Hasselblad X2D coming soon to a divorce near you

[hcubell]

I had one of the first X1Ds in the US Back in 2017. I know very well about the flaws in the launch of that product and, IMO, it was far more about the major instability issues than the lack of “features.” The actual shipment of the X1D was constantly delayed from the time of the announcement in 2016. Then, when it was finally released in 2017, the X1Ds were regularly freezing, the AF was slow and unreliable, the control wheels had to be replaced, the start up time was dreadfully slow, and on and on. If the X2D is rock solid in operating the way it should with just the features promised/listed at launch, I think it will be an extraordinary camera system for many. Not all. If there are missing “features” that you really do NEED, you should not buy it unless and until they are available.
I expect that the percentage of the potential buyers of an X2D who would actually use video is extremely small, and given the apparent challenges of incorporating a serious video capability in the X2D, I think the decision to drop it was correct. It just may not have been possible to solve the overheating issues without a significant change in the size or design of the body. That would have been so much more of an issue than dropping video. How much of the delay in releasing the X2D was because they were trying to make video work? Moreover, how much time and effort in writing software/firmware would have to be spent on video rather than on improving the software/firmware for still photography? Again, a bad trade off. Ind, nobody was ever promised video, so nobody should see that as a marketing failure on Hasselblad’s part.

 

[MGrayson]

It seems that the ( now) older type lenses are limited to 1/2000th shutter speed and no Phase detect auto focus.....

CD and PDAF lens motors are different. It makes sense that they would release new lenses for PDAF. In anticipation, I picked up used a 21 and a 45. The 21 doesn't need much focus, having a huge DoF, and the 45 used was very inexpensive. Before the S24 came out, the S35 was my favorite lens (and the SK 43 on an IQ160 .. same FoV). I may make do with the new 38 When the X2D arrives, it will be an interesting experiment.

 

[SrMphoto]

It seems that the ( now) older type lenses are limited to 1/2000th shutter speed and no Phase detect auto focus.....

I believe that is not true. Do you have a source for that claim?
I do not see a reason why PDAF should not be used with "older type" lenses. Reviewers notice improved focusing speed with "older type" lenses.
Some new V lenses are also limited to 1/2000, except the XCD 90mm V, which has a different shutter unit that supports 1/4000 sec.

 

[buildbot]

CD and PDAF lens motors are different. It makes sense that they would release new lenses for PDAF. In anticipation, I picked up used a 21 and a 45. The 21 doesn't need much focus, having a huge DoF, and the 45 used was very inexpensive. Before the S24 came out, the S35 was my favorite lens (and the SK 43 on an IQ160 .. same FoV). I may make do with the new 38 When the X2D arrives, it will be an interesting experiment.

How are they different? Stepper vs a normal brushless DC motor? Might make precision tricky for the latter but it seems like a good control algorithm would be able to handle either, regardless of how focusing is being calculated?

 

[MGrayson]

How are they different? Stepper vs a normal brushless DC motor? Might make precision tricky for the latter but it seems like a good control algorithm would be able to handle either, regardless of how focusing is being calculated?

Alas, I don't know the details. PDAF motors want to turn a precise amount very quickly. CD motors want to move quickly and smoothly and stop quickly on demand. A PDAF lens on a CD sensor will stutter as it moves in bursts towards final focus. I'm not sure that CD lenses even work with PDAF - there is no closed control loop. (Of course, *something* should be possible and a good algorithm would be that something.)

 

[Photon42]

The HC lenses actually were made for PDAF. There the problem was they could not autofocus with CDAF without a FW upgrade which seemed to take so much space that only the latest lens versions could be updated to autofocus.

 

[PeterA]

CD and PDAF lens motors are different. It makes sense that they would release new lenses for PDAF. In anticipation, I picked up used a 21 and a 45. The 21 doesn't need much focus, having a huge DoF, and the 45 used was very inexpensive. Before the S24 came out, the S35 was my favorite lens (and the SK 43 on an IQ160 .. same FoV). I may make do with the new 38 When the X2D arrives, it will be an interesting experiment.

My use case is unconventional ( I am guessing) all I need the camera to do is work well with 21/24 and 28mm FF equivalents - so I am very interested in feedback on the new 38mm lens - aperture ring and distance scales are a huge improvement over what I am working with in the 30/3.5 atm. Both copies of the (now) old 45mm lens are excellent 35mm equivalents - if you like that focal length. For longer focal lengths - I prefer alternative cameras and lenses.

Enjoy your new camera - and let us know how it goes.

atb
Pete

 

[Photon42]

Maybe the focus box can be made a little smaller. Would be helpful at times with these short focal lengths.

 

[SrMphoto]

Gordon has received his X2D and gives the first impression on Leica User Forum:
https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topi...ussion-merged/?do=findComment&comment=4507719

 

[Photon42]

Gordon has received his X2D and gives the first impression on Leica User Forum:
https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topi...ussion-merged/?do=findComment&comment=4507719

> None of my HC lenses focus on the X2D. With either the normal or 0.8 adaptors. They all do on the X1DII. Not sure if this will change but I will ask HB.

That is slightly annoying (for me). My hope is that this gets fixed.

 

[MGrayson]

The 2/110 arrived, and is wonderful on the X1D. Huge heaps of CA, but a lovely dreamy look for a landscape.

And yet this shows Moiré on the buildings. The bokeh is nicer than the Leica S100/2 (based on precisely one shot). I didn't think the slightly longer focal length would make that much difference.

Focusing on a portrait subject is a lot harder, especially with the electronic shutter. (Say "hello", Soup.)

But totally worth it.

I'm very much looking forward to shooting this lens on the X2D.

Matt

 

[robmac]

One of my faves and an 'orphan' in the H family - as resale prices indicate.

 

[jng]

The 2/110 arrived, and is wonderful on the X1D. Huge heaps of CA, but a lovely dreamy look for a landscape.

And yet this shows Moiré on the buildings. The bokeh is nicer than the Leica S100/2 (based on precisely one shot). I didn't think the slightly longer focal length would make that much difference.

Focusing on a portrait subject is a lot harder, especially with the electronic shutter. (Say "hello", Soup.)

But totally worth it.

I'm very much looking forward to shooting this lens on the X2D.

Matt

Matt,

This lens is really best suited for portraits, not skylines, so as long as there's no moiré on Soup, all will be right with the world.

John

P.S. I don't detect any fringing on Soup's OOF whiskers, which should keep the CA* police off your back!

* EDIT: "CA" as in chromatic aberration, not the state!

 

[MGrayson]

I don't detect any fringing on Soup's OOF whiskers, which should keep the CA* police off your back!

Maybe just a bit...


Matt

I’ll move this lens to a different thread. In particular, I can mount it on both the Leica S and the X1D and see how the colors compare.

 

[Ray Harrison]

Maybe just a bit...


Matt

I’ll move this lens to a different thread. In particular, I can mount it on both the Leica S and the X1D and see how the colors compare.

I am, I have to say, looking forward to Soup's insights and thoughts on the new camera. I feel sure he's got a great deal to say.

 

[jng]

Maybe just a bit...


Matt

I’ll move this lens to a different thread. In particular, I can mount it on both the Leica S and the X1D and see how the colors compare.

Easy enough to correct in post (don't ask me how I know). Or alternatively, time for the IQ4 150 Achromatic to join your collection!

John

 

[bab]

Hoping there's a little dongle like the iPhones had/have with 3.5mm to USB-C.. but I suppose 3 second delay or Phocus Mobile will do..

But this is Hasselblad, so my guess is in about 4-6 months we'll see new accessories, among them will be a $500 sapphire crystal USB-C shutter release cable..

They still list the old shutter release as an accessory buy beware you have to drill your own hole!

 

[bab]

The former omission is inexplicable. I don’t understand the issues around the latter omission.
At some point in the next few months, the buyers and potential buyers of the X2D should submit a “petition” to hasselblad setting forth their desire for various firmware updates.

They already consulted all the photographers and came up with what they released!

 

[bab]

Paul - honestly, you better book a slot at a Hassy dealer near you and test the thing out. What we presently have, is incomplete spec sheets, spiced with rumours and own interpretations and some lower resolution files. Incomplete in the sense that not everything somebody wants to know is listed there. And I am also sure this thing will receive software updates a lot, including new functionality.

The new camera addresses all the points I was missing from the X1D2, and then adds 50MP more pixels. I do not use the histogram in any of my cameras and always found focus peeking worse than just using the magnifier. YMMV.

Cheers
Ivo

Hmm I never use anything but the histogram and only focus peek when the camera is on legs shooting for critical focus wouldn’t be possible without peeking imo. By the way where is the manua?

 

[SrMphoto]

Hmm I never use anything but the histogram and only focus peek when the camera is on legs shooting for critical focus wouldn’t be possible without peeking imo. By the way where is the manua?

I understand about half of what you wrote here and on the Leica forum , but the manual is here:

https://www.hasselblad.com/my-hasselblad/downloads/#162