The teaser said game changer; those fighting words have been used before and left something wanting. I think now that the dust has somewhat settled after the X1D announcement, clearer heads may prevail in the analysis. For those who missed it: Hasselblad have just announced a 50MP medium format (44x33mm) mirrorless camera with a 2.36MP EVF, new lenses and full back compatibility with existing H system lenses, at a price point that’s bringing the fight to Pentax and making 35mm DSLRs look physically bloated.
It’s now time for a little of my customary analysis, and in a few weeks, an extended shooting report.
The solo camera images say little, but this I think says it all:
These are cameras whose sizes and prices we recognise. The X1D’s image quality is not an unknown: it houses the same sensor, processor and imaging pipeline as the H6D: i.e. the best available, bar the 100MP sensor.
This says more: it’s not a very thick camera at all. What’s interesting is the flange distance is short enough to permit both adaptation for other lenses – from pretty much every system – and that this much reduction has taken place at all. Effectively, what we’re looking at is a H6D-50 that’s been repackaged into something much, much smaller. Granted, we’ve lost several things like a PDAF autofocus system, top panel LCD, interchangeable backs, optical finder and some sync ports, but for most people: this is welcome, given the camera has also now lost approximately half the weight. The X1D is a featherweight 725g without a lens, which makes it lighter than the Nikon D750 – and not much heavier than a Leica Q.
Note: MTF measurements at the usual 10/30/40 lp/mm.
You’d think there’d be some optical compromises: there don’t appear to be. As you can see from the published MTF charts, we’re looking at a couple of world class autofocus lenses here for the launch; the 90mm looks especially impressive. Distortion is a little on the high side, but appears correctable in software. I think compromising lens speed in exchange for size is a smart decision in this case; the missing mirror means that minimum shutter speeds before camera shake kicks in are significantly lower. And the leaf shutters in the lenses will still hit 1/2000s and offer full sync at that speed, with the same 1-million shot MTBF and warranty as the new H system lenses (probably the same physical shutter units). There’s also a Nikon TTL compatible hotshoe (see DPR’s shot of the hotshoe itself for confirmation here). To fill out the rest of the lens line, the camera is fully compatible with the H system lenses – in fact, the contact pins look the same and I suspect the adaptor will just be a tube with extended electrical contacts. It remains to be seen whether the native XCD lenses are highly telecentric or the sensor itself has an offset microlens array. Finally, a 30mm is planned for Photokina.
Before anybody asks again in the comments, the body contains no shutter. This means whilst the flange distance is very short and some 35mm lenses may well cover the format, they will only be usable if a) there is an electronic shutter implemented in firmware – that has yet to be confirmed, and b) some enterprising third party gets out the lathes.
Interestingly, there are both square and 2.6:1 internal crop options, satisfying both those yearning for the V and Xpan cameras (the original Xpan recorded 24x65mm; this will do presumably 44x16mm to preserve the aspect ratio). Personally, I’d just shoot with the full area and crop later, but it does make for an interesting compositional option to have these natively represented in the viewfinder. One hopes the camera saves the entire file and just tags a crop for later adjustment flexibility if we want to shift the crop up or down to gain some perspective control – assuming you’re not using the HTS 1.5x attachment to begin with. Other feature highlights include built in GPS and wifi, which will allow full control of the camera via the same iPhone and iPad app as used by the existing H cameras. It operates the same under tethering (USB-C) as the H6D. There are also dual SD slots, plus 1080P25 video recording – again, identical to the H6D-50c. The battery is actually of a higher capacity than the H system cameras – 3200mAh vs 2900mAh; my experience with live view on the H5 suggests about two hours per battery is normal, closer to three with the more power-efficient H6. I’d expect about the same with the X1D, which suggests two batteries will get you through a day or more if you cycle power between shots.
Design-wise, the camera resembles nothing so much as a clear descendant of the V-system SWC cameras (sans film back) and the H6D; look closely and the lineage is clearly visible in the metal-edged square design with black infill and the hump to conceal (then) the folding waist level finder. The back control UI is all H6D, however. Buttons, menus and touch panel carry over from the H6D. Notably, both metal body and lenses are weather sealed. Personally, as a V shooter – it hits all the right buttons in a good way; there’s lineage here, there’s modernity, there’s a clever attempt to clean up and reduce the external interface to the essentials and nothing more. It looks like nothing else on the market at the moment – frankly, a refreshing piece of industrial design that avoids increasing complexity for the sake of it. Of course, until I get to shoot with one I won’t be able to say if it hits the mark. But it does appear that the design choices and compromises have been sensible ones, and this bodes well.
Lineage: SWC without film back, but with added grip.
The biggest question of all is what this bodes for the rest of the industry. A EUR 7,900 camera body and ~EUR 2,000 lenses are not cheap by any means, but remember that we are now facing significant price inflation in 35mm cameras anyway (as this earlier article shows). The professional Canikon bodies are not much cheaper than this, and are nowhere close in terms of image quality. The Leica SL is similarly priced, and once again, nowhere close in terms of image quality. Lenses are more expensive, too. None of these cameras have leaf shutters or sync to 1/2000s. Surprisingly, the Pentax 645Z wasn’t as disruptive as anybody expected other than outside Japan; perhaps because it filled a niche that wasn’t previously addressed at all, and lacked some critical features that have traditionally been the USPs of medium format (system incompleteness, slow flash sync) it wasn’t really a threat to the main medium format manufacturers, either.
I think X1D is different, though. Mainly because it now becomes part of a much larger system; it brings the same image quality we already know and value to a much lower price point and more easily manageable size; and on top of that, seems to extend the envelope a bit – no mirror slap, (hopefully) a future electronic shutter and 12.8k and 25.6k ISO ranges over its H5D/H6D brethren might well buy us a couple of stops in practice (I believe there’s auto-ISO functionality too, finally – if the preview video is anything to go by). On top of that, it’s a ground-up design that actually addresses the critical needs of the photographer – and doesn’t add anything beyond that. Whilst my preference is for a good optical finder because it’s much easier to see in low light and doesn’t ruin your night vision, an EVF* is really the only solution for this physical size and format. I actually think the biggest casualties of the X1D’s market cannibalization aren’t going to be Leica, Phase One or the 35mm boys – it’s going to be Hasselblad themselves. Serious amateurs and high end 35mm shooters will probably add the X1D rather than replace something with it – I don’t think the native X system in itself is anywhere near complete enough (nor will it be in the immediate short term) to be a complete replacement, and the H system is still very much professionally priced and sized.
*A comment on the EVF: many have stated in the comments it appears under specced; I suspect the limitations are exclusivity of the higher resolution panels (so far, only Leica is using them) and that this sensor does not output more than XGA LV – neither the Pentax nor Phase One nor Hasselblad’s own H5/6 have more resolution that that in LV.
The casualties are likely to be the H5D-50c and H6D-50c, and perhaps to a lesser extent, the CFV. It’s also important to address one question that’s been going around the web: during the launch, CEO Perry Oosting said categorically it is a 100% unique to Hasselblad body and lenses (explicitly stated: not a rebranded Sony or Fuji, so we’ll not see a cheaper variant from one of those companies in future, but this doesn’t rule out their own competitors); the body is made in Sweden by Hasselblad with lenses made in Japan by Nittoh. In economic terms, I don’t see how there’s room in the pricing structure/margin for cheaper option by an OEM manufacturer: the sensor component alone is in the US$4k range.
In real terms, the same benchmark image quality performance as the H5D/6D-50c is now on offer for a third of the cost and physical size of the H6D, with the same or potentially greater compatibility. The one big question remaining is LV fluidity and AF speed (which is linked to LV frame rates, since the camera cannot recalculate AF position until it has a new frame to compare to the previous one – no matter how fast the lens’ motor). I certainly plan to add one to serve as the second/spare body instead of carrying around two H cameras. In fact, unless I need the 100MP H6D-100c – I think this may well land up being the primary body. Still, better to cannibalise one’s own lunch than have it eaten for you. If I were Hasselblad I’d have picked a different name (X1D is far too similar to Leica’s earlier X1) and perhaps added a wide to the launch lens lineup. The H6D-50c may well have been stillborn unless the development costs were mostly covered by the 100MP version – which I suspect they are, since all three cameras (X1D, both H6s) share the same architecture and platform. But I suspect that a lot of potential H5D and H6D buyers will be going X1D instead. All in all though, this is definitely a new step for medium format, and at least something technological innovative; the industry quite desperately needs a kick in the pants like this. There’s bound to be some pain and attrition: better to be the leader than scrambling later.
Coda: It’s interesting that half of the comments around the web and here are of the ‘I get it’ type and the other half are ‘I don’t get it’ type. So long as there are enough ‘I get its’ to keep the company in business and challenging the others, that’s a good thing. I doubt Sony will bother making one if they don’t see the demand, and I doubt Hasselblad will be pressured to respond and fix the uncompetitive aspects without it. If nobody made one then H and P1 could both go on charging 25k for a 50MP MF body with the same sensor. So, even if it personally doesn’t fit your needs – it’s a good thing it exists.
I expect to have an X1D and lenses in my hands very soon for extended evaluation; an in-depth shooting report will follow in due course. In the meantime, I will of course endeavour to answer any questions in the comments to the best of my ability – but please note that Hasselblad’s commercial, marketing and engineering choices are far outside my responsibility… MT
The Hasselblad X1D camera and lenses are available to pre-order here from B&H. I do get a small referral fee from sales, which helps to pay for site bandwidth and hosting costs. More info is here on the Hasselblad site. There’ll also be a special bag made in collaboration with Billingham. Hasselblad says demos will be available end-July, with first deliveries beginning end-August.
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Ming Thein | Photographer 
I held the X1D and the feel of it was somewhat spooky. It only took a few seconds and I knew I’m holding something special. I sold my D810 for the GX85 because for the sole purpose of story making of my family. Personally, the X1D is new to me because it’s medium format. The replacement of the D810 is already available but there’s something about holding the X1D that made me want it. Also the images are something I haven’t witnessed…it’s organic in a primal way. Maybe it’s the characteristics of medium format saying this is how an image should look like. But I sincerely appreciate what you do for the community and for Hasselblad. I am wondering if Hasselblad USA allows test drives for the X1D…
Solidity, perhaps? Most DSLR bodies are cast magnesium because it’s faster/ cheaper. The X1D is machined from aluminium billet. As for the sensor, we’re the only company that calibrates every sensor individually to an absolute neutral standard, so tonal response is consistent and accurate. Lastly: we just introduced a rental program where the cost of the rental is offset against a purchase if you bite 😉
Yes! Solidity. Quality control of the sensors. Rental program to boot. It’s an easy bite 🙂
You write with one button press to 100% enlargement in the EVF. I wonder how much is this ? 2x, 5x, 10x ?
Thanks.
Unclear. My guess is that it’s 15-20x, and one pixel on-screen to one pixel captured.
This is the camera i was expecting from Fuji !! Im still begging for a Digital Mamiya 7.
Greg
Why would you want the associated problems of the rangefinder like parallax, small frames at longer focal lengths and focus alignment? I’ve never seen an M that could focus accurately with more than one lens at a time.
Oh No, no eShutter! This is a death blow for me and it also might mean no fast lenses for the X1D. One of the main points of the 2000 series V Blads was to remove the leaf shutter and make the lenses faster.
I think this is a limitation of this generation of sensor. I’d expect it to be resolved with the next one…but everybody is at the mercy of Sony here.
Interesting point, on the other hand, Leica managed to make leaf shutter lenses for three Summarit S lenses (f 2,5) at 1/1000 sec.
The updated leaf shutters runs 1/2000s, even in the 100/2.2 (45.5mm nominal minimum aperture) and the 150/3.2 (46.9mm nominal minimum aperture).
Exactly my point, leaf shutter technology trade-offs are getting smaller and smaller, but as you said, this discussion may be obsolete in one or two generations when decent electronic shutter systems will be available.
The biggest remaining barrier is one of sync speed – a 1/2000s sync speed requires global readout within that time, which is tricky with large sensors and large amounts of information. This is a sensor architecture limitation as much as anything else, for the moment.
Hi Ming, I was researching for weeks and about to pull the plug and get the CFV-50c for my 503cw until the new X1d news hit. The X1d covers some of my occasional gripes about the V system (not enough ISO and a more portable form factor). I continue to shoot film (and digital..on my Nikon..thanks to you!) and still have the same giddiness shooting with the 503 as I did when I first bought it many moons ago, but I’m always trying to find the balance with old and future gear. The CFV would be the first bridge to get my old gear up to today’s standards, but the price point of X1d (need to add a bit more for lens) makes me hesitate and wondering if I should be using my money toward a more “future” style of camera. I’m not a fan yet of EVF’s yet but respect that it is improving. I guess I’m at that point of “where do I put my cash next?” Any thoughts?
Depends what about the CFV is the limiting factor for you – if it’s operational or lens-related, then you probably want the new one. If it’s shooting envelope, hard to say. I’d actually also consider a H5D-50c and the V-H adaptor for the best of both worlds; now they’re on clearance the price isn’t much more than an X and one lens – image quality is the same, too.
And what about the “Phocus” software? It appears one can already download it.
That was already prepared for the H6D – same platform.
Presumably Phocus will be updated for the X1D and Hasselblad will also release an iOS App for the WiFi control of the camera?
I’m told it should work with the existing app.
Hasselblad CEO said they will not have the e-shutter because e-shutter will affect the image quality and other lenses will not able to match Hasselblad lenses’ quality. So, they WILL not provide the e-shutter.
http://hk.digitalrev.com/article/talk-with-ceo-during-hasselblad-x1d-press
What a pity!
Looking all my old MF and LF lenses in my drawer, they speak to me :
MF Lenses “Hey, don’t be upset, we are designed for that high resolution camera, right?”
Me “Hey buddies, I don’t care. I want to buy X1D, use Hass great lenses and put you old guys on X1D sometimes.”
MF Lenses “You don’t get it, right? Our times have passed.”
Me: “Hey buddies, then I’ll go with you. The others ignore you doesn’t meet I ignore you.”
MF Lenses:”So, what now?”
Me: “wait another year, hopefully Fuji could something wise or just do film.”
I turned my head to my Leica lenses drawer and they speak to me:
50Lux V1 Grandad:”thanks for taking me out last Sunday, I really have a good time.”
Me:”me too, my pleasure”
28cron asph grandson,”me too, it’s so nice go out with Grandad 50Lux and Bother 75asph. ”
Me:”you know what? Leica will have a new body this fall. I definitely bring you guys out more later on.”
Leica families:” Yeah!”
The big young bother Noct.95 :”but it will cost as much as the X1D. It’s not wise to buy the FF at the price range, right?”
Me:”yes, but I really don’t care because I have you all. At first, if the X1D has the e-Shutter, I will to put you on, playing square format Leica lenses on X1D. I’ll definitely love Hass X1D as well. Pity!”
From An old man who just love both old lenses and new lenses.
I hadn’t seen that. Oh well, that’s too bad; I suspect the sensor doesn’t have fast enough global readout. Perhaps the next generation…
Looks like the company is leaded by someone not even a photography enthusiastic. I think they might want to do it like the iPhone way. One of the key reason I owned a phaseone before is because I could use other lenses for joy and use the AF modern lenses if needed. Hope they could reconsider it. Pity.
Hi Ming,
Like many, when I saw the Fuji GFX50S details I thought the absence of in-lens shutters an error, as the core (deep-pocketed) studio-based MF market is closed to it. But, on reflection, might Fuji’s strategy be quite clever?
As with many amateurs, mirrorless satisfies my needs for certainly 75% of my images. But for the remainder, where I do print big, I have a D810 with Sigma A lenses. I need the IQ, but, although I appreciate DSLR operating speed, I do not really need it.
For me, the GFX50S is interesting. Is Fuji’s thinking that there is a sizeable market for people like me who want the DSLR’s IQ (or better), don’t need its speed, but want the flexibility to use favourites from my lens cupboard (Sigma As, a Contax 645 set, Leica M, perhaps some Zeiss Milvus to come).
Fuji’s 1×1 33x33mm format would be covered by 35mm lenses, perhaps rather more. One question I have is whether you think a Leica M adaptor possible. Fuji’s 26.7mm flange distance is scarcely short of the M’s 27.8. But I recall that (imperfect) adaptors were created for both Red (27.3) and NX (25.5). With the Fuji’s much wider lens opening, do you think some plate-type adaptor possible?
Finally, it seems to me a mistake to ask whether the MF market is big enough. Fuji seems to believe that the right product can expand it. Perhaps. Price is key, however. The real question is regarding the potential size of the $5000 plus camera body market. I was there once (M9) and could perhaps be persuaded again. But how many of us are there?
Chris
The unasked question is, why did the Pentax 645Z not become far more successful? It isn’t price, it isn’t necessarily size, and it probably isn’t flash sync, either. Flange distance is short enough to adapt a lot of other lenses to it, and it has a FP shutter. I honestly have no idea what the answer is, but the Fuji will face the same challenge, I think. However, Fuji huge advantage over Pentax: they’ve been very good at creating a rather, um, loyal fan base for their products. So, they may well sell more cameras for that reason alone.
An M adaptor might be possible, but why? The edges are going to be terrible.
One thing though: this is NOT a $5,000 camera. The sensor alone probably costs close to that.
Thanks for the response, Ming. Your point about the 645Z is a good one. I guess my only answer is that Fuji’s announcement of six 2017 lenses, alongside its MF lens history, is hugely helpful. Pentax never really delivered on that. Plus the picture DPReview has added, of the GFX with the 110/2 beside the D810 with (I think) the new 105/1.4 makes the Fuji seem surprisingly compact and, well, more ‘normal’ (for MF) that I had expected. But, you’re right, the price with even just the 63/2.8 may be $9000+. I wonder how much the GFX and X1D need to grow MF sensor demand to halve the $5000 sensor cost.
Chris
They didn’t, but there are a lot of used lenses floating around at rock bottom prices ($200-300 range), plus the ability to adapt Hasselblad Zeiss V glass for not much more – yet it still didn’t really take off outside Japan.
Sensor cost: more than double. 4-10x would be my guess, because volume doesn’t improve yields of sensors that large (impurities that cause errors and rejected sensors are impurities and not related to size).
Nice story, but all my Leica lenses are 35mm full frame. I wouldn’t bother mounting 35mm lenses onto an X1D – I have the SL for that.
So, the X1D will really only work with medium format lenses. With no electronic or focal plane shutter (the latter really being a critical design factor for the camera), that will mean only leaf shutters with this sensor (according to Hasselblad, it is the sensor which cannot provide this option at the required image quality) – that still leaves the native XCD lenses, and HC, HCD, Schneider Kreuznach (for PhaseOne) and Leica S lenses with adapters as possibilities. Presumably the Zeiss V lenses can also be used with an adapter (in the same way that Leica makes it possible for M lenses to be used on the SL) – though I guess the V lenses need to be triggered and recocked mechanically, which would be difficult to build into the adapter.
Anyway, my point is that this format and this sensor brings with it certain limitations which practically mean the XCD, HC and HCD lenses are the best option. Anything else, you’re not gaining the benefit of this sensor. I certainly don’t think it was ever going to be a universal camera for 35mm format …
There’s still no universal camera for 35mm. Not all lenses were designed for digital with its telecentricity requirements, and not all sensors have the necessary offset microlenses to compensate otherwise – plus to make it worse, different lenses require different correction depending on flange distance etc. I’m not sure there can actually ever be such a thing as a universal camera…
That’s true, particularly where Leica wides are concerned. I recall the guys at Luminous Landscapes saying this about the A7r2, but I’m not sure that the microlens issue has been resolved. That is aside.
I would never have seen this camera as universal for medium format either.
I think it’s easier to do universal MF since the flange distances involved are longer, but even then there may be simply no point as a lot of the older lenses simply don’t have the resolving power. Even within the Zeiss-Hasselblad V range – not everything works well on the 50MP CMOS backs.
This from an interview with Ove on DPreview:
The XCD lenses that Hasselblad has developed to go with the X1D use leaf shutters and offer a top shutter speed of 1/2000sec. Leaf shutter systems allow much faster flash synchronization than focal plane shutter systems and, as is the case with the H6D, the X1D can work with full power flash at that shortest shutter opening. ‘In this camera and in the H6D we use a dual shutter system to achieve the top 1/2000sec flash sync speed,’ explains Ove.
The shutter opens electronically (almost instantaneously), but closes with the mechanical shutter. The exercise requires careful synchronization between the electronic shutter of the sensor and the mechanical shutter in the lens so that the leaf shutter cuts off the electronic opening when the flash power is at its peak. The sensor can then take its time reading and resetting all the pixels, since the leaf shutter has ended the exposure ‘globally’ (A leaf shutter doesn’t swipe across the sensor, it progressively darkens the entire sensor).
Triggering the two shutters with a 1/2 exposure delay means they are only open together for 1/2 their fastest exposure time. The near-instant and uniform closing of the leaf shutter means the electronic shutter can then read-out in its own time (the slanted edge in the red diagram).
In effect the system uses two 1/1000sec shutter speeds, one electronic and one mechanical, and off-sets them by half a shutter speed so that they are only open together for 1/2000sec – when the flash is at its peak. ‘In tests we have achieved shorter shutter speeds and flash sync speeds’ says Mr. Bengtson, ‘but we need more tests to ensure the system is reliable. The electronic shutter function is otherwise only available in video mode, so we won’t be introducing a general electronic shutter for normal shutter speeds as this sensor works best with a mechanical shutter.’
That’s interesting – which means that in practice we shouldn’t have shutter-induced shake with this since the first curtain is electronic…not so much on the H6 since there’s still a big moving mirror, though.
“The professional Canikon bodies are not much cheaper than this, and are nowhere close in terms of image quality” I have the 5dr and I pre-ordered this camera but could I come close or even do better by just switching to sharper “fixed” lenses? It would be cheaper to do so. I am a landscape photographer and print to 80″ and 90″ what do you think?
Not really, because whilst the lenses can push the limits of resolution, they can’t solve dynamic range limitations or color accuracy.
Thank you for your informative overview of this camera.
I actually agree that it is a game changer in the MF world. Small, light with great LEAF SHUTTER lenses.
I have always appreciated the flexibility one has with leaf shutter lenses. In this case I feel Hasselblad has priced them very reasonably for what they are.
I actually appreciate that their will be real constraints to the adaptability of this body to third party lenses as it allows Hasselblad to derive more revenue from lens sales and creates incentives to make more lenses.
For me I will be looking at how this could be integrated into my work. My Canons get the job done but my business is changing towards a more automotive imagery that demands that additional increment of quality.
I see it this way: the sensor may not support an adequately fast global electronic shutter, and adding a FP shutter would either limit sync speed and increase camera shake if their own lenses required it, or be redundant except for third party adaptations. From Hasselblad’s viewpoint, only the e-shutter therefore makes sense – but it seems as though this may not be feasible with this sensor generation…
Looks good, it tries really hard to look like the digital Mamiya 7 but failing at it miserably.
and please stop considering this sensor as a medium format : it is for Medium format what MFT is to the 35mm.
It’s surely not a serious camera : where is the speed dial ? where is the aperture dial ? where is the ISO dial ? How come they didn’t consider to put controls on the camera for that ? Do you really have to find that into menus ?
And I’m waiting your verdict on how the Live View performs (and compares to the best like in Leica SL & Q)
MFT is 25% the area of 36×24. This isn’t 25% the area of 645, it’s actually 70%.
There are command dials on the grip positions under your thumb and forefinger, presumably so you can pick which setting you want where. Just the same as the H cameras and pretty much every other Canikon.
right, then it is the APS-C sensor of the “full frame”!
70% of a 645 (There was already the debate when they first introduced the 645 format whether or not it merited the medium format name) truth is, it’s barely larger than a 35mm.
And right, command dials, so there’s no information about your settings without looking at a screen, you’re saying it yourself: it is no better than the canikons or the H cameras. Design-wise the usability of the classic Hasselbads, Mamiyas, Leicas (and classic Nikons or Canons) is still way superior
matso having a “proper” sized MF sensor is so expensive it is out of reach of most people anyway, so it wouldn’t make business sense to have much larger than this anyway. Could have had the 100MP they have though you couldn’t have made the camera as portable as it is. No one will do this imo, though could be wrong.
Design-wise…I agree…all of the modern cameras are not like they used to be when it comes to controls and haptics. That said if they can get it 80% there then it’s not bad.
On that note Ming there does not seem to be a Fn button on this camera to allocate controls to. Is that right or have I missed it (hopefully two would be good). With out this it’s a fail for a lot of disciplines if having to go into the interface with up to the eye control access. No doubt all these answers will come about once you start testing it.
There appears to be one function button on the front near the lens, and the touch UI has six customisable positions – the H6 uses the same UI, and I never need to use anywhere near all of the slots (between the four physical custom buttons and the virtual ones). I think it should be okay in practice, but again implementation in the field remains to be assessed…
andygemmell, you believe that a true Medium Format digital is truly impossible.. I really don’t see why! I am certain that a truly large sensor would make a KILLING in the Cinema industry for example. There is even a project to develop a large format sensor here http://largesense.com/ we are talking of a 4×5… Impossible? Nobody interested in the image (I mean the content of it) gives a shit about 100MP, but you’ll see, in a year or two they’d give us the revolutionary camera with a bullshit whooping 250MP
So now we have a camera 70% of the format (the small 645) and 80% of the controls… is it the best they can do compared to some 30-50 years old cameras?
Not impossible, just priced inaccessibly – which is what Andy was trying to say. Yes, a larger sensor might make a killing in cinema, but that’s a) a different market, and b) requires considerably different technology – very fast global readout for instance, which isn’t in this sensor generation.
There are reasons for more resolution/DR/whatever, but they won’t help every image. And if you’re arguing that a 50 year old camera even with today’s film emulsion offers better quality, sorry. Not even close.
We can develop something that’s completely revolutionary. But guess what: most people won’t be able to afford it, and it’ll never sell.
Thanks Ming…as mentioned Matso don’t think it is impossible…just will be very expensive.
I couldn’t care less about this technical perfection as I am perfectly happy with the quality of a medium format transparency, a 35mm negative or a large format contact print… I was talking about, usability for a photographer and rendition : another format render the dimentionality differently
So perhaps this is not the camera for you? It is impossible to design a product for everybody…
It is Impossible to design a product for eveybody, but at least, a camera could be designed for a photographer.
What I want is a photographer’s camera : ISO dial, Aperture ring, Speed selection on the plate and a revolutionary large and bright viewfinder (on the side since it’s mirrorless)… all the rest is secondary
Isn’t that the X Pro?
You see the information in the finder or on the LV rear LCD. You have to look at either anyway to frame, so it makes sense to have it there since space is at a premium on the body…
Did you actually work with a rangefinder like a Leica M before… you should give a try, you may learn something about photography
That’s quite patronising. I think he did work with a Leica and 35 etc for a while but quality control was the deal breaker with lenses and rangefinder having problems. Check out the early flicker stream…
Not to mention the camera body having serious electronic glitches. Two years with M8s and M9s, and everybody seems to forget I own have done a lot of work with a Hasselblad V, too. 🙂
Rather than spreading your negativity here on this thread, why don’t you go take some photos.
matso: Did you actually read any other post on this blog, or even this one thoroughly for that matter… you should give it a try, you may learn to avoid making a fool out of yourself.
Ming has shot extensively with Leica M’s and represented Leica officially for a quite some time earlier in his career.
Well, let’s see – the sensor is the same 44×33 sensor as in the H6D-50c (and in the PhaseOne and 645D), and the only sensor bigger than that is the 100c (54×40, as with PhaseOne’s IQ3 100MP). So what is a real digital medium format sensor? This one is pretty standard …
Shutter and aperture dials on the front and back of the grip, ISO configurable or by touch screen …
Yes, real hands on verdict would be useful, but at this stage there is some information out there.
In all fairness, those dials are pretty well hidden and not so obvious. But Hasselblad also pushed the touch UI here far too much…it makes no sense for critical exposure setting changes, but for the other stuff like AF mode, LV, timer etc. it’s great (on the H6, anyway).
Answers to a few questions from Hasselblad (from a post on FM, not sure who from Hadselblad sent the email with this content):
“Here are some of the answers I can give at this very moment. All of our Swedish engineers are already gone celebrating the Swedish Midsummer – the biggest Swedish holiday during the year here in Sweden
1: Will the HTS 1.5 work with the X1D and H lens adaptor, and will adjustments be transmitted to metadata for automatic corrections in Phocus? – Yes, it is in the plan. If it works fine without compromising optical and image quality, the feature will be introduced.
2: Is there plans to impliment an electronic shutter feature so that people may take the liberty of using the X1D on such platforms as the Cambo Actus, or indeed adapting third party lenses without leaf shutters? – No, X1D will work only with the new XCD lenses or with all the existing HC/HCD lenses using the adapter. This is mainly to secure the the highest possible image quality which is key for Hasselblad.
3: Is the refresh rate of the live view feed in the EVF 30fps, and is this specification limited by the capacity of the sensor itself in that it can’t output any quicker and retain the same level of detail? – X1D EVF performance is outstanding, no need for any quicker rates in here. There are EVFs out there with higher fps but the actual performance does not live up to Hasselblad quality standards. We suggest to book a demo and check out EVF’s performance on your own at http://www.hasselblad.com/x1d
4: Can you please confirm here that the autofocus point can be moved across all areas of the sensor area? – It will, yes. At this stage it is central single focus point, but we are about to launch selectable single focus point feature.
5: Lastly, does the X1D have a focus peaking function to aid in manual focusing and checking the precise focus point? – Autofocus metering via contrast detection with instant manual focus override.
I hope this helps!
// The Hasselblad team”
Info PM Quote
Hmm, that’s a bit more vague than I’d have liked. I agree that it’s not all in the numbers – let’s see when the camera is in my hands…
Hello Ming Thein,
Now i really understand that you jumped on the Hasselblad wagon;
I think it is truly a masterpiece from Hasselblad to be earlier on the market than Canon or Nikon with a kind of FF- mirrorless.
For me I stick to my D810 and do a lot of stitching nowadays, making some wide angle photos possible that i cannot do better with any medium format in one shot, but for your kind of photography it is a very clear choice.
I am sure the Photokina will bring more FF mirrorless, but it will not have the detail and quality Hasselblad brings on the table; (or it has to be Fuji) Since you also like to shoot at night the EVF will be serving you well.
By the way I love your image :
regards, Pieter Kers
Thank you. I admit I did know the X1D *before* signing as an ambassador, but it’s the H5 that’s proven itself to be the intuitive workhorse…who’d have guessed? But, soon I shall be giving the X1D a thorough shakedown…
Ming, I was trying to find the physical weight and length of the 2 native lenses but cannot seem to find this information anywhere. Is it available?
I don’t have it on me. Extrapolating from the visuals, I guess in the 300-400g range and probably about the size of a Nikon 85/1.8G, +/- a bit.
Thanks Ming.
I eventually found some specs on the Wex UK website – no dimensions for either lens and only the weight of the 45mm lens which they put at 475g, which is not surprising and probably means just over 600g for the 90mm.
Heavier than I thought, given the apparently short size…so we are looking at about 1.2-1.3kg all up. Still compares favourably to a DLSR and large prime or slow zoom…
Indeed – body and lens about the weight of my Leica S body alone and much more compact with “real” live view through the viewfinder as opposed to the rear screen.
Despite my previous experience with the brand, it is very attractive for my principal pursuit of mountain walking as the body and 3 lenses (when the 30mm becomes available) would probably weigh a touch less than my S plus 30-90mm zoom and would take up a damn sight less space. These 3 plus a 135mm equivalent would be quite compelling.
I’ll wait to see what the consensus of opinion says when proper testing is done and what the lens roadmap and timescales are and make my mind up then. I would, however, expect the IQ to be at least as good as the Hasselblad DSLR with the same sensor, given the “fresh start” approach to the design of the lenses in particular.
That would be my expectation, too. The full system will weigh about as much as a H body and 35-90, perhaps less. And image quality would be identical (I’m actually told slightly better because processing is improved, but I wait to see it in my own testing).
Looks to me to be about the size and weight of a Leica SL and relevant lens. So, if you can carry that (I can easily) then we’re in for a wonderful opportunity to hike IQ and DR. Let’s hope it stands up to examination. Can’t wait!
Let’s hope the balance with its kit lenses is better than the SL and the monster zoom though…
Kirk Tuck’s view on this new Hasselblad camera
Some interesting points
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheVisualScienceLab/KirkTuck/~3/9nbrKZeMoiQ/a-few-thoughts-on-new-hasselblad-medium.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email
He has some valid thoughts, but sadly, I think he’s missing the main point: accessibility just went up, size came down. No, we’re not ‘there yet’, but we just got a whole lot closer. There will be something to complain about or excuses to make. And there will be people who just shoot with whatever is at hand.
Me, I am in two minds about this new cam.
The things that I love, and for me are the big news is: live view on a bigger than 35mm sensor (I hate calling that sensor size medium format; it’s a bit like calling a VW Golf a family car simply coz it’s bigger than a Fiat 500), in-lens shutter, and therefore flash sync at all shutter speeds, no in-body shutter, so those three things (in-lens shutter, no in-body shutter, live view, should mean a lot less camera induced vibration), smaller cam size, no-longer requiring a mortgage to buy, the reduction in body size.
Other things I am liking include a decent size hand-grip.
Aesthetically, I am very pleased with it.
Data throughput seems as though it’s gonna be good too.
Things for me that I am not too keen on are: Nikon flash protocol, sensor size (for now; hopefully they will do a live view H Series cam or at least give us that sensor size), slow viewfinder refresh rate, and they seem to have fallen in the Leica S trap of making the cam a little too minimalist. Leica were forced to add a joystick to their Leica S, and I feel Hassy will have to also; how on earth is one to move the focus point around the frame with the cam held to one’s eye (does one get a thumb extension to be able to use the touchscreen area)?
I am also not liking the silly name for the cam. What is it with everyone? Have they no imagination, no mind of their own? Does every cam that comes on the market now have to have the obligatory “X” in it’s name?
And I think Kirk is correct about differentiation. Perhaps Hassy with this cam, with the benefit of hindsight post Photokina, haven’t done enough to differentiate themselves/their gear. They really need that square sensor but…………………we all know they, nor anyone else for that matter can have it yet. Pity really.
One thing that is wonderful though is the buzz that has been created by this camera. So clearly Hassy have got something right. I don’t recall there ever, in the digital age, being such a buzz about any large sensor camera.
Just some thoughts from me (it’s all too much for me these major developments in a few days, first there is Brexit and now this cam, ha ha ha, life is too hard!!!)
Rgds
PLA
I think this one combined with actus cambo might be great studio solution, if they ‘ll make a mount for it.
They might well do eventually. Only thing I see missing is the PC sync in port for synchronising the LF lens shutter with the body.
Oh i jumped in the conclusion too fast, the devil in the details:) unless the lens can be set manually to specific aperture, i used to do it like 10 years ago with 5d on sinar 4×5…but stil a question if the camera will fire without a lens.
PC sync can be taken from the hot shoe.
The biggest negative for me is no optional focal plane shutter, so adapting lenses will be very hard to do.
I’m not winging with this comment and I haven’t yet read all the commentary here, but I’m wondering if anyone else thought that the launch images were so very, very mundane? Given the ‘game changing’ claims of the release presentation, you might have expected some stunning examples of what this RevoCam is actually capable of. What was Hasselblad thinking!? Really? Someone is due a kick up the pants for misfiring on all cylinders!
Not just you, Mike. I can only imagine they had their reasons for doing so, but honestly…I would like to think I’d have gotten a bit more juice out of it 🙂
Well, THAT’S a given! But, I think we all know that you could have easily got the most from the camera, but, seriously, HB must also have number of Ambassador / Photographers who could have contributed at least ONE eye-popping image from each of their specialist areas. Half a house side, and a few window shots – really?
Let’s just say several of us are scratching our heads too…
Hmmm. Well, here’s the message that sends to me …. Hey there! …. look at this wonderfully sexy, technically revolutionary, camera thingy …. oh … and here …. it takes pictures (but we don’t really care)). Oh and by the way its from the same people that have been making the best camera thingies in the world since …. err ….. well, absolutely AGES!
Oh …oops …. nearly forgot …. it’s ONLY $9,000 ….errr plus two or three thousand for a lens ….. and, errr a bit more for a case to put it in to walk around with. Cool, eh?
Relativity! The same image quality would have been three times as much the week before.
Aargh…that works if the intended use case in neck jewellery, but this isn’t. And knowing you’re quite representative of the potential target market makes it a marketing fail…
Pretty standard for the Hasselblads and Leicas of this world – what one might call the “Linked In” mentality.
Remember the Leica M240 example images when it was released? Incredibly pedestrian and unimpressive. You could see that the M9 sensor magic was gone and what was left was an expensive canikon that might as well be a good point and shoot. All I can do is thank Leica in that they saved me a lot of money and I continue to shoot film on my M7. If the sample images are meh, maybe yours will be too.
.
Yes, because it’s 100% the hardware that makes the image. The photographer is merely a button pusher. I’m sure mine will be meh, pedestrian and unimpressive. Perhaps Ken Rockwell or Steve Huff will do better.
C`mon Mike. The sensor is the same as H5d so I would guess the results are the same. What do you expect? A pict of Beyonce in neglige with Exif saying it`s really H1D. As Hassy said you get H5D in a pcket edition, period.
H6 actually; the UI is updated.
Yes. I know. And while we’re at it Ming is spot on. I am a potential owner – and if way more than just this camera. The price is irrelevant to me. Not a problem, if you understand me. I was making a tongue in cheek point about inept marketing decisions and a launch presentation format that was more appropriate, but better executed, by Apple. This is a serious tool, worthy of much better marketing.
Sadly it seems that most launches in the camera world miss the mark somehow – either too little emphasis on the camera’s capabilities, or samples that don’t do it justice, or incomplete/beta hardware or firmware…when was the last time that we had a new hardware launch that delivered on all its promises without significant issues or recalls or problems found later – or patch firmware issued a few weeks after launch?
I think any sort of judgment should be withheld until you’ve had an opportunity to test the camera and review it extensively.
However, what I found surprising and has gone largely unmentioned on any forum, but discussed in hushed whispers is the quality of the launch images. It was very disappointing, almost as if they were put together as an afterthought. And considering how long it’ll be before these cameras reach customers and the kind of pre-orders Hassy wants people to make, that is a very poor showing.
Hopefully they rectify that soon.
Agreed, which is why this post is nothing more than an analysis of the current state of affairs. We’ll see when I get my test camera in a couple of weeks.
As for the samples…I shall withhold commentary, other than point out that they were NOT shot by a photographer. I hope that is not indicative of the intended audience. Interestingly, there were some comments from the gallery during the livestream along the lines of ‘lousy samples, I want to see what MT can do with this camera…’
Glad you mentioned this Praneeth. I remember when the samples images were leaked a day before the launch thinking that these can’t be the actual samples because they looked like random snapshots. For something as expensive as this camera, you’d think they’d want photos that show why this camera is unique and desirable. And I believe there are no full-sized samples available either.
I actually thought they were placeholder images…
I share the disappointment and surprise at the sample photographs. Decidedly ordinary. They didn’t enhance the launch – I think that we would have been more impressed if they had just gone with the product shots and left the samples out completely.
🙂 … MomentsForZen (Richard)
Maybe I’ll be struck by the need to photograph brick walls when mine arrives, and then we’ll know for sure it’s the flatness of the camera being channelled… 😛
I personally think that the reason why the sample photos were so “blah” was because the more people you let use a new camera the more likely something will be leaked or stolen. Since this is Hasselblad’s way of making a splash, they probably gave it to an engineer or someone that couldn’t bring it outside other than their backyard to shoot pictures.
It was mentioned at the launch that the camera was given to and samples produced by Laura Bailey, supposed model and editor at Vogue.
Hello Ming.
This is a thread that keeps on “giving” – as further comments come in – and is still civilized and interesting.
Some of the posts (and your responses) have noted (or alluded to the feeling) that the majority of cameras only have to produce output that can satisfy the quality requirements for posting to the Internet in one form or another. The explosion in photography over the past decade doesn’t seem to have extended to the types of forums where “quality really does make a difference” – i.e., galleries, books, high end magazines, etc. This leads to some “funny” discussions when “quality” is mentioned. There can be a very large differences in what this means to different people – and the essence of a camera such as the X1D-50c (e.g., expected to be able to produce results that will only be fully appreciated in these still rare high end uses, providing a feeling of joy when used, etc.) may not be sensed by all, nor deemed important. And fair enough depending on the values of the user.
Your analogy with Apple and the iPhone is one that seems to be quite fair to me in many respects. I use several Apple products for a combination of reasons – the quality of the products themselves, but also the quality of the support and service. I have noted the same with Hasselblad. Whilst not having personal experience of many other camera manufacturers, I have noted that many others find themselves to be “on their own” when it comes to service and support. I rate quite highly the sense that I don’t have to go it alone when a issue is encountered. If I have a problem with an Apple product, I contact them and they take over from that point on without argument or persuasion. Likewise, Hasselblad. I am not very technical, so this is something that I am prepared to pay some degree of premium for.
🙂 … MomentsForZen (Richard)
You’ve been extremely lucky with Hasselblad (or maybe I and several other former Hasselblad owners I know were unlucky) as my experience of them, with my H4D-50 some 5 years ago, is the complete reverse of yours. It wasn’t that their customer care was non existent, they were simply arrogant and refused to recognise and deal with serious reliability issues which forced me to get rid of that camera and half a dozen lenses, all of which had been purchased new, at a huge loss, issues which I later understood, from a former senior employee in their service department, were well known and recognised in the company. One of my friends, who lives in Australia, who experienced the same issues with an H4D-40, was more fortunate than I, because of Australia’s more stringent consumer protection laws (compared to the UK) and received a full refund on all of his equipment, despite it being well out of warranty.
I’m sure they’ve changed but the doubt is always there and “once bitten, twice shy”.
At least you guys have consumer protection laws at all: in Malaysia, you’re on your own the minute you exchange cash for goods. Some retailers might help you out if you’ve got a good relationship with them; distributors and principals are largely indifferent since you’ve got no choice but to buy from them, and frankly customer service is by and large an exception rather than the rule.
I am told – and would like to believe – that the way Hasselblad is operating now is representative across the board; I’ve got no reason to believe otherwise, but at the same time I recognise that my position is also not really normal. Still, knowing the value of support/customer service I’ll do what I can to help out as and when I can…
Bob, I am a UK resident, so am familiar with UK consumer protection laws. This is an interesting story, but you don’t say how old your Hasselblad kit was. In the UK it isn’t necessary to rely on warranties (useful as they are) as they are always secondary to UK law. The law provides a degree of protection for up to 6 years from the purchase date. I assume you would have been aware of this, and would not simply have relied on Hasselblad saying the kit was out of warranty.
I bought an H3D-50 in late 2008 and upgraded the camera body to the H4D in, I think 2010. Stupidly, I persevered, over something like a 9 month period, in sending the H4D back to Hasselblad (once to the UK and twice to Sweden) for investigation/repair as the fault was intermittent and not simply a total breakdown – exactly the same experiences as others had. My excuse is that it was my only camera system and I was desperate to get it fixed and back into service. Today, having a back up system and being more commercially aware, I would have sent it back on the basis that there was a latent defect somewhere in the relationship among the body, the lens, the back and the viewfinder and asked for either a replacement or my money back. However, I had, by that stage, lost all confidence in the system and the company and decided to trade it in against something which has proven to be much more reliable.
Well, the vast majority of viewing/output these days is digital. And as much as screens are closing the gap, there’s still a massive disconnect between input and output – much in favour of input. Whilst oversampling is still desirable since we output RGB values at each pixel site, my 5K monitor is still barely 25% of the pixel count of the 50MP cams, and even less of the 100MP. Granted, we can’t hit 100% perfect pixels all the time – but I still very much feel that there’s a significant jump between web size, a good monitor, and a good large print – with only the latter really conveying all of the information.
Ironically, Apple support in my country – much like Sony and Leica, it seems – is largely indifferent and arrogant unless you’re prepared to bang tables and start making demands. But the alternatives are no better…
It is intriguing indeed that the majority of us have so few opportunities to see the true quality (or lack of quality) of the photographs that we take.
I felt quite sad after reading the posts in this sub-thread. I had no idea that folks in Malysia and the U.K. feel that they cannot access decent support. As I indicated, the quality of the support is a very significant part of the decision making process for me when purchasing technology. It can make or break the experience, for sure.
Reliability can remove the need for much in the way of support. Do Hasselblad produce reliable cameras? I think that we would all agree that the 500 / V series cameras and lenses are incredibly reliable.
I don’t have a good feel for the H-series cameras. Good statistical information would be hard to get. As much as I feel for the contributors to this sub-thread, our individual experiences cannot be relied upon when it comes to making generalizations.
I would note that product life and reliability will always decrease when electronics are introduced. Lifespan and reliability dive even more sharply when software and a user interface are introduced.
An interesting thought to finish with … Would anyone expect to be still using their current camera in 10 year’s time?
🙂 … MomentsForZen (Richard)
Support is not at a consistent standard across the same brand and different countries, nor is it consistent across brands. The only thing we can do is therefore choose by what works best for us – there is absolutely zero Phase One presence here, for instance. I’ve never had a reply to any email I’ve sent them. Hasselblad is heavily dealer-dependent. Nikon is aloof but generally pretty good. Sony is utterly nonexistent. Leica has month long lead times – my Q has been in service since the end of May. Canon is political, and if you have a public profile but refuse to toe their company line, they’ll reject your CPS application for ‘not being professional enough’. And it goes on…
I honestly don’t think any of my current cameras will be working in ten years – except perhaps the F2 Titan and 501CM, but those are 35+ and 25+ years old at this point and not heavily used. Everything that’s been subjected to careful but regular pro use by me doesn’t seem to last more than three to four years, and at some point there won’t exist parts for an overhaul or the manufacturers will simply stop supporting them. Look at Samsung, for instance – I was told by several people they don’t actually repair anything; it actually costs them less to do an outright replacement than have trained technicians on standby in most countries. I suppose if your failure rate is low enough, and the cost of manufacture is low enough, that approach actually makes sense.
Low spec’d EVF will keep me from purchasing. Looking at the Leica SL now.
Yes, the EVF of the Leica SL really does seem to be a significant step forward for mirrorless.
In a couple of years, EVF of that standard will be the norm for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
As for the X1D, we’ll have to await the reviews to understand what its lesser EVF really means for it as a photographic instrument.
If I am going to be forced to go with an EVF, for $9,000 I would expect something very on par spec-wise with the SL. Will await reviews from actual buyers, not Hasselblad Ambassadors who will try to be very PC about selling you on a lower performing EVF (if that is what truly is the case). My the EVF is the mechanism to which our eye is supposed to see the world through the lens – I hope the EVF wasn’t an afterthought.
Would love to be pleasantly surprised if Hasselblad decided to swap out the EVF with a better one at time of production shipment.
I’m not being PC, Jack. Nor am I making excuses about why the EVF spec is lower: I’m just pointing out that I believe it’s a technical reason, not a cost one. If I was kissing ass I wouldn’t have also pointed out that they just shot themselves in the foot by releasing the same thing at a third of the price two months later.
I am currently using the 645z and A7RII, and I am not currently tempted to upgrade, for one principal reason: I am not finding a hugely noticeable difference in the file quality between the 645z and the A7RII; and since the X1D uses the same sensor as the 645z (albeit the processing may be tweaked), I wouldn’t expect any any noticeable jump in quality that would justify the cost of switching. Don’t get me wrong, there is a difference between 645z files and A7RII files, but I don’t find the difference to be a radical one where I can very easily tell the difference between the files (and I am using the best lenses on the 645z – the 90mm, 28-45mm and others, usually on a tripod). The lack of more than 2 native lenses (without an adapter) at launch also is not appealing vs. the 645z.
On the other hand, I would LOVE to dump the heavy weight and mirror of the 645z, and I really don’t like the ergonomics and menu system of the A7RII, so I could easily see switching to another manufacturer’s products eventually if someone comes up with a better solution. I will probably wait to see what else eventually comes down the pike. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind, especially after real-world reviews and samples start coming out in the next few months. 😉
That’s not quite true. I didn’t expect a difference between the H5D-50c and the 645Z either – I’ve also owned the 645Z and A7RII – but there is. It’s not in absolute dynamic range or resolution; it’s in tonal response. The Pentax is very linear and clipping is terminal – highlight transitions are abrupt and most of the extra DR is in the shadows. The A7RII is similar, but color accuracy is terrible and you need to do a lot of work to get blues to look right. The Pentax is better, but neither is as good as the Hasselblad – you trade some shadow recoverability/ slightly increased noise for much smoother highlights and more accurate colors. Whether this matters enough to you depends on your own requirements, but I find not having to monkey around with color saves a significant amount of time for me.
As for ergonomics – the A7RII and its huge G master lenses or adapted lenses isn’t at all great, and the 645Z is comfortable but torques left because the grip is very rearwards. I think the X1D should be fine with its own lenses, but I think larger H lenses will likely result in a similar situation as the 645Z.
So Ming how does the difference in the output of the 645z and the H5D-50c (if they have the same sensor) alter? Is it proprietary changes the brand owner asks for in custom “tweaks” befoe they finalise that sensor or something in the processing unit inside the camera?
I think it’s a bit of both, because whilst the tonal map can be altered with the post capture processing – the way highlights roll off is mostly a function of the ADC.
Right….interesting. Thank you. Excuse my lack of knowledge though what is ADC? So do you think that is similar situation with the Q and SL? Ultimately I think that is the same sensor though colour output has been refined further.
Analog to digital converter. I don’t see enough differences in the tonal response of Q and SL to suggest anything beyond processor changes.
Very happy to see use of the word “workflow” in a most recent X1D post.
Approaching this very interesting camera from a PP perspective, does the Phocus software measure up to the hardware? Perhaps a bit naive about this, but raw developer issues have been my biggest complaint re digital workflow. I, too, am curious about FujiFilm MF rumors, but would be greatly troubled if SilkyPix is the weak link in their process environment.
(BTW, photo commentary on your website is always terrific.)
Thanks John. I’m personally still using ACR/PS myself, simply because it gives me much better consistency across multiple cameras – there are still some things I need other hardware for, and often have to mix the Hasselblad and Nikons/ Q on a job. Can’t tell my client ‘sorry, looks different because I used another camera…’