Why even have IBIS if it's meant for a tripod only? These people need to calm down. It's not a run and gun camera, but it's definitely for handheld use.
This camera is a landscape and architecture machine. My experience with Hasselblad glass is that it pops when photographing reflective surfaces. The X2D may make a great travel camera due to its diminutive size. As for people pics, I like the dialed back nature of the older glass. As for tripods and MF, I have 4 MF cameras and rarely use a tripod. I spent the last 15 months on the road and never took my tripod out. Great review, and keep up the good work.
Your camera reviews have gotten so good over the years that they have become very important to watch before making a camera buying decision! Extremely thorough, extremely comprehensive, interesting and fun to watch, not to mention education. Thank you Matt
Thank you so much for an excellent review of the H2D. As an amateur photographer who has used Hasselblad cameras for almost 60 years, I am now enjoying the H1D and getting excellent results in my landscape and family photography. How can I possibly rationalize trading that camera for the H2D? I was able to restrain myself from popping for the H1DII, but this is becoming irresistibly tempting.
Like for the dancing girl! The camera is IMHO, meh........ for me it would be completely useless. I can understand that some can work with it just fine, depending on what they are shooting.
Excellent review Matt! I have the x1d (first version) with 30, 45 and 90 and 135mm the old xcd lenses. I didn't upgrade to markII despite the lower price but i was more interested in 100c coming. It took some time and I will probably buy this x2d but not today, waiting for more tests. Also maybe the new 55 mm. Looking forward to see your camp-alison with Fuji 100s.
I, too, bought the OG X1D (in the Special Edition 4116 flavor) and enjoyed using it. I passed on the Mark II, and given the release of the X2D, I'm glad I did pass on it. I am on the waiting list for this camera, but I have yet to decide if I'm going to buy the new lenses (but really, I'm kidding myself, I will likely purchase at least the 90mm).
Hi Matt, Can you solve a problem for me when using the X2D with the latest 90mm f2.5 lens. using a Nikon SB900 flash off camera and a Nikon Godox trigger or the same flash on the hot shoe, with the leaf shutter I am finding I lose at least 1 stop of flash power at a 1/2000 sync speed and nearer 2 stops of flash power at 1/4000 sync speed. At speeds less than 1/600 sec there is no problem. Have you had this problem? can you offer any suggestions why this is happening? Possibly a latency problem? I noticed you use a different type of trigger for off camera flash. Many thanks
Dear Matt, I really appreciate all your videos. I'm a Nikon Z9 shooter, not even professional, and I would not go back, even to my D5 with the autofocus. I bought it after your reviews. Nevertheless, one thing you don't discuss much is the skin tone quality of the cameras. And I think there is nothing quite comparable to Hasselblad at the moment.
Matt, I really appreciated your weeklong review of the X2D. I guess I fit within one of your Hasselblad user use cases. I couldn’t do a side by side review with my first camera, Kodak Instamatic. I could load some 35mm film into my Yashica FX2, although the lenses I have are probably no match for the Hasselblad X series lenses, existing and the two new available lenses. I moved onto an Olympus Digital camera in 2000 followed by a Nikon D80 in 2007. I was tempted when the X1D Mark 1 was announced in 2016, but I just kept upgrading my iphone. However, in 2019, I made the jump to Hasselblad with the X1D II. In 2020, I decided to add the 907 / CFV to my collection. While waiting for delivery, I picked up a 500 C/M to shoot both film and use the digital back. I really like the images using B&W film with the 500. When the X2D rumors started, I was really interested, in part because the sensors of the Hasselblads have some spots, and I didn’t want to send in for service without a backup. When the X2D was announced, I ordered in the first 10 minutes. The XCD 2.5 90 has been listed as Sold Out since product launch. I was able to order and receive the X2D and both the 38 and 55 in less than two weeks. As you report, there are phenomenal images that can be captured with this camera. In the Philadelphia area, there is an automotive museum that takes out several of their cars for demos each month. As you might expect, even with slow motoring speeds, the X1D II can’t properly capture a moving car, even at probably 20-30 MPH in quick bursts. With the 55 and the x2D, I have at least taken acceptable photographs. And with the size I can crop to focus on the car and driver, not just the area surrounding the car in motion. I am just maybe a dilettante, although I do know to use manual mode on the Hasselblad cameras. There are a lot of specifications that haven’t made this initial firmware release: the medium size for the focal point size, as you mentioned, there is no focus peaking for manual focusing. In camera crop modes are not available. There is no GPS. The camera and lenses are so new, my Apple M1 Max fully configured laptop can “display” the image file, Adobe hasn’t updated Lightroom or Adobe ACR to support the cameras and lenses. There are probably some other things I didn’t include. That being said, I am pleased with the images and captures I’ve taken in a little more than a week’s time (about 1400 images).
Thanks for the vid. H states that they have to update Mobile Phocus before the X2D can work with it. Based on my use of the X2D together with Phocus 3.7 some features need a firmware update to allow them to work. A genuine comparison of image quality from each camera, which given both use the same sensor, but different technology and software after that. I would suggest Raw conversion using Phocus 3.7 and whatever FujiFilm software BEFORE comparing the outputs in LRC.
Why do you keep adapting full frame lenses to medium format?...of course they will vignette! Try adapting some Hasselblad V lenses if you want to use manual focus lenses/longer lenses.
Always wanted the extra stops of dynamic range, but I'd have rather it was still 50 mp or even less, so we could get better low-light performance, and continuous autofocus.
There is something which nobody tells. 1. Phocus 3.7.2 doesn't work with X2D, it's impossible to connect through WiFi 2. Phocus 2(mobile) also doesn't by the same reason. 3. Wifi connection doesn't work. 4. There is no speed difference in autofocus between X1D 2 and X2D. It's the same
Thanks for your great and unbiased extensive review. There's none like that out there. Can't wait to see the comp with the Fuji. Would obviously want to see focussing speed comp.
First of all, thank you for the raw files. They were the ones I was looking for to make a decision about buying x2d. Now I am convinced that there is nothing special and, as my friends said, it's all just marketing and there is no point in changing my A7RV to hasselblad. Maybe it's for the best)
Thank you for a very comprehensive review. I did play with a demo unit recently and also feel that the AF is fine for most cases. The key new feature is actually the IBIS that will make this camera more versatile than the X1DII.
Thanks for that, interesting and I enjoyed it. Quick question - if you are in magnified live view and you use the AF-D button to autofocus the previous X camera cancelled the magnified view, is it the same here? (I may be out of date and they may already have fixed that, I don't have one of the 50MP cameras, but I remember it being an issue.) BTW re the 200/2 vignetting - could it be the lens hood, as that's designed to stop light outside the FF sensor? In your samples (thanks) the file size differences from Fuji (65-108 MB vs Hassy 211MB always) suggest they should put some firmware time into lossless compression - I assume they use the Socionext processors as most other camera companies (except Canon/Sony) so that should be available in hardware anyway. (I thought the 10TB drive I use to store photos locally on my PC would last a while... ho hum.) Oh and I think two of the Fuji sample files in your linked download may have issues: 439 - 2s exposure and I can't see anything sharp 584 - missed focus, shutter speed high enough, bollard is sharp, model not I can't really tell with the Hassy as all FastRawViewer shows me is the 1/4 size embedded JPEG and DXO isn't interested. I'll wait a while... I wonder if it would be possible to make a lens adaptor with a leaf shutter inside it? I assume there's no dust-protect shutter inside the camera so the sensor is always exposed? Also 1/4000th Leaf Shutter in a lens will be nice when it arrives. 100MP would potentially be useful for me as I do some VR images, where it would mean less stitching and/or more depth to zoom into. My computer might want danger money when PtGui Pro starts stitching all those pixels though, my largest image so far is about 230MP. P.S. The AF issue I saw on the Hassy at the show was a side-on face about 1m away and it was initial focus acquisition, not subsequent focusing (55mm lens, MFD = 0.45m so not that). It was repeatable, but someone may have messed with some camera setting or other (I suspect not, but maybe). P.P.S. This page: www.hasselblad.com/x-system/x2d-100c/ does say "The Phocus Mobile 2 app is not currently compatible with the X2D 100C" But will be fixed in 2022, so can't be that long...
What about the $64000 question, are you going to order one? 😁 I know I can't justify it, hell I can't even justify the Fuji 100S as much as I would like to, so I will stick with the Z7 until Nikon tempts me with whatever comes next
10:40 regarding the readout time of the electronic shutter, we can calculated from the banding. HK is 50Hz power line, so the fluorescent lamps flicker at precisely 100Hz. Each cycle of flicker cause one banding. I can count there is 36 banding cycle in the picture, the the read out speed is precisely 36/100 second or 0.36s, which is awful. This is also consistent with the 3 FPS spec.
Matt, thanks for that detailed review covering so many questions of your channel viewers. I’m quite shocked about the bad AF performance, not because of AF speed but accuracy. That has bern off on each shot, you had to dial in focus manually always. Worst of all, that’s not possible using the viewfinder. That’s pretty weird, afai can remember with the H4D the True Focus system was introduced and that works perfect. Unbelievable, how a company like Hasselblad, well DJI, is messing that focus thing on their mirrorless system.
Hi! Thanks for your great review. It made me purchase the X2D - and I'm LOVING IT. But since I'm completely new to Hasselblad and Phocus, I'm playing around atm, doing test shootings with flash and the like, but I've one minor challenge: how on earth do I import the files correctly to my computer (Mac)? I got the right version of Phocus. I got the USB-C. When I connect the camera to the computer, the camera, however, doesn't pop up automatically. I know it's silly to ask, but do I need to turn it on to activate the import process? Something I need to be aware of? I'm a complete noob in Hasselblad. It's quite fun to feel that again.
Honestly speaking, Hasselblad is mainly for purist and for those not into video, period! The software on this device is dinosour specs. Yes, it is a thing of beauty. The GFX makes a more compelling option to me
With bracketing urban landscapes, how do you avoid ghosting when merging (especially at night, w/ light streaks)? With cars, ferries, people and all that moving between different exposure takes I ALWAYS get ghosts when merging in LR Classic (or unusable amounts of noise with deghosting turned on). Do you manually draw sections to merge with a brush in PS? Use another software just for merging?
Thanks a lot, Matt. Such a wonderful piece. Disregarding its shortcomings, with Ducktales money I would already have odered one and, of course, not needing it. As far as Thunderbolt transfer time is concerned: Why not making use of that beautiful Speedmaster you're wearing? 😉
1:10 - nothing to add. Well said. "If thay advertise it that way ... - let's test it that way." Or in other words : blessed who did not see and believed - but we don't want to be blessed, we want to see 💪💪 Great work, great video.
Great objective review, very enjoyable presentation from someone who knows his stuff, is not heavily biased towards one brand (or ambassador) and fun anecdotes in there as well. The raw files were quite fun to play with as well
You could take the intermission 2 ways, I wonder which way you took it? 1. that Hasselblad users are cashed up newbs who only care about style and don't know how to use the gear? 2. that people who dont shoot hasselblad like to think of them as being above, even when its not really true...
my question is for that continuous dance moves, cant u used leica type of range focusing to nail the focus ie. f/5.6 then fire away the FPS to capture as many shots as possible. pls advice..thanks a million
When I did my own first impressions video comparing my new X2D and my old X1D II, I actually stated that I didn’t care that much about the 100 mpx. Now after preparing a video on the actual image differences, I’m not so sure anymore. There is quite a difference in what you can do with these new high res images. Anyway, to me the number one advantage is the IBIS, on which I have also done a video. As I often, like you, shoot vintage glass, the IBIS is a huge bonus. Thanks for your great review 😀
I have used the GFX system for 5-6 years. Apart from the obvious and huge benefit of IBIS moving from the original 50s to the 100 yielded two IQ differences for landscape and mountain work which will be paralleled by the 1D to 2D. First, the 100 sees and renders fine details which the 50 just did not. Think, for example, of fine texture and cracks on a glacier system or an Alpine north wall in winter. Second, The BSI sensor produces a dynamic range which , oddly, seems to exceed the 50. Shadow recovery is noticeably sweeter when reaching the limits of what is realistic to pull up.
@@dcrilley9624 I agreee so much. Haven't seen the images from the X1D ii vs. the X2D images in Phocus, there is a huge difference in detail, and also in dynamic range. I have loved the images from my X1D ii shooting it for the last three years, but I will use the X2D much more now. Nevertheless, I will still continue to use the X1D ii at least until the crop modes hopefully are back in firmware on the X2D, and until my Techart AF adapter for Cannon EF lenses support the X2D.
@@key2adventure I hadn't appreciated that crops or aspect ratios had been removed from the X2D. That is annoying. I use a Leica Q2Mono a lot in the mountains. The most annoying omission is the failure of Leica , I firmware, to give the option of aspect ratios which it does with the SL. Instead, it adheres to the 35,50 and 75mm 'frame lines'. utterly irrelevant for landscape and mountain shots. It is a simple firmware option they could provide. while everything is achievable in the computer there is no substitute for being able to switch, I real time, in the mountains, to form a contemporaneous view on whether something is really going to work as 54 or 16 x 9. Have Hasselblad promised to reintroduce them ?
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I appreciate it. I am thinking of the optical differences between the original 90mm and the 90v 2.5 on the new x2d. I'm not that bothered about the focus speed but I am curious about iris and bokeh etc.
Matt, regarding Phocus Mobile 2 support, the following footnotes were at the bottom of the X2D web page: 9. The Phocus Mobile 2 app is not currently compatible with the X2D 100C. Compatibility will be available later this year (2022). Check the app for updates. Phocus Mobile 2 requires an iPad or iPhone X or later with internal storage of 3GB (RAM) or more and an operating system of iOS 15.0 or later. 10. Editing of RAW files is not available in Phocus Mobile 2 for iPhone
Hello Matt, I have the X1D from 2016, yes at first there where some bugs, but over the first mounts they fix them and I am loving the results. Yes I have order the X2D and am waiting for it. I did get a my hands on one at this years TPS. I have tried the Fuji an I just do not like it. As I mostly shot with flash the Fuji....
Hi Matt - thanks for this extensive review! I am specifically interested in shooting "old" glass and saw you doing that with the Hasselblad in the studio with strobes. This obviously requires using the electronic shutter - does the XD2 now allow for using non-Hasselblad lenses with the electronic shutter and using a flash? I am asking as my X1D II does not seem to be willing to do that - at least I have not found any way to get a flash triggered when using the electronic shutter and non-native glass. Thanks!
OMG my fellow Australian most sympathetic reviewers of all. As a experienced pro I laugh a lot about the stupid talk of the lot of ya, but always liked your style. You coming over so sweet. Anyway, the sentence of the day “ you get away with 12MP!!!!!!!!” I got 120cm x 80cm Prints around the house, shot with my beloved M8 and M9. I have a Blad for Pro scenario’s. 5 times the resolution. Most I print 45x30 and the iPhone 5 covers that if you will 😂 Billboards with 12MP by Matt Granger. You’re right! I love love love shooting a M simple for the style of shooting and Hyper focal. Could never use it like a phone. I was very interested in the X1d since I love my Hd for the real work but that overheating problem and all that always put me off.
As a pro I’m sure you’re aware the resolution required for prints drops off depending on the viewing distance. Billboards were being printed for decades…
@@mattgranger very true, so is the whole print progress depending on proper prep and not just MP resolution which also can slow your workflow down. I need a system I can handle with joy. Great review on the Blad mate. I won’t jump on it after seeing this. Way to many time consuming issues. Can’t connect to Phocus and down load wait and all that. All the best
Me too. Looking at that one now - single focus, 64mp, opnly 14 bit... at $20,000. Its a tough sell. And the lens prices make the Hasselblad ones look cheap!
At last, a proper review cutting through the hype in a neutral evaluation of this camera on a wide range of subjects. As a long time GFX user teetering on the edge of this Hasselblad on the basis of ergonomics, looks and the EVF, I will look forward to the comparison. There is a gulf between the poor and dated EVF Fuji shoved in the 100s and the seemingly stellar implementation in this 100 with 1.0 magnification . One of the great liberations of IBIS and a heavily dampened shutter is the ability to shoot with these resolution monsters hand-held, at slow speeds, in low light, in awkward conditions, in wind and with decent depth of field in outdoor scenes. The poor EVF in the 100s is just a silly retrograde step which diminishes this hand-held shooting experience. Id be interested t see the comparison focus a little on this issue. For those of us who shoot mountains and landscapes climbing, on skis, with crampons, we use the EVF and its calibre really matters for framing and checking as well as optimal technique.
The bad EVF in dark conditions was an argument for me not to get the 50sii. Sadly it shows heavy moire effects in certain conditions and is really grainy. Somehow the 50hz vs 60hz refresh rate difference also showed much more in practice than I would have expected (between 50sii and 100s). Having such a compact body is the main argument for me to look into the Hassy 😊 But all of these cameras are really more than what we need 😂
Thanks for the video! I know I want it but I also know I would get better results on a Fashion shoot with a R5 or R3. Idiot proof AF and lot´s FPS has saved me many times :)
Hasselblad is a bit like Leica. Tbh the “it’s expensive” gets really old. Just like when a reviewer has to point that out in every Leica review ever. And yet they are incredibly loved and sought after cameras. To me the Hasselblad colours are worth it alone. Also it’s the most beautiful digital camera ever made. That’s value.
Understood. But for most people, price is a consideration. An M11 at $9k for that feature set, vs $8200 for X2D or $6k for 100s is one relevant point of comparison for most people.
The more I hear about this camera, the more it is no bueno. It's obvious competition is the gfx 100s, so i look forward to the comparison, but the lenses, plus this camera will cost you 20K, for the GFX, it will cost you 10K. GFX has 4K30 video, this camera does not. GFX has phase detect autofocus, this camera so far does not. You can more easily adapt lens to the gfx; but due to leaf shutter, you can't easily adapt for this. That weird warping thing here just looked bad. I got to admit, this camera design-wise looks good, better than the gfx; as are the back screen and the EVF; but performance-wise; other than shutter speed, it is generally not as good, while being way more expensive.
I head what you are saying - but this does have phase detect AF. It also has SSD, much better stabilisation and EVF than the GFX. Better than the $10k GFX100 even.
Matt I hear your point (and you're right, the camera should be tested full stop) however if I were you I'd leave the Moon out it... Hasselblad's engineer (who designed and built the camera that allegedly went to the Moon during the Apollo 11 missions) has explicitly said in an interview that he doesn't know how the photographs made it through the Van Allen belts and didn't get ruined (the emulsion doesn't react well at all to space radiation) since the cameras didn't have any particular shielding. Also in Massimo's documentary, "American Moon" 4 titans of photography are interviewed at length over the Moon photographs and they all said they were made in a studio (as there were too many hot spots and fall offs and that's not what happens on the Moon). These masters interviewed are: Toni Thorimbert, Oliviero Toscani, Aldo Fallai e Peter Lindbergh.
It’s amazing how content creators are affected by people’s comments. Ok if the comment comes from a well known photographer or videographer, a competing creator trying to screw you, that I understand, but putting random people comments on your screen and exposing them the very people that made who you are, it is a bit much. Go ahead, address the issue, but don’t expose the very people that support you even with bad or unfair comments because the more comments you get the better for you.
My comment is for Matt's consideration (I'm not trying to debate with Celso Mollo): I think it's healthy (and possibly mildly good for the world) to hold people accountable for the things they say, especially online when many feel like they can say anything without repercussions.
Thanks for your feedback Celso. I specially chose comments that were mild as examples, rather than the really mean and rude comments that would be putting the author on the spot.
