After 8,000 Photos with the Hasselblad X2D: It's NOT just about Image Quality! 

Just sold my X1Dii and received my X2D in the mail and was absolutely blown away. I didn’t think a camera could be that much better but the improvements over the X1Dii are nicely welcomed. Resolution is insane, love the face AF, interval storage, WiFi transfer is much faster, faster startup and user interface, feels heavier. I have the 45p lens and the 135mm with 1.7TC. Excited to really get out and get some proper photos.

One day I will become a photographer like you Ortiz. Your work is a motivation for me. A strong hug

I’ve been using a Sony A7RV and love the color science in it. But when I shot with the X2D I was instantly like “wow!” It’s definitely something you have to experience. It slows down the process a bit but I like that. Too expensive for me but definitely a beautiful camera.

It’s not a huge difference because the sensor isn’t as big of a jump as crop to full frame. But there’s still an advantage. Clean images and color transitions or tonality is superior to full frame.

because you shoot in Chicago, i get new ideas for spots all the time. you've been a life saver for me so many times. and im so thankful for this reason

Some gxAce vibes! Well done

04:43 there are literally two wheels to move the focuspoint arround. 10:40 why not use your left thumb if you want to move the focuspoint instead of your right thumb? You can set it up in the menu to use the left side of the screen to move arround the focuspoint. Your right hand stays at the shutter while your left thumb moves the focuspoint arround while you are watching through the EVF

Mannyw the goat yall. This camera fits your ascetic perfectly bro.

I really like the look of that camera, but I went for the GFX100S ii as it's more practical with the auto focus, but it's a beautiful camera and it produces stunning photos in the right hands like any tool it's amazing great video. I have no intention of buying one of these cameras but wow it is impressive. I hope you are well.

Even X1D or H3D can give very good results. X2D too expensive for most of people, but in few years time we can buy it cheaper ;o) And yes, Hasselblad the best! But not for everyone.

As someone who's currently saving for a Hasselblad, I'm considering the X1D II 50c as a more budget-friendly option, especially since autofocus isn't a priority for me. I can get one for about 2900€ in my area, including a warranty, which seems like a great deal compared to the X2D's 7-8k price tag. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is that I'm still saving for the newer lenses, which are a bit pricey. My thought is that I could start with the X1D II 50c now and build up my lens collection over time. Later on, I could either upgrade to the X2D or even skip it and wait for the next model when prices drop. I'm not too worried about the lens mount changing anytime soon, so I think I have time to invest in a good set of lenses for the future. I plan to use this camera mainly for work, particularly for prints, and I think 50MP is more than enough for my needs, with the added benefit of having some room to crop. I really appreciate the color rendering and build quality, especially of the lenses. As a flash photographer, the flash sync speed is a huge plus for me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether upgrading is truly worth it, aside from the autofocus improvement. I hope I'm right in thinking you've used both cameras, which is why I'm asking. Most people I've talked to with an X2D haven't had experience with the X1D II.

You're messing with my head because you really make me want this camera. you got me thinking about it in one of your past videos. and now again with this video. any idea when Hasselblad will come out with their next generation X2D ll ?

As always thank you for the review. The path not taken. I did consider buying the X2D. In so many ways it is a great camera. If feels wonderful in the hand, the images are great, Hasselblads colours science is superior to any other company, and I love 1/4000 flash sync speed. Sadly, there were a few things that pushed me to the Fujifilm. The most obvious was cost. In total getting the GFX 100s and lenses cost me around £11k, but going for the X2D with lenses would have cost £18k, and that is a big chunk of change. At the time, the AF on the X2D was bad, and whilst the GFX AF was not great, it was on a different level to the X2D. Finally, I love the GF110mm f/2. It is an amazing lens. My heart wishes I had gone for the X2D, I so love the camera, but I still think I made the right decision for me at that time, and with the money I saved, I was able to get a complete set of Zeiss primes, and a Panasonic S1R, which is a fun combination. :D

Probably the most cinematic camera review that I've ever seen... beautiful, quite beautiful!

That’s why I choose GFX100II, no major problem with AF, same thick files, better lenses choice, ability to have lossless compression and decent color. Not so neat as Hassel, but very good with right profile. Anyway Hassel looks awesome and feels like a great tool.

This is funny because I just watched your video from last year about this camera or medium format as a whole and now to see this one, it's cool to see your experience evolve.

Does it matter how good it is if Hasselblad doesn't want you to buy one? I tried getting into this system. Knowing that lens availability is really bad on this system, I decided to buy a couple lenses before the X2D body to avoid ending up with a body I can't use. Bought one lens, had to camp the Hasselblad store for months for a chance to buy the other... and then the store didn't send it to me. They put another tracking number into my order, making it look like it'd been fulfilled. Took me two weeks to notice it wasn't my tracking number, and then two months of asking what was going on and them delaying and delaying. In the end they decided to just cancel my order even though I told them I didn't want that; the cancellation cost me over a hundred dollars in currency conversion fees and all those months of camping the store. Obviously I'm not about to start camping the store for months again, especially not after they messed up the order, treated me this badly and cost me money for daring to try to purchase a product from them. So now I can't get into the system (nor would I want to support the brand after this) and will have to sell the lens I already got at a loss. I strongly recommend not attempting to get into this system, the lenses are too hard to get and their store policies are unacceptable.

one of the coolest, informative videos I've seen on the X2D 100c - thanks for that!

16-bit all flash sync speed beauty. Seriously really nice shots and must be great tool to have when wanting to create the best.

I am so getting one. Just need some saving. Might get rid of one of the sonys. Nice to see a video with one who really knows their craft. A powerful combination of the camera and the man behind. Nice video Manny. Keep up the good work.

Love seeing your post great to see you back

You are right. Great IQ. Really great IQ. Amazing color. And it can handle reds that would choke other cameras. It shows me colors not that my eye sees but what my brain sees. Crazy good color. Yeah, there's the X2D and then the rest. Thanks, great vid.

Just got a used one and the 55 on eBay. Thanks for making us aware of cameras such as this exist.

next camera after getting my nikon all setup with better backup is Medium Format for portraits shooting. since how well it does it work.

i am really in the mood for this camera

Hey, I’m curious, do you notice the difference in WB from LCD versus the EVF and actual files? Mine is definitely off and not sure what to do about it. The LCD looks more dull and not accurate. I use Kelvin just for reference. Appreciate it!

Love the music and feel of this video…very epic

Love the cinematic approach 🔥

The GFX 100II is still a better all-around camera solution for work.

Really love your Reviews, different in many ways compared to others.👍 Just because you’re portrait photographer I want to know what you think about the visibility of the leave shutter, for example in the bokeh balls using high speed shutter, if your are not using filters. Any experience about it?

amazing pictures Manny!

Unfortunately the lack of a joystick that you've mentioned is a clear no go for me. It could seems like a detail but it could really be annoying for a professional every day use and I really don't understand how they could have thought it was ok without it... I guess I'll wait the next generation :(

I am pretty sure they will fix most of the stuff you don't like in the X3D. I expect that to be an even more amazing camera if it's possible.

Sony A7RV says... ha ha!

I enjoyed your video, Manny. Great stuff as usual. I'm just curious why you said you don't have friends.

Since you like the Hasselblad, WILL YOU GET THE NEW DJI CAMERA, since they own Hasselblad 🤔

Amazing video brother. Thank you for sharing this video. I love it 🥰

Great Video, thanks for all the info

Dream…absolute dream stills camera for me coupled with some of their latest lenses…but real world, my A7RV is just a ‘better’ camera 95%+ of the time for my use case. And ‘saved’ me a shit ton of money! But lottery win…

😂 You %100 percent normally talk like that. Keep up the good work.

Can I ask, how many shots do you typically get when out shooting with the X2D? I bought one in December last year and I only get 150 images on 100% battery charge, nowhere near the 400+ images stated in the specs.

I'm still reeling from editing my X1Dii images. The X2D would probably blow my mind................

What software do you use to post process photos from the Hasselblad X2D? Hasselblad recommends using Phocus to take advantage of the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) ; but Hasselblad also state that the files can also be opened and edited in Adobe series software. This is confusing, can the files be edited with 2 different softwares.

that's why I'm waiting for Nikon to give us a 16Bit Camera

Keep in mind the internal storage can fail like any other storage. Perhaps its better you use the card slot as a back up.

Isn’t that the software though? The Hasselblad has the exact same sensor the GFX 100ii has, so much like Leica’s Q3 and Sony’s A7RV and how the Leica seems like it has better imagery, it’s the way the software works with the sensor… no? Hasselblad has always been amazing.

How does it compare to Leica m11

The price tag it better be amazing Quality.

Great Video and Voice hehehe !!

Is there a reason for basically non existent video features on these cameras? Only Fuji offers 4k video with just the GFX 100ii supporting 4k60. I would love to get a medium format camera (lens selection is a bit limited, I’d assume a decent zoom would just be insanely big, heavy and expensive) but the (non existent) video features scare me away as clients mostly want both

I agree with the option to turn on and off liveview.. dont get me wrong..i still prefer using the touchpad than having a joystick in this camera, for aesthetic reason

Are the lenses leaf shutter? Is the internal storage user replaceable?

i want this camera.

Great camera but the lag of a joystick is problematic. I have q3 and I miss the joystick.

Leica sl3 is pretty close to the x2D

the 90mm lens is awesome but the combo, the body and the lens..its gonna cost me a Kidney! bloody expensive, folks!!

Hassellblad video before sony a9iii review video🤣

Where can i find the files pls?

I hope the H3D will have autofocus that can compete with FF. The main problem with MF cameras today is that they're for a too narrow use case - they excel at IQ but lag behind in every other regard, while the current FF cameras are incredibly good at everything for less money. So unless you exclusively shoot what the H2D excels at, like Manny, it doesn't make sense to buy it even though the IQ from it looks astonishing.

The music is overpowering the video. I don't come here for a music video. I come here to hear what you have to say. Please, at least turn down the music volume. Thank you for a great & informative review.

You guys still use adobe software? I moved to dxo photolab, capture1 and affinity. Way better

we love cinematic Manny

Amen!!! Just wait when in a few months we should be seeing a beefier maybe higher resolution camera from them!!!

You are the EXACT PHOTOGRAPHER I wanted to hear from! You and this camera bring out the best in each other, for someone who uses flash inside and outside in such a way is something most photographers aren't doing these days (I for one hate that trend and love playing with light, color and contrast not just natural light). If I were you I would contact Hasselblad for their 0.8 XH Focal Reducer so you can use their OG 6x6 Lenses! That will give a high quality vintage flair to your images and I would love to see what you can do with it, Amazing Shots as always 🔥🔥

bro... having tattoo of your own photo ? 🤯😮

It's not a bodysuit for everyone. 95% of photographers use warm, orange presets. The science of colors really doesn't matter anymore. Nobody puts a price on natural color anymore, unfortunately. Their lenses have a large aperture, no bokeh, or too little. What is very good about this camera is its format. How does the big screen look? I don't understand why we have stayed for 100 years with a 3" screen. We need bigger and better quality screens. You can't put a price on the experience of using these cameras. Sony has a $2 grip, hard and sharp plastic. Small and bad screens. I think that Haselblad, bringing lenses with f1.8 and better focal lengths plus a better AF, would be top on the market.

Compare this to a real medium format camera like a H6D or a PhaseOne??

😅 why,

Funny to see expensive af camera witch plastix trash toy transmitter and insta

The af suck even slower gfx50s II

...a beautul camera with too many issues. I very much understand why someone likes it but from a pure photographic standpoint the GFX100II is simply the much better camera and not only because it offers AF-C but fuji has build a rather complete line of lenses including phantastic zoom lenses.

Where is your sense of reality please? Nikon Z8 with a 28-75 2.8 against 55m prime lens. I pit a Dacia against an F1 and claim that F1 is bolide better. Thank you brother, we believe you. If you want to say that something is better then say so, but if you want to draw comparisons then say something that makes some sense.

You sound very demure on this one

28 to 75 is not the top class of Z lenses.

Manny you have friends. 700,000 of them! We are your friends.

Now that HSS is standard, the only advantage of the leaf shutter is kinda gone

I’m definitely going to try it out …I’m scared I’ll like it too much! Haha! Thanks for the video!

Look I’ve tried to explain this to non Hasselblad users Manny… sometimes I just shoot like pointless things at home with mine when I’m bored… I just love it, but they just won’t get it until they get one and just spend time with it, learn it’s quirks and all its qualities. 🤷🏽‍♂️

Thank you for your honest, thoughtful and sometimes painful review. We all want Hassy, Leica & the rest to do well but by god, they need to rise up to the occasion. I look forward to the real & practical support in every aspect, from say, Nikon or whatever including mft, in the future. Shame about the Europeans but they should fight back!

Im retired for a year. Been a nikon user for 40 plus years. LOVE the Z8. Im tempted to downsize. Sell my photo gear and get the X2D. Is this a dumb idea?

How I heard the first sentence: "I've spent about an entire year ... awake, doing night shifts in my second job to buy this camera."

i wanna see you use a phase one... one day... you gotta do it lol rent one if it's available because i want to see a comparison and i love your breakdowns. they're non bias and always provide visual contrasts between the bodies.

One question, if it's allowed, in your opinion what is the percentage breakdown for a good photo? Lens, sensor and the rest of the components in the camera????????

Did you had the chance to test out a XF IQ4 from Phase One? As far as I know, it's the last real medium format system on the market right now. Would be interesting to see, how much of a difference a real MF makes compared to these crop medium format cameras like the Hassi or the Fujis.

Still waiting 150mp medium format in a small body , shoot 30fps still , 4k 120fps video..

better than fuji gfx100ii?

I stopped this video after 3 minutes torture of my tinnitus ears, that "music" is very bad for persons like me with tinnitus ! It may be a very good camera, but it is overpriced and I do not like that DJI shut down for the "Hasselblad" service in some countries and made it worse in others ! So though the X2D may be a "better" camera, then Fuji are a better and more future safe buy !

The thing I love about medium format cameras and in many ways people don't understand this and they initially see it as a negative. Is it actually get you to slow down and be mindful pretty much? All of the medium format cameras are similar in many ways that they do force you to slow down and take your time and I think that's a good thing in Photography and in life we are constantly rushing rush rush rush shoot shoot shoot edit edit edit guess what? Slow down take your time and get the shot done. If that means you gotta add 10 minutes to your shoot time that's fine. You're not gonna miss that 10 minutes but what's important? Is it how it makes you feel? I've noticed now when I go out and shoot with my medium format camera I'm slowing down and I'm loving that slower pace and yes, I do shoot professionally, but it's one of those things that is actually a positive not a negative negative. It's the way you see it.

if you are happy with the hasselblad skin tone, do you still edit it on raw? or you just send away the jpeg. i know this is such and obvious question but please understand.

Most photographers, even professionals, do not need a medium format digital camera. With some well known exceptions (fashion, product photography, etc.). Because most clients will not see a difference, and because huge files are much more difficult to handle in post production, slow down the computer, and need much more storage space. The decision for a Hasselblad X2D or a Fuji GFX 100 comes seldom from the brain, but usually from the stomach and/or the heart. I can hardly see a rational justification for it.

This is my dream camera but here in the Philippines the ROI of this camera is so hard to get. Like, literally, being a Freelance Wedding Photographer for 5yrs my salary for the whole day shoot non-stop is just 55 usd and we work 12 to 15hrs. So yeah, how I wish I can buy this kind of Camera.

Really nice work, just little less of the pauses between words. I see you admire someone’s cinematic videos, I think I know who, but he’s on another level.

And that sensor is made by none other than... Sonyyyyyyyyyyy (sang like kendrick lamar "not like us")

Yep, exactly what you said, use the tools for the job. I love MF, but purchasing would be more niche or when a client requests it.

Your video skills are amazing

Deep Dive - its a kickass Medium Format camera

Always infomative 🙌🙌🙌

Bro, those shots are killer

We are SO tired of the shilling. We are SO tired about hearing what a game changer the X2D is. We are SO tired of YTers getting 20k worth of gear just to glaze a company that's buying good reviews from talking heads. It ain't the brush, it's the artist. And no, I'm not a little broke boy, I could cop a full Hassy kit if I wanted to, but there's literally no reason to. No one is going to view my work at a scale where they'd ever tell the difference.

True, it's not about image quality. It's about status.