Here are the latest updates on Jeff Bridges’ WideluxX camera and pictures of the first prototype camera (check the original Widelux camera on eBay):
Handscrafted WideluxX™ prototype 0001, ©SilverBridges GmbH
WideluxX™ prototype 0001, presented by Charys Schuler, ©SilverBridges GmbH
Charys Schuler and Marwan El Mozayen with WideluxX™ prototype 0001 and Widelux F8, ©SilverBridges GmbH
- Introduction to the WideluxX™ Prototype: The WideluxX™ is a revived panoramic film camera developed by SilverBridges, a new company co-founded by SilvergrainClassics’ Editor-in-Chief Marwan El Mozayen, Developmental Editor Charys Schuler, and Jeff and Susan Bridges. It represents a significant milestone for analog photography as the first new handmade film camera designed to last generations.
- Historical Context: The original Widelux factory burned down 20 years ago, nearly ending production of the iconic Panon Widelux F8. This revival project aims to preserve its legacy, bridging the history and future of panoramic analog photography.
- Prototype Details: Prototype 0001 is a one-of-a-kind, handmade item built in Germany near Wetzlar. It retains the core DNA of the Panon Widelux F8 but includes numerous small improvements; however, it does not reflect the final production model’s appearance.
- Development Process and Challenges: The project involved intense effort (“blood, sweat, and tears”) and old-school craftsmanship. An engineer hand-built the prototype, emphasizing artisanal manufacturing over mass production.
- Unveiling and Presentation: The prototype was revealed via a special video at the International Association for Panoramic Photography convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The video features Jeff and Susan Bridges, with editing by Ethan Boehme and 16mm footage by Marwan El Mozayen.
- Key Quotes:
- Jeff & Susan Bridges: “Twenty years ago, the Widelux factory burned down, so we decided that rather than letting our favorite camera die, we’d bring her back to life. We’re keeping it old school; it’s a film camera handmade in Germany, built to last generations.”
- Marwan El Mozayen and Charys Schuler: “There will be many small improvements, but its DNA is still the [Panon Widelux] F8. We see ourselves as a bridge between the history and the future of analog photography. It’s about the art and craft of camera manufacturing, and about giving a new generation of film photographers the tools to create with.”
Previous coverage of the WideluxX panoramic film camera:
Jeff Bridges is developing a new Widelux(X) panoramic film camera
