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

[Lust4Life]

I have abandoned the H6D-100 idea and going with the X2D-100C.
Will depart from my GFX camera and lenses.

Now, I know the CF and H line lenses well, but nothing about the XCD.
Have been studying and the 21mm, looks like a default. 
At this time can not afford any of the XCD-V lenses!

Suggestions?
My work can be seen at http://www.shadowsdancing.com
Gives an idea of how I "see" and shoot.

Suggestions from your experience would be appreciated, especially with the X2D-100 if possible.

Jack

[nazdravanul]

The XCD 30 should be your second default - excellent lens, even compared with the new GF 30 TS or the XCD 38v. 38v The xcd 65 and 135 (with or without the TC) are also excellent. I also really liike the XCD 45, (non-p)
Depending on FL preference, the 38v is very versatile,  perfect ergonomics, great corner to corner IQ starting f5.6-8 - it could replace, in theory the xcd 30 and 45 for landscape use. I went the other way around, started with the 38v and ended up trading it for the 30xcd (needed the wider FOV + top corner to corner performance wide open) and the 45xcd (I must have a great copy of that lens, as the images from it seem a bit sharper than the 38v).

[Lust4Life]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

"The XCD 30 should be your second default"
So what is the one and only, let's say the Primary, that you head out with for only landscape work?
I have historically shot my best image, IMO, on 28-30mm lenses, thus why I have started with it.

I am hoping to keep my lens collection to only one or two lenses. 
Pondering the 30 as default and possibly trying out with an adapter the 100mm CF T* that I used to
shoot on my much earlier cameras, Hassie 500cm with Leaf P-45+ back.  Frankly, I could have stopped
with that setup and had far more cash in the bank.  Images were unbeatable to my eye!

I have not been able to find anyone or reviews that have tried that setup on an X2D.

As of yesterday, 2-20-2024, I have received my new X2D and found a 30 used from a fair price.
Today a 512 card should show up and I plan to shoot to that as primary with internal as backup.

Will be running technical tests on the rig next several days and getting used to the best camera settings
for tripod landscape work - the process was ingrained in me back when I shot 4x5 and 500cm - take you
time, compose very carefully.  Then, I plan to mount my IR 720 filter (unfortunately an 82mm filter so need to
order a thin step-down adapter to the 30's 77) and see if I can get substantially shorter exposure
times that are usable, and thus less movement of the scene elements.  Given many of the X2D reviews
make a point of cleaning getting excellent shots at much higher ISO settings than I have shot in the past.

First impression, I must admit for my hand, the fit, balance, and weight of the X2D and the 30mm are outstanding!

[hubell]

It's not small and light, but the XCD 35-70 zoom is extraordinary in terms of IQ and versatility for landscape work. I have the 45mm XCD f/3.5. I haven't used it since I acquired the zoom.

[Lust4Life]

Yes, heavy and quite expensive even used on eBay!

But I agree, the 35-70 with a 20 I think would be ideal.

[vjbelle]

Its been a long time since I have seen a post from you but it is great to see you are alive and well and continuing on with your craft.  I am also delving into the Hasselblad world but with the CFV 100C instead.  The results will be the same as what you are using - internal camera processing wise. 

You are much more wide than I normally shoot.  I try to stay at about 30mm FF wise for my widest FL.  That is just how my eyes work the best.  Mostly though I like to shoot at standard FL ranges.  So 33X44 sensor that would be 50mm to 90mm.  If needed I would rather pan a little than go wider just to keep distortion down to a minimum. 

I am keeping my GFX stuff as I really like camera and lenses and how Fuji deals with any repair issues.  I also use that camera on an Arca M-Two which is a heavy setup but allows for all sorts of movements which I enjoy. 

I know this doesn't address your needs on the wide end but thought I would contribute. 

Please keep posting about your adventures with Hasselblad which I hope are trouble free. 

Best.....

Victor B.

[Lust4Life]

Hi Victor,
Great to hear from you, and yes, still able to get vertical in the morning!
Not ready to check out yet, by I admit, some days do feel like I am now 77!

As to the Fuji, relative to the Hassie digitals. 
Three variables pushed me back to Hassie from GFX.

1.  The color dynamics of the X2D and historical H series I used to shoot if far superior to what
I could get out of the Fuji.  Now that sounds foolish as much of my work ends in B&W.  No mater
how I tried to pull out the color dynamics from the Fuji, I just was not able to get the "balance" and
rich look from the H5D 50 WiFi I had even though the Fuji was the 100S flavor.

2.  I certainly don't need all of the "bells and whistles" that the Fuji offers. My work flow is a
carryover from my 4x5 sheet film days, very deliberate procedure with few "clicks".

3.  What really killed the Fuji for me:
In January I was shooting in the Everglades with my best friend, Clyde, and only had about 1,500 clicks on the camera body.  We were shooting some test comparisons between the Fuji and one of his many cameras, the Sony.
I pressed the front right wheel to change ISO and it broke!!!  It is  just cheap plastic.  Near $500 to repair.

As I have shot Hassie for over 50 years and never had a camera fail, that was enough for me.

Sold it and took a real beating on the values of it and the lenses.

______

Now the X2D with the 30mm XCD lens is what I'm working with.

Have not had a lot of time with it, but initial test, I love the internal color LUT that Hassie has and the menu structure of the X2D.  Beautifully built and just feels right to be my "final camera" for this lifetime.

Working to put together a gallery exhibit I've been asked to do so not a lot of time to get out with it right now.  Hope in the next month to get one weekend to drop to the coast and find a swamp or coastline that interests me to work on.

Best to you,
Jack

[Paul2660]

I have found that the 35-75 can render excellent images, it's a heavy lens and expensive, but the V lenses appear to be hard to find right now, at least the 90V and 38V.  55V shows up now and then. I have always preferred a zoom with a mirrorless camera due to the fact that I can frame the image and not have to constantly remove the lens. 

I rented a XCD 30mm, from Lenrentals, and it did impress me, but hard to justify the cost for just 5mm more focal length.  It's a nice size and weight for the X2D.

The 21mm is an amazing lens, I have access to one, but do not own it.  Long out of production now, but extremely sharp. 

The older HC lenses are also to be considered, especially if you have an orange dot version so AF still works.  I am still trying to locate a 210mm orange dot, plenty of non orange dot glass out there, but I prefer AF.

Just purchased a re-certified 90V from Capture Integration, excellent optic and amazingly small lens for the focal length.

I saw the comments on Fuji and QA/failure.  A bit of a story here:
I have owned, and used from the 50S to the GFX100 over 6 years, never a failure.  Last fall I purchased a GFX100II, and last month the shutter button failed. Just would not work.  Everything else still worked and you could fire the camera via remote.  I sent the camera into Fuji US for a repair and ended up getting a body swap.  Not sure what was wrong, but net it was not an easy fix.  This does concern me as I have only 6 months left on my warranty, and did not purchase an extended one.  A shutter button IMO should never fail and also should be one part that is given a very hard amount of testing in during design. I assume that the button on the GFX100II is the same as the GFX100, at least they look the same, so my issue may have just been a one off, hope so.

Hasselblad US repair is still an unknown for me, but I have not read good things about the process since the US center was moved to LA.

Huge loss for me with the X2D Is Capture One, which I have used for over 15 years now since 3.7.8.  It's possible to get C1 to open the files from the X2D, but not sure the extra work is worth it. As for Phocus, not impressed at all, way slow, not happy with the import process or export, layering is basic to say the least.  For a single image workup I can tolerate it, but for shots that are taken as a pano, not possible, as you can't copy anything from one image to the next (at least I can't) and the masking is primitive.  LR has the best solution with their AI masking and they seem to get a pretty good color solution most of the time. 

Paul C

[BernardLanguillier]

Just came to visit after a long time...

To see this discussion about GFX vs Hasselblad...

All these guys over at Fred miranda acting as if the GFX system had the best colors in the world... As a former H6D-100c owner each time I look back at the pics i took with it I marvel at the colors (through LR although I am clearly not a fan). To me Hassy colors are the best, then Nikon, then Fuji...

I am heavily invested in the GFX system... but it's AF is still not convincing enough... so I use the Z8/Z9 most of the time when I need AF, even eye AF on models.

So the X2D-100 has crossed my mind many times...

Still thinking...

About C1 Pro support it seems they are aware it's a major issue. I got a survey from Hasselblad a few weeks ago and one of the question was about C1 Pro support as a factor.

[BobShaw]

If you know the HC lenses then use those with the XH adapter and tripod clamp.
I use an HCD35-90. It is orange dot so can auto focus if necessary and has more range than the 35-70.
You can also look at other shorter HC lenses which are fairly available.

[Paul2660]

The single greatest hurdle for my use of X2D is the software support. Phocus just can’t compare to the more modern software like LR or C1. Sad that C1 and Hasselblad can’t work this out. However C1 greatly lacks the masking toolset of LR.

As for color I can’t see much difference between the X2D and GFX as both make excellent images.

Fuji and Hasselblad both seem to currently have supply issues with their lenses. Hasselblad the newer P and V glass and Fuji the excellent 20-35 zoom and new 500mm along with both of their brand new tilt shift lenses.

Paul

[BernardLanguillier]

The single greatest hurdle for my use of X2D is the software support. Phocus just can’t compare to the more modern software like LR or C1. Sad that C1 and Hasselblad can’t work this out. However C1 greatly lacks the masking toolset of LR.

As for color I can’t see much difference between the X2D and GFX as both make excellent images.

Fuji and Hasselblad both seem to currently have supply issues with their lenses. Hasselblad the newer P and V glass and Fuji the excellent 20-35 zoom and new 500mm along with both of their brand new tilt shift lenses.

Paul

In Tokyo the two Fuji T/S and the 500mm are in stock. Glad I bought my 20-35mm before most people realized it's as good as the 23mm f4. :-)

None of the Hasselblad V lenses are in stock, the X2D is though. Hard to think the Hassy glass isn't overpriced when I see that the Fuji 500mm is cheaper than any of the V lenses.

The masking in C1 Pro is good in fact.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Paul2660]

I find The masking in C1 is OK. No sky selection and the “AI” masking tools in my use are nothing like LR in both ease of use or accuracy. C1 cannot easily select an entire sky quickly enough especially if there are objects that need the masking to work around like leaves, branches etc. It’s also impossible to copy a mask from one image to another in a pano series in C1. LR makes this so easy and quick. However the C1 masking far exceeds what is available in Phocus.

International stock on the Fuji TS lenses does seem better than in the US.

Paul

[BobShaw]

The single greatest hurdle for my use of X2D is the software support. Phocus just can’t compare to the more modern software like LR or C1. Sad that C1 and Hasselblad can’t work this out. However C1 greatly lacks the masking toolset of LR.

As for color I can’t see much difference between the X2D and GFX as both make excellent images.

Phocus is a raw converter and tethering tool. At those it is brilliant. LR is a database.
If you can't see the difference then maybe try the Hasselblad process as per the User Guide.

[TechTalk]

As for Phocus, not impressed at all, way slow, ...

Make sure that Extended GPU usage is checked in Preferences: "When checked, the computer will use the GPU for faster image exports and improved viewer performance when zoomed to 100% and above. On the Mac platform this feature requires a Metal compatible GPU. If the system requirements are not met, the check-box will be disabled."

...not happy with the import process or export, ...

What is it you're unhappy about when you import and export images?

layering is basic to say the least.

Phocus is not designed nor intended to replace the image processing software you buy or for which you pay a subscription fee. It's a free program designed to provide tethered control, raw conversions with consistent color over a wide range of exposure and lighting conditions, a built-in Color Calibration tool and a Reproduction mode to provide additional controls for color accuracy, an excellent Curves tool with Luma added for control of luminosity separately from the RGB color channels, and a variety of other tools. The automatic lens corrections are also of the highest order with a huge number of correction tables to incorporate focus distance, along with many other variables, into the calculations.

After color and tonal adjustments are made in Phocus, along with any other editing you choose to do there, a 16-bit TIFF can be exported to finish editing (if needed or desired) using whatever software you prefer. You can also export multiple images as layers in a single Photoshop PSD format file. You can also skip using Phocus and instead use one of several other editing programs. Lightroom is often the preferred choice since people tend to prefer what they already know and have invested time into learning. Additionally, Hasselblad and Adobe engineers have collaborated to produce color which is very similar to Phocus in most situations.

For a single image workup I can tolerate it, but for shots that are taken as a pano, not possible, as you can't copy anything from one image to the next (at least I can't)...

You can apply the adjustments made to one image to other images, either individually or to a batch of selected images, in multiple ways using Phocus. You can use the Modify tool to quickly apply your current image adjustments (all adjustments or just the ones you select) to other images [page 66]. You can also use Modify to apply any factory or custom User Adjustment presets. You can save a set of adjustments as a custom User Adjustment preset which you can apply whenever you like to any other images. The Adjustments Browser tool capabilities are worth exploring as it provides a wide range of controls for viewing, creating, naming, copying, editing, and applying custom sets of adjustments [pages 73–79].

Unlike other image file formats, Hasselblad 3F (.fff) files contain a detailed history of every set of adjustments you save or export inside each image file and is retained in any copies of the image file. No separate sidecar files are used with Phocus to maintain adjustment history. It's always there in the 3F file itself.   

You can find instructions in the current Phocus User Guide v25 which also covers the various Phocus Mobile apps. The User manual has clickable links in the table of contents  to go directly to a topic. It's a searchable PDF which you can launch or search anytime you're using Phocus by clicking on the Help menu. I've included in brackets the page numbers for some tools mentioned above. There are also online video tutorials and webinars available.

...and the masking is primitive.  LR has the best solution with their AI masking and they seem to get a pretty good color solution most of the time. 

It's not uncommon for people to use multiple editing programs as they may prefer different apps for specific tasks. This is all separate from the original topic of "lenses from your landscape experience that satisfy". But since Phocus use came up, I thought I would try to help. I'll try to check back occasionally to see if there are any questions regarding using Phocus.

[Paul2660]

Phocus is a raw converter and tethering tool. At those it is brilliant. LR is a database.
If you can't see the difference then maybe try the Hasselblad process as per the User Guide.

Thanks  for that snappy post. 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. 

Paul

[Steve Hendrix]

Thanks  for that snappy post. 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. 

Paul

I think the hope over the years was that Phocus would at least become closer to a strong image editing program in the realm of Capture One and Lightroom. Unfortunately, that is never going to be the case. They teased this by encompassing support for other camera bodies, but it never went anywhere. So I look at it more the way that I would look at software coming from Canon or Nikon. Often, very strong results in terms of the conversion quality, you can tether to it, but poor interface, workflow and lack of modern, advanced editing tools. I think it is what it is. And I would also add that while yes, you can tether to it, it by no means is a great tethering platform/workflow (ask any digi tech if they'd like to tackle tethering with Phocus vs Capture One on a high volume, pressure shoot).


Steve Hendrix/CI

[nazdravanul]

I think the hope over the years was that Phocus would at least become closer to a strong image editing program in the realm of Capture One and Lightroom. Unfortunately, that is never going to be the case. They teased this by encompassing support for other camera bodies, but it never went anywhere. So I look at it more the way that I would look at software coming from Canon or Nikon. Often, very strong results in terms of the conversion quality, you can tether to it, but poor interface, workflow and lack of modern, advanced editing tools. I think it is what it is. And I would also add that while yes, you can tether to it, it by no means is a great tethering platform/workflow (ask any digi tech if they'd like to tackle tethering with Phocus vs Capture One on a high volume, pressure shoot).


Steve Hendrix/CI

I hated GFX100 tethering to Capture One, I find the Hasselblad mobile + desktop tethering to be in another league in terms of usability and stability, with my x2d.

[Steve Hendrix]

I hated GFX100 tethering to Capture One, I find the Hasselblad mobile + desktop tethering to be in another league in terms of usability and stability, with my x2d.

The Phocus Mobile tethering is excellent.

When I critique the Phocus tethering, I'm referring to the desktop version, which is what digi techs typically are using. That workflow is many levels below Capture One.

But we're in agreement on the mobile app, not perfect, but works well.


Steve Hendrix/CI

[pflower]

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.