Welcome to my Hasselblad X2D 100C

On 14th Sept 2022 I received the Hasselblad X2D 100C I ordered from Parks Cameras only a few days before. I own 5 XCD lenses and one HC lense+adapter. The gallery below contains examples of a few of the first shots I have taken as I try to learn the new tool. 

The X2D is BOTH very familiar to the previous X1D-II and very much better !! AND some functionality will be added via firmware updates "soon" -- as an example it is to have EYE Identification and Tracking Auto Focus across the whole sensor for a yet to be declared  array of subject types. 

The camera shoots full 101.8MP in 16-bit RAW images at 1.8 frames per second and 14-bit at 3.3 frames per second; it has in-camera stabilisation AND a 1 TB SSD and CF EXpress Type B card slot.

Notwithstanding the fact that the X2D shoots 101.8mp 16-bit images, which seem to average 220MB each, it is much faster than I remember my X1D II: to start up, to focus (with the older XCD lenses, which are all I have), to move Af points, EVF and LCD screen are fast. etc......... AND to take and save photos. 

I have used it with just the SSD and with both an SSD and a CF Express Type B card (not a very very fast one) and it is quicker ---- AND the image quality is spectacular (Import RAW files and make initial adjustments (including lens corrections) in Phocus then export as a 16-bit Profoto TIF before working on the images in LR/LRC/PS. There seems to be no point exporting as DNG files, I believe one looses the Hasselblad colour science adjustments, but I don't know for sure yet).

BUT and there are buts:

-- shooting with X2D is WAY WAY slower than my Z9 -- there is a short lag between pressing the shutter button and the shutter closing and then reopening - it seems shorter on the X2D than on the X1DII.

-- shooting continuously seems much much faster -- the quoted 3.3fps is for 14-bit. I took 10 shots 16-bit raw saved to the SSD and a CF card took 5.6 seconds - so 1.8fps. But still slow compared to, say, a Z9. BUt that is a good -- this is not an action camera. 

-- moving the AF point with the new small "trackpad areas on the rear LCD - is very fast and could not be easier.  When shooting landscape or portrait. 

-- using the AF-D (af-on) back button does seem to speed up shooting a tiny bit.

No eye/face tracking YET -- but it is coming. Hasselblad will not say when.  I hope this does come soon and as a minimum works well with humans and animals.

Body is slightly larger, heavier and the grip is deeper GOOD - my RRS L-plate for the X1D-II fits the X2D but not well and it partially covers the battery. So has to be removed to change batteries. 

The body gets warm when charging via the USB-C port with one of my 95 Watt MAC USB-C MBP charging blocks -- but it is quicker than a lower amperage charger.

Body seems to have more weather sealing than the X1D-II -- but I will continue to use raincovers. I understand the new lenses have a rubber gasket on them to provide a better seal between the camera mount and the lens.

NEW LENSES

First 3 new style lenses 38, 55 and 90 are not ideal for me. But I ordered them all. 

The 90mm/2.5 V2 (71mm/2.0 35mm eq) is of most interest for headshots -- I have the 80/1.9 (63mm/1.5 35mm eq) and would probably trade it in - the 90 is the only lens that can be used at 1/4000th (all others are only rated to /2000th. 

The 38/2.5 (30mm f/2 35mm eq) and 55/2.5 (43mm f/2.0 35mm eq) are not my favourite focal lengths -- currently I use the 21/4 (17mm f/3.2 35mm eq), 120/3.5 Macro (95mm f/2.8 35mm eq) and the 135/2.8+TC17 (105mm f/2.2 or 178mm f/3.5 35mm eq) most frequently. 

Both the Macro and 21mm are spectacularly good.   

I swapped my XCD 30mm for the new 38mm. I asked for a lens road map - they will not provide this YET. I want to wait to see if "better for me" focal lengths emerge. 

Hasselblad has to update Phocus Mobile before one can control this camera with an iPhone (and presumably other devices) -- this is promised for autumn -- so soon - the X2D has lost its audio in and out sockets and therefore an external wired trigger can no longer be used. 

FIRST SHOTS

I took some initial images yesterday and went out again -- very briefly today - I also took a Nikon PC-E 24mm tilt and shift lens and Novoflex adapter -- the results can be seen [url=https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7gvy]HERE[/url] 

Initial shots with the [url=https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAiFUy] XCD 2.5/55 V[/url]

Initial shots with the [url=https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAiFfy] XCD 2.5/38 V[/url]

I am waiting for the XCD 2.5/90 V -- there are signs that Hasselblad is getting ready to ship this lense but no dates are available.

June 2023 -- Firmware 2.0 update has delivered what "we wanted" from day one and more. But still no live view when tethered nor a stable tethered experience with macOS 15.3.