BeerPAN 35mm SLR Makes Panoramic Movie Images Accessible

Photographer and tinkerer Robin Beerman is bringing analog panoramic pictures to a wider viewers with the BeerPAN, a totally mechanical 35mm panoramic SLR designed to be accessible, repairable, and finally open-sourced.

What is the BeerPAN?

The BeerPAN is a 35mm film camera that captures panoramic 65x24mm frames, increasing the everyday 36x24mm format into a large, cinematic view. Its waist-level viewfinder encourages photographers to compose by trying down into the body, making a slower, extra deliberate capturing expertise.

“I wanted to combine two things that always fascinated me: a panoramic format made more accessible, with a waist-level viewing experience,” Beerman says.

Built with a totally mechanical movie advance and shutter system, the BeerPAN makes use of Bronica ETR(S) lenses and steel gears to offer a tactile, hands-on really feel that Beerman describes as central to the analog pictures expertise. A bubble stage embedded within the viewfinder helps maintain horizons straight, emphasizing cautious composition.

The digital camera combines 3D-printed nylon and steel building, with a important physique consisting of a nylon body sandwiched between two aluminum plates. Two variations will probably be provided: a base mannequin with nylon plates and a premium model with anodized aluminum plates.

The Bronica ETR(S) lens mount helps all kinds of lenses, together with the Bronica Zenzanon 75mm F2.8 and 40mm F4, with shutter speeds starting from bulb to 1/five hundredth of a second.

Designed for photographers who’re drawn to panoramic pictures however discouraged by the excessive value of cameras just like the Hasselblad Xpan, the BeerPAN additionally appeals to those that get pleasure from a mechanical system that may be maintained, repaired, and encourages a considerate, intentional fashion of capturing.

Inspiration and Motivation

“I think like many analog photographers, once I found out about the existence of the Hasselblad Xpan I was very intrigued by the idea, but because of the cost… I simply couldn’t afford one at the time as a student,” Beerman says.

“Over the years I did use a variety of different analog cameras, and ultimately fell in love with the experience of waist-level viewfinders in cameras like the Mamiya M645 and Hasselblad 500 C/M, but the idea of a panoramic camera was still in the back of my mind. Then I came across DIY projects such as the Oxygen by Oscar (a.k.a Panomicron) and discovered that there’s a big group of people out there that are working on amazing DIY cameras, which inspired me to start working on my own camera.”

Beerman wished to mix two parts that fascinated him: the panoramic format of the Xpan with the waist-level viewfinder of medium format cameras. “That camera didn’t exist, so I started making it,” he says.

Mechanical Design and Tactile Shooting

Beerman emphasizes the tactile expertise of mechanical pictures as a core a part of the BeerPAN.

“Initially the camera was going to be fully electronic like the Xpan… Around the same time I decided to take my 500 C/M on a trip… another big part of what made me enjoy using analog cameras was the tactile feeling of mechanical cameras,” he explains.

“There’s something about interacting with a very mechanical device that feels very satisfying… So I decided to completely rework the design to be as mechanical as possible.”

The digital camera’s mechanical movie advance and shutter techniques posed engineering challenges, significantly in adapting 35mm movie to the broader 65x24mm format.

“Using 35mm film for a 65x24mm panoramic format wasn’t actually that difficult, because the frame is exactly the same height as it would be for a normal 35mm camera. The only thing that changes is how far the film needs to be moved when it’s being advanced to the next frame, which is a relatively easy matter of looking at existing (non-panoramic) designs but changing the gear ratios,” Beerman says.

Lens Choice and Accessibility

Beerman chosen the Bronica ETR(S) lens mount for reliability and affordability.

“When I started the project I started looking at leaf shutter lenses as creating my own focal plane shutter would be incredibly complex… In the end I settled on the Bronica ETR lenses and with the help of Oscar from Panomicron I figured out how to control the shutter in the lens electronically,” he says.

“The Bronica ETR lenses also aligned fantastically with my goals for the project as there’s a wide variety of focal lengths and they have great optics, but most importantly they’re relatively affordable.”

Beerman plans to launch the BeerPAN’s design recordsdata below an Open Community License a 12 months after fulfilling Kickstarter orders, permitting others to construct, modify, and enhance the digital camera.

“A year after I’ve fulfilled all Kickstarter orders, I want to release the CAD files of the camera to allow others to manufacture the camera themselves and improve the design,” he says.

“Finally, I want this project to have an open flow of information that’s prevalent in the DIY camera community. For example, I’ve released my findings on how the Bronica ETR lenses work so others can learn from it.”

He hopes the digital camera will encourage photographers drawn to panoramic movie however discouraged by its value, or these looking for a slower, extra intentional approach of capturing.

“A photographer that has always inspired me is Jason De Freitas… his analog astrophotography and experimental style is mind blowing to me and I’d love to see what he can come up with with a BeerPAN. Another dream come true would be to see the Widelux master himself Jeff Bridges with a BeerPAN.”

Production and Timeline

The BeerPAN prototype is totally practical and has been examined extensively. Moving to manufacturing will contain sourcing machined elements, optimizing 3D printing for consistency, and establishing meeting and high quality management procedures, which Kickstarter funding will allow.

Two variations of the digital camera will probably be provided: a base mannequin with 3D-printed nylon plates and a premium mannequin with anodized aluminum.

Beerman expects the timeline to run from February 2026 by December 2026, with manufacturing accomplished and cameras shipped to backers by the tip of the 12 months.

Image credit: BeerPAN

Disclosure: Make certain you do your individual analysis into any crowdfunding venture you’re contemplating backing. While we intention to solely share respectable and reliable campaigns, there’s all the time an actual likelihood which you could lose your cash when backing any crowdfunded venture. PetaPixel doesn’t take part in any crowdfunding affiliate packages.

To maintain tasks accountable, all crowdfunding campaigns on which PetaPixel stories are financially backed with the bottom tier possibility with the intention to give the publication visibility into all backer-only communications. If a marketing campaign proprietor acts in a way inconsistent with its guarantees, PetaPixel will share that data publicly.