Dropping My X1D Order, Affirming My GFX Order

[Michael Erlewine]

Today I pulled the plug after seven months of waiting for the X1D. I cancelled my order. It was not just the delay, but after much investigating, monitoring posts, hearing from the few actual users, and so on, it is clear to me that the X1D does not lend itself to my particular approach to photography, which is nature, still-life, and stacked images. The less-than-state-of-the-art LCD screen (LiveView), and particularly the fact that there is no toggle-joystick to quickly locate a focus point, and the fact that I frequently use a photo-loupe to check focus, makes it inconvenient to try and use touching the screen. The color looks good on the X1D, but I have confidence that raw files from competitive MF mirrorless cameras are probably workable. Luckily, I ordered the Fuji GFX within hours of its availability, so now I am waiting again, but for a different camera. LOL. If, in the intervening time, Nikon should produce a 54 Mpx update on the Nikon D810, I might just go with that. Also, as regards the GFX, the fact that there are now tests suggesting the Otus lenses work well on the GFX is meaningful to me, since I have them. And the 3-way tilt-able back-screen is very useful to me as a close-up photographer, often to be seen crawling around on all fours with a tripod. Tilting the screen or being able to look directly down on it is a feature I could use.

I am aware that others will have different reasons for getting (or not-getting) the X1D; it looks like a very nice camera. And while, initially, I loved the minimalism of the X1D, through this long waiting-process, I have realized I am more a gearhead than I thought. I need all the technical advantages of a camera that is more than minimal. If the X1D is a Porsche, then I guess I drive an SUV, which in fact I do. It has been a fun ride, nevertheless.

[cgarnerhome]

I did the same thing a few weeks ago for many of the same reasons.  I also felt that there may be better long-term support for the Fuji.  Real judgement call on my part as I love the size/design of the X1D.

[hubell]

Today I pulled the plug after seven months of waiting for the X1D. I cancelled my order. It was not just the delay, but after much investigating, monitoring posts, hearing from the few actual users, and so on, it is clear to me that the X1D does not lend itself to my particular approach to photography, which is nature, still-life, and stacked images. The less-than-state-of-the-art LCD screen (LiveView), and particularly the fact that there is no toggle-joystick to quickly locate a focus point, and the fact that I frequently use a photo-loupe to check focus, makes it inconvenient to try and use touching the screen. The color looks good on the X1D, but I have confidence that raw files from competitive MF mirrorless cameras are probably workable. Luckily, I ordered the Fuji GFX within hours of its availability, so now I am waiting again, but for a different camera. LOL. If, in the intervening time, Nikon should produce a 54 Mpx update on the Nikon D810, I might just go with that. Also, as regards the GFX, the fact that there are now tests suggesting the Otus lenses work well on the GFX is meaningful to me, since I have them. And the 3-way tilt-able back-screen is very useful to me as a close-up photographer, often to be seen crawling around on all fours with a tripod. Tilting the screen or being able to look directly down on it is a feature I could use.

I am aware that others will have different reasons for getting (or not-getting) the X1D; it looks like a very nice camera. And while, initially, I loved the minimalism of the X1D, through this long waiting-process, I have realized I am more a gearhead than I thought. I need all the technical advantages of a camera that is more than minimal. If the X1D is a Porsche, then I guess I drive an SUV, which in fact I do. It has been a fun ride, nevertheless.

I think the analysis that you went through about the relative merits of the X1D and GFX worked well for you, as you were able to clarify and confirm what was most important for you and the way you work. I do think that one's views about the X1D and the GFX are (and should be) much influenced by what you are coming from and what you are looking for. The only things they have in common are the sensor and the lack of a mirror. Your baseline is a Nikon D810, and you want/need a camera that offers essentially the same functionality and form factor but with a larger sensor. The lack of a joystick on the X1D is a deal breaker for you. For others, the alternative to the X1D is not a DSLR. It's a Hasselblad H6D100 or a Phase XF IQ100. Neither of these cameras has a joystick, and that's the type of camera I am used to using and that meets my needs in terms of functionality. For me, the attraction of an X1D or a GFX is, pure and simple, the form factor. Small and light body and lenses, with a clean, uncluttered interface. Moving around and about with a a camera like the D810 and Otus lenses is the last thing I want. Having actually used the X1D for a little over a week, I can tell you that it meets my objectives perfectly. Of course, none of that would matter if I didn't care for the "look" of the files. The X1D files that I have shot in real world conditions of the type that I shoot in exhibit a very natural and, IMO, beautiful color palette that is easy to produce….the files don’t require a huge amount of post processing to get them to look beautiful. This is true even when the X1D files are processed in LR/ACR, as opposed to the native Phocus software from Hasselblad. My understanding is that Hasselblad has worked very hard directly with Adobe to achieve high quality conversions of Hasselblad files in LR/ACR, and it shows. As for the lack of a joystick, it would be nice to have one. The X1D has the same basic functionality as a joystick by using the front and rear dials, but there is no question that a joystick is more convenient. I can live without it as it is not one of my priorities.

[hasselbladfan]

It is amazing how much we all are becoming more difficult these days. I need a joystick, I need a focal shutter, I need video, I need ... you name it.

I still remember the time we had a lens and a film and that was enough to make great pictures.

I tried the X1D today. The files are great, the colours are beautiful, its performance at low light is great and perfectly useable till 3200 iso. And it cuts my weight in half on location.

What else do I need now?

I am sure they will make me something even better for Xmas of 2022.

[Wayne Fox]

It is amazing how much we all are becoming more difficult these days. I need a joystick, I need a focal shutter, I need video, I need ... you name it.

I still remember the time we had a lens and a film and that was enough to make great pictures.

I tried the X1D today. The files are great, the colours are beautiful, its performance at low light is great and perfectly useable till 3200 iso. And it cuts my weight in half on location.

What else do I need now?

I am sure they will make me something even better for Xmas of 2022.

Not sure if it is being more difficult.  Certainly for some there are features which are very important or at least important enough to consider an alternative if it’s available.  We don’t all shoot the same thing or the same way. Pretty much all of these cameras can deliver beautiful color, good ISO performance.  After all they all have the same sensor inside.

[Michael Erlewine]

I tried the X1D today. The files are great, the colours are beautiful, its performance at low light is great and perfectly useable till 3200 iso. And it cuts my weight in half on location.

What else do I need now?

I understand your point of view, but to me, this small MF mirrorless trend is just getting started. There are a lot of things to consider, questions that I have, things to worry about, like:

How can Fuji make highly-corrected lenses at the price they are charging?

It seems that the X1D lenses are sharp but perhaps they have secondary color-correction problems.

I need a wired remote, if possible. Only the GFX offers that? Otherwise I have to wear my iPhone around my neck or some small device to act as a remote.

It turns out that the X1D lenses, with leaf-shutter, are very loud. How does that affect me?

The X1D lacks a joystick-controller for positioning the cursor in LiveView. I do a lot of short-stacking, which means positioning the cursor and magnifying for proper focus? When I take a shot and go to the next point, does anything else change? If so, endless headache, etc.

There will be an Nikon F-Mount adapter for the GFX. How will non-Fuji lenses perform? Are there any “Gotchas” there?

When we speak of a system that costs $14K and more with greater than two lenses, how do we choose, when there are like zero GFX cameras and only a handful of the X1D cameras in the field?

I could go on and on, and I have been following all of this for seven months. I have learned more from Lloyd Chamber’s new MF section than anywhere else. He actually has an X1D and is putting it through its paces. I need all of the chapters and verse and it is worth the subscription price.

So, someone like myself, with a very particular approach to photography, and not that much money to throw around, I need to determine if the system will do the job I need done.

[hubell]

Pretty much all of these cameras can deliver beautiful color, good ISO performance.  After all they all have the same sensor inside.

In theory, that's true, but I would not spend serious money on a camera system without being sure that I can produce files with it in my chosen software that, to me, have beautiful color and tonal balalnce. My concern is that Fuji's (or Adobe's) idea of beautiful color from the GFX may not be the same as mine. I would make sure that I have a 30-day right to return a GFX or an X1D, if I find it does not meet my needs. Alternatively, I would rent an X1D and a GFX from lensrentals.com. Smart investment.

[cgarnerhome]

I’m not telling people that they should go with the GFX.  I cancelled my X1D because I like the feature set of the Fuji better for the work I do.  It’s true we have become very spoiled in terms the features that are available to us but to ignore them once there out doesn’t make sense to me.  As I have stated before, I also feel more confident that Fuji is in a better position to support this new platform going forward.  Don’t know if I’m right on wrong on this belief as only time will tell.

[BAB]

Please drop an email to Hasselblad requesting integrated step focusing it's been on the request list and the more people that ask the faster they might complete the firmware update including it.
Send email to
[email protected]

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

There are needs and wants. If you need something and it is missing the camera is a no go. A camera internal shutter is such a thing if you want to use non Hasselblad lenses on the X1D.

If you are allergic to magenta green out of focus images and shoot large apertures, you need an apochromatic lens, like the Otus. The OP has a bunch of APO lenses. Are Hasselblads lenses fully apochromatic? Probably not. We don't know yet, but true apochromats are rare.

If you shoot macro, with a Stackshoot you need a macro lens and an electric cable release to let the Stackshot controller govern exposures.

If you shoot tilts you need some kind of tilt adapter. Here the X1D could use the HTS system.

The HTS system would also be usable with shifts, except that shifts are usually used with wide angles, the HTS extends focal length by 1.5.

Best regards
Erik

It is amazing how much we all are becoming more difficult these days. I need a joystick, I need a focal shutter, I need video, I need ... you name it.

I still remember the time we had a lens and a film and that was enough to make great pictures.

I tried the X1D today. The files are great, the colours are beautiful, its performance at low light is great and perfectly useable till 3200 iso. And it cuts my weight in half on location.

What else do I need now?

I am sure they will make me something even better for Xmas of 2022.

[voidshatter]

It is amazing how much we all are becoming more difficult these days. I need a joystick, I need a focal shutter, I need video, I need ... you name it.

I still remember the time we had a lens and a film and that was enough to make great pictures.

I tried the X1D today. The files are great, the colours are beautiful, its performance at low light is great and perfectly useable till 3200 iso. And it cuts my weight in half on location.

What else do I need now?

I am sure they will make me something even better for Xmas of 2022.

It's not that we need or want too much. It's when there're better options available at the same time, especially for a better price, why not?

Talking about low light performance, the X1D does great at ISO 3200 with a lens of merely f/3.2 doesn't mean it performs as good as a Sony A7R-II at ISO 200 with the help of an f/1.4 lens and IBIS. Any seasoned gearhead can tell that the latter performs considerably better under low-light situations. Weight has also been discussed.

As for the joystick, Phase One's touch-screen accepts double-tap to zoom-in at any spot - doesn't the X1D implement this?

By the time of Xmas 2022 I'm sure even the mobile phones or whatever device that is not a dedicated camera can most likely outperform many of today's cameras.

[BernardLanguillier]

I think we all have very different needs, so our decision not to buy something in the end pretty much only applies to ourselves, does it not?

Cheers,
Bernard

[Michael Erlewine]

If you are allergic to magenta green out of focus images and shoot large apertures, you need an apochromatic lens, like the Otus. The OP has a bunch of APO lenses. Are Hasselblads lenses fully apochromatic? Probably not. We don't know yet, but true apochromats are rare.

Lloyd Chambers reports (on his MF subscription page) consistent front focus and “Considerable secondary color (magenta/green blurs) is seen in the out-of-focus...” areas.

So, although the 90mm X1D lens may be very  sharp, it seems that it is not highly corrected, for those who want this. I sold my copies, but the Zeiss Makro-Planers (50mm and 100mm) were very sharp, but poorly corrected for fringing, etc., so that I found I never used them.

Because of their price, the announced GFX lenses probably are not that well-corrected, but we shall see. With the GFX, there is the possibility that with a Nikon F-Mount adapter, the use of lenses like the Otus series may give a good result, unless those lenses overly degrade due to non-standard mounting.

Indeed, I can't imagine trying to please anyone but myself when buying equipment. 

[Bo_Dez]

X1D is  a nice camera, maybe a bit of ahead of its day, maybe a bit undeveloped. It's not for me. it doesn't really feel like a camera and the lenses aren't going to be what I like and need, they certainly aren't now.

What it seems ideal for, to me, is as a recording device. If that is the kind of photography you like then I think it will be a good choice.

[kers]

... Pretty much all of these cameras can deliver beautiful color, good ISO performance.  After all they all have the same sensor inside.

Is is like choosing a camera in the film days...
The film is the same for everybody; But only the camera system differs.

[hubell]

X1D is  a nice camera, maybe a bit of ahead of its day, maybe a bit undeveloped. It's not for me. it doesn't really feel like a camera and the lenses aren't going to be what I like and need, they certainly aren't now.

What it seems ideal for, to me, is as a recording device. If that is the kind of photography you like then I think it will be a good choice.

I agree that it doesn't feel like a camera. Thankfully. It handles better than any camera I have ever used. Everything else feels and handles like a brick by comparison. And BTW, EVERY camera is a recording device. That's its function. So, I am not sure what you mean.

[hubell]

I think we all have very different needs, so our decision not to buy something in the end pretty much only applies to ourselves, does it not?

Cheers,
Bernard

Yes, that's why I am buying and testing both the X1D and the GFX. I will use both in the field shooting what I typically shoot and then process the files the way I like to process them in the software I like to use.

[hubell]

Indeed, I can't imagine trying to please anyone but myself when buying equipment. 

I completely agree, but you have been listening to everyone else while resisting the idea of actually testing this stuff yourself in the field. It's fine to ask questions and listen to the feedback, but that should be the starting point, not the ending point.

[hasselbladfan]

As for the joystick, Phase One's touch-screen accepts double-tap to zoom-in at any spot - doesn't the X1D implement this?

A double-tap gives you a 100% view.

[JoeKitchen]

A double-tap gives you a 100% view.

This should be the case on all digital touch screens now.  Apple still owns the patent on using you fingers in a pinching movement to zoom in and out. 

Insofar as my gripes about the system, I have the same two I have with all mirrorless cameras, the EVF lag and its poor performance in high contrast or low light situations.  This is a camera made for handheld use, and to have a lag in the view finder is unacceptable.  High contrast scenes make highlights and shadows in the VF too bright and too dark with little mid tones, and possibly way too much noise in lower light situations. 

I will continue with my OVFs for now, although I would love the lower weight.