Seems like a reasonable enough time to start an X2D thread.
We are starting to see more reports of the 100MP sensor floating about and the lower price of the X1D continues and stretches across what seems like all sales outlets now.
I have almost made my mind up. The X seems the right platform for me to move into but the X1D is still a little undeveloped for what I need, EVF blackout, sluggish operation etc. and it seems the X2D may answer all my needs: 100MP BSI, 6fps, 4K 30fps, 8K 18fps
I'm almost tempted to just jump into the X1D now but have resisted so far because it's not quite right. Is every one happy with how it has developed firmware/bug wise?
It's going to be very interesting to see what materialises, how things like EVF blackout have been dealt with, what kind of resolution EVF it will have etc. the 8K 18fps capability of the sensor in partcular looks like a very interesting possibility for of stills/motion similar to what RED has (i.e. a little too slow for full motion but good for continuous stills capture) and it will be interesting to see how Hasselblad incorporate motion in their workflow and software. The H6D-100c shoots 4K but it is apparently difficult to grade and edit as the format is literally just the RAW files strung to gather in sequence and no program recognises it.
I'm expecting that this will be a groundbreaking camera and I'm ready to jump in.
I bought the X1d when it first came out. I was on the first batch of cameras. It wasn't quite ready at the time. I have tried it now and it's a world of difference compared to launch. It works as it should, honestly better and more reliably than my H6d 100c. Yes it is slow, yes it doesn't have super bursty high fps tracking blah blah blah.
But if you shoot it as any MF should be shot. Thoughtfully and anticipate (imo how most photography should be done) It is superb. The files it gives are just amazing. I am actually selling all my 35mm gear just to finance the x1d. Now I realize there are some things the x1d can't do that the 35mm will do better. But for me the files I get are so much better. I would trade 1 shot that is usable for my x1d for 100 mediocre ones from 35mm.
The evf blackout is annoying but honestly I think it is a bit over blown to me. The way the camera is built if I am shooting with my right eye on the viewfinder I can open my left eye and close the right eye while it's blacked out, and I can still see the scene albeit slightly offset. Since the camera doesn't really cover my whole face. The evf resolution, yes this can be improved a bit but I think we will always say that as LCD will never really match optical viewfinders unless they are close to 10-15 mp themselves, and then you will always have some that will complain about lag etc. Having said that the evf on the x1d is not so awful either it does not ruin the camera in the slightest I can actually focus more accurately in the dark with EVF than I could with optical finders.
This is what I noticed when I shot my a7rii. I would fiddle way to much time in lightroom to get the colors right. The x1d I can literally load in make 5 adjustments and I'm done. I spend a lot less time pp these files. Also with my A7rii I would end up having way too many files and it just gets annoying to cull and edit.
Yes it's easy to say oh you don't have to shoot that much etc. But no matter how much you actually try to think and do that the speed always ends up giving you more than you need.
I have actually had no problem getting action shots and using the x1d for my kids pictures (about the fastest action I need on a camera) For example my son was on a swing and I shot a picture with the x1d and I did manage to capture a couple nice shots.
Yes the a7rii probably would have an easier time tracking focus at high speed. But I always find it amusing that people forget old techniques just because we have technology that can AF super fast doesn't mean you CANT take pictures without AF. All I did was prefocus in the right point, anticipate and shoot. This resulted in more keepers even with my A7rii vs trying to track focus.
And I know people also like to say that you will only see the difference in large prints vs small. And to me I don't know I think I can see a difference even at small sizes. It's not really the sharpness or detail. But more about the tones and colors. I read something a while back that made sense to me as to why I see this. With MF I think you are actually capturing more technical color data per pixel due to sensor size and resolution. Each person will have their own opinion in regards to this I guess you just have to use your eyes and see. To me I did back to back comparisons with my a7rii and I always preferred the MF files (even for casual usage).
I was also in the same boat as you are. Get the x1d now vs wait for x2d. The only thing honestly I really would have liked as better options in the x1d was a little better video mode usage. I realize that it's not waht the camera was made for. But it would have been convenient to just grab a quick video here and there for when I wanted to make some videos of my kids etc. (not talking production and crazy edits just casual video). So with that in mind I still bought the x1d on sale at $6500. The reason I did not buy used is because the used ones are still selling for something like $5500 roughly. And the warranty does not transfer. I have had enough issues with my H6d 100c (I have never had to send it in for service, but enough hiccups to make me anxious on such a large investment) to want a warranty on a hasselblad product. Now I understand that some people have never sent it in for service etc. but I wanted that extra security. And we are getting to the point where if I use this camera for 1-2 years by then the x2d should be widely available (perhaps on sale) then I can upgrade. To me the discount on a brand new unit was very very tempting. I figure the X2d would be the same price point as the x1d when introduced so $10k. In that price I got 2 lenses and a body. (I bought the lenses used) So even if I lose value in the body imo the security and peace of mind is worth it to me.
One thing that would have been nice is a focal plane shutter like the GFX has, but I understand that they wanted it small and we aren't close to global shutters yet. But when I really think about it I am actually trying to simplify my gear and not increase it so in a way it's nice to have only a few lenses that just work really well.
I also tried the GFX for a bit. The lenses were crazy sharp, but I didn't like the system to bulky and honestly didn't feel all that much different from my 645z.
I really appreciate the small form factor the X1d has I feel they have just got the lens design and camera body balance just perfect I cannot emphasize the form factor enough. They didn't go nuts and make gigantic lenses, for example I can slap on the 45mm and just carry it with me like I would my small cameras. (unheard of in MF land), And I am a decently big guy 6'2 200lbs, the camera in hand fits so well. It almost feels like it was machined for my hand.
One last thing I would like to say when I was trying to decide purchasing the camera recently I was reading reviews after reviews and watched all the youtube reviews. I personally felt (having used the x1d at launch) that 90% of the reviews were nuts. Almost every review I read the reviewer is trying to force the camera to be something it's not. It is not fast nor was it designed to be fast (would we like it faster sure, but in my usage I honestly wouldn't notice it), they always compare it against 35mm systems and say oh its only an extra 10% quality, and to my eyes it was never the case from their own files and test I could see a significant difference. (I guess I am nuts or am seeing things because I could see a world of difference) Tones, tones, tones is all I can say they are just absolutely fantastic. Seriously the files are just good enough to use right out of the camera. To me less time PP is worth more than you can imagine.
Technique will always trump technology. This camera does expect you to do the heavy lifting. It has no aides. It is really a question of if you can work with that.
I love shooting with it. It makes me want to go shoot more, and I think because of it's limitations it has actually made me a better photographer. Brought me back to capturing what I want and focusing on my technique to get the best from it.
Hope this helps.