Hasselblad X2D II Rocks the Boat

[Michael Erlewine]

There is a rumor that is declared true, and it’s setting a rumble in motion across all the high-end cameras.

•   Built-in 1TB SSD
•   CFexpress Card Type B memory slot
•   LiDAR focusing
•   100MP CMOS sensor
•   16-bit colour depth
•   15 stops of dynamic range
•   5-axis 8-stop in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
•   New joystick and customizable button on the back of the camera
•   Improved LCD
•   Improved menu
•   Upgraded CPU

The Lidar focusing moves the forthcoming X2Dii to the head of the pack as far as tracking and focus, or that is what is being said.

[Bob Foster]

As an X2D owner I'm very content with what I have.

I am going to wait to see how well the Lidar, as implemented, matches my use cases before purchasing an upgrade.

As this is a new feature it seems reasonable to me that there will be firmware refinements to the Lidar system offered over the "life" of this camera.

Bob

[Michael Erlewine]

More recent, said to be official.

Hasselblad X2D II 100C Specifications:
100MP BSI CMOS medium format sensor
16-bit colour depth, 15.3 stops dynamic range
Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution with HDR
AF-C continuous autofocus, 425 PDAF zones
5-axis, 10-stop in-body image stabilisation
ISO 50 native sensitivity
1TB internal SSD storage + CFexpress Type B slot
3.6-inch OLED tilting screen, 1400-nit brightness
Weight: 7.5% lighter than X2D 100C
Graphite grey matte finish, redesigned ergonomic grip

XCD 2,8–4/35–100E Specifications:
28–76mm full-frame equivalent focal length
Aperture range f/2,8–f/4
16 elements in 13 groups (3 aspherical, 5 ED)
Fastest stepping motor in the XCD lineup
Integrated leaf shutter, sync from 1/4000s to 68 minutes
Length: 138mm, Weight: 894g

Price and Availability:
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C will be available at £6,400 / $7,399, while the XCD 2,8–4/35–100E lens is priced at £4,100 / $4,599. The Vandra Backpack is £369 / $469, with the new 86mm filters priced between £259–£469 depending on type. Availability will be through Hasselblad Flagship Stores, authorised dealers,

I find it hard to believe that the new ISO is 50. If so, that is a huge new feature. Any thoughts?

[Bob Foster]

16-bit colour depth, 15.3 stops dynamic range...

I find it hard to believe that the new ISO is 50. If so, that is a huge new feature. Any thoughts?

If correct, this is a not insignificant gain of about ⅓ stop over the X2D (ISO 63, dynamic range "up to 15 stops"). Assuming that much of the gain in the engineering data quoted is available as photographically useful data in the raw files this is very welcome news.

Bob

[Michael Erlewine]

Upgrading to the Hasselblad X2D Mark II

What’s causing me to upgrade to the new Hasselblad X2D2 camera? Well, many things. For example:

Of course, the Lidar focusing assist, this with the already built-in phase detection of the X2D, and now AF-C continuous autofocus with 425 PDAF zones, and a new AF illuminator for low-light shooting. This a game changer.

And the X2D II has the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution with high dynamic range (HNCS HDR), which can be saved as HDR HEIF or Ultra HDR JPEG, and an enhanced 100 MP BSI CMOS sensor with 16-bit color depth, and will have 15.3 stops of dynamic range.

And of great importance the 5-axis, 10-stop in-body stabilization, which means, according to the experts, that we can pretty much throw away our tripods, not that I will, and just shoot handheld.

And we will still have the 1 TB internal SSD storage and CFexpress Type B slot, which we are already used to.

The X2D II now includes a better tilting LV 3.6-inch OLED screen with 1400-nit brightness, 75% brighter than the X2D.

And even the weight of the camera will be 7.5% lighter, which will not hurt. And they say they have redesigned the ergonomic grip.

I have to see to believe, but they say there is not native ISO 50, which to me, if true, is huge.

I am already used to the Hasselblad X2D, which with all its warts and faults is still quite usable, but now with those faults fixed.

There is now even a remote port, which I will appreciate for studio work, but the internal timer in the X2D works well enough. And finally, a 5D joystick to move the cursor on the live screen. Needed!

What were we thinking? Since Hasselblad is owned by DJI, the principle aerial photography and drone manufacturer, did we imagine they would just do nothing?  This new X2D II is really something and is going to command attention from many of us, and at a reasonable price, said to be $7399, which is lower than anything remotely in competition. This is a sea change in medium format cameras for the rest of us. They won’t be able to make them fast enough.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Nikon was testing laser-based distance measurement for the D800 when it was in development, but they didn't go ahead with it for the product. I guess good things about it are that it can work in darkness and should be able to alleviate some of the limitations that mirrorless PDAF sensors have, but it would require calibration of the lenses precisely (and I doubt the current AF lenses from Nikon provide accurate enough distance information for focusing). I think it's an interesting development for Hasselblad for sure, and makes sense given DJI's majority ownership of the company. I'm wondering if there is video mode in this model, or not. Since DJI make a cinema camera (Ronin 4D) there would likely be some synergies working on the Hasselblad cameras to put video back in.

I like the X series Hasselblads for their central shutter lenses and also the feeling in the hand is great, as is the image quality. However, I photograph a lot of active subjects and the autofocus felt limiting in the models that I have tried (they were 50 MP, not the current 100 MP).

I'm keen on seeing how the autofocus performs in practice and hope for the best for Hasselblad.

[Michael Erlewine]

Bought one!

At 8:00 AM EDT I was online with B&H to see the announcement of the Hasselblad X2d Mark II and sure enough, it came up and to my surprise they actually had some in stock and all the pre-release facts seem to be true, including an ISO of 50 and a price of $7399.00.

Of course, I immediately added a copy to the cart and went to pay. However, when I got to the cart, it said nothing was in it, nothing had been added. Of course, I tried again and again and still nothing. I was in panic mode because I knew there would only be some available and then we would perhaps wait months.

I quickly went to Adorama and found one there and bought it, and it is being overnighted to arrive here tomorrow. How wonderful is that.

I did have problems with my credit card because it refused to accept that large an amount even though I am cleared for that amount. I then spent a good 15 minutes or more on the phone with Citi Bank, jumping through loops and finally to the fraud division until finally they passed it.

And back on Adorama it took a number of tries until Adorama stopped declining my card.

I am retired and on a fixed income, so I have to do a balancing act to borrow from my own savings enough to get this camera. And I am retired, so I am unretiring enough to do some counseling to pay for this camera and not upset my savings or my wife. Done.