I did not just impulsively decide on the Hasselblad X1D system, although I did impulsively order it one day. Before making this decision, I spent about a year or more exploring all the avenues I could beyond the many Nikon systems I had used over the years. In terms of other cameras, I purchased and tested the Pentax K3 and then the K1, with a particular interest in their Pixel-Shift – super-resolution. I found that for my work there were few native Pentax lenses that I could appreciate. I ended up mostly using some Voigtlanders in Pentax mount, the 125mm APO-Lanthar, the 90mm APO Lanther (original and newer models), the Zeiss Pentax PK Distagon 28mm ZK, the Sigma 24mm ART lens, and others.
While the Pixel-Shift feature of the Pentax cameras was fascinating (if limited), ultimately the Pentax was IMO too unfriendly with non-Pentax lenses for my work and Pentax lenses were not that distinctive. In addition, I bought and used the Sony A7R II, both by itself and in conjunction with various bellows cameras and systems. This Sony system was interesting, and I was already familiar with the Sony A7R and the Sony A7s. The A7R II was useful with the bellows systems, in particular the Cambo Actus. Still, it had problems, so that after a while I sold it while it still had value and am waiting for a higher-end upgrade from Sony with perhaps a larger sensor.
Here is a shot with the Pentax K1 and the Voigtlander APO 90mm lens in Pixel-Shift mode. When all things are equal, the result rivals MF images IMO.
I also looked at Large Format, lenses and systems, working with the Rollei X-Act 2, the Novoflex CASTBAL, and the Novoflex BALPRO systems. I investigated a whole series of large-format lenses, including both Copal implementations and barrel-type lenses from Schneider, Rodenstock, Zeiss, and other lenses. I did find out that there are some incredible bargains among these lenses, in particular in barrel-lens format. I went through about ten different LF lenses, of which I kept a few that I could not part with. Some of my findings can be seen here, for those who are possible interested. Many more volumes not yet released.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritgrooves/DSLR_Close-Up.pdfhttp://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritgrooves/DSLR_Close-Up_Volume_Two_v3.pdfSomething I learned from all of this is the value of the medium and large-format lenses and systems. Still, I assumed I would never spring for one. Too much money for my budget. However, when most of the systems I was testing out showed various kinds of flaws for my particular work (close-up and stacked nature photos), by elimination I ended up face-to-face once again with medium format.
For me, all roads ended up at medium format, so when something relatively inexpensive appeared (the X1D), I decided, after studying the work of Ming Thein with Hasselblad, to take the plunge. So I did not go into this without some consideration.
