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Hasselblad X1D 50C Review

Hasselblad X1D 50C Review: With the Hasselblad X1D, medium format is now mirrorless – Mirrorless professional system camera from Sweden

With the X1D, Hasselblad announces the world’s first digital mirrorless medium format camera. This saves a lot of volume and weight, especially in the case; after all, the mirror box is usually particularly large in the medium format according to the sensor format. The X1D is said to weigh a mere 725 grams, opening up completely new possibilities for medium format photography. The 43.8 by 32.9 millimetre CMOS sensor has a resolution of 50 megapixels.

The housing of the 725 gram Hasselblad X1D is protected against splash water and dust and is made of milled aluminum. [Photo: Hasselblad]

The Hasselblad X1D’s sensor, which is 1.27 times larger than the 35 mm format, has a resolution of 50 megapixels. [Photo: Hasselblad]

In addition to a 7.85 cm touchscreen, the Hasselblad X1D also has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 million pixels. [Photo: Hasselblad]

Thanks to the ergonomic handle, the Hasselblad X1D should fit comfortably in the hand. [Photo: Hasselblad]

Actually, the resolution is not necessarily groundbreaking, as Canon also offers this resolution in the smaller full format. The medium format, for example, wants to score points with its high dynamic range, and Hasselblad promises 14 f-stops. The pixels measure 5.3 by 5.3 micrometers and are therefore quite large, the maximum resolution is 8,272 by 6,200 pixels. Thus, the sensor offers an aspect ratio of 4:3 and has a “crop factor” of 0,79 in relation to the 35-mm image; in other words, the sensor is 1,27 times bigger in the diagonal than the full format. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 25,600.

Thanks to its splash-proof and dustproof, aluminium-milled housing, the X1D feels at home even outside photo studios. The housing, which measures approximately 15 by 10 by 7 centimetres, has a large, ergonomic handle. As a modern, mirrorless system camera, the X1D is equipped with a 7.5-centimeter touchscreen that has a resolution of 920,000 pixels. The user interface is adapted accordingly and has a modern design. The electronic viewfinder achieves a resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels, or 2.36 million pixels. As a modern system camera, the X1D also records videos, but the resolution remains quite modest with Full-HD. The Hasselblad also has WLAN with remote control function via smartphone app and a built-in GPS. In addition to the WLAN “connection”, the X1D also offers a USB-3 type C interface, a mini-HDMI interface, a microphone input and a headphone output. The memory card slot accepts two SD cards.

The new camera system works with a central shutter in the lenses and thus offers a shortest shutter speed of 1/2,000 seconds. Thanks to the central shutter, flash can be used with all exposure times. By the way, the TTL hot shoe is compatible to the Nikon system. An autofocus is of course not missing either. For the time being, two new lenses are available: a 45 mm F3.5, which corresponds to the angle of view of a 35 mm 35 mm lens, and a 90 mm F3.2, which corresponds to the angle of view of a 70 mm lens. Further lenses with the new XCD lens mount are to follow soon. Thanks to an adapter, however, another twelve Hasselblad lenses from the H system can already be operated on the X1D.

Hasselblad estimates the price of the X1D at 7,900 euros plus taxes, which brings the camera to a price of a good 9,400 euros.

Manufacturer Hasselblad Hasselblad Hasselblad
Model XCD 3.2/90 mm XCD 3.5/30 mm XCD 3.5/45 mm
Price (EIA) k. A. k. A. k. A.
Bayonet connection Hasselblad XCD Hasselblad XCD Hasselblad XCD
Focal length 90.0 mm 30.0 mm 45.0 mm
Luminous intensity (maximum aperture) F3,2 F2,5 F3,5
Smallest aperture F32 F32 F32
KB full format irrelevant irrelevant irrelevant
Lens system 10 lenses in 8 groups 11 lenses in 10 groups 9 lenses in 7 groups
Close-up limit 700 mm 400 mm 400 mm
Image stabilizer available no no no
Autofocus available yes yes yes
Filter thread 67mm 77mm 67mm
Dimensions (diameter x length) 77 x 100 mm 83 x 88 mm 77 x 75 mm
Lens weight 619 g 550 g 417 g

Hasselblad announces XV adapter for the X1D-50C: 60 compatible lenses

With the XV lens adapter, Hasselblad announces another bayonet adapter for the X1D-50C mirrorless medium format system camera. The adapter essentially consists of a huge tube to adjust the different flange focal distance. The electronic shutter function of the adaptable lenses is also supported.

Hasselblad XV bayonet adapter. [Photo: Hasselblad]

Thanks to the adapter, C, CB, CF, CFI, CFE, F and FE series lenses fit the X1D-50C. This involves a total of 60 lenses with focal lengths of 30 to 500 millimetres, which corresponds to small image equivalent focal lengths of 24 to 400 millimetres. Since the five XCD lenses that fit directly onto the X1D-50C only cover a focal length range of 21 to 120 mm (17 to 95 mm corresponding to 35 mm), this means not only a wider choice of lenses but also a significant expansion in the telephoto range.

For the current year (updated in 2020), according to the roadmap, five XCD lenses and a teleconverter are still pending, which should extend the native focal length coverage at least to 230 mm (180 mm corresponding to 35 mm). This already includes the 1.7x teleconverter, which will be used on a 2.8/135 mm lens. The XV lens adapter will be available immediately at a price of just under 200 euros.

Firmware update 1.21 for the Hasselblad X1D-50c: New features

Hasselblad has been offering a new firmware version 1.21 for the mirrorless medium format camera X1D-50c for download. Since version 1.17.2 there are some new features: The GPS works more reliably, new lenses and lens adapters are supported and the lens model is immortalized in the EXIF data of the photos.

In addition, the touch screen can be used as a touchpad to determine the AF point while looking through the viewfinder and, if desired, the camera can operate purely in viewfinder mode both in live view and for direct image viewing. Furthermore, buttons can be customized, there is a new function to switch to open aperture for maximum bokeh effect and new folders can be created on the memory card. In addition, the second memory card can be used for backup and the touchpad functions of the screen have been expanded so that it is now possible to zoom into the picture when looking through the viewfinder or to set the AF point via the touchscreen when using an HDMI monitor. Last but not least, autofocus (contrast) is supported by some adapted XH lenses.

Hasselblad X1D-50C. [Photo: Hasselblad]

The mirrorless Hasselblad X1D is really slim. Because the camera does not have a focal-plane shutter, but uses a central shutter in the lens. As usual, the battery sits in the handle at a low weight. [Photo: Hasselblad]

Details of the update, installation instructions and the firmware itself can be found on the Hasselblad website. You can do the installation yourself or get help from your dealer or Hasselblad support.

Hasselblad X1D-50C. [Photo: Hasselblad]

Hasselblad shows new lens roadmap for the XCD system – Five new lenses and a teleconverter

Hasselblad wants to further expand the mirrorless medium format system around the X1D-50c in the coming year and is showing a new lens roadmap. So far, there are only four lenses available for the X1D-50c, all of them fixed focal lengths in the small image equivalent focal length range of 24 to 95 millimetres. The Swedish camera manufacturer plans to launch five new lenses in the 16-107 millimetre small frame equivalent range and a teleconverter in 2018.

The 1.7x teleconverter is intended for the 2.8/135 mm, which is also scheduled to be launched in 2018, and extends its small-frame equivalent focal length from 107 mm to 180 mm, with the speed falling to F4.8. In addition, a 4/21 mm should extend the focal length range downwards to 16 millimetres corresponding to 35 mm. In addition, a 2.8/65 (51 mm KB) and an 80 mm (63 mm KB) lens with unspecified light intensity are planned. However, it is supposed to be very bright. Furthermore, a 28-60mm standard zoom (corresponding to 35mm) is planned with the 3.5-4.5/35-75. With the exception of the 80 mm, all lenses are expected to be available during the first half of 2018, while the 80 mm is expected to be launched towards the end of 2018. As with previous lenses, they are also central shutter lenses with shutter speeds of up to 1/2,000 seconds, which also corresponds to the flash sync speed.

Hasselblad X1D-50C Data sheet

Electronics

Sensor CMOS sensor Medium format 44.0 x 33.0 mm (crop factor 0.8
)50.0 megapixels (effective)
Pixelpitch 5.4 µm
Photo resolution
8.272 x 6.200 pixels (4:3)
Image formats JPG, RAW, Tiff
Color depth 48 bits (16 bits per color channel)
Video resolution
1.920 x 1.080 (16:9) 25 p
Video format
MP4 (Codec H.264)

Lens

Lens mount
Hasselblad XCD

Focus

Autofocus mode Contrast Autofocus
Autofocus functions Single AF

Viewfinder and monitor

Monitor 3.0″ (7.5 cm) TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 pixels, brightness adjustable, with touch screen
Video finder Video viewfinder with

Exposure

Exposure metering Center-weighted integral measurement, matrix/multi-field measurement, spot measurement
Exposure times 1/2,000 to 60 s (automatic)
Exposure control Fully automatic, automatic aperture control, aperture priority, manual
Photosensitivity ISO 100 to ISO 25.600 (manual)
Remote access Remote release, remote control via smartphone/tablet
White balance Automatic
Continuous shooting 2.3 frames/s at highest resolution
Recording functions AEL function, live histogram

Flashgun

Flash no built-in flash available – Shoe: not available

Equipment

Image stabilizer no optical image stabilizer
Memory
SD (SDHC, SDXC)
second memory card slot
SD (SDHC, SDXC)
GPS function GPS external (wired or plug-on receiver)
Power supply unit Power supply connectionUSB continuous power supplyUSB charging function
Power supply 1 x Lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery (7.2 V, 3,200 mAh)
Playback functions Playback histogram
Special functions Orientation sensor, Live View, user profiles with 3 user profiles
Connections Data interfaces: USBUSB type
:USB 3.0 SuperSpeedWLAN
: available (type: ac, B, G, N)
AV Connections AV output: HDMI output Mini (Type C
)Audio input: yesAudio output
: yes
Housing frost-proof up to -10 °C

Size and weight

Dimensions W x H x D 150 x 98 x 71 mm
Weight 725 g (net)

Miscellaneous

standard accessory Bayonet cover, lithium-ion battery, charger
additional accessories Hasselblad XCD 3.5-4.5/35-75 mm zoom lens

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