Hasselblad X2D: Conclusions and Summary
Related: Hasselblad, Hasselblad medium format, Hasselblad mirrorless, Hasselblad X2D 100C, medium format, reader comment
I’ve summarized my impressions on the Hasselblad X2D and the new Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V and Hasselblad XCD 55mm f/2.5 V.
Hasselblad X2D: Summary and Conclusion
Reader Phil M writes:
I wanted to thank you for publishing my experience with equipment theft etc. I think while my end result was contrary to most, there is the further risk of retribution by the criminal post facto if I was the cause of their being jailed etc and one should be prepared to act as a witness if asked. For the last year I have had a degree of angst waiting for the next shoe to drop, but thankfully it has been quiet on that front.
You are an icon on the industry and particularly with Ming’s departure from active reviews, it leaves Jim Kasson as the only real competition.
I bring up his name in the context of his color evaluation of output using various SW, some with better C delta results as to overall accuracy, surely a less than ideal scoring system.
Furthermore, having used the GFX50 quite extensively, from a purely visual standpoint, my findings follow (some corroborated by your own findings:
1. Artifacts just past 100% enlargement where they are not apparent with say a D850 at the same magnifications.
2. The edge sharpness/contrast at the pixel level is far less than say the D850 and certainly the X2D.
3. While the X2D appears to have more chroma effects at the pixel level, the appearance of more accurate color is uncontested.
4. DP review and others have tried to “correct” colors of the GFX to that of the X1D with very limited success. The GFX has a more cartoon like color gamut with overall lower contrast than either D850 or X2D.
5. I have struggled with even approaching more accurate color with the GFX using different SW, and the output with hours of work is at best pleasing but never really approaches what I feel I am seeing visually I a scene.
6. My experience is that the GFX lenses are less flare resistant than most F mount Nikon lenses I own. I am not talking ghosts, but “glare”. When it shoot subjects in fog, the GFX produces less contrast and the results appear like a mild white film over the subject while the Nikon lenses produce more contrast and realistic output. This is very noticeable after many tests.I decided after much trial that the GFX colors were so difficult to handle and “off” compared to what my eyes/brain was seeing, I sold the system. The system also seems to want to reduce contrast such that much less adjustment to bringing up shadows is necessary compared to other systems. Think “flat” profile in the Nikon system.
I am wondering for the sake of those on the fence regarding these various systems, and without potentially violating your relationship with one or more manufacturer, if you could address some or perhaps all of the above points. I think it would be vital to those wanting to invest $$$ in a system.
Lastly, and if I can express an opinion on your own work, I have found your Leica images posted in your public blog over the years to be your best work (such as the, perhaps it is serendipity and the fluidity of the small form factor, and world class optics. I frankly would say the same if Ming’s work as well, but I am not here to offend but to relay my own take in the most visually pleasing results - and I neither own or gave wined Leica.
No response is necessary, but thank you for your tremendous efforts over the years.
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On your images; I have always enjoyed all of your Leica images, M, S2, SL2, and APO SL lenses on the Panasonic. Some are branded in my memory such as the M10M B&W images images from the desert dunes and snow, and of course the Sunset images with both 75 and 90mm APO sl lenses. The APO 28 SL samples are without peer (I will say though after 3 copies of the Nikon 28g, all with significantly different coatings, the 2nd, BTW, with ridiculous/extreme curvature of field bit with very high macro contrast and punchy color, the last is in fact comparable to the Leica APO IMO. I have not found any other Nikkor lens that comes close to this last copy, though longit. CA is still apparent). Very little curvature, micro details are outstanding, and coatings are more complicated with green, blue and purple reflections, whereas copy #2 had a rear element with warm tones. I inquired about this with Nikon Japan with non response. The most refined imaging I have seen in any lens short of the Leica. And I am using neutral profile throughout. Beautiful rendering.
DIGLLOYD: I discuss these points in my conclusions and summary.
