INTRO, skip to tl;dr if you like
I am a frequent getdpi reader for 2 years since I started to get interested into medium format photography.
Because I am currently a bit stuck in my thinking about "the road ahead" I finally decided to get involved directly.
Profile: Hobby/Amateur Photographer and very into Gear and Design.
I shoot 80% handheld. Sometimes people, but most of the time just going from from one opportunity to the next one. I like to take photowalks with my partner.
Not really into street. We do have a bigger but portable flash setup for fancy stuff outside. No Studio.
2 Years ago, I decided that my current Nikon is not taking any better photos than my iPhone and I wanted something really special. Since I am into Gear and Design,
it didn't took long until I discovered Hasselblad Medium Format photography. I had a tough time deciding between a Sony A7RII and a Hasselblad H3d/H4D.
A lot of discussion around the Hasselblad being old, clunky and heavy and Sony so modern that it's almost replaceable and out of date in a blink of an eye. I decided that I want something "special" and since I also shoot film, I wanted a bit more of "technical" feeling. The quality I get from my H4D-31 really makes me happy. Sometimes.
tl;dr
I have a Hasselblad H4D-31 that I bought used in very good condition with 6k shutter count by now.
I do have the HC 80mm, the HCD 28mm and the HC 210mm lenses. All of them are prior firmware 18.
I do like the quality of the photos, but:
Other gear in house: Sony A7rII, Hasselblad 500cm with 50mm and 150mm, Fujica 690. I shoot 2-3 rolls per month and develop/scan at home.
So I think I want to stay with Hasselblad. I really like the color-rendering, I like the aesthetics of their products. I have a good big bag for hiking and took my 500cm and H4D up to a glacier, so weight is not an issue for me.
My options currently:
Looking at the H5D 50c, I don't know if it is wise to invest 5000€ into a 7 year old camera. It is basically the same sensor as the X1D, which is half the price and half the age.
The CCD vs CMOS discussion also bothers me, but that has been discussed way too many times. It's just taste. I just hope the files will not like the Sony ones...
The CCD Upgrades will be cheaper and keep/improve "the look". But they are even older and I still have the "missing light" issue.
I do have the feeling that the X System is the future for Hasselblad and the H system will be left behind. No updates for the H6D since 2018 and they don't even allow X1D Mark 1 users to use the new Phocus 2 App (I do have the latest iPad Pro for Lightroom and it's really nice). Since I do have a 500cm and like shooting it, the 907x came into my mind, but it's really expensive and has no viewfinder for "normal digital shooting".
Since I already have issues using an EVF, shooting on display is really not my thing - I guess. Both cameras don't have build in flash, which is usefull to me, sometimes. Since the H4D-31 needs so much light. Can the X1D/H5D 50c really shoot at 3200 and above without big issues?
So, what are your thoughts about upgrading from the H4D-31? Are you happy with your Hasselblad CMOS cameras?
Thank you in advance.
I am a frequent getdpi reader for 2 years since I started to get interested into medium format photography.
Because I am currently a bit stuck in my thinking about "the road ahead" I finally decided to get involved directly.
Profile: Hobby/Amateur Photographer and very into Gear and Design.
I shoot 80% handheld. Sometimes people, but most of the time just going from from one opportunity to the next one. I like to take photowalks with my partner.
Not really into street. We do have a bigger but portable flash setup for fancy stuff outside. No Studio.
2 Years ago, I decided that my current Nikon is not taking any better photos than my iPhone and I wanted something really special. Since I am into Gear and Design,
it didn't took long until I discovered Hasselblad Medium Format photography. I had a tough time deciding between a Sony A7RII and a Hasselblad H3d/H4D.
A lot of discussion around the Hasselblad being old, clunky and heavy and Sony so modern that it's almost replaceable and out of date in a blink of an eye. I decided that I want something "special" and since I also shoot film, I wanted a bit more of "technical" feeling. The quality I get from my H4D-31 really makes me happy. Sometimes.
tl;dr
I have a Hasselblad H4D-31 that I bought used in very good condition with 6k shutter count by now.
I do have the HC 80mm, the HCD 28mm and the HC 210mm lenses. All of them are prior firmware 18.
I do like the quality of the photos, but:
- I like to crop and the files sometimes just do not have enough pixels as I would like them to have.
On the A7RII from my partner, I almost never have that issue.
- The camera needs a lot of light. Since I shoot 80% handheld and it's overcast all the time where I am, I feel like I am missing a lot of shots.
Everything above ISO 200 is very compromised with grain. It's better than shaky/unsharp shots, but the quality is disappointing sometimes.
- I really like to upgrade my gear and get new stuff.
Other gear in house: Sony A7rII, Hasselblad 500cm with 50mm and 150mm, Fujica 690. I shoot 2-3 rolls per month and develop/scan at home.
So I think I want to stay with Hasselblad. I really like the color-rendering, I like the aesthetics of their products. I have a good big bag for hiking and took my 500cm and H4D up to a glacier, so weight is not an issue for me.
My options currently:
- H4D Digital Back Upgrade to 40MP. The newer CCD Kodak Sensor with Microlenses should perform 1-2 stops better than my 31 according to threads. Keeps 1,3x crop. Not a big upgrade?~1300€
- H4D Digital Back Upgrade to 60MP. Dalsa CCD and full 16 bit - will not fix the light issue (?) but is hughe 1.0 crop and colors are stunning. ~3500€ for Camera with body.
- H5D 50C Upgrade. I currently have the offer for a "new" 50c Wifi version for 5000€. I am afraid that I don't like the look of the pictures. Most of the time, I don't like the Sony A7RII color rendering, especially of skin.
- X1D with XH Adapter. Has EVF (which I can't get used to on the A7RII but maybe it's just hard if you have the big bright glass of H4D in comparison). My lenses can't use auto-focus with the adapter and the new lenses cost a fortune. The camera itself is pretty "cheap" with 2500€
- Wait for the 907x and get bankrupt. 7500€ for a X1D II with the option to mount it to my 500cm (which is really tempting tbh). Again: Lenses are an issue.
Looking at the H5D 50c, I don't know if it is wise to invest 5000€ into a 7 year old camera. It is basically the same sensor as the X1D, which is half the price and half the age.
The CCD vs CMOS discussion also bothers me, but that has been discussed way too many times. It's just taste. I just hope the files will not like the Sony ones...
The CCD Upgrades will be cheaper and keep/improve "the look". But they are even older and I still have the "missing light" issue.
I do have the feeling that the X System is the future for Hasselblad and the H system will be left behind. No updates for the H6D since 2018 and they don't even allow X1D Mark 1 users to use the new Phocus 2 App (I do have the latest iPad Pro for Lightroom and it's really nice). Since I do have a 500cm and like shooting it, the 907x came into my mind, but it's really expensive and has no viewfinder for "normal digital shooting".
Since I already have issues using an EVF, shooting on display is really not my thing - I guess. Both cameras don't have build in flash, which is usefull to me, sometimes. Since the H4D-31 needs so much light. Can the X1D/H5D 50c really shoot at 3200 and above without big issues?
So, what are your thoughts about upgrading from the H4D-31? Are you happy with your Hasselblad CMOS cameras?
Thank you in advance.