how true that is.

hmmmmm, so 'lead' is out, but building new nuclear power plants is OK. Have we got our priorities right?? Mattw

hmmmmm, so 'lead' is out, but building new nuclear power plants is OK. Have we got our priorities right??

Mattw

What about mercury amalgam fillings? Will people with these in their mouths upon dying have to be disposed of as hazardous waste too?

What about mercury amalgam fillings? Will people with these in their mouths upon dying have to be disposed of as hazardous waste too?

to me it sounds like an excuse to pull a great but not profitable camera...and save face and money...with a fairly poor but believable story...shame it really is a great piece of kit

to me it sounds like an excuse to pull a great but not profitable camera...and save face and money...with a fairly poor but believable story...shame it really is a great piece of kit

What a tragedy. I love using my XPan so much I have just bought another to keep me going. I just can't imagine a walk in the highlands with out it!

What a tragedy.
I love using my XPan so much I have just bought another to keep me going. I just can't imagine a walk in the highlands with out it!

Such a shame to see a great camera discontinued. A new version with a high-resolution digital back would be infinitely popular, but I dont suppose we will be lucky enough to see this. Hasselblad take note!

Such a shame to see a great camera discontinued. A new version with a high-resolution digital back would be infinitely popular, but I dont suppose we will be lucky enough to see this. Hasselblad take note!

I think this is just another example of pitfalls for a monopoly position: allowing them pricing too high to be out of reach of ordinary forks result in a smaller pool of enthusiasts, lack of competition and complacency that make them even reluntant to redesign with non-lead!

I think this is just another example of pitfalls for a monopoly position: allowing them pricing too high to be out of reach of ordinary forks result in a smaller pool of enthusiasts, lack of competition and complacency that make them even reluntant to redesign with non-lead!

[quote]What about mercury amalgam fillings? Will people with these in their mouths upon dying have to be disposed of as hazardous waste too?[/quote] I'm guessing you're a dentist? Surely you'd be aware that you could drink several pints of mercury before the gut would absorb enough of it to do damage?

Quote:What about mercury amalgam fillings? Will people with these in their mouths upon dying have to be disposed of as hazardous waste too?


I'm guessing you're a dentist? Surely you'd be aware that you could drink several pints of mercury before the gut would absorb enough of it to do damage?

I agree it seems to be bureaucracy gone mad, but lead is a dangerous substance, and I think it is not what is in the camera that is the problem, but what happens during the manufacturing process to get it there; lead fumes are toxic! To have an Xpan was always an unachievable aspiration, but I might be able to secure similar panoramic views by cropping the middle out of my 6cm x 4.5cm (actually 57mm x 41mm) transparencies, to get 57mm x 21mm photos (a ratio of 2.71:1, the same as the Xpan). An alternative with my Mamiya 645Pro would be to use a 35mm back with panoramic adapter, producing frames of 13mm x 36mm, a ratio of 2.77:1. So the world of panoramic photos need not die with the Xpan, there are alternatives, but often at a cost. I feel that I have missed something but don't know what....any comments?

I agree it seems to be bureaucracy gone mad, but lead is a dangerous substance, and I think it is not what is in the camera that is the problem, but what happens during the manufacturing process to get it there; lead fumes are toxic!
To have an Xpan was always an unachievable aspiration, but I might be able to secure similar panoramic views by cropping the middle out of my 6cm x 4.5cm (actually 57mm x 41mm) transparencies, to get 57mm x 21mm photos (a ratio of 2.71:1, the same as the Xpan). An alternative with my Mamiya 645Pro would be to use a 35mm back with panoramic adapter, producing frames of 13mm x 36mm, a ratio of 2.77:1. So the world of panoramic photos need not die with the Xpan, there are alternatives, but often at a cost.
I feel that I have missed something but don't know what....any comments?

i have found no confirmation on the Hasselblad Website. What gives?

i have found no confirmation on the Hasselblad Website.
What gives?

Get one from Fuji out of Japan, they manufacture them afterall.

Get one from Fuji out of Japan, they manufacture them afterall.

This is the most pathetic, backward-looking decision since the withdrawal of Concorde! I'm lucky enough to Have an XPan II with all the lenses, but I feel very sorry for those writing here who were still saving for one. I would love a spare 45mm lens just in case - mine is very well used now. I travel a great deal with my camera, and will now live in fear of it being damaged or stolen!

This is the most pathetic, backward-looking decision since the withdrawal of Concorde! I'm lucky enough to Have an XPan II with all the lenses, but I feel very sorry for those writing here who were still saving for one. I would love a spare 45mm lens just in case - mine is very well used now. I travel a great deal with my camera, and will now live in fear of it being damaged or stolen!