A landscape photographer's Hasselblad X1D review

[Vieri]

Ladies and gentlemen, for a little Sunday read, and for those interested, I just published my Hasselblad X1D review, seen under a landscape photographer's perspective.

As a landscape photographer, my in-depth Hasselblad X1D review will mainly deal with the use of the camera for a pretty specific genre of photography. I am also well aware that I am late to the party, with the Hasselblad X1D now reaching its third year of existence and with many reviews already out there. However, I think that it is exactly due to my very specific approach to using the Hasselblad X1D, and to my own approach to photography, that adding one more review to the many already out there might still prove of interest. This Hasselblad X1D review is the result of more than six months of experience using the camera for my professional work day-in, day-out, not one based on resolution charts and the like.

Read on to find out what I thought about this amazingly small medium format camera!

https://www.vieribottazzini.com/2019/05/a-landscape-photographer-in-depth-hasselblad-x1d-review.html

Best regards,

Vieri

[Bob Andersson]

Thanks Vieri. A very thoughtful review of the X1D as a landscape photography tool and not only did it take me along on the journey but it also got me thinking hard - not always easy! 

[Vieri]

Thanks Vieri. A very thoughtful review of the X1D as a landscape photography tool and not only did it take me along on the journey but it also got me thinking hard - not always easy! 

Hey Bob,

thank you for taking the time to read and comment, much appreciated, I am glad you enjoyed the article! Best regards,

Vieri

[Eric Borgström]

Vieri, thanks for the thoughtful review. Seems like the only thing you might want for the X2D is more pixels. Would perhaps a native T/S lens be desireable?

[Vieri]

Vieri, thanks for the thoughtful review. Seems like the only thing you might want for the X2D is more pixels. Would perhaps a native T/S lens be desireable?

Hello Eric,

thank you for reading & commenting, glad you enjoyed the article Well, I wouldn't say no to more resolution - everything else being equal (or better) though - and a native T/S lens would definitely sound great to have, for architectural & landscape work.

Best regards,

Vieri

[Bill_Evans]

Perfectly timed for my first cup of coffee. Thanks.

[Vieri]

Perfectly timed for my first cup of coffee. Thanks.

Enjoy your cuppa Bill! Afternoon here, got through a few of them already today!

Best regards,

Vieri

[Bill_Evans]

Took two cuppas and spot of tea but well worth the time invested. A thoughtful and well written review that very much contrasts the quick and dirty spec type reviews that abound. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this out. Interestingly, my use, and satisfaction, of the X1D almost exactly mirrors your own with the exception that I'm exclusively using adapted, manual focus glass.

I totally get whey the X1D wouldn't suit everyone's needs, but for the landscape photographer it's pretty hard to beat.

Cheers, Bill

[Sanford]

Great review. I agree on all points, especially your Pros and Cons. I bought the X1D primarily for landscape photography. It has more than exceeded my expectations.

I've been thrilled to find that the X1D's size and form factor have made it a camera I frequently carry on all outings. The 45mm is brilliant for regular carry.

You were spot on regarding the use of filters and long exposures. I've been using Breakthrough filters with a Wine Country Camera holder system and have had wonderful results.

Just started using my new 21mm and, as expected, this will be my "go to" lens for landscapes. No sign of vignetting with a stack of filters, ND and GND.

BTW, have replaced my M10 with an SL  to take advantage of my M glass.

I look forward to following your posts and someday joining one of your adventures.

Much regards

Sanford
SandyLavinePhotography.com

[drunkenspyder]

Superb review Vieri. Really, well done.

Best,
Greg

[BillW]

Well done Vieri. Always look forward to your many fabulous images.

[kris]

Nice read.

Just one question on a point that I'm not sure I understand. You write "Interval shooting starting countdown at the beginning of the taken image, making it impossible to do interval long exposures". In what way does that make it impossible to do long exposures with interval?

[Vieri]

Superb review Vieri. Really, well done.

Best,
Greg

Thank you very much indeed Greg, I am glad you enjoyed the read!

Well done Vieri. Always look forward to your many fabulous images.

Thank you very much Bill, much appreciated indeed

Nice read.

Just one question on a point that I'm not sure I understand. You write "Interval shooting starting countdown at the beginning of the taken image, making it impossible to do interval long exposures". In what way does that make it impossible to do long exposures with interval?

Thank you Kris, glad you enjoyed it!

What I mean is this: the available time between exposures goes from 1 to 60 seconds, from exposure's start. Image you want to take 10 shots each with a two minutes exposure. That is simply not possible at the moment As well, if I take, say, a 30 seconds exposure, and I want to take one frame per minute, I can't: as things are now, I can only set interval at 60 seconds, and that will result in one exposure every 30 seconds. The easiest, and most logical, solution, would be to have the next frame counter start at the END of the previous frame, not at the beginning of it. Hope this makes sense

Best regards,

Vieri

[kris]

What I mean is this: the available time between exposures goes from 1 to 60 seconds, from exposure's start. Image you want to take 10 shots each with a two minutes exposure. That is simply not possible at the moment As well, if I take, say, a 30 seconds exposure, and I want to take one frame per minute, I can't: as things are now, I can only set interval at 60 seconds, and that will result in one exposure every 30 seconds. The easiest, and most logical, solution, would be to have the next frame counter start at the END of the previous frame, not at the beginning of it. Hope this makes sense

Thanks for the clarification. Yes 60 s interval is limiting. It is possible to do "back to back" long exposures (>60 s) with interval though. If you have 2 minute exposure time and 10 frames set it will expose 10 frames each with 2 minute exposure albeit no delay in between.

Your second example with 30 s exposure and 60 s interval seems to work fine? As long as the "finish exposure" count down is shown the camera is exposing.

[Vieri]

What I mean is this: the available time between exposures goes from 1 to 60 seconds, from exposure's start. Image you want to take 10 shots each with a two minutes exposure. That is simply not possible at the moment As well, if I take, say, a 30 seconds exposure, and I want to take one frame per minute, I can't: as things are now, I can only set interval at 60 seconds, and that will result in one exposure every 30 seconds. The easiest, and most logical, solution, would be to have the next frame counter start at the END of the previous frame, not at the beginning of it. Hope this makes sense

Thanks for the clarification. Yes 60 s interval is limiting. It is possible to do "back to back" long exposures (>60 s) with interval though. If you have 2 minute exposure time and 10 frames set it will expose 10 frames each with 2 minute exposure albeit no delay in between.

Your second example with 30 s exposure and 60 s interval seems to work fine? As long as the "finish exposure" count down is shown the camera is exposing.

Kris,

yes, the exposures would be back-to-back, which sort of denies the "interval" part It actually becomes a burst, rather than interval. The second example does not work fine in the sense that you program 60 seconds delays, but all you are going to get is 60 seconds - whatever your exposure is, so in my example 60 - 30 sec = 30 sec delay between exposures, not the 60 you should be getting.

Hope this helps clarifying things a bit more Best regards,

Vieri