Daran Wu wrote an excellent review which he posted on the Facebook X2D group, and I am pasting the link below to the original article:
https://camera-forest.com/en/hasselblad-x2d-100c-en/?fbclid=IwAR0xu64wMvxnJFeRfAOJf8U8OBAiB-RyO_SGcpjWOlXuncBPwOsWVdlfvKo
Quote from: MarkN on August 05, 2023, 05:20:01 AM
Daran Wu wrote an excellent review which he posted on the Facebook X2D group, and I am pasting the link below to the original article:
https://camera-forest.com/en/hasselblad-x2d-100c-en/?fbclid=IwAR0xu64wMvxnJFeRfAOJf8U8OBAiB-RyO_SGcpjWOlXuncBPwOsWVdlfvKo
Thanks for sharing. It's a really good review!
I love this quote from the article:
QuoteLike when we were young and in love, you would cherish their beauty and overlook their imperfections, and your mind would be flooded with memories of moments shared with them. In this moment, all you can think of is having them by your side, or perhaps...
"I want to own this camera."
very true :)
Great review indeed, thoroughly enjoyed it. A quick question to all though: is it my imagination that almost all images are overexposed and a bit washed out? If so, is this by design of the photographer you think?
Quote from: acg69 on August 05, 2023, 07:44:38 PM
Great review indeed, thoroughly enjoyed it. A quick question to all though: is it my imagination that almost all images are overexposed and a bit washed out? If so, is this by design of the photographer you think?
I had the same feeling and thought....
I was going to say it, the images are all overexposed. Not a great review :-\
He was asked about this in the Facebook X2D group where he posted a link to the article:
Q by AA: What you wrote is really what I feel, using X2D100.
Your pictures are nice. Is-it a Lightroom preset you use to desaturate your pictures ?
Daran Wu: I use LR to adjust my color, and the saturation is lowered a little bit.
Thanks. Would love to see a critical review and samples from the xpan lenses since there is one on the x2d in the title photo.
I have not heard this before ''Reducing the frequency of charging the camera battery can also extend the lifespan of the camera's circuit board.'' How does that make sense. I like the brightness in most of his pictures, maybe because I see too many 'dark' pictures ;)
I can only imagine that it means that charging the battery in the camera puts a load on the main circuit board.
Quote from: sarkleshark on August 06, 2023, 06:55:20 AM
Thanks. Would love to see a critical review and samples from the xpan lenses since there is one on the x2d in the title photo.
X-Pan lenses have really a poor rendering on digital cameras compared to XCD's and even CF's.
I own all three lenses and results are poor with the 45 and 90, better with the 30 (on my X1D and 907X), the X-Pan lens profiles in Phocus correct a lot the results in RAW files but it's not convenient at all, you have write down and later enter manually the figures for each frame : lens type, aperture, focus distance.
The french Hasselblad distributor said to me that Hasselblad had recently discontinued the X-Pan adapter.
I cannot help but remark that 95% of the time "excellent review" or "Great Review!" comments in the interwebs actually translate to "writer has reinforced my confirmation bias" or "writer fully agrees with me" or "writer heaps praise on my favourite toy" 8).
I'm going to be that curmudgeon who has to step in say that I don't see any excellence in the art of reviewing demonstrated here. Sure, it's nicely written, it's attractively presented, but it reads more like a Hasselblad-commissioned puff piece, not a critical review. All I learnt from it is that Daran Wu loves his Hasselblad. Good for him! I quite like mine too. Also, well, non de gustibus non dispuntadum est and all that, but the previously painfully trendy "Portra 400 pushed 2 stops" look is getting a bit old, especially here where he has turned up the dial to push another 2 stops and thrown in a drastic Fuji 160NS-like shift in the greens. Not sure I see the point of investing in HNCS there. But in particular, using such an extreme style in a review just isn't appropriate. And finally, is an X2D+55V really the best choice for street photography? Well, maybe for some. Personally I'd tend to pick up my Ricoh GRIIIx for that focal length.
Excellent or even good critical reviews of X-System gear (or in fact any gear) are very few and far between. Either they are influencer-style where the gear is on loan from Hasselblad and they don't want to bite the hand the feeds them, or they are made buy people who've maxed out their credit cards and don't want to look foolish (or are in denial) by saying anything more than very mildly critical.
Anyway, must dash, I've got to shout at some clouds and get those darn kids off my lawn.
Completely agreed !!
Quote from: viking on August 06, 2023, 09:52:32 AM
I have not heard this before ''Reducing the frequency of charging the camera battery can also extend the lifespan of the camera's circuit board.'' How does that make sense. ;)
I have some issues with this statement as well as an engineer, it doesn't make sense unless some significant design errors exist in the charging circuit. Anyone else know about this? Speculation?
Brian
From David Mantripp:
Quotethrown in a drastic Fuji 160NS-like shift in the greens
The rendition of greens in many of the images made me cringe.
Bob
Quote from: David Mantripp on August 08, 2023, 01:01:13 AM
I cannot help but remark that 95% of the time "excellent review" or "Great Review!" comments in the interwebs actually translate to "writer has reinforced my confirmation bias" or "writer fully agrees with me" or "writer heaps praise on my favourite toy" 8).
I'm going to be that curmudgeon who has to step in say that I don't see any excellence in the art of reviewing demonstrated here. Sure, it's nicely written, it's attractively presented, but it reads more like a Hasselblad-commissioned puff piece, not a critical review. All I learnt from it is that Daran Wu loves his Hasselblad. Good for him! I quite like mine too. Also, well, non de gustibus non dispuntadum est and all that, but the previously painfully trendy "Portra 400 pushed 2 stops" look is getting a bit old, especially here where he has turned up the dial to push another 2 stops and thrown in a drastic Fuji 160NS-like shift in the greens. Not sure I see the point of investing in HNCS there. But in particular, using such an extreme style in a review just isn't appropriate. And finally, is an X2D+55V really the best choice for street photography? Well, maybe for some. Personally I'd tend to pick up my Ricoh GRIIIx for that focal length.
Excellent or even good critical reviews of X-System gear (or in fact any gear) are very few and far between. Either they are influencer-style where the gear is on loan from Hasselblad and they don't want to bite the hand the feeds them, or they are made buy people who've maxed out their credit cards and don't want to look foolish (or are in denial) by saying anything more than very mildly critical.
Anyway, must dash, I've got to shout at some clouds and get those darn kids off my lawn.
I could say "Excellent review of an excellent review" ;D. I did actually like the "review", partly because of the reasons you mention above. As a non-professional photographer, I do like it when people show a passion for their adopted hobby or profession, regardless of the style they choose. I must admit, the review did "reinforced my confirmation bias", but heck, lots of these things are very subjective.
The HNCS is excellent as compared to my previous Canon users from AE1, Mark 4, 1DX, 5DSR & finally R5 before taking a huge leap into medium format such as this elegant & astonishing almost perfect photographic gear with amazing light weight XCD 38V len. The sharpness & colour rendention is outstanding. Would be perfected if eye detection, increase in multiple shots & incorporating Phocus Mobile live view plus delay timer are available in the next firmware update😀
Yeah, sorry Daran. I applaud your enthusiasm, but I read reviews to be informed. I didn't glean much from the review.
Any other recommendations? I have my credit card poised to commit as soon as I seen the 38V available (or the 55V to be honest). An informative review of camera and lenses is always well received.
I would also love to see "eye detection" in the X2D, and am definitely hoping that Hassy will come up with that feature in the next firmware release (hint, hint, Hasselblad, if you read this forum :-) )
Quote from: Larsb on August 08, 2023, 03:31:05 PM
I would also love to see "eye detection" in the X2D, and am definitely hoping that Hassy will come up with that feature in the next firmware release (hint, hint, Hasselblad, if you read this forum :-) )
Very likely, although Face Detect to be more realistic..
Hi Ikarus, I'm not sure that I am qualified to give an 'informed' review, but I did purchase the 38v, and I absolutely love it. It is by far the best (and most expensive) lens that I have ever purchased. I've shot directly into the sun on several occasions and there is no flare and the lens has good contrast. I don't really pixel-peep, but on cropping and zooming in, it seems very sharp to me. There are several articles on the web that go into much greater detail on the lens. As for cost, I think that one would expect that sort of pricing, given that Hasselblad is more of a luxury product. My only slight negative on the lens is that I would have preferred something a little bit wider than 38mm, but that I will probably buy the next 'V' series lens that is wider than 38mm, when it comes along.
On my most recent outing (a 4 day weekend to Newcastle, in Australia), I used the 38V for almost all my pictures and found it to be very versatile. I did also use a 21mm TTartisans lens (M-Mount, with adapter) for about 5 pictures, but it had noticeable issues (sharpness, chromatic aberration), which is not surprising given the difference in cost.
I think I will probably limit myself to 3 lenses on the X2D (maybe 4 :-) ), which would be the 38V, something wider (eg., a 30 or 28V would be great), and then either a 55V (and I would sell my 45p), and then the 90V. I have several adapters for M-Mount, Canon EF, XPan, and Nikon G lenses, and while they all work, I must admit the quality of the 2 Hasselblad lens I have is just noticeably better than my older glass, just a bit slow (ie., would be nice to have a faster than f/2.5 or f/4.5 aperature for the 45p). The adapters were a bit of an experiment for me and have confirmed that the native glass is way better (at least for me). That being said, I am tempted by the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.0. Choice is always good
Hi Lars,
I' not sure I can be bothered with M glass adapted to the X2D - the appeal is the medium format; not keen on blurry edges, CA and electronic shutters.
It will be interesting to see if anyone makes X mount lenses - Zeiss would be interesting ...
John
What's the Facebook group link
It's an interesting practical review but not a single person has done a head to head comparison of the new 38V and 55V compared to lenses like the 45 3.5, 45P and 65 2.8 in terms of all-out optical performance, the true hallmark of Hasselblad.
Now that I have the 38V and 55V in hand, I can see why. While the 38V is a good replacement for the two 45mm lenses, the 55V is no replacement for 65 2.8 unless you don't mind wasting about 25-30 of those 102MP on sub par image quality in the outer 1/3rd of the image area, a concept I can not grasp.
What is gained on the 55 in terms of AF speed, ergonomics, slimming the lens down, etc when comparing the 55 to the 65 utterly pales in comparison of the overall image quality it gives up to the XCD 65mm 2.8.
Even if all you ever shot the 55 and X2D in was square crop mode, it would still not be as good as the 65 is. For me personally as a landscape shooter who waited months until both the 38V and 55V were simultaneously in stock to buy them, this is really disappointing.
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 12:11:25 PM
It's an interesting practical review but not a single person has done a head to head comparison of the new 38V and 55V compared to lenses like the 45 3.5, 45P and 65 2.8 in terms of all-out optical performance, the true hallmark of Hasselblad.
Now that I have the 38V and 55V in hand, I can see why. While the 38V is a good replacement for the two 45mm lenses, the 55V is no replacement for 65 2.8 unless you don't mind wasting about 25-30 of those 102MP on sub par image quality in the outer 1/3rd of the image area, a concept I can not grasp.
What is gained on the 55 in terms of AF speed, ergonomics, slimming the lens down, etc when comparing the 55 to the 65 utterly pales in comparison of the overall image quality it gives up to the XCD 65mm 2.8.
Even if all you ever shot the 55 and X2D in was square crop mode, it would still not be as good as the 65 is. For me personally as a landscape shooter who waited months until both the 38V and 55V were simultaneously in stock to buy them, this is really disappointing.
Could you share raw images where you see corner issues with 55V?
Quote from: SrMi on October 02, 2023, 06:59:14 PM
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 12:11:25 PM
It's an interesting practical review but not a single person has done a head to head comparison of the new 38V and 55V compared to lenses like the 45 3.5, 45P and 65 2.8 in terms of all-out optical performance, the true hallmark of Hasselblad.
Now that I have the 38V and 55V in hand, I can see why. While the 38V is a good replacement for the two 45mm lenses, the 55V is no replacement for 65 2.8 unless you don't mind wasting about 25-30 of those 102MP on sub par image quality in the outer 1/3rd of the image area, a concept I can not grasp.
What is gained on the 55 in terms of AF speed, ergonomics, slimming the lens down, etc when comparing the 55 to the 65 utterly pales in comparison of the overall image quality it gives up to the XCD 65mm 2.8.
Even if all you ever shot the 55 and X2D in was square crop mode, it would still not be as good as the 65 is. For me personally as a landscape shooter who waited months until both the 38V and 55V were simultaneously in stock to buy them, this is really disappointing.
Could you share raw images where you see corner issues with 55V?
I'll get some up on dropbox and post them here, I'll try to get them up by mid morning.
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 07:51:40 PM
Quote from: SrMi on October 02, 2023, 06:59:14 PM
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 12:11:25 PM
It's an interesting practical review but not a single person has done a head to head comparison of the new 38V and 55V compared to lenses like the 45 3.5, 45P and 65 2.8 in terms of all-out optical performance, the true hallmark of Hasselblad.
Now that I have the 38V and 55V in hand, I can see why. While the 38V is a good replacement for the two 45mm lenses, the 55V is no replacement for 65 2.8 unless you don't mind wasting about 25-30 of those 102MP on sub par image quality in the outer 1/3rd of the image area, a concept I can not grasp.
What is gained on the 55 in terms of AF speed, ergonomics, slimming the lens down, etc when comparing the 55 to the 65 utterly pales in comparison of the overall image quality it gives up to the XCD 65mm 2.8.
Even if all you ever shot the 55 and X2D in was square crop mode, it would still not be as good as the 65 is. For me personally as a landscape shooter who waited months until both the 38V and 55V were simultaneously in stock to buy them, this is really disappointing.
Could you share raw images where you see corner issues with 55V?
I'll get some up on dropbox and post them here, I'll try to get them up by mid morning.
Thanks. Please make sure that some are at least at f/8. Otherwise, the field curvature may cause unsharp corners.
Quote from: SrMi on October 02, 2023, 09:19:47 PM
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 07:51:40 PM
Quote from: SrMi on October 02, 2023, 06:59:14 PM
Quote from: 6X6Miles on October 02, 2023, 12:11:25 PM
It's an interesting practical review but not a single person has done a head to head comparison of the new 38V and 55V compared to lenses like the 45 3.5, 45P and 65 2.8 in terms of all-out optical performance, the true hallmark of Hasselblad.
Now that I have the 38V and 55V in hand, I can see why. While the 38V is a good replacement for the two 45mm lenses, the 55V is no replacement for 65 2.8 unless you don't mind wasting about 25-30 of those 102MP on sub par image quality in the outer 1/3rd of the image area, a concept I can not grasp.
What is gained on the 55 in terms of AF speed, ergonomics, slimming the lens down, etc when comparing the 55 to the 65 utterly pales in comparison of the overall image quality it gives up to the XCD 65mm 2.8.
Even if all you ever shot the 55 and X2D in was square crop mode, it would still not be as good as the 65 is. For me personally as a landscape shooter who waited months until both the 38V and 55V were simultaneously in stock to buy them, this is really disappointing.
Could you share raw images where you see corner issues with 55V?
I'll get some up on dropbox and post them here, I'll try to get them up by mid morning.
Thanks. Please make sure that some are at least at f/8. Otherwise, the field curvature may cause unsharp corners.
Comparison images from the 38V, 45P, 55V and 65 2.8 are uploaded. I only uploaded the set from F4 and F8. The focus point is the bottom 25% of the frame from center. There is a zip file if that works if better for you and the corresponding jpegs are included in each sub folder. Hopefully you can tell where the issues are, it's super obvious, especially in the case that the 45P wide open crushes the 55V at even F8:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vmkc0ogs23yx3gi77b4l6/h?rlkey=tircesehja6iqiouu7p5t0zj5&dl=0
The 55V is not a suitable lens for landscapes or other precise image quality work due to significant design compromises that include very problematic curvature of field that simply does not go away until F11.
Nice post of those images. My landscape specific lens is the xcd 4/21. I sold my 45p in favour of the 55v and I also have the 38v. The 38v I use more generally when I'm out and about...towns etc, and the 55v for things like car shows.
I'm sorry, but I learned absolutely nothing from Dran Wu's "review".
Jim Kasson's review is the best I've read so far.
If I had the time (and skill) I would run some tests on my 38/2.5 V and some M lenses with adapters. I also have an APO Elmarit-R 180/2.8 ROM and a HAX-LER adapter, but to be hinest I haven't had the time.
I will post some images at some stage, if there's any interest.
Quote from: PatrickM on October 03, 2023, 09:50:10 AM
Nice post of those images. My landscape specific lens is the xcd 4/21. I sold my 45p in favour of the 55v and I also have the 38v. The 38v I use more generally when I'm out and about...towns etc, and the 55v for things like car shows.
Good Job Patrick
I also enjoy the 55v and 38v and now also the 28v -- but all pail optically compared to the 4/21 and 1.8/80, 4/120 and even the 2.8/135
As was mentioned in the article:
55V "I think the new Hasselblad lenses are designed to make sacrifices in optics in order to be more lightweight and have a large aperture. If we want to make real physical improvements, the size and weight of the lenses would likely increase significantly" - surely this observation is correct. These new lenses are great but maybe more from general and portraiture than for technically perfect landscape work -- I might argue they have a character that is their own and I am enjoying discovering.
38V - "If you are a landscape or travel photographer, this lens may be more suitable for capturing wider scenes. The vignetting issue is still similar to that of the 55V, but it is not a problem as long as you know how to correct it."
I can easily argue that if one wants the best lens for landscape the one should look at adapting a large format lens (a Rodenstock or similar) or an HC/HCD or any 645 lens with an oversized image circle (when put on a X body) to ensure edge issues are ignored or at least significantly reduced. I find the HCD 4.8/24 a great lens in this regard.
Owning a X2D-100C and the 28P, 38V and 55V; waiting patiently for 90V (and also owning a bunch of XCD and HC/HCD lenses and adapters/tools) - my conclusion about these new lenses is the same as Daran Wu - where in relation to the 55V he states: "I think the new Hasselblad lenses are designed to make sacrifices in optics in order to be more lightweight and have a large aperture. If we want to make real physical improvements, the size and weight of the lenses would likely increase significantly."
It seems to me that H has made design choices to balance size, weight, cost and optical performance and their choices work for me -- they may not work as well for others.
Its your work - make your artistic choices and choose the gear that works best OR buy some gear and work out the artistic choices that can be best served when using it.
Some artistic choices require very expensive gear and potentially different systems to realise other choices do not.
The Phase One XT, IQ4 150 (A or C) and both the Rodenstock HR 23mm f/5.6 AND Rodenstock HR 32mm f/4 Tilt lenses keep coming to mind for some reason.
It is not like we cannot use other XCD or adapt other lenses to the X2D.
From Andy:
"It seems to me that H has made design choices to balance size, weight, cost and optical performance and their choices work for me -- they may not work as well for others.
It's your work - make your artistic choices and choose the gear that works best OR buy some gear and work out the artistic choices that can be best served when using it."
I so agree - Hasselblad has made design choices with the 55mm v lens, not compromises. It's a tool ultimately, built with a specific intent and target market.
Hasselblad's presentation of the 55mm v lens is clear enough I believe as to its purpose and design:
https://www.hasselblad.com/x-system/lenses/xcd-55v
From their website:
"XCD 2,5/55V
WIDE-APERTURE LENS FOR DOCUMENTARY AND PORTRAIT SHOOTING
Equivalent to a full-frame 43mm focal length, the XCD 2,5/55V standard lens produces a viewpoint similar to the human eye. This perspective, combined with the soft bokeh effect from the large f/2.5 aperture, makes this lens an outstanding option for full or half-length portraits and ideal for shooting documentary, still life, or daily photography."
Good point on the image circle, Andy. I have been pondering re-purchasing a 21/4 and 80/1.9. I liked the results of the 135 & converter, but the AF was difficult to manage in a moving scene - I assume the PDAF of the X2D helps improve that issue.
Jim Kasson's review of the 38V is very informative - he couldn't find Lloyd Chambers' focus shift (not the first time Digilloyd's alarm bells have not stood up to closer scrutiny); Jim did find a flat plane of best focus and some lack of sharp detail in the edges. His review is worth reading.
A lot of our landscapes here are distant - mountains etc - making the use of telephotos preferable (with the benefits of telecentric lenses). The Mathographers images with a variety of lenses are also informative, if not particularly scientific.
For the moment, the 38V is my lot. I'll see how that goes, though I must confess, content and composition tends to be more important to me than detailed examination of the corners of images, though excellent performance is good to know ...