I got this camera for about 2 months ago with the 45, 21 and the 135mm(+Converter) lenses. Since that day my photography changed a lot and I hardly can put down this camera. It is slow but I have never been disturbed by this fact... I am taking my time with composing the pictures and coming home with lot less pictures I used to do but I always have a big smile ion my face when I am opening the files...Thank You so much for Your excellent presentation and wonderful pictures!
Just wanna say I just recently discovered your channel and I really enjoy your calm, non-flashy and straight to the point way of reviewing cameras. Though I won't buy this camera because of cost, the images you took are absolutely stunning.
It’s 2024, I’m a gfx user and I’m really thinking about this Hadselblad. I’m losing sleep over this, I literally dream about this camera. This video helps me make the decision.
I own this camera, and after about 20-30k photos, I can't imagine using different gear. It is true, the focus is slow, the features are not good for action/sports photos but I just love it! Great to watch this review, and I get that comment about seeing it in real life often. It is a great conversation starter.
Great review. I recently upgraded my X1D to the X1D-II and love it! I love this camera because it takes me back to the film days - where this camera forces to slow down and not just snap away a thousand clicks without thinking about the frame, the exposure etc...
I added the Fujifilm GFX50r to my arsenal earlier this year and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a different camera design than the Hasselblad, but as someone that has shot with other Fuji bodies, and other digital and film cameras for 40+ years, it just feels "right" turning aperture rings, and shutter speed dials. The touchscreen is there too, with the Fuji, but I never use it. Image quality is, as you said, "next level" and while the Fuji is also very portable, I find myself slowing down and shooting from a tripod most of the time. Nice job on this video, as usual!
I rented, then purchased a used X1D (on a fantastic Black Friday deal) and have LOVED the camera. I'm in the process of trading up to an X1Dll to take advantage of the improved startup time, better LCD and viewfinder, and SO THAT I CAN HAVE A DISTANCE SCALE which is not available for the X1D for night photography where focus is next to impossible in an EVF. I shot Hasselblad film cameras for decades. With the V mount adaptor I am able to use the Zeiss glass I still own using the electronic shutter. The MF look is undeniable. I have other high resolution DSLR/Mirrorless options that I have used, but they just don't deliver the results. The files are rubbery, in the best way. I enjoy slowing down, firing off MANY fewer frames, and finding that the images just never disappoint. The new X2D is tempting, but that's not reality for me, at least until I stumble into an opportunity to upgrade again in a few years :) Love your channel, keep up the great work!
Can't say that I'm that much into cameras and photography. But this is extremely well explained and presented. The sharpness and depth of the images are utterly impressive 😊
I am doing my research on this camera before deciding whether to get one for myself or not. Your review just brought me closer to putting my order in! Thank you!
My local dealer loaned me an X1D MkII for a trip to the Eastern Sierras. Without a manual I found it easy to learn and returned with some excellent images. The Hasselblad X system is now my choice for landscape and product photography. I love the 21mm and 120mm, and have found the 45mm easy to use for street photography. The Medium Format landscape images have great color range and a three dimensional quality. I use Hasselblad Phocus for raw processing (RAW is the only way to go!), export as a 16bit ProphotoRGB format Tiff file. Then perform any additional processing (if needed) in Photoshop.
I shoot with the X1D-II and I’m in Love with the colors and the transition from focus to out of focus. There’s no going back to full frame. It’s just amazing. It’s interesting by the way that people recognized something special about the pictures made with medium format cameras even they didn’t know which sensor size or lens was used. Thanks for your awesome reviews!
Doug MacDonald Hi Doug, the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution is so perfect. It’s just right. Spot on. I know, many like the Fuji Colors. But Hasselblad is the better starting point. From neutral look to a filmlike look. Everything is possible. And there is the build quality. Wow. Stunning. And the lenses are awesome, too. Well, in my opinion, Hasselblad is in another league.
I love medium format, I was a Bladback loader for Scavullo and years later bought my own first Hasselblad, The medium format was perfect for fashion as myopic distortion is minimalized from smaller formats, or why Playboy Centerfolds were shot with 8X10. My D-850 has replaced my film Hasselblad's but for that special portrait or fashion, I'll still load a back, shoot it, process it and scan it in my Nikon D-9000 scanner and wa-la 60 Mp file to die for.
I have been a sports photographer for many years (which I still love) but was intrigued when Hasselblad intro'd this camera. I bought the X1D about 4 years ago with 2 lenses almost on a whim. This camera got me back into photography in a way I had almost forgotten. I had got stuck on sports and it was great to start doing portrait, landscape, product, street and other forms of photography again. I do have to say that the X1D was VERY BUGGY! Even after the "so called" bug fix firmware versions came out - but oh those images! Hasselblad design pretty much forces you to slow down and compose which I find very satisfying! I also love that with 14+ stops of DR, I rarely use my grad's any more. Even with a very bright sky you can mix shadow and highlight and not blow out the image. I recently upgraded to the X1D ii and all the buggyness is gone and we are left with a well behaved pro camera that is a pleasure to use and images that are startling to look at! Without question MF is expensive. I own 5 lenses (21, 45, 80, 120 & 135/230) and I have a lot more invested in lenses than the body but if you can afford it, you will never look back.
Consider selling everything else and get the Fujifilm GFX 50r. I too have seen the light. The Fuji has a great lens lineup with the same sensor as the Hasselblad but much cheaper. Nice review - thank you!
First an excellent commentary on the X1D II as there are few and maybe non better at the why you might consider a Hasselblad and your images were superb, especially the colors. However, having owned the GFX 50r and X1D II for about 6 months and used both for landscapes and portraits I decided to sell the GFX and a good collection of lenses for the X1D II and currently have the 21mm WA, 65mm normal, and the amazing 120mm macro lenses and tempted to get the little 45mm. As Brittany said and represented in her photos for me the differences were the simplicity and ergonomics of the X1D II and the amazing Hasselblad lens quality and maybe most impressing the best out of camera colors I have ever experienced in my 50+ years of using everything from Nikons (Z7 is my other camera) to Leica's to Sony. Fuji MF is cheaper but would not judge as better however either are step up from full frame especially if you can slow down.
I mostly see the light with my Leica M system plus the Leitz glass. When I want 100 percent perfection (including a little more work, of course), I take the Hasselblad H system out for a walk.
I thank you for the review! I had a film Hasselblad years ago and my lab stoped processing Med format . Told me I had to sell my gear and buy digital. I cried for 2 months. I have always felt like a big piece of me was gone. My joy, The breathtaking images will never return. And the price of the digital Hassy was too much. I am thrilled. And will invest in this camera and I thank you. I do weddings, do you recommend for weddings. even though its slow, I did before and can again.
Things I love about medium format: 1. colour rendition 2. detail (especially at 100 percent, no sharpening applied as I do with any camera system). 3. Macro performance with the Hasselblad HC 120mm 1:4 Macro lens. 4. The leaf shutter in the lens for less shaky images and the freedom of flash sync speed.
I never missed the flipscreen on my X1D because WiFi liveview on the iPad (via Phocus Mobile app) is so convenient. Connection between X1D and iPad is easy and automatic, way better than with my Nikon cameras.
In the end it matters whether you are an artist or a photographer. For me the solidification of my own perception as an artist was attained when I moved to Hasselblad from Canon. I now have to admit I am now an artist who has previous been a photographer.
Damn, how I love to listen to this woman speak about cameras! I liked how she spoke about people seeing her using a “real” Hasselblad in the field. In 2000 out at Muir Woods, it happened to me also. I had a Hasselblad 500CM and a man walked up and said “I see you have a fine Swedish camera there!” He was from Sweden. He described how Blad bodies are carved out of a solid block of aluminum. It was a fun discussion for sure. These days I used a Nikon D850 with Zeiss glass, but occasionally I mount a Zeiss CF 150mm Sonnar (for Hasselblad) onto it; the sharpness can’t be described. Really.
So, I'm a medium format shooter, I started with the original Pentax 645 and then after a year of shooting nothing but that camera, I decided that it was time to upgrade to digital. I was able to get a deal on the 645Z so I went for that. Due to my hand size, I actually find the larger body to be more comfortable than something smaller and lighter. I've never had an issue using it handheld, even though it is large and heavy. I also take it on all of my outdoor excursions. From ski touring to climbing mountains. That said, I'm a glutton for punishment. Further more, most of my lenses are from the original 645 so, I almost exclusively shoot manual focus and have still managed to capture fast moving (skiing) subjects. Obviously that isn't what it was designed for, but it is possible. What I really love about the camera is how robust it is. I've never been less worried about dropping such an expensive toy, and for me, that is worth the weight. My other reasons for loving the camera are similar to what you talked about regarding the sensor. Even though it was designed in 2014, it (in my opinion) has only just been surpassed in quality by the highest end FF cameras. But that doesn't bother me much because of how little I spent considering I already had the lenses lying around. I would definitely love to get my hands on an X1D though, because that is a beautiful and capable camera!
I shoot a fair amount with my Hasselblad 500C/M. Kodak portra with their lenses are amazing, and while technically, yes, the digital Hasselblad camera is medium format, wait until you see real 6x7 or 6x9 film medium format, or 4x5 (or larger) sheet film. It really makes you appreciate the digital camera portability, but, man, those larger film sizes are incredible.
Thank you for a wonderful, positive review of the X1D. I have shot with Hasselblads since 1972, after seeing another photographer's 8x10 prints compared to my 35mm prints. I was hooked, secured a bank loan, and in February, 1972, purchased a brand new 500CM with a Zeiss 80mm/2.8 lens for the whopping sum of $620. Almost twice my monthly salary as a teacher. My preference in camera selection is/was clear - I wanted the finest quality images, but...did not want to go so far as a 4x5 field camera. Medium format was a good compromise between the quality of large format cameras and the versatility of 35mm. You hit the nail on the head with "reasons" to use this camera. But, that said, I learned from the onset that the larger a camera is, the slower its functioning is. The X1D, as well as other larger cameras, force the photographer to slow down, and be more deliberate with each shot. If one needs f1.4 lenses, high speed motors drives, etc, then this is NOT the camera to use. But, if you have time, and relish the IQ you will experience, then it is worth every dollar. Thank you again for a wonderful review. I am now subscribed to your channel.
If you buy an X1D II now don't count on getting the new 45mm lens any time soon. I have been waiting for it for 5 months, and every month they push back the date by ... another month. I finally ordered the 90mm lens for it and I got that in less than a week.
I owned and used my D850, thought it was the best image a camera can produce... until I took my first few pictures on the X1DII. For those who think it look stunning on RUclips, wait till you see the 100MB version on your screen. Just amazing! I also find myself spend less time on post-work with photos from this camera. Thanks for the video.
yeah . absolutely the whole 100mp thing transcends in every way .. dynamic range truer colours sharper than sharp .. but the lenses are huge .im not complaining thats the point . my budget stopped at d850 and dollop of lenses .
I also have both cameras D850 and X1Dm2. I couldn't agree more. Hassy files are drop dead gorgeous . And, I have won many awards and print comps with the D850.. cant wait until, we can really shoot And Travel again.
yeah cool thats why i bought d850s .. i hate sitting behind a computer. more lens time ...if it needs editing it gets done in camera the very basics .. i dont own a computer or a laptop . just my cameras and phone .. id like a decent laptop . but im busy doing other stuff yet ... and i can only imagine how good that 100mp camera is .. good for you buddy .
Have you test both of them (d850 and hasselblad) on Milky way and Nightscape? I'm a d850 user looking for some review of the medium format on astrophotography.
I have used the Hasselblad 503 cm , 201 and the H system. The lens I wanted to get since a teenager when I saw a photo in Popular Photography was with the Hasselblad fish-eye-30 mm and the Biogon. Their lenses are Very heavy, butWonderful. This camera looks great. You evaluation was spot on, Thank you, Michael Kushlan
Thank you, this was a great video! I have shot with Mamiyas, Pentax 6×7's. & 500 cm,501,& ELM Hasseys. I always enjoyed the larger negative, the greater overall quality. Your video displayed just that. Of course we are not talking sports or wildlife,that is handled by APS or Fullframe very well. The largest attraction is of course we slow down and think and better plan our med format shots. Yours were spectacular. Thanks again!
Been using the X1D for about a year and a half and have loved it. I travel continuously and it's nice having a medium format that's not bulky and fits in my flight bag. The only issues I've found with the X1D is the seemingly endless amount of time it takes to cycle on and the slow recycle rate of the viewfinder. My understanding is that both of these undesirable traits have been improved on the X1Dii. Look for cheaper versions under other names to arrive on the scene soon. Chinese drone maker DJI from China has purchased a majority share of Hasselblad
@@MrJarod2003 I'm sure it does. Now we are comparing a classic piece of glass to a modern one. Both are great lenses. You also have a modern camera with auto focus verses a classic manual. My original purpose in posting was to support medium format from the standpoint of one who uses it with a variation of the test system. I was interested in the test from the view of one deciding between a second Cfv-50c for a second Hasselblad (500CM) or whether I should consider a X1D 11 for our studio as we often have two photographers shooting at the same time. We already have three medium format setups (RB67 with V mount adapter) with lenses adding a back is the logical move. Hasselblad has delayed release of the Cfv-50c 11 due to COVID-19.
@steve I also use the cfv-50c for about four years now. I can also say it is really amazing. I live the full mechanical workflow with the great Zeiss lenses.
I recently took my ages old Yashica 6x6 analogue camera to the mountains in Norway, shot 36 negatives in three days... (had I taken my digital gear, that number would have been 5-6 times as high), but going through them now, I find them, and the process of shooting, the curiosity the surrounding landscape spurs in me and the slowliness of it all, sooo much more enjoyable. Every image seems to have a story to tell now. There is more invested in every precious negative, and I’m very impatient to set up the dark room. It was two kilos extra weight on my back, but the joy of photography like this is not a rush to get exactly the right shot, but more like waiting to see what presents itself to you, and then, perhaps, capture it on film. That, to me, is the big difference between the “hundred options cameras” and the slowliness of: “shutter speed - check, aperture - check, filter - check, focus... hmmm.... foreground... or horizon?... hmmm, let’s go craaazy and make two exposures!” It just appeals to me, I guess, and everything about it was joyful and completely devoid of stress. Lovely shots you showed us 😊, but I’ll never get the camera. Completely out of my range. But no harm done, who knows, perhaps the joy of photography is actually in my Yashica? Bought for app 150$ 30 years ago.
Nice presentation again. I am just a beginner in photography. I am gearing with nature photography with 2 cameras. One fast for wildlife (Sony A77ii) and one with resolution for landscapes (Sony A7Rii). I have started that journey with the intent of buying only fast primes. I have come to understand that most shots for landscapes can be shot at 35mm focal length. Shooting them wider brings distortion and result in lost of sensor surface. I also tried to provide an accurate representation of the scene vertically and horizontally of tall falls and found that a wide mosaic vista of multiple shots works much better then one wide shot. So I could see the Hasselblad meeting those criteria in two ways. First having a better sensor not saturated with light makes it for my need for fat heavy fast primes, but with a light lens. Yes there is the time when the wind prevent the use of pano, but their is always the possibility to compose smaller, use shots of motion subject specific and other where motion won't cross each other on stitching, masking in post processing... When considering the brightness of the sensor, one may value for landscape the uselessness of bracketing for HDR which for pano could also be inadequate in images with motion. With a 35mm equivalent lense or so, using my other camera attached to a zoom telephoto lens of quality, I could probably produce any images I can think of without distortion. Which means that I would never have to change lenses and always be ready in a second. And then you have all the realism of the images it produce and that people like so much, for portrait... It might not be the most versatile camera, but for that usage it might actually be the most adequate and the most affordable too. I'll keep an eye open!!
Hi Leigh - 15 months late responding here, but you did ask in your video. I loved your assessment of the X1D-II. I shoot with the original X1D. However, I have been a Hasselblad "shooter" since 1972. Almost 50 years now. Why? Back in 1971 when I was new to photography, I shot with a 35mm camera, and processed my own b&w film & prints in my home darkroom. Was crazy about the results. Then I met our town's only "pro" photographer, and he shared several 8x10's with me. They blew my grainy 35mm prints out of the water!! He proceeded to introduce me to "medium format" with his camera. Yep, you guessed it, a Hasselblad. I was so enthralled with the image quality that a few months later I purchased my first Hasselblad, a 500CM with 80mm normal lens. Being a teacher, I had to take out a bank loan to buy it at the time! Since then, I have always had a Hasselblad in my bag. Many other brands and formats to boot, but they came & went. And it all boils down to this - I thought about what I wanted most out of a camera, and that turned out to be image quality. I don't need fast lenses or fast motor drives. My shots are calculated, and I take my time, both outdoors, and in my home studio. Medium format, and particularly Hasselblad, work for me! People usually complain about the higher cost more than anything else. But it's a matter of getting what you pay for. In almost 50 years time, I have only owned 4 Hasselblads. I know photographers that buy a new Nikon or Canon, etc every year or two. I guarantee you I have spent far less on my 4 Hasselblads than these guys will have spent on their DSLR's when they're my age! PS - As a side line to one of your stories - I too spent summers out west, between school years, shooting in many of the national parks. I remember being set up one time, when another photographer couple came close to where I was. The guy turns to his wife and says "look honey, he's got a Hasselblad!!" This has happened numerous times to me when other photographers are around. It's as if my Hasselblad was some sort of celebrity.
I have been shooting with the X1D since soon after it was introduced about two years ago. I bought the X1D II as well and the original X1D is now my backup. I was able to fund this system by selling my Leica SL and S006 systems that were way too heavy to tote around. While I have a varied array of the XCD lens, my plan is to get the zoom now that it is out there and appears to be extremely nice.
This is the first video I watched about medium format and I am already inspired to try my hands on this equipment! Though I also want to say the the person behind the camera matters mostly and you really did some magic with that Hasselblad! Absolutely stunning shots!!
Hi Leigh on a Monday a few weeks ago I read about the 907X the first time on Tuesday I saw every review on internet, that I could find on Wednesday I ordered it with the 21mm on Friday I got it on Sunday I fell in love with it - and my Leica Monochrom and Sony cameras are getting sad I tried and used the CFV II 50C digital back on my 500 C/M, on my 903 SWC and with my Hasselblad lenses on the 907X with a XV adapter with great results for these old lenses! and an adapter for the 4x5 Sinar is coming soon :) I even tried Canon TS-E lenses with the larger images circle, but I am not convinced of this combo. The 907X with the digital back is just the ideal and flexible solution for the pictures, that I have in mind Thanks for a nice and charming review! Dierk
The digital medium format camera that gets me salivating is the 907X (wish Hasselblad would make the non-special edition already!), primarily for its CFV II 50C digital back that can be attached to older V system film cameras. I shoot with a 500 C/M, and though I do thoroughly enjoy 120 film format, the prospects of the 500 C/M living on into a digital world I find greatly appealing. Seeing how the X1D II 50C performs gives me confidence that the same sensor in a digital back will do wonderfully well behind old Zeiss glass.
I've never tried medium format, but I'm drooling over the X2D - I shoot Nikon Z and have several of their superb Z lenses/ BUT I'm not a wildlife shooter, more generalist and travel. Hasselblad just came out with an Adventure Field Kit. I just bought it. It's the X2D with the XCD 4/21 and the XCD 4/41 P all in a rugged case with a Black Rapid strap so it's a no brainer!! So your review hits the spot in soooo many ways. I love the form, the menus, the style, the ergonomics and so much more! I'll use the Nikon for the fast stuff, but I think the X2D will blow it away! Thank you.
Lol “never seen a Hasselblad camera out in real life”.The color accuracy is stunning and I do feel lucky to be able to use this camera outside of the studio. Great review.
Started out with a large number of different Holga and Moskva V cameras. Medium format was just so fun to play with. Light leaks and different emulsions gave what felt like an infinite variability to my photography. Then I go a Nikon D90 and moved away from MF and entered the digital world. I have to say for a long time photography died and I wasn’t inspired to pick up my camera. Then about a year ago my relative let me borrow his X-Pro1 and I fell back in love with photography. It has been a whirlwind romance and I now have (after an E1, X-Pro1, X-Pro2, and an X-T2) a GFX 50R. I also picked up a Mamiya 645 Pro and share lenses between the systems with an adapter. I now have the 645 35mm, 80mm (and three expansion tubes for MACRO) and 150mm as well as the Fujifilm GF50mm. Since I got the 50R I haven’t touched any of the other Fuji gear. It just doesn’t sing to me like the files I get from the 50R. I am no where near being a professional shooter and can’t claim to even be a decent one, but I love the images that I get out of the 50R and my M645. Thanks for your video, I really enjoyed the views of Bryce. I would love to see what you could do in Zion. :)
yep have had mine since April and my 503CX with its CFV50 dijbac is sulking in the camera bag I truly love this thing it is so wonderful image quality is stunning
Hello, I have been using digital medium format for over 15 years in our studio, both Hasselblad and Phase. The main reason, file information/ detail,color, tonal range depth etc.. Hands down the best to use if you can afford one.
This convinced me to get the camera, phenomenal review. I have a really good deal on it and I think, I'll take it. But I have to think about the lens situation, I don't know if I can get one of these wonderful Hasselblad lenses, but I have to
Loved your review! Owe this Camera & just ordered the 21mm lens! Also use the 907Xse, so have best of both worlds relating to the foldable screen that is! Thank you for such outstanding detailing! 🙏🏻
you forget one other accessory with this system, not only does it have great XCD lenses, but an adaptor is available for the HC/HCD lenses to, so you can use these, as well as the usual teleconvertor sets, and adaptors for other manufacturers lenses.
I have the 503cw with their 50mp back but I wasn’t using it near enough so I bought the X1Dii with the 45mm and I use it everywhere. The colour science of hasselblad was the reason. I shoot much less film since I bought this beautiful camera
Very cool. The intro time lapse and stills are spectacular. So much so I will forward this to the wife so she can enjoy. I shot a Leica S006 for 4 years. Loved. Loved. Loved… The images from that camera. Terrible in low light (ISO was good only to 400 at best and 200 was more practical). At 5 pounds with lens it was heavy which is why I sold that wonderful image recorder. Captured details were superior to any 35mm size sensor regardless of mega pixels. My oldest son has the X1D2. I would not say he loves it but I would say he is discovering the benefits of this size sensor and he is producing some fantastic images, particularly long shots at night. Thanks again and I will look forward to your reporting from next adventure.
Nice interview, wonderful camera, I just wish that medium format wouldn't keep getting smaller and smaller. It has gone from 6x9 down to 33x44mm so far and keeps getting smaller. The better versions of the $50,000 Hasselblad H6 does still use a full 645 sensor, but this here is a pretty severe crop of the medium format sensor. (they don't tell that in the brochures though like they do for crop sensors in smaller cameras). Not only that, the 645 sensor from which this is so badly cropped is the smallest version of medium format that there ever was. This 33x44 is only 7mm x 8mm larger than a standard 26x36 small format sensor. The only way I can justify it is that they give you a body smaller than a small format dslr. The trouble is, when they use these new smaller medium format sensors on the Hasselblad digital backs for the real 6x6 swedish Hasselblad film cameras, the crop becomes too much. You lose fully half of the 6x6 image. Hasselblad use do do a 37x49mm for their basic 39 and 50MP sensors, which almost fills the 645 portion of a 6x6 frame (which has always been 56x56mm). I just wish they would keep that size or larger at least for their MF backs for the film cameras. Even that was a bad compromise for a square shooter, but this here is not worth it. It's fine for this mirrorless guy, but the trouble is, they won't manufacture another sensor just to please old customers, all they do is hand us down whatever is left in their parts bin. So I wish it was still at least 37x49 and if it was, this little mirrorless would be that much better for it. If I sound crazy, I am, and as such, I shoot 6x6 film in Hasselblad 203FE, which can scan to several hundred megapixels, so that's where I am coming from.
A really good presentation. The camera is a bit like the camera I had early 70. 6x6 film. The nice thing with this sort camera’s, is that you take the time to make a picture, it relax you. Great therapy. Nick, Moraira, Spain
just wanted to let you know that I bought the hasselblad d1x m2 and three lens Im not a pro but I love what this format offer it dose take a little bit of learning and slowing down to use but its build quality is solid I'm not good at typing how I feel but I hope you under stand ..your video is one of many that got me started on this journey.. Thanks
Nicely done! Very informative. Why do I like medium format? Image quality, plain and simple from twin lens film cameras in the ‘70’s to SLR’s today but digital - that’s a game changer and a digital hand held - well that little jewel I can carry and shoot anywhere.
Thank you for your honest opinion on this MF camera. It's a superb tool for making images. You spoke about the real and essential points that identifies this types of cameras. Congrats for your very beautiful pictures included in the video as well. You have a great eye for capturing the beauty of such landscape.
TheSnapChick, the compactness of the combination. A medium format sensor in a small package plus... It just looks nice. Even if you add the handgrip, it just looks... dare I say, sexy.
That’s a beautiful area with such enormous vistas. I have the Fujifilm GFX 50R which I believe has the same sensor as that Hassleblad. I love it. For me, medium format does have a specific look. You can have a high pixel full frame, but if a medium format took the same photo, the medium format has a certain depth and richness that the full frame doesn’t. You may want to give the Fujifilm medium formats a try.
Excellent review, Thank you, thank you! As an alternative for me, and strictly for conversation is the Canon 1DX MK3 and the 24 and 50mm-TSE lenses for landscape. with over 60% more pixels (or the equivalent sensor size to medium format), you still have all of the benefits the 1DX in speed and low light performance for other situations. Shifting and merging three images is quick, but non the less, this Hasselblad sure is sweet, and surly the future. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences...
The X1D's 43.8 x 32.9mm Sensor is still sub Medium Format, A standard MF 6x4.5 frame is 56 × 41.5mm. My Mamiya RB67 Pro SD with a 6x8 film back yields a 56 × 77mm negative, just shy of 3 times the area of the X1D. The second camera I owned was a 6x6 Yashica-Mat back in the 1970's. I have and use digital, I have and use 35mm film, but since I pretty much started in MF, anything smaller is just not what I am use to or expect to achieve with my images. My favorite is my Mamiya and I just love my raw scanned 14272 x 10528 pixel ( 150 MP ) images. It's the perfect tote about camera. If the best camera is the camera you have with you when you need to capture a shot, then why not always have your best camera. I occasionally find myself being temped by the X1D, but I quickly realize it would be a waste since my Mamiya is all I need.
1/2000th flash sync is amazing... Beautiful design as well. But those Hasselblad prices... Didn't get the joke, unfortunately, but you still get a like!
I have been shooting medium format for 5 years now. I bought a Pentax 645Z and the matching 55mm/2.8 and 90mm/2.8 lenses, primarily for studio shooting (portrait, art nude). As far as I am concerned Pentax solved those medium format shortcomings that you mentioned, like handholding which I do 98% of the time. What I really like about this medium format is the enormous optical viewfinder that makes framing and focusing in any kind of light much easier for me than my APS-C Pentax cameras (I skipped right from a K-3 to the 645Z bypassing FF entirely). I also really love that vaunted MF look. And the 14 bit images. Doing retouching on MF files is wonderful. The ergonomics of the 645Z is great too; I like the solid feel in my hands. And it has a flip-up screen for those low position shots. A fabulous bonus is that there are two tripod mounts, one for each of landscape and portrait orientation. This avoids annoying L-brackets and flipping the tripod head on its side into that special cutout that you can never locate in a hurry.
Great review, this system is really the Rodney Dangerfield of digital medium format. It is a system with vision and a concept for making MF approachable for a lot of users. Good point on the lack of directional controller on the back. I just went mirrorless with a Z50 (it truly is beast with good glass like my Sigma 18-35) and being able to work in the viewfinder is a revelation in bright daylight shooting, especially for us guys that need reading glasses. I can leave them off and peep in the whole to do all my work and leave glasses in my pocket. I can see working on the touch screen for daylight shots at Bryce would be hopeless on this camera. They really need to get PDAF onto this sensor, this would make this much better for portrait shooting. Brava
The way you narrated features it’s seems you in love with someone ... name as Hasselblad ... I wish you make one video one comparison with Fujifim GFX 50s also as I am owning Gfx since a years so , I would love to listen about GFX in also ... all the best ...
Riamo89 Sometimes different cultures express themselves differently. Like some languages are more expressive. Sometimes there’s not a word to convey the exact meaning or sentiment. So to a westerner, it may come across that way but some things are lost (or not conveyed properly) in translation. I suspect English is a second language to the commenter. And some people use Google Translate to copy and paste from their native language. Anyways, that’s my take.
I shoot with the Canon 5DS. I shoot landscape/environmental landscapes. I absolutely love it. It's a beast. Not only because the amazing details and resolution. But the huge prints. I definitely get why you love that camera.
This was great! I came very close to buying this camera but opted for the Sony A7r IV instead. I like the Sony but for my needs, I’m wishing I had gone for the Hasselblad. Fat pixels, 16 bit files and better color, and a much more elegant camera with a simplified menu are the reasons.
I have hasselblad 500cm with 80mm lens. It is great to use for film and I never have trouble with it. When it comes to digital medium format, I have thought about the CFV2 as well, which probably could give my 500cm a new life. But I think fuji does a better job in their lens lineup, product design, and most importantly - the price. XD
It's a medium format sensor in a 35mm full frame body. The lenses, however, look quite humungous. At the end of the day, what I want to know when I take it out of the box is where the power, ISO, aperture and shutter speed controls are, and where I put the battery and memory cards.. I will figure out the rest in time.
Here in Europe we do special cameras... Leica does incredible rangefinder cameras, Hasselblad the medium format and from where I am, Italy, we hav the Gibellini the diamond of large format
Shout out to Hassy' for continuing to support native free RAW software support, that being - Phocus - I'm not raining down on the likes of Lightroom or Capture One - but sometimes, particularly when starting out - every $dime$ counts..
I got this camera for about 2 months ago with the 45, 21 and the 135mm(+Converter) lenses. Since that day my photography changed a lot and I hardly can put down this camera.
It is slow but I have never been disturbed by this fact... I am taking my time with composing the pictures and coming home with lot less pictures I used to do but I always have a big smile ion my face when I am opening the files...Thank You so much for Your excellent presentation and wonderful pictures!
Just wanna say I just recently discovered your channel and I really enjoy your calm, non-flashy and straight to the point way of reviewing cameras. Though I won't buy this camera because of cost, the images you took are absolutely stunning.
Thank you! I do try to stay level-headed in my reviews. They're cameras, after all. They should be fun! :)
It’s 2024, I’m a gfx user and I’m really thinking about this Hadselblad. I’m losing sleep over this, I literally dream about this camera. This video helps me make the decision.
I own this camera, and after about 20-30k photos, I can't imagine using different gear. It is true, the focus is slow, the features are not good for action/sports photos but I just love it! Great to watch this review, and I get that comment about seeing it in real life often. It is a great conversation starter.
Great review. I recently upgraded my X1D to the X1D-II and love it! I love this camera because it takes me back to the film days - where this camera forces to slow down and not just snap away a thousand clicks without thinking about the frame, the exposure etc...
I added the Fujifilm GFX50r to my arsenal earlier this year and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a different camera design than the Hasselblad, but as someone that has shot with other Fuji bodies, and other digital and film cameras for 40+ years, it just feels "right" turning aperture rings, and shutter speed dials. The touchscreen is there too, with the Fuji, but I never use it. Image quality is, as you said, "next level" and while the Fuji is also very portable, I find myself slowing down and shooting from a tripod most of the time. Nice job on this video, as usual!
I rented, then purchased a used X1D (on a fantastic Black Friday deal) and have LOVED the camera. I'm in the process of trading up to an X1Dll to take advantage of the improved startup time, better LCD and viewfinder, and SO THAT I CAN HAVE A DISTANCE SCALE which is not available for the X1D for night photography where focus is next to impossible in an EVF. I shot Hasselblad film cameras for decades. With the V mount adaptor I am able to use the Zeiss glass I still own using the electronic shutter. The MF look is undeniable. I have other high resolution DSLR/Mirrorless options that I have used, but they just don't deliver the results. The files are rubbery, in the best way. I enjoy slowing down, firing off MANY fewer frames, and finding that the images just never disappoint. The new X2D is tempting, but that's not reality for me, at least until I stumble into an opportunity to upgrade again in a few years :)
Love your channel, keep up the great work!
Gorgeous photos. Incredible dynamic range. And what a great post. You do such a job of marvelous job of keeping things entertaining and informative.
Can't say that I'm that much into cameras and photography. But this is extremely well explained and presented. The sharpness and depth of the images are utterly impressive 😊
I am doing my research on this camera before deciding whether to get one for myself or not. Your review just brought me closer to putting my order in! Thank you!
OH DITTO!!! Anyone want to buy a babied D850? (shhh, not to worry, got two! Leigh helped me pull the trigger on the first one of these, too! )
My local dealer loaned me an X1D MkII for a trip to the Eastern Sierras. Without a manual I found it easy to learn and returned with some excellent images. The Hasselblad X system is now my choice for landscape and product photography. I love the 21mm and 120mm, and have found the 45mm easy to use for street photography. The Medium Format landscape images have great color range and a three dimensional quality. I use Hasselblad Phocus for raw processing (RAW is the only way to go!), export as a 16bit ProphotoRGB format Tiff file. Then perform any additional processing (if needed) in Photoshop.
Thanks for sharing, Sanford! Happy shooting with your Hasselblad!
Hands down my favorite system. Also the best looking camera I've ever had in my hands :) The files are soo lovely
I shoot with the X1D-II and I’m in
Love with the colors and the transition from focus to out of focus. There’s no going back to full frame. It’s just amazing.
It’s interesting by the way that people recognized something special about the pictures made with medium format cameras even they didn’t know which sensor size or lens was used.
Thanks for your awesome reviews!
Great to hear, thanks Tobias!
Have guy compared with the Fujifilm GFX?
Doug MacDonald Hi Doug, the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution is so perfect. It’s just right. Spot on. I know, many like the Fuji Colors. But Hasselblad is the better starting point. From neutral look to a filmlike look. Everything is possible. And there is the build quality. Wow. Stunning. And the lenses are awesome, too. Well, in my opinion, Hasselblad is in another league.
@@tobiaswendl9084 I was wondering if you have compared yourself. I would say Fujifilm GFX is a much better place to start .
Doug MacDonald yes. I tried it myself. Hasselblad is another level. Sorry.
Would love to see a comparison between the Hassy X1D 50 and the Fuji GFX r50. Great review!. Hassy puts out wonderful cameras!
I love medium format, I was a Bladback loader for Scavullo and years later bought my own first Hasselblad, The medium format was perfect for fashion as myopic distortion is minimalized from smaller formats, or why Playboy Centerfolds were shot with 8X10. My D-850 has replaced my film Hasselblad's but for that special portrait or fashion, I'll still load a back, shoot it, process it and scan it in my Nikon D-9000 scanner and wa-la 60 Mp file to die for.
Bruce -- this article www.thoughtco.com/voila-vocabulary-1371436 (read to the end) will help related to "wa-la".
Excellent review. I own this camera and thoroughly enjoy it. You touched on so many aspects of the camera and I completely agree.
Great to hear, Raymond! Thanks and happy shooting with your Hasselblad!
I have been a sports photographer for many years (which I still love) but was intrigued when Hasselblad intro'd this camera. I bought the X1D about 4 years ago with 2 lenses almost on a whim. This camera got me back into photography in a way I had almost forgotten. I had got stuck on sports and it was great to start doing portrait, landscape, product, street and other forms of photography again. I do have to say that the X1D was VERY BUGGY! Even after the "so called" bug fix firmware versions came out - but oh those images! Hasselblad design pretty much forces you to slow down and compose which I find very satisfying! I also love that with 14+ stops of DR, I rarely use my grad's any more. Even with a very bright sky you can mix shadow and highlight and not blow out the image. I recently upgraded to the X1D ii and all the buggyness is gone and we are left with a well behaved pro camera that is a pleasure to use and images that are startling to look at! Without question MF is expensive. I own 5 lenses (21, 45, 80, 120 & 135/230) and I have a lot more invested in lenses than the body but if you can afford it, you will never look back.
Consider selling everything else and get the Fujifilm GFX 50r. I too have seen the light. The Fuji has a great lens lineup with the same sensor as the Hasselblad but much cheaper. Nice review - thank you!
I'm currently trying to talk myself out of doing this. Selling everything and getting the gfx 50r
First an excellent commentary on the X1D II as there are few and maybe non better at the why you might consider a Hasselblad and your images were superb, especially the colors. However, having owned the GFX 50r and X1D II for about 6 months and used both for landscapes and portraits I decided to sell the GFX and a good collection of lenses for the X1D II and currently have the 21mm WA, 65mm normal, and the amazing 120mm macro lenses and tempted to get the little 45mm. As Brittany said and represented in her photos for me the differences were the simplicity and ergonomics of the X1D II and the amazing Hasselblad lens quality and maybe most impressing the best out of camera colors I have ever experienced in my 50+ years of using everything from Nikons (Z7 is my other camera) to Leica's to Sony. Fuji MF is cheaper but would not judge as better however either are step up from full frame especially if you can slow down.
@@galesmith8554 Would you say the Hassy has overall better image quality?
I mostly see the light with my Leica M system plus the Leitz glass. When I want 100 percent perfection (including a little more work, of course), I take the Hasselblad H system out for a walk.
@@galesmith8554 Thanks for sharing your experience!
I thank you for the review! I had a film Hasselblad years ago and my lab stoped processing Med format . Told me I had to sell my gear and buy digital. I cried for 2 months. I have always felt like a big piece of me was gone. My joy, The breathtaking images will never return. And the price of the digital Hassy was too much. I am thrilled. And will invest in this camera and I thank you. I do weddings, do you recommend for weddings. even though its slow, I did before and can again.
Things I love about medium format:
1. colour rendition
2. detail (especially at 100 percent, no sharpening applied as I do with any camera system).
3. Macro performance with the Hasselblad HC 120mm 1:4 Macro lens.
4. The leaf shutter in the lens for less shaky images and the freedom of flash sync speed.
I never missed the flipscreen on my X1D because WiFi liveview on the iPad (via Phocus Mobile app) is so convenient.
Connection between X1D and iPad is easy and automatic, way better than with my Nikon cameras.
In the end it matters whether you are an artist or a photographer. For me the solidification of my own perception as an artist was attained when I moved to Hasselblad from Canon. I now have to admit I am now an artist who has previous been a photographer.
What a load of shite. Gear doesn’t move you in and out of categories. You can be an artist with any camera.
Damn, how I love to listen to this woman speak about cameras! I liked how she spoke about people seeing her using a “real” Hasselblad in the field. In 2000 out at Muir Woods, it happened to me also. I had a Hasselblad 500CM and a man walked up and said “I see you have a fine Swedish camera there!” He was from Sweden. He described how Blad bodies are carved out of a solid block of aluminum. It was a fun discussion for sure. These days I used a Nikon D850 with Zeiss glass, but occasionally I mount a Zeiss CF 150mm Sonnar (for Hasselblad) onto it; the sharpness can’t be described. Really.
So, I'm a medium format shooter, I started with the original Pentax 645 and then after a year of shooting nothing but that camera, I decided that it was time to upgrade to digital. I was able to get a deal on the 645Z so I went for that. Due to my hand size, I actually find the larger body to be more comfortable than something smaller and lighter. I've never had an issue using it handheld, even though it is large and heavy. I also take it on all of my outdoor excursions. From ski touring to climbing mountains. That said, I'm a glutton for punishment. Further more, most of my lenses are from the original 645 so, I almost exclusively shoot manual focus and have still managed to capture fast moving (skiing) subjects. Obviously that isn't what it was designed for, but it is possible. What I really love about the camera is how robust it is. I've never been less worried about dropping such an expensive toy, and for me, that is worth the weight. My other reasons for loving the camera are similar to what you talked about regarding the sensor. Even though it was designed in 2014, it (in my opinion) has only just been surpassed in quality by the highest end FF cameras. But that doesn't bother me much because of how little I spent considering I already had the lenses lying around.
I would definitely love to get my hands on an X1D though, because that is a beautiful and capable camera!
I shoot a fair amount with my Hasselblad 500C/M. Kodak portra with their lenses are amazing, and while technically, yes, the digital Hasselblad camera is medium format, wait until you see real 6x7 or 6x9 film medium format, or 4x5 (or larger) sheet film. It really makes you appreciate the digital camera portability, but, man, those larger film sizes are incredible.
Using a Hasselblad H SLR outdoors is also not really an issue. Hasselblads are cameras meant to be used (like any camera).
Thank you for a wonderful, positive review of the X1D. I have shot with Hasselblads since 1972, after seeing another photographer's 8x10 prints compared to my 35mm prints. I was hooked, secured a bank loan, and in February, 1972, purchased a brand new 500CM with a Zeiss 80mm/2.8 lens for the whopping sum of $620. Almost twice my monthly salary as a teacher.
My preference in camera selection is/was clear - I wanted the finest quality images, but...did not want to go so far as a 4x5 field camera. Medium format was a good compromise between the quality of large format cameras and the versatility of 35mm.
You hit the nail on the head with "reasons" to use this camera. But, that said, I learned from the onset that the larger a camera is, the slower its functioning is. The X1D, as well as other larger cameras, force the photographer to slow down, and be more deliberate with each shot. If one needs f1.4 lenses, high speed motors drives, etc, then this is NOT the camera to use. But, if you have time, and relish the IQ you will experience, then it is worth every dollar.
Thank you again for a wonderful review. I am now subscribed to your channel.
If you buy an X1D II now don't count on getting the new 45mm lens any time soon. I have been waiting for it for 5 months, and every month they push back the date by ... another month. I finally ordered the 90mm lens for it and I got that in less than a week.
Great review. I just got the X2D 100C and I am still learning.
But the feelings you presented are exactly where I am now.
What a superb review, articulate, informative, honest and with great clarity. Thank you.
Outstanding review! I'm sold. I'd love to see the results of X1D II 50C coupled with a few of the best legacy V lenses.
this is one of if not the best vid you've done.amazing shots.
Wow, thank you!
I owned and used my D850, thought it was the best image a camera can produce... until I took my first few pictures on the X1DII. For those who think it look stunning on RUclips, wait till you see the 100MB version on your screen. Just amazing! I also find myself spend less time on post-work with photos from this camera. Thanks for the video.
yeah . absolutely the whole 100mp thing transcends in every way .. dynamic range truer colours sharper than sharp .. but the lenses are huge .im not complaining thats the point . my budget stopped at d850 and dollop of lenses .
I also have both cameras D850 and X1Dm2. I couldn't agree more. Hassy files are drop dead gorgeous . And, I have won many awards and print comps with the D850.. cant wait until, we can really shoot And Travel again.
yeah cool thats why i bought d850s .. i hate sitting behind a computer. more lens time ...if it needs editing it gets done in camera the very basics .. i dont own a computer or a laptop . just my cameras and phone .. id like a decent laptop . but im busy doing other stuff yet ... and i can only imagine how good that 100mp camera is .. good for you buddy .
Have you test both of them (d850 and hasselblad) on Milky way and Nightscape? I'm a d850 user looking for some review of the medium format on astrophotography.
I have used the Hasselblad 503 cm , 201 and the H system. The lens I wanted to get since a teenager when I saw a photo in
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Photography was with the Hasselblad fish-eye-30 mm and the Biogon. Their lenses are Very heavy, butWonderful. This camera looks great. You evaluation was spot on, Thank you, Michael Kushlan
Thank you, this was a great video! I have shot with Mamiyas, Pentax 6×7's. & 500 cm,501,& ELM Hasseys. I always enjoyed the larger negative, the greater overall quality. Your video displayed just that. Of course we are not talking sports or wildlife,that is handled by APS or Fullframe very well. The largest attraction is of course we slow down and think and better plan our med format shots. Yours were spectacular. Thanks again!
Been using the X1D for about a year and a half and have loved it. I travel continuously and it's nice having a medium format that's not bulky and fits in my flight bag. The only issues I've found with the X1D is the seemingly endless amount of time it takes to cycle on and the slow recycle rate of the viewfinder. My understanding is that both of these undesirable traits have been improved on the X1Dii. Look for cheaper versions under other names to arrive on the scene soon. Chinese drone maker DJI from China has purchased a majority share of Hasselblad
I shoot with a Hasselblad 503cxi with a Cfv-50c back. Color transition and depth are amazing.
is the image quality different from this cam ?
@@MrJarod2003 The CFV-50c sensor is the same as in the X1D & X1D II.
@@stevebauserman2603 understand, but does the difference in the machine makes any difference ?
@@MrJarod2003 I'm sure it does. Now we are comparing a classic piece of glass to a modern one. Both are great lenses. You also have a modern camera with auto focus verses a classic manual. My original purpose in posting was to support medium format from the standpoint of one who uses it with a variation of the test system.
I was interested in the test from the view of one deciding between a second Cfv-50c for a second Hasselblad (500CM) or whether I should consider a X1D 11 for our studio as we often have two photographers shooting at the same time. We already have three medium format setups (RB67 with V mount adapter) with lenses adding a back is the logical move. Hasselblad has delayed release of the Cfv-50c 11 due to COVID-19.
@steve I also use the cfv-50c for about four years now. I can also say it is really amazing. I live the full mechanical workflow with the great Zeiss lenses.
I recently took my ages old Yashica 6x6 analogue camera to the mountains in Norway, shot 36 negatives in three days... (had I taken my digital gear, that number would have been 5-6 times as high), but going through them now, I find them, and the process of shooting, the curiosity the surrounding landscape spurs in me and the slowliness of it all, sooo much more enjoyable. Every image seems to have a story to tell now. There is more invested in every precious negative, and I’m very impatient to set up the dark room. It was two kilos extra weight on my back, but the joy of photography like this is not a rush to get exactly the right shot, but more like waiting to see what presents itself to you, and then, perhaps, capture it on film. That, to me, is the big difference between the “hundred options cameras” and the slowliness of: “shutter speed - check, aperture - check, filter - check, focus... hmmm.... foreground... or horizon?... hmmm, let’s go craaazy and make two exposures!”
It just appeals to me, I guess, and everything about it was joyful and completely devoid of stress.
Lovely shots you showed us 😊, but I’ll never get the camera. Completely out of my range. But no harm done, who knows, perhaps the joy of photography is actually in my Yashica? Bought for app 150$ 30 years ago.
Nice presentation again. I am just a beginner in photography. I am gearing with nature photography with 2 cameras. One fast for wildlife (Sony A77ii) and one with resolution for landscapes (Sony A7Rii). I have started that journey with the intent of buying only fast primes. I have come to understand that most shots for landscapes can be shot at 35mm focal length. Shooting them wider brings distortion and result in lost of sensor surface. I also tried to provide an accurate representation of the scene vertically and horizontally of tall falls and found that a wide mosaic vista of multiple shots works much better then one wide shot. So I could see the Hasselblad meeting those criteria in two ways. First having a better sensor not saturated with light makes it for my need for fat heavy fast primes, but with a light lens. Yes there is the time when the wind prevent the use of pano, but their is always the possibility to compose smaller, use shots of motion subject specific and other where motion won't cross each other on stitching, masking in post processing... When considering the brightness of the sensor, one may value for landscape the uselessness of bracketing for HDR which for pano could also be inadequate in images with motion. With a 35mm equivalent lense or so, using my other camera attached to a zoom telephoto lens of quality, I could probably produce any images I can think of without distortion. Which means that I would never have to change lenses and always be ready in a second. And then you have all the realism of the images it produce and that people like so much, for portrait... It might not be the most versatile camera, but for that usage it might actually be the most adequate and the most affordable too. I'll keep an eye open!!
Hi Leigh - 15 months late responding here, but you did ask in your video. I loved your assessment of the X1D-II. I shoot with the original X1D. However, I have been a Hasselblad "shooter" since 1972. Almost 50 years now. Why? Back in 1971 when I was new to photography, I shot with a 35mm camera, and processed my own b&w film & prints in my home darkroom. Was crazy about the results. Then I met our town's only "pro" photographer, and he shared several 8x10's with me. They blew my grainy 35mm prints out of the water!! He proceeded to introduce me to "medium format" with his camera. Yep, you guessed it, a Hasselblad. I was so enthralled with the image quality that a few months later I purchased my first Hasselblad, a 500CM with 80mm normal lens. Being a teacher, I had to take out a bank loan to buy it at the time!
Since then, I have always had a Hasselblad in my bag. Many other brands and formats to boot, but they came & went.
And it all boils down to this - I thought about what I wanted most out of a camera, and that turned out to be image quality. I don't need fast lenses or fast motor drives. My shots are calculated, and I take my time, both outdoors, and in my home studio. Medium format, and particularly Hasselblad, work for me!
People usually complain about the higher cost more than anything else. But it's a matter of getting what you pay for. In almost 50 years time, I have only owned 4 Hasselblads. I know photographers that buy a new Nikon or Canon, etc every year or two. I guarantee you I have spent far less on my 4 Hasselblads than these guys will have spent on their DSLR's when they're my age!
PS - As a side line to one of your stories - I too spent summers out west, between school years, shooting in many of the national parks. I remember being set up one time, when another photographer couple came close to where I was. The guy turns to his wife and says "look honey, he's got a Hasselblad!!" This has happened numerous times to me when other photographers are around. It's as if my Hasselblad was some sort of celebrity.
I’ve shot hasselblad since 1978. The X1DII is the best image quality I’ve ever seen. It’s my forever camera.
I have been shooting with the X1D since soon after it was introduced about two years ago. I bought the X1D II as well and the original X1D is now my backup. I was able to fund this system by selling my Leica SL and S006 systems that were way too heavy to tote around. While I have a varied array of the XCD lens, my plan is to get the zoom now that it is out there and appears to be extremely nice.
Great to hear, Bill!
I have this camera and the image quality and colors are stunning! The camera itself is a beauty!
This is the first video I watched about medium format and I am already inspired to try my hands on this equipment! Though I also want to say the the person behind the camera matters mostly and you really did some magic with that Hasselblad! Absolutely stunning shots!!
Hi Leigh
on a Monday a few weeks ago I read about the 907X the first time
on Tuesday I saw every review on internet, that I could find
on Wednesday I ordered it with the 21mm
on Friday I got it
on Sunday I fell in love with it - and my Leica Monochrom and Sony cameras are getting sad
I tried and used the CFV II 50C digital back on my 500 C/M, on my 903 SWC and with my Hasselblad lenses on the 907X with a XV adapter with great results for these old lenses!
and an adapter for the 4x5 Sinar is coming soon :)
I even tried Canon TS-E lenses with the larger images circle, but I am not convinced of this combo.
The 907X with the digital back is just the ideal and flexible solution for the pictures, that I have in mind
Thanks for a nice and charming review!
Dierk
The digital medium format camera that gets me salivating is the 907X (wish Hasselblad would make the non-special edition already!), primarily for its CFV II 50C digital back that can be attached to older V system film cameras. I shoot with a 500 C/M, and though I do thoroughly enjoy 120 film format, the prospects of the 500 C/M living on into a digital world I find greatly appealing. Seeing how the X1D II 50C performs gives me confidence that the same sensor in a digital back will do wonderfully well behind old Zeiss glass.
Thanks, Ben!
I've never tried medium format, but I'm drooling over the X2D - I shoot Nikon Z and have several of their superb Z lenses/ BUT I'm not a wildlife shooter, more generalist and travel. Hasselblad just came out with an Adventure Field Kit. I just bought it. It's the X2D with the XCD 4/21 and the XCD 4/41 P all in a rugged case with a Black Rapid strap so it's a no brainer!! So your review hits the spot in soooo many ways. I love the form, the menus, the style, the ergonomics and so much more! I'll use the Nikon for the fast stuff, but I think the X2D will blow it away! Thank you.
Lol “never seen a Hasselblad camera out in real life”.The color accuracy is stunning and I do feel lucky to be able to use this camera outside of the studio. Great review.
Started out with a large number of different Holga and Moskva V cameras. Medium format was just so fun to play with. Light leaks and different emulsions gave what felt like an infinite variability to my photography. Then I go a Nikon D90 and moved away from MF and entered the digital world. I have to say for a long time photography died and I wasn’t inspired to pick up my camera. Then about a year ago my relative let me borrow his X-Pro1 and I fell back in love with photography. It has been a whirlwind romance and I now have (after an E1, X-Pro1, X-Pro2, and an X-T2) a GFX 50R. I also picked up a Mamiya 645 Pro and share lenses between the systems with an adapter. I now have the 645 35mm, 80mm (and three expansion tubes for MACRO) and 150mm as well as the Fujifilm GF50mm. Since I got the 50R I haven’t touched any of the other Fuji gear. It just doesn’t sing to me like the files I get from the 50R. I am no where near being a professional shooter and can’t claim to even be a decent one, but I love the images that I get out of the 50R and my M645. Thanks for your video, I really enjoyed the views of Bryce. I would love to see what you could do in Zion. :)
Looking forward to your future comparison of this camera to the GFX50R
yep have had mine since April and my 503CX with its CFV50 dijbac is sulking in the camera bag I truly love this thing it is so wonderful image quality is stunning
My goodness!!! You are one of the reasons I tested and purchased leica SL2 and I LOVE IT! Now this!! Lol love the colors and ergonomics!
Hello, I have been using digital medium format for over 15 years in our studio, both Hasselblad and Phase. The main reason, file information/ detail,color, tonal range depth etc.. Hands down the best to use if you can afford one.
This convinced me to get the camera, phenomenal review. I have a really good deal on it and I think, I'll take it.
But I have to think about the lens situation, I don't know if I can get one of these wonderful Hasselblad lenses, but I have to
I always used hasselblads in my pro studio and wedding work back in the 80's 90's 2000's . Cant beat them
Great review, Thank you. I am a Hasselblad Photographer and I live by my cameras.
Loved your review! Owe this Camera & just ordered the 21mm lens! Also use the 907Xse, so have best of both worlds relating to the foldable screen that is! Thank you for such outstanding detailing! 🙏🏻
Great to hear Peter! Happy shooting with your Hasselblad kit!
you forget one other accessory with this system, not only does it have great XCD lenses, but an adaptor is available for the HC/HCD lenses to, so you can use these, as well as the usual teleconvertor sets, and adaptors for other manufacturers lenses.
I love medium format, quality, dynamic range. I use Fuji GfX and I think Hasselblad use same sensor.
I have the 503cw with their 50mp back but I wasn’t using it near enough so I bought the X1Dii with the 45mm and I use it everywhere. The colour science of hasselblad was the reason. I shoot much less film since I bought this beautiful camera
We're happy to hear this Markus! Happy shooting with your Hasselblad!
Hasselblad thank you for making such awesome cameras!!
Very cool. The intro time lapse and stills are spectacular. So much so I will forward this to the wife so she can enjoy.
I shot a Leica S006 for 4 years. Loved. Loved. Loved… The images from that camera. Terrible in low light (ISO was good only to 400 at best and 200 was more practical). At 5 pounds with lens it was heavy which is why I sold that wonderful image recorder. Captured details were superior to any 35mm size sensor regardless of mega pixels.
My oldest son has the X1D2. I would not say he loves it but I would say he is discovering the benefits of this size sensor and he is producing some fantastic images, particularly long shots at night.
Thanks again and I will look forward to your reporting from next adventure.
Nice interview, wonderful camera, I just wish that medium format wouldn't keep getting smaller and smaller. It has gone from 6x9 down to 33x44mm so far and keeps getting smaller. The better versions of the $50,000 Hasselblad H6 does still use a full 645 sensor, but this here is a pretty severe crop of the medium format sensor. (they don't tell that in the brochures though like they do for crop sensors in smaller cameras). Not only that, the 645 sensor from which this is so badly cropped is the smallest version of medium format that there ever was.
This 33x44 is only 7mm x 8mm larger than a standard 26x36 small format sensor. The only way I can justify it is that they give you a body smaller than a small format dslr. The trouble is, when they use these new smaller medium format sensors on the Hasselblad digital backs for the real 6x6 swedish Hasselblad film cameras, the crop becomes too much. You lose fully half of the 6x6 image. Hasselblad use do do a 37x49mm for their basic 39 and 50MP sensors, which almost fills the 645 portion of a 6x6 frame (which has always been 56x56mm). I just wish they would keep that size or larger at least for their MF backs for the film cameras. Even that was a bad compromise for a square shooter, but this here is not worth it. It's fine for this mirrorless guy, but the trouble is, they won't manufacture another sensor just to please old customers, all they do is hand us down whatever is left in their parts bin. So I wish it was still at least 37x49 and if it was, this little mirrorless would be that much better for it. If I sound crazy, I am, and as such, I shoot 6x6 film in Hasselblad 203FE, which can scan to several hundred megapixels, so that's where I am coming from.
The camera size would be much bigger to fill your comments. Get a Phase One and go on a hiking trail. LOl
This is a fantastic camera! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You had created some truly stunning photos there in the slideshow in the beginning.
This is probably the best review I have seen on youtube on ANY products.
A really good presentation. The camera is a bit like the camera I had early 70. 6x6 film. The nice thing with this sort camera’s, is that you take the time to make a picture, it relax you. Great therapy. Nick, Moraira, Spain
just wanted to let you know that I bought the hasselblad d1x m2 and three lens Im not a pro but I love what this format offer it dose take a little bit of learning and slowing down to use but its build quality is solid I'm not good at typing how I feel but I hope you under stand ..your video is one of many that got me started on this journey.. Thanks
Great details, lots of information to work with. The lenses of Hassy are brilliant. Nice review.
Very expressive photos, they do the camera justice.
yeah, it's so hard to take a nice picture at Brice! hahahahaha!!!
I really like your title photo. You look exactly in your element. Must be Hasselblad.
Beautiful photos that you have made for this review!
Thank you :)
Nicely done! Very informative. Why do I like medium format? Image quality, plain and simple from twin lens film cameras in the ‘70’s to SLR’s today but digital - that’s a game changer and a digital hand held - well that little jewel I can carry and shoot anywhere.
Thank you for your honest opinion on this MF camera.
It's a superb tool for making images. You spoke about the real and essential points that identifies this types of cameras.
Congrats for your very beautiful pictures included in the video as well. You have a great eye for capturing the beauty of such landscape.
I'd love to see you review the combination of the CFV II 50C, 907X and an XCD lens if Hasselblad would lend one to you.
Ooo. That setup is so pretty. What about it interests you?
TheSnapChick, the compactness of the combination. A medium format sensor in a small package plus... It just looks nice. Even if you add the handgrip, it just looks... dare I say, sexy.
Think You I will get my x1DII tomorow… I look foward 😀 to have it in my Hand 👍
That’s a beautiful area with such enormous vistas. I have the Fujifilm GFX 50R which I believe has the same sensor as that Hassleblad. I love it. For me, medium format does have a specific look. You can have a high pixel full frame, but if a medium format took the same photo, the medium format has a certain depth and richness that the full frame doesn’t. You may want to give the Fujifilm medium formats a try.
thanks for your video - always very informative and very pleasant to watch . looking for next one !! daniel from france
Excellent review, Thank you, thank you!
As an alternative for me, and strictly for conversation is the Canon 1DX MK3 and the 24 and 50mm-TSE lenses for landscape. with over 60% more pixels (or the equivalent sensor size to medium format), you still have all of the benefits the 1DX in speed and low light performance for other situations. Shifting and merging three images is quick, but non the less, this Hasselblad sure is sweet, and surly the future. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences...
The X1D's 43.8 x 32.9mm Sensor is still sub Medium Format, A standard MF 6x4.5 frame is 56 × 41.5mm. My Mamiya RB67 Pro SD with a 6x8 film back yields a 56 × 77mm negative, just shy of 3 times the area of the X1D.
The second camera I owned was a 6x6 Yashica-Mat back in the 1970's. I have and use digital, I have and use 35mm film, but since I pretty much started in MF, anything smaller is just not what I am use to or expect to achieve with my images.
My favorite is my Mamiya and I just love my raw scanned 14272 x 10528 pixel ( 150 MP ) images. It's the perfect tote about camera. If the best camera is the camera you have with you when you need to capture a shot, then why not always have your best camera.
I occasionally find myself being temped by the X1D, but I quickly realize it would be a waste since my Mamiya is all I need.
Enjoyed this very much, a very decent review 👏
1/2000th flash sync is amazing... Beautiful design as well. But those Hasselblad prices... Didn't get the joke, unfortunately, but you still get a like!
Kelkschiz ...you can find a used body for around $3500k and that small 45mm is $1000 new...so not too crazy...
I have been shooting medium format for 5 years now. I bought a Pentax 645Z and the matching 55mm/2.8 and 90mm/2.8 lenses, primarily for studio shooting (portrait, art nude). As far as I am concerned Pentax solved those medium format shortcomings that you mentioned, like handholding which I do 98% of the time. What I really like about this medium format is the enormous optical viewfinder that makes framing and focusing in any kind of light much easier for me than my APS-C Pentax cameras (I skipped right from a K-3 to the 645Z bypassing FF entirely). I also really love that vaunted MF look. And the 14 bit images. Doing retouching on MF files is wonderful. The ergonomics of the 645Z is great too; I like the solid feel in my hands. And it has a flip-up screen for those low position shots. A fabulous bonus is that there are two tripod mounts, one for each of landscape and portrait orientation. This avoids annoying L-brackets and flipping the tripod head on its side into that special cutout that you can never locate in a hurry.
I hope you get to review the X2D 100C at the Grand Canyon 🤓
Hassy AND Bryce Canyon? Oh my! Well done! Sign me up-Subscribed!
Great review, this system is really the Rodney Dangerfield of digital medium format. It is a system with vision and a concept for making MF approachable for a lot of users. Good point on the lack of directional controller on the back. I just went mirrorless with a Z50 (it truly is beast with good glass like my Sigma 18-35) and being able to work in the viewfinder is a revelation in bright daylight shooting, especially for us guys that need reading glasses. I can leave them off and peep in the whole to do all my work and leave glasses in my pocket. I can see working on the touch screen for daylight shots at Bryce would be hopeless on this camera. They really need to get PDAF onto this sensor, this would make this much better for portrait shooting. Brava
Will you buy it?
The way you narrated features it’s seems you in love with someone ... name as Hasselblad ... I wish you make one video one comparison with Fujifim GFX 50s also as I am owning Gfx since a years so , I would love to listen about GFX in also ... all the best ...
that was a really creepy comment *shudder*
Riamo89 Sometimes different cultures express themselves differently. Like some languages are more expressive. Sometimes there’s not a word to convey the exact meaning or sentiment. So to a westerner, it may come across that way but some things are lost (or not conveyed properly) in translation. I suspect English is a second language to the commenter. And some people use Google Translate to copy and paste from their native language. Anyways, that’s my take.
Great video... I am forth and inches from pulling the trigger and buying that bad boy. Great review.
Excellent Jeff! Let us know if you have any questions.
Glad Hasselblad is still ahead of the curve.
Stunning photos.
Thank you :)
I shoot with the Canon 5DS. I shoot landscape/environmental landscapes. I absolutely love it. It's a beast. Not only because the amazing details and resolution. But the huge prints. I definitely get why you love that camera.
you should try the medium format, it's a different animal. check out the samples. www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/full-frame-vs-medium-format.htm
The1matic Film Clips 1000 times more expensive more like
I don't seem to find your link to the workflow tips video you have mentioned. 🤔
This was great! I came very close to buying this camera but opted for the Sony A7r IV instead. I like the Sony but for my needs, I’m wishing I had gone for the Hasselblad. Fat pixels, 16 bit files and better color, and a much more elegant camera with a simplified menu are the reasons.
you should test the GFX-50R also. it has the exactly same sensor but a different line of lenses and different form factor body.
And better ones too
Great reminder that you need to *use* your equipment, that's why you bought it (even in harsh conditions)
I saw a similar camera when I went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in December of last year.
I have hasselblad 500cm with 80mm lens. It is great to use for film and I never have trouble with it. When it comes to digital medium format, I have thought about the CFV2 as well, which probably could give my 500cm a new life. But I think fuji does a better job in their lens lineup, product design, and most importantly - the price. XD
It's a medium format sensor in a 35mm full frame body. The lenses, however, look quite humungous. At the end of the day, what I want to know when I take it out of the box is where the power, ISO, aperture and shutter speed controls are, and where I put the battery and memory cards.. I will figure out the rest in time.
Beautiful shots! And the chosen music was great too. I Shazamed it...Cobby Costa “Lost in the Dust” very appropriate 🙂
Thank you! And thanks for the reminder to add the music and link to where I got it in the description. I'll add it now. :)
Here in Europe we do special cameras... Leica does incredible rangefinder cameras, Hasselblad the medium format and from where I am, Italy, we hav the Gibellini the diamond of large format
Shout out to Hassy' for continuing to support native free RAW software support, that being - Phocus - I'm not raining down on the likes of Lightroom or Capture One - but sometimes, particularly when starting out - every $dime$ counts..