The Hasselblad X1D Prepares to Deliver

[Telecaster]

If I'm not mistaken B&H gives you the option to have items in an order shipped individually, per availability, or to hold off 'til all items are in stock. (Note: I may be thinking of my favorite guitar shop instead, so apologies if I'm wrong.)

-Dave-

[etto1972]

Any one with some new about the release of the camera???
It has been too long

[Michael Erlewine]

Well, I just heard that B&H, once again, has put off the delivery of the X1D, not to mention charging me months ago for the 30mm lens, with no camera to use it with. Personally, I have had about enough.

It seems the Hasselblad seems to have jumped the gun on the X1D, perhaps fearing the Fuji GFX or whatever. The bottom line is that no camera has been forthcoming AND they may be in over their head in logistics, re-design or who-knows-what.

We are close enough to the Fuji GFX’s appearance for me to wait for that. Fuji has a pretty good history of delivery on time, and the fact that there will be adapters for my many F-Mount lenses is an additional plus. Yes, I love the look of the X1D, but in fact that is not everything. I liked the idea of an X1D kit that was small and even got behind the idea of no adapter for my Nikon-mounts, just as a bit of discipline.

However, I am straying from all those concepts. We know that Fuji will make solid lenses, and the focal-plane shutter is a big plus for me. I hate to miss the jet-set of Hasselblad by a few months or a few dollars, but I don’t really care. I am wondering about how others feel about this endless delay and the advent of the Fuji GFX. The GFX is 75g heavier than the X1D, but I won’t use the GFX viewfinder anyway (it is removable), being LiveView oriented, so it will probably come out being the same or less weight than the X1D.

Before I pull the plug on the X1D, any clear ideas why I should not go for the GFX. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

[eronald]

Before I pull the plug on the X1D, any clear ideas why I should not go for the GFX. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

By the time any of these products hits the streets and these forums in real numbers, somebody else will already have preannounced something better. I think the best strategy is to wait for early reports from real users (not "reviews") and buy something that doesn't have prototype manufacturing defects or major firmware issues.

Edmund

[Michael Erlewine]

By the time any of these products hits the streets and these forums in real numbers, somebody else will already have preannounced something better. I think the best strategy is to wait for early reports from real users (not "reviews") and buy something that doesn't have prototype manufacturing defects or major firmware issues.

Edmund

I hear you and agree. however, in my case I have a few things that I need and both the X1D and the GFX offer these. Kicking the can down the road as to new offerings is eternal, so at some point we actually have to shoot some photos. I like the elegance of the X1D, but am perhaps more attracted to the practicality of the Fuji GFX (price, alt lens mounts, etc.)

[JeffS]

LensRentals will stock the X1D (if and when it appears).  They haven't yet confirmed the same regarding the GFX.

I'll wait to try both before deciding....only way for me to gauge is to take pics and make prints using my own workflow. Reviews, even on finalized product, will never give me the same feedback.  The key unknown, however, will still be lens rollout timing.

Jeff

[BernardLanguillier]

I guess that if Hasselblad were confident they could ship before X-Mas they would have made that clear already. Which means mid to end January at the earliest... or 5 months delay.

I would think that Fuji will probably have a final shipping date announced by then... at about the same time as the  D810 replacement is likely to be announced...

As far ad I am concerned my MF plans are put on hold although I had started to purchase some second hand Hasselblad based equipment already.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Michael Erlewine]

As far ad I am concerned my MF plans are put on hold although I had started to purchase some second hand Hasselblad based equipment already.

Cheers,
Bernard

Same here. I am now selling that equipment, cancelled my X1D lens adapter... cancelled the 30mm X1D lens, and am about to cancel all the rest.  I have been a good sport, but the Fuji GFX looks better and better to me, since I have so many F-Mount lenses and am realizing Hasselblad has purposely put their foot in the door or misjudged what it takes to bring their product to market. Either way, not a good sign. The lack of direct explanation from Hasselblad is disappointing.

For all I know, there may be some sensor breakthough from Nikon that would allow them to offer a 50 Mpx FX sensor that more closely approximates the MF 50 Mpx sensor. I was "locked in," but now am more willing to wait and see, hold on to my money, and see what comes. I have been hanging in there since before August, but popped out of that bubble.

[JKevinScott]

Same here. I am now selling that equipment, cancelled my X1D lens adapter... cancelled the 30mm X1D lens, and am about to cancel all the rest.  I have been a good sport, but the Fuji GFX looks better and better to me, since I have so many F-Mount lenses and am realizing Hasselblad has purposely put their foot in the door or misjudged what it takes to bring their product to market. Either way, not a good sign. The lack of direct explanation from Hasselblad is disappointing.

For all I know, there may be some sensor breakthough from Nikon that would allow them to offer a 50 Mpx FX sensor that more closely approximates the MF 50 Mpx sensor. I was "locked in," but now am more willing to wait and see, hold on to my money, and see what comes. I have been hanging in there since before August, but popped out of that bubble.

Same here.  I'd like to give the X1-D a shot.  I've pre-ordered it three different times, each time after they communicated a date, and have cancelled two of those pre-orders when they slipped, and am about to cancel the third order.  Shame is that I'm looking for a backup MF camera for my road kit for my portrait work, and the X1-D looked like it might be a really good option.  Unfortunately I have expenses to manage, shoot logistics to plan, techs and assistants to book, etc., and I can't do any of that without knowing what I'm shooting.  Hasselblad certainly isn't helping on that front and has inspired little confidence that I can rely on anything that they say in terms of dates.  If they get to the finish line before Fujifilm does with the GFX, this guy might make it into my kit.  I'm rooting for them.  But by God they're making it challenging.

[Jlister]

BandH just put February as the expected delivery date on the X1D. 

[Michael Erlewine]

BandH just put February as the expected delivery date on the X1D.

I will leave my order in at B&H, since I can always return it, but if the Fuji GFX arrives first, I probably will buy that. It actually does more for me than the X1D (Nikon Mount adapter, etc.) , but the haptics of it are not as nice. I like the idea of the X1D being a neat, concise, lovely camera, since I still have other cameras (D810, etc.) to use along side it. I don't need the leaf shutter, but I like the idea on the X1D of using Nikon flash. I have every reason to believe that the Fuji will top notch... unless it is not. Or, I could buy the X1D, use it, sell it, and get the GFX, since it is less money anyway. Hasselblad could have been more helpful in telling us exactly what is happening. IMO, that was a mistake on their part.

[hasselbladfan]

B&H mentions the black version for FEBRUARY !! Nothing is mentioned for the regular one.

Is it such a big deal for Hasselblad to inform their customers, who placed an order.

[hubell]

B&H mentions the black version for FEBRUARY !! Nothing is mentioned for the regular one.

Is it such a big deal for Hasselblad to inform their customers, who placed an order.

Not a big deal....they have already announced that the X1D will start to ship to end users next week in limited quantities, but they will not be able to fill all open orders by the end of the year. The Special Edition apparently will not start to ship until February 1. There supposedly will be an interview with the Hasselblad CEO on LuLa tomorrow that will address the shipping delays on the X1D and the state of the firmware.

[mtakeda]

Can you tell me where I can find this information? Thank you.

[BernardLanguillier]

An official Hassy representative is commenting in this thread: http://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-and-digital-backs/59983-where-x1d.html

He seems to confirm that a small number of cameras will be shipping to early pre-orders in December time frame.

There seems also to be several versions of beta firmwares still being applied to test bodies.

I guess we'll know more tomorrow.

Cheers,
Bernard

[NickT]

B&H isn't the only place selling cameras... The cameras will be shipping in December in limited numbers, see Perry's upcoming interview here for more information.

[Kevin Raber]

On Friday I interviewed Perry and the Ove regarding shipping status of the X1D.  I'll have an article finished in the morning on what's going on and what to expect.  I took the X1D to Antarctica and have had a few weeks with it.  It's a real nice camera.  I just upgraded the firmware to the latest and shipping firmware.  I will be completing my testing and will get a review started very soon.  There is a lot to like about this camera and it will only get better.  More sometime on Monday.

[Joseph Colson]

There is a lot to like about this camera and it will only get better.

I know. I pre-ordered one with the two XCD lenses on June 23. I have the lenses but no camera. I'm sure watching a video interview will make me feel a whole lot better. Sarcasm intended.

Joe

[eronald]

I know. I pre-ordered one with the two XCD lenses on June 23. I have the lenses but no camera. I'm sure watching a video interview will make me feel a whole lot better. Sarcasm intended.

Joe

There's a handson in dpreview today.

My feeling is the hardware really is in production, but the firmware is not yet quite full-featured, and stability unknown. Don't sell your H5 yet

They are probably hand-making these in super-small batches, which means they will get delivered piecemeal. Brand N and C make cameras in huge runs, so when one person gets one a lot of people get them.

I think users are gonna be happy, and Hassy may get away with this preannouncement, but if they do it again they'll get burnt.

Edmund

[Joseph Colson]

To "Nick-T" (Nick Tressider), "Hasselblad Official", Ming Thein, Kevin Raber, and all those who are representing Hasselblad and the X1D,

Thank you for your periodic (but cryptic) updates on the progress towards completion of the X1D. While it is encouraging that Raber says, "There is a lot to like about this camera and it will only get better" and DPReview says "So far though the X1D is really very nice to use, and already produces first class images...If the pre-production firmware that I've used is anything to go by though, it will certainly be worth the wait" and Ming Thein says "...there is no question in my mind that the concept is sound and image quality is top notch...I think the images say enough – it’s already shaping up to be a formidable tool for its size", I didn't need all of those glowing reports to pre-order the camera and lenses on June 23. I had enough confidence in Hasselblad and enough experience with digital photography to know that the announcement, specifications and design of the camera (captured in images presented on the Hasselblad website) were "game changing", to use Hasselblad's description from the announcement. I had enough experience with the H4D-40 and H4D-50 to know and love the quality and aesthetic of Hasselblad designs. And I had enough faith, given the fact that pre-production cameras were already being shown and demonstrated, to pre-order the camera for late August/early September delivery.

I have been patient and have not (yet) cancelled my pre-order. I have taken delivery of the two available XCD lenses and have received assurances from B&H that I can return them if I decide to do so once I have a camera. I have been in communication with my regional Hasselblad sales representative to be kept in the information flow from Gothenburg. I have been in communication with two "brick and mortar" Hasselblad dealers, in addition to B&H, based on a recommendation from the regional sales rep.

I have watched as cameras have been demonstrated at Photokina and Photo Plus. I have watched as cameras have been demonstrated in retail shops. I have watched as cameras have been taken for "test drives" by the chosen few, perhaps in the spirit of increasing the hype surrounding the camera or perhaps to get critical feedback on its features and flaws or perhaps for both reasons.

At this point, I don't need additional marketing videos. I don't need online reviews proclaiming the X1D as the best thing since sliced bread. I don't need explanations and apologies and excuses for not delivering to plan. It doesn't help me to know that Kevin used the camera for two weeks in Antarctica. Perhaps he ordered his on June 22. It doesn't help me to know that Annie Leibovitz or some other famous photographer is shooting with the X1D. I don't need all the marketing bulls&%t.

The only thing that will satisfy me at this point of my frustration is the timely delivery of the Hasselblad X1D camera that I pre-ordered on June 23, almost 6 months ago. Is that too much to ask? Am I being unreasonable? Can I not draw my own conclusions once I get the camera in my hands? Do I need another Hasselblad Ambassador or favored Web reviewer to weave stories of rainbows and butterflies emanating from the camera's sensor? No. Ship me a damn camera please!!!

Joe