Continuing to take medium format out of the studio, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek and exceptionally capable mirrorless camera, characterised by its thoughtful design and powerful imaging capabilities. This second-generation X System camera shows a revised and enhanced feature-set designed to quicken performance and make overall operation even more intuitive and streamlined. At the core of the X1D II remains the large 43.8 × 32.9mm 50MP CMOS sensor, which yields high-resolution imagery with a wide 14-stop dynamic range, 16-bit colour depth, and an ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range. This sensor utilises Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution, too, which delivers realistic, pleasing colour tones for great consistency and smooth tonal transitions. An updated electronic platform also enables a faster 2.7 fps continuous shooting rate as well as a faster startup time, reduced shutter lag and blackout times, and more responsive autofocus performance. Balancing the imaging capabilities, the X1D II is also distinguished by an updated body with a larger 3.6” 2.36m-dot touchscreen LCD and a 0.87x-magnification 3.39m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. These work in concert to provide more comfortable and easy viewing means for shooting in a variety of conditions. The X1D II also retains the signature physical design, with an especially deep right-hand grip and smooth aluminium alloy body. The svelte overall form factor is due in part to the leaf shutter design of the XCD lenses, which obviates the need for a camera-based shutter system and affords full flash sync throughout the shutter speed range up to 1/2000 sec. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi permits wireless remote control and file transferring via Phocus Mobile 2 and an integrated GPS module enables recording location data for geotagging.
Continuing to take medium format out of the studio, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek and exceptionally capable mirrorless camera, characterised by its thoughtful design and powerful imaging capabilities. This second-generation X System camera shows a revised and enhanced feature-set designed to quicken performance and make overall operation even more intuitive and streamlined. At the core of the X1D II remains the large 43.8 × 32.9mm 50MP CMOS sensor, which yields high-resolution imagery with a wide 14-stop dynamic range, 16-bit colour depth, and an ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range. This sensor utilises Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution, too, which delivers realistic, pleasing colour tones for great consistency and smooth tonal transitions. An updated electronic platform also enables a faster 2.7 fps continuous shooting rate as well as a faster startup time, reduced shutter lag and blackout times, and more responsive autofocus performance. Balancing the imaging capabilities, the X1D II is also distinguished by an updated body with a larger 3.6” 2.36m-dot touchscreen LCD and a 0.87x-magnification 3.39m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. These work in concert to provide more comfortable and easy viewing means for shooting in a variety of conditions. The X1D II also retains the signature physical design, with an especially deep right-hand grip and smooth aluminium alloy body. The svelte overall form factor is due in part to the leaf shutter design of the XCD lenses, which obviates the need for a camera-based shutter system and affords full flash sync throughout the shutter speed range up to 1/2000 sec. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi permits wireless remote control and file transferring via Phocus Mobile 2 and an integrated GPS module enables recording location data for geotagging.
Continuing to take medium format out of the studio, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek and exceptionally capable mirrorless camera, characterised by its thoughtful design and powerful imaging capabilities. This second-generation X System camera shows a revised and enhanced feature-set designed to quicken performance and make overall operation even more intuitive and streamlined. At the core of the X1D II remains the large 43.8 × 32.9mm 50MP CMOS sensor, which yields high-resolution imagery with a wide 14-stop dynamic range, 16-bit colour depth, and an ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range. This sensor utilises Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution, too, which delivers realistic, pleasing colour tones for great consistency and smooth tonal transitions. An updated electronic platform also enables a faster 2.7 fps continuous shooting rate as well as a faster startup time, reduced shutter lag and blackout times, and more responsive autofocus performance. Balancing the imaging capabilities, the X1D II is also distinguished by an updated body with a larger 3.6” 2.36m-dot touchscreen LCD and a 0.87x-magnification 3.39m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. These work in concert to provide more comfortable and easy viewing means for shooting in a variety of conditions. The X1D II also retains the signature physical design, with an especially deep right-hand grip and smooth aluminium alloy body. The svelte overall form factor is due in part to the leaf shutter design of the XCD lenses, which obviates the need for a camera-based shutter system and affords full flash sync throughout the shutter speed range up to 1/2000 sec. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi permits wireless remote control and file transferring via Phocus Mobile 2 and an integrated GPS module enables recording location data for geotagging.
Continuing to take medium format out of the studio, the Hasselblad X1D II 50C is a sleek and exceptionally capable mirrorless camera, characterised by its thoughtful design and powerful imaging capabilities. This second-generation X System camera shows a revised and enhanced feature-set designed to quicken performance and make overall operation even more intuitive and streamlined. At the core of the X1D II remains the large 43.8 × 32.9mm 50MP CMOS sensor, which yields high-resolution imagery with a wide 14-stop dynamic range, 16-bit colour depth, and an ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range. This sensor utilises Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution, too, which delivers realistic, pleasing colour tones for great consistency and smooth tonal transitions. An updated electronic platform also enables a faster 2.7 fps continuous shooting rate as well as a faster startup time, reduced shutter lag and blackout times, and more responsive autofocus performance. Balancing the imaging capabilities, the X1D II is also distinguished by an updated body with a larger 3.6” 2.36m-dot touchscreen LCD and a 0.87x-magnification 3.39m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. These work in concert to provide more comfortable and easy viewing means for shooting in a variety of conditions. The X1D II also retains the signature physical design, with an especially deep right-hand grip and smooth aluminium alloy body. The svelte overall form factor is due in part to the leaf shutter design of the XCD lenses, which obviates the need for a camera-based shutter system and affords full flash sync throughout the shutter speed range up to 1/2000 sec. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi permits wireless remote control and file transferring via Phocus Mobile 2 and an integrated GPS module enables recording location data for geotagging.
Last updated at 06/08/2026 09:25:48
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originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
For my style of shooting, I like lots of pixels. For that reason, I started using a Hasselblad X1D2 medium format camera recently. It provides the sharpest images of any hand-held camera I've ever owned. It is also the slowest digital camera I've ever had. The focus speed, shutter rate and processing time makes for a more relaxed photographic experience. There's no rushing things with the Hasselblad. I have the 45mm and 21mm lenses - both are excellent. If something comes at me unexpected, then I may miss the shot. But the shots I get are great. I'm pushing the envelope using it for street photography, but it's a joy to shoot with.
originally posted on ebay.com
I love this camera. By the nature of my work I'm slower and methodical so this camera is plenty fast enough for my style of shooting as I'm from a long time large format shooting history. Image quality surpasses my 4x5 film captures. Even in hand held situations. Hasselblad color science is extraordinary. Ergonomics and build quality are as good as it gets. The 45P lens is compact and an incredible optical performer. The Hasselblad Phocus software does and incredible job in post production from RAW to TIFF files.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Buying an X1D is just like buying a Leica. Both are sources of aesthetic and sensual pleasure (not all cameras provide that feeling... although there is a subjective component to that, agreed) as well as participating in a long tradition of high-end craftsmanship (including lenses) and bare-bone camera technology (just the essentials). Image quality is also why one may invest into such products (both cameras and lenses). There is also an irrational aspect in such a move: pleasure, undeniable pleasure.Now in terms of caveats: 1-the autofocus is slow (understatement for some) and sometimes hesitant, but manual focusing is easy; 2-a 50 Mp sensor without stabilisation makes sharp hand-held pictures a challenge under 1/250s (and ISO are ok until 800, beyond that noise ... MoreBuying an X1D is just like buying a Leica. Both are sources of aesthetic and sensual pleasure (not all cameras provide that feeling... although there is a subjective component to that, agreed) as well as participating in a long tradition of high-end craftsmanship (including lenses) and bare-bone camera technology (just the essentials). Image quality is also why one may invest into such products (both cameras and lenses). There is also an irrational aspect in such a move: pleasure, undeniable pleasure.Now in terms of caveats: 1-the autofocus is slow (understatement for some) and sometimes hesitant, but manual focusing is easy; 2-a 50 Mp sensor without stabilisation makes sharp hand-held pictures a challenge under 1/250s (and ISO are ok until 800, beyond that noise starts to creep up (and dynamic range decreases noticeably). My solution: I use a monopod for slow speeds.Pluses : as said above top image quality including color (Sony sensor + Hasselblad software and lenses); easy interface: essential settings at the tip of the user's fingers (aperture, shutter-speed, ISO, White Balance) both on camera and touch screen; compact and efficient combination with very affordable and good 45 mm f. 4; very pleasant experience shooting and editing.Hasselblad and Leica are two brands that split audiences, and not just because of their list prices (a key factor though let us be clear) but that said ultimate craftsmanship, image and lens quality have a price. I must say that before using either of them I had strong objections... that vanished once I used them for some extension of time.
Hasselblad X1D II VQ29100786
Free delivery
Hasselblad X1D II 50c, Boxed VQ28001248
Free delivery
Hasselblad X1D II Body VQ29105274
Free delivery
Hasselblad X1D II 50c, Boxed VQ29100949
Free delivery
Hasselblad X1D II 50c, Boxed VQ28005441
Free delivery
For my style of shooting, I like lots of pixels. For that reason, I started using a Hasselblad X1D2 medium format camera recently. It provides the sharpest images of any hand-held camera I've ever owned. It is also the slowest digital camera I've ever had. The focus speed, shutter rate and processing time makes for a more relaxed photographic experience. There's no rushing things with the Hasselblad. I have the 45mm and 21mm lenses - both are excellent. If something comes at me unexpected, then I may miss the shot. But the shots I get are great. I'm pushing the envelope using it for street photography, but it's a joy to shoot with.
I love this camera. By the nature of my work I'm slower and methodical so this camera is plenty fast enough for my style of shooting as I'm from a long time large format shooting history. Image quality surpasses my 4x5 film captures. Even in hand held situations. Hasselblad color science is extraordinary. Ergonomics and build quality are as good as it gets. The 45P lens is compact and an incredible optical performer. The Hasselblad Phocus software does and incredible job in post production from RAW to TIFF files.
Buying an X1D is just like buying a Leica. Both are sources of aesthetic and sensual pleasure (not all cameras provide that feeling... although there is a subjective component to that, agreed) as well as participating in a long tradition of high-end craftsmanship (including lenses) and bare-bone camera technology (just the essentials). Image quality is also why one may invest into such products (both cameras and lenses). There is also an irrational aspect in such a move: pleasure, undeniable pleasure.Now in terms of caveats: 1-the autofocus is slow (understatement for some) and sometimes hesitant, but manual focusing is easy; 2-a 50 Mp sensor without stabilisation makes sharp hand-held pictures a challenge under 1/250s (and ISO are ok until 800, beyond that noise ... MoreBuying an X1D is just like buying a Leica. Both are sources of aesthetic and sensual pleasure (not all cameras provide that feeling... although there is a subjective component to that, agreed) as well as participating in a long tradition of high-end craftsmanship (including lenses) and bare-bone camera technology (just the essentials). Image quality is also why one may invest into such products (both cameras and lenses). There is also an irrational aspect in such a move: pleasure, undeniable pleasure.Now in terms of caveats: 1-the autofocus is slow (understatement for some) and sometimes hesitant, but manual focusing is easy; 2-a 50 Mp sensor without stabilisation makes sharp hand-held pictures a challenge under 1/250s (and ISO are ok until 800, beyond that noise starts to creep up (and dynamic range decreases noticeably). My solution: I use a monopod for slow speeds.Pluses : as said above top image quality including color (Sony sensor + Hasselblad software and lenses); easy interface: essential settings at the tip of the user's fingers (aperture, shutter-speed, ISO, White Balance) both on camera and touch screen; compact and efficient combination with very affordable and good 45 mm f. 4; very pleasant experience shooting and editing.Hasselblad and Leica are two brands that split audiences, and not just because of their list prices (a key factor though let us be clear) but that said ultimate craftsmanship, image and lens quality have a price. I must say that before using either of them I had strong objections... that vanished once I used them for some extension of time.
Ive pretty much resisted the drive into digital for decades now. My 500 cm with 50mm lens is the camera of the gods. Along with Agfa 100 developed in Rodinol, I felt like everything was right in my photographic world. As time passed, I turned more and more to digital scans of my film, enjoying the medium format look in the now digital world. Over time I added multiple backs and switched film types out during my shoots. The process has become cumbersome, however, as my lab time became more and more limited with my day job. Time, it seems, is the biggest factor in using medium format film. I decided to make a move to the Nikon D700; I enjoyed the camera but did not appreciate the images; cold, bland, even on the vivid setting. I missed that look of medium format. With ... MoreIve pretty much resisted the drive into digital for decades now. My 500 cm with 50mm lens is the camera of the gods. Along with Agfa 100 developed in Rodinol, I felt like everything was right in my photographic world. As time passed, I turned more and more to digital scans of my film, enjoying the medium format look in the now digital world. Over time I added multiple backs and switched film types out during my shoots. The process has become cumbersome, however, as my lab time became more and more limited with my day job. Time, it seems, is the biggest factor in using medium format film. I decided to make a move to the Nikon D700; I enjoyed the camera but did not appreciate the images; cold, bland, even on the vivid setting. I missed that look of medium format. With the release of the Hasselblad X1D ii, I looked again at digital. I watched and waited for prices to drop (inevitable in the digital world), and sure enough they did. I bought an open box X1D ii after reading as many reviews as I could get my hands on, The device is as perfect a camera as I can imagine. Simple and clear menu system, easy to pick up and shoot, slow but accurate focus, buttery color and images that remind me of 120mm film. The camera is a joy to use and make the transition from film easy.Workflow is wonderfully intuitive and the camera itself, easy to use. Building a collection of lenses will take years, and Im enjoying the opportunity to explore photography again for the first time. Im lucky to be able to own one of these cameras and I wont let that chance go to waist.
I own three Nikon D850s with 14 of the very best Zeiss and Nikon professional 'gold ring' lenses, but I have been thinking about this Hasselblad awhile. I ordered it last Friday from B&H and received it in two days on Sunday. I live near The University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, and went a couple of nights to their Law School campus to play with this camera and lens combination. I was very impressed! I love how the camera can be set to automatically jump to 100% EVF magnification when manually focusing. I am uploading a few of these very first photographs.
Thank you B&H and Hasselblad for this kit. Fantastic results. Have used Leicas (film), all the 5D Marks and R5 with numerous EF and RF lenses. So far, the X1Dii for portrait and landscapes far exceeds expectations as well as the R5. For wildlife, the MarkIV and R5 will be better only because of the lack of long telephoto lenses. Will be buying several Hasselblad X lenses shortly.
I have had my X1D II now for 10 days. I purchased the Novoflex adapter to hopefully use at least some of my large collection of premium Nikkor 'gold ring' lenses and Zeiss Milvus (50, 85, 135) lenses. I know the Novoflex adapter is not intended to work with Nikkor 'e' lenses - since those apertures are electronically controlled, However, they do work but only with the aperture fully open since the Novoflex adapter cannot control electronic apertures. My Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, and 135mm f/2 lenses all have aperture rings, so those apertures can be precisely set on the lenses, rather with the Novoflex. I am including six photographs I took with my Nikkor 105mm f/1.4e mounted on the Hasselblad - of course with the aperture fully open. The coverage of the ... MoreI have had my X1D II now for 10 days. I purchased the Novoflex adapter to hopefully use at least some of my large collection of premium Nikkor 'gold ring' lenses and Zeiss Milvus (50, 85, 135) lenses. I know the Novoflex adapter is not intended to work with Nikkor 'e' lenses - since those apertures are electronically controlled, However, they do work but only with the aperture fully open since the Novoflex adapter cannot control electronic apertures. My Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, and 135mm f/2 lenses all have aperture rings, so those apertures can be precisely set on the lenses, rather with the Novoflex. I am including six photographs I took with my Nikkor 105mm f/1.4e mounted on the Hasselblad - of course with the aperture fully open. The coverage of the lens projection and subject isolation on the larger medium format sensor was excellent. I am thrilled I can use my large collection of lenses I purchased for my D850s with the Hasselblad's electronic shutter.
I purchased this camera with 45P lens a number of months ago and until the most recent release of Phocus 2 I have had a love-hate relationship with the system. First, the autofocus speed, reliability and accuracy are the worst I have ever used in any camera going back to the Nikon 8008s I purchased in 1992. The X1D II 50c has wide AF point coverage, which is great, but I can not count on it to lock focus quickly in any lighting condition, good or bad. It is quicker and more accurate simply to focus manually. If you can handle this fairly large shortcoming, this is becoming very nice camera system.I find that it is the most perfectly designed camera I have ever used. The buttons are in exactly the right places for my hands. I never need to compromise the stability ... MoreI purchased this camera with 45P lens a number of months ago and until the most recent release of Phocus 2 I have had a love-hate relationship with the system. First, the autofocus speed, reliability and accuracy are the worst I have ever used in any camera going back to the Nikon 8008s I purchased in 1992. The X1D II 50c has wide AF point coverage, which is great, but I can not count on it to lock focus quickly in any lighting condition, good or bad. It is quicker and more accurate simply to focus manually. If you can handle this fairly large shortcoming, this is becoming very nice camera system.I find that it is the most perfectly designed camera I have ever used. The buttons are in exactly the right places for my hands. I never need to compromise the stability or comfort of the grip to reach any buttons during shooting. I never have to take my eye away from the viewfinder to change settings. It also doesn’t present you with too many configuration options, just the essentials, which is a design philosophy lost on many. It’s very quiet with the 45P lens, and the colors from this camera are great. My main studio system is the Phase One XF with IQ1 100MP back, and I find the colors from the X1D II 50c to be both more true to life, especially in the blues and greens, and more pleasing than anything I have pulled from the Phase One IQ1 100MP. And the EVF is fantastic. It seems to be perfectly color matched to the file output and gives me a great sense of confidence as I am matching light colors in the studio or on location. There just aren’t any surprises when I get back to an editing station.As a leaf-shutter backup to the Phase One kit the X1D II 50c has been a perfectly acceptable system. But... with the recently upgrade to Phocus Mobile 2 for iOS which allows a really functional wired or wireless live view I have found myself using this camera as my go-to studio still life and macro camera. Phocus 2 has made iOS tethering a reality and it far exceeds the capability of Nikon Z (with Nikon SnapBridge or Cascable), FujiFilm (No raw transfer, no real-time transfer), or Phase One (Requires an iOS device AND a laptop, and sometimes a portable wifi router to use with iOS). With the X1D II 50c I have the option to tether anywhere and at any time as needed. And Phocus Mobile 2 is a competent bit of software for basic editing. So, yeah.. I still have some mixed feelings about this camera but I don’t feel nearly as compelled to get rid of it as I did just a few weeks ago.
All-in-all an incredible camera that I'd recommend to anyone capturing still or slow-moving subjects who wants a Hasselblad sensor and lens but doesn't want to decide between a new luxury vehicle and any of their H-series cameras. It does have some quirks and rough edges that I wish Hasselblad had polished a bit more, for a second-revision camera, and you should consider how much they would affect you before purchasing.For context, I purchased the XID II with the XCD 45P f/4 lens. I bought it to use in addition to my Nikon D800, and was specifically looking to get a mirrorless full-frame camera, which meant my options were Hasselblad or Fuji.Onto the camera. Let's get this out of the way: it has some issues. Some of them are specific to this model, some are ... MoreAll-in-all an incredible camera that I'd recommend to anyone capturing still or slow-moving subjects who wants a Hasselblad sensor and lens but doesn't want to decide between a new luxury vehicle and any of their H-series cameras. It does have some quirks and rough edges that I wish Hasselblad had polished a bit more, for a second-revision camera, and you should consider how much they would affect you before purchasing.For context, I purchased the XID II with the XCD 45P f/4 lens. I bought it to use in addition to my Nikon D800, and was specifically looking to get a mirrorless full-frame camera, which meant my options were Hasselblad or Fuji.Onto the camera. Let's get this out of the way: it has some issues. Some of them are specific to this model, some are prevalent in most mirrorless cameras.1. Autofocus is really bad. I know this is a mirrorless problem, but combined with the higher density lens internals than I'm used to from Nikon, the focus feels sluggish and barely works in low light or low contrast situations. The focus, despite being lens-internal, feels, sounds, and performs like Nikon's screw-drive lenses, in case you've had the pleasure. In short: no sports photography with the XID II. That's ok, it's not what it's for. This has been okay for me because of one thing: focus peaking. When you turn on manual focus (don't worry, you can still press the AF-D button to activate autofocus when this is on) the display and the viewfinder will show you the edges that it detects in the image. This turns something I never used (full manual focus) into something I use all the time, so all-in-all not a negative for me but definitely something to consider. A picture of this display (with the colour set to cyan, which is configurable) is included.2. The lack of a folding display is annoying. Hasselblad is famous for from-the-hip photography, which is not possible with the XID II. I almost went with the 907X for this reason alone, but I wouldn't be able to do the same thing holding the camera above my head, so I decided to forego it entirely. Given how standard this has become on most digital cameras, mirrorless or not, it's surprising that this one has a fixed display.3. The boot time is pretty slow. It takes a couple of seconds to get to a shootable state from being turned off. It doesn't seem to use much battery when it's sleeping and the wakeup time from that is about half a second, which is fine for my use-cases. Again, no sports photography, but I do definitely feel this compared to the Nikon which is pretty much instantaneously ready.4. Battery life. I've gotten way, way too used to having to charge my camera once every couple months. As with other mirrorless cameras, there's a ton of energy being used to continuously capture video and run the display that DSLRs don't have to deal with. Again, something I knew going in, but it's something you should know too.5. Other Hasselblad lens compatibility. This is not an issue for me, as I do not have the financial priviledge of already owning a bunch of Hasselblad lenses. HOWEVER. This camera, like most every high-end mirrorless camera, does have a physical shutter... kinda. It's in the lens - more specifically, it's in the X-series lenses. This is how rolling shutter is prevented. If you use any non-X-series Hasselblad lens, rolling shutter is going to be a problem for anything moving. The delay is like 300ms (or 3 in shutter-speed-number language) - it will be unusable for anything moving at all. There was another review noting this and I wanted to clarify that it isn't always an issue, since it gave me pause and I had to read the accessory spec sheet to realise that it wasn't a problem for standard lenses.6. Video. If you are really looking for a dual-purpose photo + video camera, do not buy this camera. It shoots 2.7k (glad I bought a 50MP sensor) up to 29.97fps (really). Look at any other new mirrorless camera and they almost undoubtedly shoot 4k @ 60fps (which usually implies things like 720p @ 240fps, if you're into that kind of thing). This was not an issue for me - phone video has gotten plenty good for my purposes - but I know lots of people who are looking into mirrorless because of the usually-excellent video capabilities. If that's you: look elsewhere.7. The electronic viewfinder is bad. They are bad on most every mirrorless camera. It's hard to make tiny screens with lots of pixels. That's ok, I mostly use it in very bright environments and it's more for framing and focus peaking than anything.8. No automatic screen brightness. This feels pretty absurd for a new camera. My 9-year-old D800 has auto-brightness. I don't see any ambient light sensors on the body, so I doubt this is a firmware-update-fixable issue either. Seems like a really silly thing to miss on a high-end second-revision camera. Oh well.OKAY. That was a lot. I know. This does not look like a 4-star review for a $6k camera. I KNOW. Nevermind all that. Here's the good stuff:1. The SENSOR. For me, the sensor alone undoes every single quirk and negative of this camera. Dynamic range is probably 2-3 stops short of high-end film, but is basically there. The colour reproduction is incredible (also very film-like). Noise is truly non-existent at ISO 100 but you'd be hard-pressed to find noise issues up to ISO 800. As with most sensors it gets worse from there on up, but pretty comparable, and I don't usually find myself above ISO 400.2. Metering... works? I don't know if I got too used to the D800's (very bad) metering but wow, I can actually trust what it's telling me. This might be a mirrorless thing, where they're able to do more colour analysis and adjust for e.g. greens and browns. Whatever they're doing, I like it.3. Focus peaking. Okay, I talked about this as a solution for a negative aspect of the camera, but it's also SUCH a positive. I largely shoot in manual focus now, which is something I never did before because (even with the full-frame viewfinder of the D800) I could never trust my eye to see whether some tiny piece of something was truly in focus, and the in-viewfinder focus indicator was way too binary - it was hard to really get a sense of when you were coming into focus and where the focus was really, well, peaking. A picture of this display (with the colour set to cyan, which is configurable) is included.4. Lens is SHARP and essentially distortion-free. Again, I'm using the XCD 45P f/4 lens. This is both the (currently) cheapest option and, from sample images on their website, seemed to have the least internal reflection and chromatic aberration issues. Side note: Hasselblad rocks for posting raw images from all their X lenses, please look at those before getting whatever lens you're thinking of getting. Doing so completely changed my mind about the first lens I wanted.5. Resolution and medium-format. This is the first time I've really experienced tack-sharp. I've always had issues with the clarity of images coming out of my old full-frame camera. Pixels in focus were never tack-sharp, so even though the sensor was ~36MP, the real performance of the thing was closer to ~24MP with how blurry even the sharpest areas were. I would assume this is an issue of sensor size + the glass diffuser over the sensor, but I'm no expert. This is not true with the X1D II. If you shoot stable and in focus, you WILL get tack-sharp images. You will pick up pixel-wide edges. It's amazing. I was hesitant going from ~36MP to ~50MP, since it's not a huge jump, but it ended up being a much bigger jump than anticipated.Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps you make a decision!
I should preface this review by noting that I am normally a Leica M shooter. But my aging eyes are starting to betray me, and this fact has me looking for alternative systems, especially ones that allow me to use focus peaking while also keeping the hotshoe free for flash triggering (the M's Achilles heel).At first glance, the X1D II 50c seemed like a perfect choice, being touted as a camera that encourages one to slow down when composing. But I just gotta say: it is miserable to shoot with!First and foremost, the autofocus is virtually useless in that it only works in bright light, is glacially slow, and locks onto the subject maybe 50% of the time. No problem, I thought--I'll just use the peaking function and focus manually. But this is unreliable, too. Leica ... MoreI should preface this review by noting that I am normally a Leica M shooter. But my aging eyes are starting to betray me, and this fact has me looking for alternative systems, especially ones that allow me to use focus peaking while also keeping the hotshoe free for flash triggering (the M's Achilles heel).At first glance, the X1D II 50c seemed like a perfect choice, being touted as a camera that encourages one to slow down when composing. But I just gotta say: it is miserable to shoot with!First and foremost, the autofocus is virtually useless in that it only works in bright light, is glacially slow, and locks onto the subject maybe 50% of the time. No problem, I thought--I'll just use the peaking function and focus manually. But this is unreliable, too. Leica does focus peaking right: when you use live view to focus, only the very edges of the subject glow. The viewfinder of the Hasselblad, by contrast, becomes cluttered and smeared with orange dots and lines that often obscure the subject. I couldn't tell if a person sitting for a portrait was looking at the camera or not! That's bad.And while most reviewers rave about the interface and its iPhone-like qualities, I found it buggy, sluggish, and often unresponsive. An iPhone 3G would run circles around it! For instance, if you select the option to move the focus point with your thumb while looking through the viewfinder, the camera can take up to two seconds to respond to your touch.Long story short, I sent it back early because I found I didn't even want to take it out shooting. And I'm someone who *wears* a camera everywhere! To be fair, I'm primarily accustomed to a camera system meant for mobility. The X1D is marketed as a walk around camera, but it really isn't one. YMMV.
