The original Widelux is a legendary film camera with a rotating lens turret that lets you take 180° panoramas that are out of this world! And now Jeff Bridges is making a brand new version in 2025 called the WideluxX with 2 X’s and it looks like a winner. Hit the jump for more!
Everybody’s Talking About The 2025 WideluxX
The original Widelux is famous for its rotating lens turret that allows photographers to take 180° images that are unlike any other camera. And the fun really starts when you photograph moving subjects as that lens is sweeping across the film plane. It’s a heck of a lot of fun!!
But vintage cameras like this are hard to find. It’s not the kind of thing that’s going to turn up at a yard sale or thrift shop. If you want a for real vintage Widelux you’ll spend big bucks. And I cannot lie.
But never fear! Famous actor and Dude of my heart Jeff Bridges is releasing a new version of this iconic camera called the 2025 WideluxX (with 2 X’s). It’s not clear if the new camera is pronounced “Widelux-Ex” or just “Widelux” with the second X being silent.
Not that it matters. But little things like that keep me up at night.
Jeff Bridges Loves His Widelux
Jeff Bridges is an accomplished photographer and images shot with the original Widelux have made multiple appearances in his shows throughout the years. But this is more than just some guy with a trick camera blasting off frames. His images are engaging and haunting. And he’s found a way to use the format to enhance the story told in each frame. There’s some great work there!
He recently decided that he needed to remake this classic analog camera using modern materials so a new generation of photographers could be exposed to the Widelux magic. According to the WideluxX website:
“The 2025 WIDELUXX camera combines its iconic rotating lens with modern technology, delivering stunning panoramic images with vintage charm and contemporary durability. It offers a unique photographic experience, appealing to both enthusiasts and professionals seeking high-quality, retro-inspired tools.”
According to the website, the new cameras will be purely mechanical and handmade using sustainable manufacturing practices. It will keep its iconic rotating lens but use modern technology to create a precise and long-lasting tool for a new era of film photographers.
No word on the price or release date just yet. But this isn’t going to be cheap!
The Last Word
We live in an interesting time. The film photography renaissance has gotten enough steam that manufacturers are starting to pay attention and make new products just for us. But while cameras like the Pentax 17 were a little underwhelming, the 2025 WideluxX feels different.
This looks to my weary eyes like a passion project by a fan. And we can only hope that Bridges is able to create a boutique product that lives up the legacy of its namesake. It’s not going to be for everyone but at the very least I’m stoked to see where this whole thing ends up!
What’s your take on the 2025 WideluxX by Jeff Bridges? Are you into panoramic cameras? Or do you think the Widelux is a gimmicky camera that’s not worth the time of day? Post your ideas in the comments below and keep the conversation going!