Wide load! The history of panoramic cameras –from the iconic XPan to the old and new Widelux

Line drawing of Widelux panoramic camera.

The world has long had a penchant for sweeping vistas. Even before photography was invented, large dioramas took people’s breath away.

So much so that, in 1844, a German by the name of Friedrich von Martens created his Megaskop-Kamera – incorporating precision gearing to ensure smooth lens movement and thus, even exposure. Numerous plates attributed to his Megaskop still exist, making it the first of its kind.