X2D-100, lenses from your landscape experience that satisfy?

[BobShaw]

I did not realize that Phocus was a raw conversion tool. Really?  My whole point is that Phocus is a raw conversion tool lacking anything close to the modern features of LR or C1.  The point I was trying to make was that the toolset with the software is primitive at best. Phocus gives excellent color but I would like to see a much more enriched toolset. 

Well now you  know. (:-) The point is that Phocus does not pretend to be anything other than a raw conversion tool like ACR and tethering tool. At raw conversion is the best software for Hasselblad raw files as that is the way the process works as the edits are reversible with history and I find it great for tethering. You export out of Phocus and get HNCS colour which you can then use in any programme. You do not get HNCS colour editing out of Lightroom. Lightroom to me a jack of all trades and master of none. Did I mention that Phocus is also free?

[Gigi]

Back to Lenses.

The original 45mm (not the P version) was for a long time my one and only lens.  Suits me perfectly.  Probably equivalent to a 35mm full frame.  I used it for 6 years exclusively on an X1D and still love it on the X2D.

I bought the 21mm but although technically very good it was just much much too wide for me.  I regretted buying it instead of the rather more expensive 30mm so sold it to help finance an X2D.

I recently bought the 25mm P.  Small, compact, light  and relatively inexpensive by XCD standards.  Also significantly cheaper than the 30mm.  There have been reports that on the X1D there are colour casts.  But on the X2D I have had no such issues.  Comparing shots made with the 25mm with shots made with the 30mm I rented (both between f5.6 and f8 and sometimes f11) it is very difficult to see much difference to justify the price disparity.  Possibly on screen at 100% the 30mm wins in the corners but I judge everything on A2 prints and frankly can't see much if any difference.  Although only 4mm longer than the 21mm it suits me much better than the 21mm and the X2D allows for cropping if necessary.

I recently bought the original XCD 90mm f3.8 lens (not the unobtainable and really expensive V version).  I had used my HCD 80mm with an adapter and although I liked the focal length, my copy was manual focus only and with an adapter rather cumbersome.  I really like the 90mm focal length and the lens is really sharp and responsive. 

I do a lot of landscape and urban street shots so don't need very fast lenses - in fact pretty much everything I do is between f5.6 and f11.  So for me the combination of the 25mm, 45mm and 90mm cover pretty much everything I need.  I did look at the 55mm V but in reality although a fantastic looking lens I can't see that it offers me anything that would make me pay the price asked.  Also there seem to be some critical reviews of the 35mm and 55mm V lenses if that influences you at all.

This is obviously a highly subjective and personal decision, and you may have a completely different view and need.   But the 45mm and the 90mm are now readily available as "like new" from the second hand dealers at significant discounts to their new prices and the 25mm is starting to show up in the Hasseblad's online stores.

These with the X2D produce fantastic results.  But your needs may be different.  So rent or visit a Hasselblad store and try them out.

Excellent post, thank you. I settled in with 45P which is the main use lens; found a 65 - somehow when everyone was "off" that lens and so at a great price; Got a 30mm for the wide - took some wide open shots in the store, saw crisp corners, size was great.

Next lens is hard to figure. The 55mm is appealing, but not really a needed focal length; the new 90mm is unavailable, and expensive for limited use - maybe the older one? The 135 has some interest, but again, limited use. Probably the 90 for some reach...

[Steve Hendrix]

Excellent post, thank you. I settled in with 45P which is the main use lens; found a 65 - somehow when everyone was "off" that lens and so at a great price; Got a 30mm for the wide - took some wide open shots in the store, saw crisp corners, size was great.

Next lens is hard to figure. The 55mm is appealing, but not really a needed focal length; the new 90mm is unavailable, and expensive for limited use - maybe the older one? The 135 has some interest, but again, limited use. Probably the 90 for some reach...

90mm lenses have been doing some catching up lately. We (Capture Integration) now have no backorders, so the next order in would receive in the next shipment.

The plus is that the performance of the 90 V lens seems to merit the wait that some have endured.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[nazdravanul]

90mm lenses have been doing some catching up lately. We (Capture Integration) now have no backorders, so the next order in would receive in the next shipment.

The plus is that the performance of the 90 V lens seems to merit the wait that some have endured.


Steve Hendrix/CI

For landscape use, is there actually any meaningful difference from the  90 3.5 ?

[Steve Hendrix]

For landscape use, is there actually any meaningful difference from the  90 3.5 ?

Since we only recently received our 90 V rental/demo unit, I haven't had any opportunity to compare to the 90/3.2, since we don't have one of those. But - the 90/3.2 is a fine lens, in many cases, the new V lenses are not optically superior to previous XCD lenses, so for the same focal length, the main advantages are the new features built-in, such as Control Ring, Manual Focus Clutch, Distance Scale, etc.

If you have an existing 90/3.2, you're in pretty good shape, unless you really needed the slightly wider aperture, which sounds like you do not.

Many lenses can be similar stopped down to f/11, but there certainly are differences (otherwise, why make newer lenses?), whether this would be sharpness, either in the center, but more possibilities for differences usually reside at the edges, or even how OOF areas render.


Steve Hendrix/CI