For a recent family vacation to Northern California’s Napa Valley wine country, I opted for a single camera and lens: the Widelux F7. This swing-lens panoramic camera, famously used by Jeff Bridges, is well-known. Below are photographs from Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and Napa city, captured during activities like hiking, biking, wine tasting, and train rides. Enjoy!
Location: Napa Valley
Napa Valley, a global mecca for wine photography in Northern California, boasts a storied winemaking history dating to 1861. Its visual narrative, though interrupted by Prohibition, surged post-1976 Judgment of Paris, offering a rich tapestry of landscapes and light for photographers.
Key photographic locales include Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and Napa city, each providing unique backdrops for capturing vineyard vistas, architectural details, and the winemaking process. Iconic wineries like Robert Mondavi, Beringer, Opus One, and Stag’s Leap Cellars present endless opportunities for striking imagery, from barrel rooms to sweeping vineyard rows, all contributing to the valley’s diverse and photogenic wine country.
Nature Hikes
Calistoga, renowned for its hot springs and spas, also offers several scenic hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Bike rides
A well-maintained biking trail connects Calistoga and St. Helena, offering a safe and scenic route completely separate from main roads. Along the way, cyclists can enjoy endless views of the wineries.
Taking the Wine Train
The Wine Train provides a luxurious photographic journey through Napa Valley, combining gourmet dining, wine tasting, and stunning views from a vintage train, often including stops at renowned wineries.
Visit a Winery
Beringer Vineyards, established in 1876, is one of Napa Valley’s oldest continuously operating wineries. Its historic Rhine House and Old Winery caves offer a glimpse into its rich past, making it a compelling subject for photographers seeking to capture the essence of traditional winemaking in a picturesque setting.
Local towns for foodies
For food enthusiasts, the Napa Valley offers numerous towns worthy of a visit. Some notable destinations include Model Bakery in St. Helena, Morimoto’s Asia restaurant in Napa City, and Calistoga Depot in Calistoga, among many others.
Summary
No encouragement is needed to visit the scenic Napa Valley. My Widelux F7 excellently captured the panoramic scenery of the wine country, adding a fun twist to the experience without impeding family activities.
Appendix: to Swing or not to swing
When I started in panoramic photography, I had no idea there was any difference between the fixed lens panoramic cameras and swing lens panoramic cameras. So here is a short comparison:
| Fixed Lens Panoramic Cameras (e.g., Hasselblad XPan, Linhof Technorama, Holga 120 Pan) | Swing Lens Panoramic Cameras (e.g., Widelux, Horizon, Noblex) | |
| Perspective | Rectilinear (straight lines remain straight) | Cylindrical (straight lines at the edges can appear curved) |
| Pros | Less distortion, easier to compose precise shots, often higher image quality | Wider field of view (up to 140-150 degrees), unique “swing” look |
| Cons | Limited field of view compared to swing lens, can be more expensive | Barrel distortion, can be challenging to compose, less versatile |
And here are two of my photos demonstrating the perspective differences between the two types of panoramic cameras. The subject is the same: the portal at Alviso Marina.
First an example of fixed lens panoramic camera: Holga 120 Pan modified with a Schneider Angulon 90/8 lens. You can see all the lines are straight without warping.
Next an example of the swing lens panoramic camera: Widelux F7. You can see the warping, especially the lower part of railings. I did level the camera quite well, so the warping effect is not as pronounced.
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Mike Brooks on Widelux in the Wine Country
Comment posted: 02/08/2025
Gary Smith on Widelux in the Wine Country
Comment posted: 02/08/2025
Those are some great shots Zheng! Thanks for sharing!