The Hasselblad X2D II 100C Honors its Legacy While Embracing the Future

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is the corporate’s greatest demonstration but of how medium format pictures doesn’t have to return with compromises. Gone are the times of giant, heavy cameras, sluggish and unreliable autofocus, and an obtuse person expertise. The X2D II 100C delivers the distinctive picture high quality photographers count on from medium format and represents the mature roadmap of the corporate to face out within the medium format digital camera business.

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Full disclosure: This story is delivered to you by Hasselblad.

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It is of little shock that the X2D II 100C, which isn’t simply considerably higher than its predecessor, 2022’s X2D 100C, but in addition over $1,000 inexpensive, has confirmed to be a industrial and demanding darling in its first few months in the marketplace. The X2D II 100C soared to the highest of Japanese sales charts, a market the place Hasselblad has traditionally discovered comparatively much less success. Hasselblad has pulled out all of the stops with the X2D II 100C, delivering a well-rounded, full photographic expertise that not solely pushes medium-format pictures ahead in key methods but in addition breaks new floor for digital cameras.

How Did We Get Here: The Road to the Hasselblad X2D II 100C

However, earlier than seeing the place the X2D II 100C takes medium format pictures, it’s value taking a fast look again at the place the digital camera got here from. Hasselblad’s continuous evolution is a vital a part of the story and helps clarify how the X2D II 100C grew to become such a spectacular digital camera.

Back in June 2016, greater than half a 12 months earlier than Fujifilm launched its GFX 50S, Hasselblad’s stunning X1D 50C arrived on the scene. Although initially referred to as simply the X1D, its identify expanded as further fashions had been revealed, referencing the digital camera’s 50-megapixel CMOS picture sensor.

While a lot of the X1D 50C’s core imaging know-how has since been changed by newer, higher choices, the digital camera laid the inspiration that the most recent X2D II 100C continues to embrace. Since the very first mannequin in Hasselblad’s mirrorless medium format collection arrived, the corporate has embraced a compact kind issue, a contemporary touch-first person interface, and leaf shutter-equipped lenses with distinctive optical high quality.

This foundational philosophy of creating medium format pictures stunning, trendy, and accessible has carried by way of subsequent fashions, with solely the corporate’s attractive vintage-inspired CFV digital camera our bodies bucking the trendy development, if solely in look, for the reason that picture sensor stays cutting-edge.

The X1D II 50C in 2019 didn’t change issues up with respect to the picture sensor, nevertheless it did make the 50-megapixel medium format platform even quicker and extra responsive. The digital camera helped solidify Hasselblad’s strategy to the person interface and expertise, making certain that the standard barrier to entry with medium format obtained even smaller. While cameras like the unique X1D and the X1D II 50C each aimed to raise picture high quality far above what full-frame cameras can provide, they sought to take care of the convenience of use of smaller-sensor cameras, albeit with totally different approaches to physique design and menus.

The picture high quality benefit took a major step ahead in 2022 with Hasselblad’s introduction of the X2D 100C. The digital camera’s 102-megapixel sensor was and stays on the pinnacle of what digital cameras this aspect of $50,000 can obtain, delivering photographs that look as spectacular on a display as they do on a gallery wall within the type of a large print measured not in inches, however ft.

The brand-new X2D II 100C nonetheless delivers the identical unimaginable decision however, because of important technological advances, makes it even simpler for photographers to take full benefit of the 102-megapixel sensor and showcase their photographs in a wholly new approach.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C Breaks New Photographic Ground

The X2D II 100C’s megapixel rely hasn’t jumped, however Hasselblad has managed to extract much more imaging efficiency from the 102-megapixel CMOS picture sensor in two essential methods. At base ISO — now 50 somewhat than 64 — the X2D II 100C gives 15.3 stops of dynamic vary, which is up from 15. That’s implausible and helps photographers seize scenes with much more realism and constancy.

The second imaging enchancment is much more thrilling and a primary of its variety. The Hasselblad X2D II 100C gives the business’s first end-to-end HDR pictures workflow. Built on the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution HDR (HNCS HDR) system, photographers can extract much more element from spotlight areas in photographs.

Although the broader show business and all platforms don’t but take full benefit of HDR, the quantity that do is steadily growing. Hasselblad has precisely anticipated the way forward for imaging and utilized it to its cameras. Those with HDR-compatible shows, together with most smartphones, can get pleasure from Hasselblad’s eye-opening HDR YouTube videos and see what the X2D II 100C can obtain.

Compared to what photographers usually consider after they hear “HDR,” a stack of exposures, the X2D II 100C’s HNCS HDR resolution depends on a single publicity. This single file, which is suitable with each SDR and HDR workflows, contains further knowledge within the highlights tonal vary to make photographs really pop on an HDR show.

Not solely do the HDR photographs look spectacular on the X2D II 100C’s large, stunning HDR show (which now tilts, by the way in which), however photographers can allow HDR after the actual fact when processing their photographs in Hasselblad’s Phocus software program, each on cellular and desktop. Flipping between HDR and SDR photographs on my HDR-equipped MacBook Pro has been among the most enjoyable I’ve had processing photographs in a really very long time.

As the technological panorama catches up and absolutely embraces HDR, Hasselblad’s X2D II 100C is the very best instance so far of what HDR can imply for photographers. I hope it helps velocity up HDR adoption, as a result of photographs have by no means had a lot pop because the X2D II 100C’s 102-megapixel HDR RAW information do.

Hasselblad’s beloved coloration science stays absolutely intact right here as effectively, whether or not capturing within the new HDR format or in SDR, which is straightforward to share throughout all social media platforms and print with distinctive element. Hasselblad’s Natural Color Solution delivers wealthy tonal gradation, correct colours, and the right quantity of saturation. For those that wish to fine-tune coloration response and look, the X2D II 100C’s 16-bit RAW photographs are extraordinarily versatile and reply effectively to post-processing.

The X2D II 100C Makes Medium Format Photography More Fun and Versatile

There’s no query that Hasselblad’s medium-format mirrorless cameras have been all-in on picture high quality for the reason that very first mannequin, the X1D, in 2016. However, with the X2D II 100C, taking full benefit of the digital camera’s outstanding picture sensor has by no means been simpler.

The X2D II 100C’s class-leading in-body picture stabilization is a very sturdy instance of how the brand new digital camera makes medium format pictures extra versatile and accessible. It was that photographers needed to carry a tripod to get the sharpest photographs, however with the X2D II 100C’s IBIS, that’s now not vital. It is feasible to handhold the digital camera at a variety of shutter speeds, whilst gradual as a second or longer, and seize sharp, detailed photographs.

The five-axis in-body picture stabilization delivers 10 stops of shake correction, which is as much as eight instances extra performant than the IBIS in its predecessor, the X2D 100C. This means photographers can shoot at decrease ISOs and seize higher photographs than ever, and even seize scenes that lend themselves to long-exposure pictures, like shifting water, with out a tripod. This is the kind of capturing usually reserved for computational picture modes in cameras with comparatively small picture sensors, not a medium format digital camera just like the X2D II 100C. It is troublesome to overstate simply how way more satisfying medium format pictures is whenever you aren’t frightened about whether or not your shutter velocity is simply too gradual or in case your photographs will likely be shaky. It is liberating.

This artistic freedom carries over to each side of utilizing the Hasselblad X2D II 100C. While its predecessor’s touch-centric person interface, arguably the very best of any digital digital camera system in the marketplace, remains to be right here, the X2D II 100C makes the welcome selection so as to add a devoted sub-selector joystick that can be utilized to maneuver the autofocus space and navigate menus. Touchscreens are nice, however a joystick can work higher for some photographers, particularly when carrying gloves in chilly climate. The joystick additionally has haptic suggestions, which improves general responsiveness and really feel whereas additionally lending the digital camera a good better sense of luxurious.

Speaking of autofocus management, the digital camera’s autofocus system has additionally been reinvigorated, thanks largely to new LiDAR autofocus know-how. The digital camera’s autofocus system shouldn’t be solely quicker and extra exact than earlier than, however the X2D II 100C is the primary Hasselblad digital camera to make use of steady autofocus, which makes the digital camera’s three frames per second steady capturing mode way more helpful, and makes it simpler to nail the shot even when a topic is shifting.

Despite including many options in comparison with the X2D 100C, the X2D II 100C truly weighs lower than its predecessor, having shed 55 grams (roughly two ounces). It’s instantly noticeable when utilizing the digital camera, and makes the X2D II 100C lighter than its major competitors, the Fujifilm GFX100 II and GFX100S II. The X2D II 100C feels luxurious from high to backside, with a stupendous graphite-gray end, eye-catching leatherette protecting, and smooth orange accents. While what a digital camera can obtain issues probably the most, and the X2D II 100C excels there, it by no means hurts when a digital camera is as stunning to have a look at because the photographs it captures. It is straight away evident simply how a lot care and a focus has gone into the Hasselblad X2D II 100C’s design.

Facing Tough Competition

The medium format pictures phase has by no means been as aggressive as it’s proper now. The Hasselblad X2D II 100C faces off in opposition to two 100-megapixel combatants within the type of the Fujifilm GFX100 II and GFX100S II, the latter of which is much more reasonably priced than the X2D II 100C.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C has notable benefits in some key areas. Beyond the leaf-shutter lenses, which make Hasselblad’s cameras higher suited to studio environments with flashes and strobes, the X2D II 100C additionally stands out with its modern end-to-end HDR pictures workflow, trendy and smooth person interface, and premium construct. Hasselblad argues that its picture high quality and rendering are even higher than the competitors, too, because of HNCS. While that’s admittedly subjective, there is no such thing as a query that the X2D II 100C captures stunning photographs straight out of the field.

Then there’s the 10-stop IBIS, besting the GFX100 II-series cameras by two stops, and the LiDAR-assisted autofocus system. The X2D II 100C additionally has a built-in 1TB SSD to go together with its CFexpress Type B card slot, which proves extraordinarily helpful.

There can also be Hasselblad’s concentrate on apps. The X2D II 100C works with the Phocus Mobile 2 app, which is straightforward to make use of, connects to the digital camera in just some faucets, and gives HDR picture enhancing and noise discount. The X2D II 100C additionally guarantees in depth tethered capturing capabilities that Hasselblad believes are the perfect within the business.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C isn’t solely competing in opposition to medium format cameras, although, as a major a part of its attraction is that it gives the convenience of use and flexibility of a full body digital camera, albeit with significantly better picture high quality. Given its value bracket and concentrate on premium construct high quality, the X2D II 100C may be pretty in contrast in opposition to one thing just like the Leica M11 collection digital rangefinders or perhaps a Sony a7R V.

There are some non secular connections between the Hasselblad X2D II 100C and a Leica M11, together with wealthy European heritage and top-of-the-line digital camera parts and lenses. However, whereas each cameras emphasize the photographic expertise, the X2D II 100C does so by way of a sophisticated autofocus system and tremendous high-end picture high quality, whereas the M11 collection is handbook focus solely and eschews an in-body picture stabilization system altogether. The cameras might function in the identical normal ballpark and embrace related philosophies, however Hasselblad is all-in on trendy imaging efficiency, whereas Leica fortunately retains issues way more old-school.

As for the Sony a7R V, arguably the full-frame digital camera with the very best picture high quality within the business, it might be quicker than the X2D II 100C, nevertheless it can’t maintain a candle to its medium-format picture high quality. Sony’s cameras are actually smaller, lighter, and have entry to a extra numerous vary of options and lenses — and video recording capabilities — however for photographers who deeply care a few premium photographic expertise and the last word picture high quality, the X2D II 100C is the clear winner.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C: A Brilliant Continuation of Hasselblad’s Technological Evolution

In some ways, the Hasselblad X2D II 100C is the results of continued refinements and evolutions from prior fashions, courting again to 2016’s unique X1D digital camera. However, in different significant methods, the X2D II 100C is a daring leap ahead in photographic know-how. It combines what made the prior Hasselblad X1D and X2D cameras particular with cutting-edge tech.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is Hasselblad at its best possible and best. It is quicker the place it issues whereas nonetheless encouraging the person to take a breath, decelerate, and make a really particular {photograph}.

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Full disclosure: This story is delivered to you by Hasselblad.