Hasselblad 907X Review | It's Not for Me
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- After having the Hasselblad 907X for a couple of weeks and having shot with it out in the field, I have concluded that this camera is not for me. In this video I review and discuss why I think the 907x is not for the landscape photographer.
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#LandscapePhotography Hasselblad907x
I'm watching it like I can afford it.
Aren’t we all?
What blindsleep said 👍🏼
Even if I could afford it, I still wouldn’t buy it.
@@hiltsyartnstuff1142 Exactly
😂
Disagree, I have been shooting Hasselblad for a long time. I will not sacrifice the quality over comfort, specially when quality is the most important when you finally find a lovely composition. Zeiss lenses on the Hassy 's are the best thus far. As far as your issue with keeping the shutter open during live view you can use a locking cable release while lens is set on B. Some Hasselblad bodies like SWC have shutter locking mechanism, I use them all the time. For metering you can get a Hasselblad view finder which has light meter. Some 500 Hasselblad series like FE has metering built in and you may utilize Zone system in your light measuring. For most of your shots you use long exposures anyway- and for that having a handheld light meter is the best. Your honesty, however, is admirable.
This camera is primarily a digital back for those that want the ergonomic experience of a film camera with a 203FE and the 110mm F2 lens but also want a digital capture mode. It’s workflow is to use it identically to a film camera (set iso and then use the camera shutter, viewfinder, and meter).
The shimming of a mini mirrorless digital “camera” onto the front of it seems like a bit of a gimmick or a “why not” afterthought bridge between their V system offering and the X system lenses. I believe the intent would be that people primarily purchase this for use on a 203FE and then consider the ability to work with X lenses a bonus.
The 500cm has a shutter lock as well obviating the need for an external cable release as well. One of the other drawbacks is the lack of a shutter in camera, so even though the adapter is available you cannot effectively use the mirrorless camera with a V system lens.
Looks like I will keep my Olympus EM-5 II as it is weather sealed. These cameras are way way out of my budget however I appreciate the work you put into bringing this info to us. Not everyone might afford them however it is good to know what is out there if the time hopefully comes to upgrade to something in that range.
Still shooting with my OMD EM1 Mi. Same situation as you, could not justify spending that sort of money. If I upgraded I would probably jump to Sony's A7 line. Will miss the image stabilization on the Olympus though, it is pretty incredible.
@@Jones607 I've heard incredible things about the EM5. My only gripe to the EM and OMD lines are that the sensors are not great for low light and the menu system drives me nuts. That being said Ill definitely look further into the EM5 for my next purchase. Thanks for the tip!
@@mattm7831 it is not worth it upgrading from MFT to full frame imo, you'll just get a bigger camera with a slightly better image quality. Better keep the system portable for day to day shooting. And get a medium format camera when the time is right for crating high quality art work.
@@p.io7 The image quality is noticeably better though, not slightly, especially when comparing the older 16mp mft sensor (from the OP's EM5-2) to the modern high-res FF. Hell, even the old a7rII from 2015 with its 42mp sensor takes images with a lot more details, dynamic range, and less noise than any MFT camera out there. But, of course, there are pros to the MFT system as well. Not much for the landscape photography, though, I'd never go with MFT if landscapes were my main focus, especially how the older Fuji's XT bodies are quite affordable now, and one can even get an older DSLR full-frame for ~ $1k (D750 is exactly $1k new, even 5DS sells for $1200 now on ebay). As a jack of all trades and mostly shooting video - yeah, MFT is still reasonable (Panasonic bodies though, not Olympus). And 2.8 zooms are relatively affordable and decent (pana 12-35/35-100, oly 12-40). Then again, MFT is a dead-end system, and most likely will be gone in a few years, so, while perfectly viable right now, investing a lot in lenses and accessories is probably not a good idea.
@@Jones607 very true!
I agree with a previous comment...get the Canon EOS R5...although I have to say, you're 5D Mark IV has served you well...I prefer your videos when you are using it because I believe a large portion of your audience can associate with it including myself.
So what's wrong with a Pentax 645Z as a rugged fully sealed medium format kit ?
I have the impression that a Hasselblad has an ability to B set to B to keep the lens open and the mirror up you wouldn’t have to have your finger pushed on the button all the time, I think mine do that, and yes I shoot mostly in the studio with catalog work. These days I shoot mostly with my canon no need for a medium format those days for me a long gone! Nice video!
There is a lock switch for bulb mode on the Hasselblad film camera. You do not need a cable release.
Hello Tom,
in order to open the shutter door for the live view with a V system,
it should be possible to use the pre release button instead mounting a cable, or not?
It remains open. Best Regards Urs
Yes, set it to T and then release, probem solved. Desribed in the manual.
Great review, thanks for an unvarnished real review!
I can see your points Thomas but maybe not the weather proofing which the 501 probably doesn’t have? The interchangeability of film and digital with a 501/503 does have attractions
I've purchased the 907x to go with the X1D I have no issues with it, love to put the back on a Cambo actus on day.
Time for you to use the Fuji Medium format line. GFX all the way for landscape photography. FUJi owns the medium format market now.
Love your honesty as every other reviews are all singing nothing but praises, the Fujifilm 50R and it's the perfect street camera for me.
Thanks for this. I love looking at the hassies. Maybe just a gen or two and I will jump in.
You're very watchable and knowledgable, great review.
You should definitely jump into medium format. But you are right about this model, it’s not suited for landscape photography. This definitely aim for studio or not extreme location.
Goes to show how many features and creature comforts we now take for granted with our modern DSLR's and Mirrorless cameras ...
I am sure you've already heard this stuff 700 times at this point but as a 500 series film shooter AND a Hasselblad user myself...
- If you are expecting "feature" parity per $ from Hasselblad ummm yeah, no crap. Not happening. Myself I happen to value A LOT of what Hasselblad provides that nobody else does.
- While I agree with you re: LV histogram as a nice thing to have especially if you are evaluating exposure via LV you seem to have some sort of fetish about taking a test shot??? Why, I used to do that all the time with a polaroid back (which was not at all accurate but confirmed ratios etc) Honestly I don't get the whole live view thing in the first place, as if exposure was difficult since ummm 2005 or so.
- The entire point of this camera is compactness as a "camera" without any quality sacrifice AND being able to hook it to just about anything in the universe. I have no clue why you would love shooting the 500 and not at all be interested in using it in that fashion. Again... test shot and you have no use for live view. I personally could absolutely guess within 1/2 to 1/3 of a stop. I do it all the time with flash = so what. If you shot crap tons of shots in extremely varying lighting conditions I could see it but even chasing a sunset = slow.
- If you must use live view with a 500 series camera especially the one you have which I also have and just about every single camera/lens remotely modern (late '70's forward) set the lens to "F" hit mirror release button and you are good to go. Or alternatively if you use that little dial around the shutter when using "B" shutter speed it will hold the shutter open as long as you want (IE it's a "T") feature.
- If you must have a crap ton of brand new lenses that cover everything Fuji is less $$$ but... You can shoot all HC lenses with full functionality on the 907 which can be had for a bunch less than the XCD new as there are tons of them out there. Also V lenses on your C body are quite good... get a wide XCD and V for everything else for now.
I respect your desires and choices. I've made similar decisions for other things (IE I have Fuji for my small APS-C system instead of Leica M because $$$ in where I choose to prioritize IQ/Size/OVF option etc. I have canon for a lot of practical reasons, etc).
Overall I am fine with your choices but as a "review" you hit none of the points of this camera of why someone would choose it but not you and are inaccurate regarding many of your conclusions in terms of 500 series use, no mention of the leaf shutters (by the way IQ based on my own testing end to end of the "same sensor" vs Hasselblad's implementation and lenses is not the same at all for critical work. etc etc.
The SnapChick did a good review of the GFX 100 Thomas. It certainly sounds impressive. But do you need it? It's the M4/3 argument all over again.
For the price of the 907, you can buy a nice 500 series with lens and a GFX 50 body. Or a GFX 100S with twice the resolution and IBIS - and much cheaper lenses that still have outstanding IQ. But as a piece of industrial design, it is stunning, as is the original 500.
The 907x-50c is the best camera I've ever had
2:21 fortunately, rumor has it a new, smaller, cheaper 100mp GFX is on the horizon!
cheaper than the 50R?
I bought the GFX 100 beginning of Jan 2020. The output of that camera after few updates is simply stunning. I keep my Sony alpha 7 R4 as its wingman and cover almost any possible scenario of photo shoot except underwater where I would prefer to rely more on an alpha S3.
I strongly advise you to go for the GFX100 for a month if size Is not a great of an issue but make sure you got enough batteries as the GFX does not even near the Sony Z's in efficiency.
My camera is a used Canon 60D with again a used 18-135 kit lens. But here I'm, watching Hasselblad review. Life is absurd.
You watch it because he tells you not to get it ;-)
@@jochenkraus7016 He is not suggesting a used 10-years-old camera either though :) To be honest I love my camera, but it started to malfunction while changing shooting modes and crop sensor really started to annoy me. Nevertheless, I have a functioning camera in a world many enthusiasts unfortunately can't afford one. I'm fine. Thank you 😀
If only need digital back compare with used phase one, this is a good price.
I think you missed the point. The digital back gets you away from chemistry and disposal, while giving use to the 500 systems many of us have and at a cheaper rate than buying fujifilm body and lenses. Also why ask for a viefinder in the 907x and then want to use the screen in the 500 when you have a viewfinder? I see your point with the weather seal but my 500 is not, so not an issue. Kodak used to publish in its film boxes exposures for sunlight and overcast days as an starting point to train your eye to see light, personally I have only used a light meter in the last 35 years for studio flash, for slides we used to bracket half a stop up and down. Aside from price the main issue with the back is the rectangular format, instead of the square we all love.
Mr H, You simply got to keep up making Gear Tech Reviews!
I understand the frustration about missing weather sealing. I know all cameras can be used for all types of photography but I always associated the Hassies for studio use (portraits and still life). It's by no means and excuse to skip weather sealing on a camera of this price.
I agree, though it was (maybe is?) used also for location fashion work. Which is basically the same thing except on the beach!
my old Hasselblad was not weather sealed, but I had it out in all weathers and never an issue. I suspece they are playing safe? But would agree it would be nice if thy could make an effort seal it.
@@MarkUKInsects I agree insofar as I used many cameras from that era, Contarex, Rollei, Olympus OM1-4, Nikon F in all weathers and they did fine. But...they did not have the fussy super sensitive electronics. I had three Canons die because of trivial humidity or water exposures. These electronic cameras are super sensitive beasts!
I am with you there. The new owners of Hasselblad have touted this camera as the ' affordable ' medium format field camera ( it can't seriously be considered a studio camera because it is just too slow ) but in the process forgot a few basic requirements of a field camera. The omission of weather sealing and a viewfinder are rather stupid . I guess this can be the result of another instance of the accountants taking over from the engineers . What happened to Hasselblad's extensive field testing of yesteryears? This is a waste of money for serious photographers and another object of desire for the rich and the famous. Expect to see a lot of it in the Hello magazine in the hands of the usual suspects a: la Leica.
Maybe it's me but that Hasselblad just always seemed impractical and I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder because I think it's ugly too. I would have thought the Canon R5 with the control ring adapter and a mix of your EF glass with some RF versions as you want to change over would make more sense. The focusing ability is reported to be exceptional, 45MP sensor is as close to the Panasonic as makes no difference and ability to extract 30MP images from 8K video would make more sense. Canon has finally woken up and I've seen some incredible stuff taken with the R5 plus some of the RF glass like the 100-500mm. If only I had the money for an R5...sigh!! Didn't Adam comment on the relatively small range of lenses for the Panasonic? Anyway, your money so spend it how you like :-)
You need to demo the Fujifilm GFX 100 you will be blown away.
Would you revisit it with a 51x51 square sensor?
It's a fashion statement, like a Rolex. It does the same thing as a Fossil at a significant increase in price. There's absolutely no reason to buy this camera over a Fuji GFX50R. The ergonomics on that thing are like holding the back quarter of a loaf of bread. And yes, take the Fuji GFX50R out for a spin, see what you think.
Have you thought about the GFX50S?
Love your 2 videos, as you said the Fuji would be a brilliant camera, or Personally I'd go 5ds (r) myself. Canon glass I already have, so swings it that way for me.
The Canon R5 might be a good option for you since you can adapt your existing lenses and there would be a minimal learning curve for you. Otherwise, the Fujifilm GFXs will probably be the best option.
Thank you for your advice.
using fuji x series I've got used to not using the viewfinder, it's less of a strain on my eyes - it doesnt fog up when wearing a mask...
Weather sealing is essential though, real shame they didnt manage that!
I have the gfx50r and bought it from MPB for 2400
If I had the film version with some nice lenses and did portraits indoors all day - I would jump on this MAYBE, otherwise nooooooo
I believe that the purpose of the back while connected to a film front is exactly that: to use it in the same way that you do it with film, but saving your files digitally. I think you were trying to do it in the opposite direction, using as if it was digital but with "analog" lenses. That could lead to people wanting to buy just the back (sensor) and second hand fronts, which could be detrimental for them; and Hasselblad know that.
Agreed. Much like the old polaroid backs.
You can shoot electronic shutter in bulb mode and meter that way, I think..... but, yeah, GFX50R is the ticket.
Does it have a hot shoe for studio shoot?
“Who is this camera for?....”; that’s the longest way I’ve ever heard anyone say the word “poser”. 😂😂😂
He is being very gentleman about it. I like it.
If he’s British, wouldn’t it be “poseur”? Lol!
More money than sense springs to mind. I don't even think it looks good!
That camera is primarily for:
- Hasselblad V system cameras owners
- Technical camera owner
- X1D owners that want a second specialized body
The 907X is IMO not meant as a first Hasselblad camera
Your comment begs the question: to whom would the pose(u)r be posing?
The older 500C, 500C/M and 503CX models in Hasselblad's V system have a time exposure lock-up function (small lever around the shutter release button) that was removed in the 501CM and 503CW. With that, you can shoot with the CFV II 50C in Live View using the electronic shutter without holding the shutter release button with your finger or a release cable - just set the shutter speed on the lens to B, set the time exposure lock lever to T and press the shutter button - both the lens' leaf shutter and the secondary shutter on the back of the body will remain open until you disengage the lever back to the O position, leaving the optical path open for the sensor to do its thing. This is nice even if you just want to be painstakingly accurate with your focus by appealing to the focus peaking and zoom functions on the back, disengaging the time exposure lock and then shooting the usual way (although you'll probably want to use a tripod setup for all that as well). On the other hand, the 501CM and the 503CW have the gliding mirror that prevents the viewfinder vignetting with longer lenses (above 150mm, it seems) that plagued the older V-system models - the viewfinder vignetting becomes immaterial for the lenses that matter (up to 250mm) with the CFV II 50C back due to the sensor crop, though - especially if you use a focusing screen with the framelines for that sensor (more on that below).
Although the 907X manual doesn't make it clear, the camera and the XCD lenses are in fact weather sealed (this was clarified by The Photoblographer's review of the 907X), although I guess not to the level of rugged pro-level DSLRs like Nikon's D850 or D5 - otherwise Hasselblad would probably be more vocal about it. I'd wager it's about as weather sealed as the X1D II.
A feature of the CFV II 50C back that handicaps both the 907X and the V-system bodies somewhat is the sensor format. 6x6 negatives in medium format mean that you don't have to rotate the camera by 90 degrees to shoot in portrait mode (after all, it is the same as landscape mode if your negative is a square), which is a necessity if you use the waist level finder that comes with the camera. This also applies to Live View in the 907X if you use the back screen facing up. This is not a problem for the X1D II since it has an EVF and a grip. However, it can be mitigated to a great degree in the V system bodies if you use a prism viewfinder accessory such as the PM45 (45 degrees), the PM90 (90 degrees) or their respective analogues equipped with TTL metering (the PME51 and PME90), possibly combined with a grip if you shoot handheld. In my opinion, a TTL meter-equipped prism viewfinder is an indispensable add-on to a Hasselblad V-system camera. As for the 907X, you can add the optional grip but the lack of a TTL viewfinder (be it optical or electronic) is indeed a bummer - Hasselblad seemingly tried to emulate their old SWC camera when they added only the non-TTL optical viewfinder as an option. I hope they go further than that in the future.
The CFV II 50C also has a cropped square mode that does away with the portrait mode issues but that wastes a good deal of the sensor and the lens. The ideal situation would be having a full-frame 6x6 sensor (56mm x 56mm) but there has never been a medium-format digital back with a sensor that big, not even the far more expensive, state-of-the-art backs from Phase One and H-system Hasselblad. One thing I miss from the original CFV 50C back is that they downgraded the accompanying focusing screen with the cropping frames for both the full sensor and the aforementioned square crop to a focusing screen mask. The latter has the advantage that you can use any focusing screen you want (specially since Hasselblad recommends using split-image focusing screens with the CFV II 50C back for better manual focus accuracy, which becomes more critical than when using film), but you no longer have the framelines for the squared crop mode. You probably can find the focusing screen with the crop framelines to buy separately, though (either new or used) - _Update_ : the Acute Matte D focusing screen with the split microprism at the center and the CFV (II) 50C framelines _is_ being sold by Hasselblad separately, you can find it new e.g. at B&H. It's a great focusing screen (in my opinion, even the best one for the V system) and it costs _less_ than used Acute Matte D's, I recommend it even if you're not interested in getting the digital back.
I don't see much sense in buying the 907X over the slightly less expensive X1D II if you are into Hasselblad (especially if you are considering using the superb XCD lenses) but don't already have a V-system film camera, and Hasselblad is clearly aiming at V-system owners with the 907X since the idea is to keep as much of the V-system experience and haptics as possible, for better or worse. Sure, the small form factor for medium format is cool, but ergonomics suffers. And yes, the Fujifilm GFX 50 has the same sensor, none of the cons of the 907X, and shoots faster for a bit more than half the price, but how do the software / color processing and glass of both systems compare? It's an honest question - after all, when all is said and done all that matters are the pictures. For V-system owners who want to have a digital option to it (and may even consider adding XCD glass to the legendary Zeiss lens portfolio of the V system), I think that the lackluster autofocus, fps and video capabilities of the CFD II 50C back are rather minor setbacks (hehe) since they will be shooting manual most of the time anyway, that's what the experience is all about (even if at the price of a probably less-than-ideal focus accuracy for 50MP digital standards). Having a metering prism viewfinder in your V-system camera would be immensely helpful when using the CFV II 50C back with it, though.
The lock-up feature was simply moved to the right of body. The 907 ‘camera’ is a distraction. The real product is the back.
@@inter-linked you are correct regarding the mirror lock-up button - it stays just below the film advance crank on all V system models (both old and new). I actually meant the _time exposure lock_ lever around the shutter release button, the mirror lock-up doesn't really have anything to do with what I meant to say, sorry for that - I've just edited the first paragraph of my comment above to make it clearer. That being said, I also meant that the 501CM and the 503CW really don't have the time exposure lock lever like the older V system models, and this piece of information is accurate (I don't have either model, but I've checked it in their manuals).
Your comment was very helpful to me.
Thank you very much.
Great post. I'm a proud owner of the 203FE and unfortunately I think my time with film is all but done. It's getting too expensive to have film developed and scanned (hobby Vs work) I've got a fair few unprocessed rolls loitering with intent and I'm at the point where I don't want to turn my back on the camera but don't want to keep putting into the money pit that is film photography. They have recently opened a Hassleblad store in Birmingham, the only one in the UK currently and I was able to try both the 907 and it's more standard looking sibling and I fell in love with the former (obviously being a V body owner I can't help but admire their workmanship and how fantastic it looks and feels).
The 203FE has a built in meter and of course the 110 f2 lens, which feels like it would be a great combination with this digital back.
I do also own the XPan II so initially when I walked into the shop I was expecting to pick up the XD1 II and come away happy with that being my new camera as I could always buy Thier (albeit expensive) adapters for the V / Xpan System.
I didn't even know they had made (to my shame) the 907 and I left with a lot more to think about hah.
Needless to say I'm still a little torn but my heart says go for the 907X 😅
Really great reply with a lot of info!
Hi Thomas
The 907x is indeed sealed !
Each XCD lens has a rubber gasket on the bayonet
The back face of the 907x module is completely lined with rubber to seal it against the CFV II back
The internal face of the CFV II side door (battery and cards) is internally rubber lined to seal it
The connectors under the rear screen are covered with a rubber plug.
The CFVII 50c is the cheapest MF back on the market, Fuji has no MF back.
Operating the 500C wit CFVII in live view is not the normal way to use it.
The normal way is to operate it like a film SLR, the exposure is measured by the prism lightmeter or external lightmeter the same way as with film
It's sealed between the body and back and at the lens mount but several reviewers have mentioned the sealing on the battery/SD door is very minimal which I think is what he's worried about as well.
It's a bit misleading to say the "CFVII 50c is the cheapest MF back on the market" because it is not for sale as a standalone product. You currently can't buy the back without the 907x body.
@@SnapCracklePop1010 Hasselblad says that in this package the cost of the 907x compared to CFVII is that random that they don't sell the CFVII alone right now.
It's also a marketing strategy to sell more XCD lenses, and perhaps X1D bodies that are way more ergonomic in general use with XCD lenses
@@wadeduvall7026 If you show in details how it's made you will notice that the door itself isn't sealed but the SD card slots and battery have a compressed rubber bloc on top that prevents water to touch them even if water can go behind the door.
I even just found a 5th rubber seal. The CFVII can be powered by DC 12V to 24V, the socket is underneath and closed by a rubber plug.
This review actually persuades me that this would be the camera for me (if I could afford it). I rarely work outside and produce studio based images in the conceptual/abstract photography realm - need none of the bells and whistles that most cameras have, just the highest quality image files that I can print very large (2m or more in some cases). And I've never looked at a histogram in my life.
You know you want one Tom. I am seriously considering, just need to sell a kidney.
I think he wants a Phase One XT. At least he should try one. I could even help hooking up him with a loaner myself.
Maybe a nice, intact kidney would make the business possible. ;)
But you're using a GFX why would you want the Hasselblad?
after all, who needs two kidneys nowadays?
@@antonoat I do but not the GFX100
@@QuietLightPhoto Oh yeah a slight typo from me! I don't think Thomas could cope with 100mp, lol. From my experience the R and the S deliver outstanding image quality especially when compared with 35mm sized digital sensors. I don't think many people need more image quality than either the GFX50r/s.
Not a studio camera at all,it’s a modular camera which was designed with V system photographers in mind and it’s also a great tool for Architectural photographers who can attach the digital back to almost any technical camera with movements for perspective & depth of field control not to mention being able to stitch panoramas for landscapes Different tools for different applications and this camera is not designed to compete with the likes of the GFX in any way at all, they are 2 totally different systems
I thought when used with a 500 series camera you were supposed to focus through the bodies view finder no the lcd thus there was no need to keep the the shutter open.
Have you tried Zeiss lenses on your Canon? I found that I much preferred Zeiss over Canon lenses, which eventually led to me leaving the Canon ecosystem.
Fujirumour says a smaller 100 MP medium camera is coming in Q2 2021. Stick around for a while Tom with your full frame. You can see later whether you should go to 50 MP or the new 100 MP medium format 🙂. Your Canon lenses can also be used in GFX; certainly with some limitation.
Why would you buy a 100 mp camera, honestly? Just out of curiosity. I don't get it :)
@@sweetdavey image quality/ size as you can crop loads and retain the detail. but you also get an extra stop or two of dynamic range with medium format compared to full frame
@@declannorton2023 yeah I get the draw of medium format due to the great DR and clean files, but 100 mp? Do you really crop that heavily, and if so how often? Also wouldn't you need to absolutely nail the sharpness of every shot to be able to take advantage of that? Higher mp cameras also tend to be more demanding in that sense, requiring perfect handling to get that sharp results (so I've heard). It just seems so excessive, and a hassle to handle such big files.
@@sweetdavey its not just to crop but you can, its mainly just for the highest image quality possible. MF is usually used in product photography and other studio work to get the up most quality. You'd still need to hit focus to achieve this and the file sizes aren't big if you have lots of storage.
Nice to have a MF camera with a 100mpx sensor but as a landscape photographer, you may quickly find you'll need to focus stack just about everything if you shoot wide ...
Yet that's cheap in Hasselblad territory, where their H6D 400Cvdupxyt, (I don't care how I messed up on the model name), but it's £43,500 of our hard earned pounds. (More than a Jag XF-S cost me new)!
You really look like Shaggy from Scooby Doo.
I've been shooting Hasselblad for over 20 years, and with a digital back for the last 12. This looks like a digital back for the camera that you can also use with a simple lens setup. Have you ever shot landscapes with large format cameras? They aren't weatherproof either - Ansel Adams managed... No medium format will ever match a DSLR for performance/ergonomics. But they will beat them in terms of image quality. You seem to think that Hasselblad is only for film. Why? Why not both? As for cost, if you already have a Hasselblad system, with the lenses and bodies, etc... If you want to go digital, your choices are PhaseOne and Leaf and the other Hasselblad MF back. Surely that's the comparison. For excellent image quality, and using equipment you already have, this is not a bad alternative to buying a new Fuji GFX or similar and a new suite of lenses. I think you missed the whole point of this solution even though you did credit the image quality. You are just starting off on your MF journey and you will grow to understand that the true genius of your Hasselblad system is its versatility. Instead of the judgment about people with nice cars, ask yourself "what are my MF digital options, particularly as I already have a MF camera and lens(s) that I love using?" Did you know there is a button/lever under the film advance winder that will pop the mirror up so that you do not need to hold down the shutter release on the camera? A new canon EOS 1Dx Mk III costs about the same as this digital back/camera. So, on the cost front, I think you may have also missed the point. If like me, you have a Hasselblad System and a Canon System, and you want to upgrade your digital workflow, you could either buy a new Canon or the new Hasselblad 907X for about the same cost. Do Canon buyers like form over function and nice cars? You are better than this Thom.
I agree 100% with everything you said here.
@@raycavicchiophotography4832 Thank you. Cheers
Bought a 645D, cheapest entry into digital MF imo and its stunning, even still in 2020.
Definitely an “absolutely stunning” camera, just a bummer about the quirks. Thanks for the genuine insight/review!
I’m keeping the faith that Canon will release a 5DSR equivalent of the R5. Cripple the video specs for all I care! Bring on the megapixels! Come on Canon...we need it.
I love the idea of medium format, I do not however like Hasselblads. They are quite over rated. What I mean by that is that if you can get 90-95% of the quality of a hasselblad or medium format with a camera that is half (or even 1/4th) the cost why would you ever get a hasselbald? (bald because I only see old bald/balding rich men using them) I can grab an R5, or the A1 for less money (maybe not the A1) and pair it with better glass than what I've seen on hasselbald. If money wasn't an option I still wouldn't get one. They feel cheap, fragile, and a bit "chinesium" to me. They are also SLOW! Your subject is likely to die of old age before youre done shooting. Anyway my 2cents.
It's a shame you didn't have a good amount of time to test out the camera. I think if you did, your opinion would have been much different. This camera isn't for everyone. It's not the type of camera we've become so used to, where you take a couple lightening fast photos, and then rush off to the next scene. It's a camera that allows you just a little bit more time to put a little bit more thought into the photo you're about to take. It's actually very refreshing to be able to slow it down a little like you do while using a film camera....but with some fairly basic, but important and usable tech, included.
There is some weather sealing. The camera portion itself, has a large rubber gasket that seats inside the grooves of the digital back, that also helps protect the sensor from dirt and dust. There's a large rubber pad under the battery compartment lid that compresses when you slide the lid shut. I recently took a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. I used this camera on a drizzly, foggy morning with no problems. I didn't allow it to get soaked because that would have been careless. Any camera that gets soaked is at risk for malfunction. The XCD lens line is weather sealed also. I have the XCD 45mm 3.5 which is weather sealed.
You're complaining about ergonomics and how it feels in hand, but your 501cm is larger, and clunkier, AND you have to use the viewfinder since there's no flip screen. This confuses me because this camera is about 1/3 the size of your 501. This is just the digital version of your 501, in a much smaller, lighter weight package. One of Hasselblad's mistakes was they should have sent the optional viewfinder and grip that's available for this camera. I noticed with other photographers, they sent this camera out to test, Hasselblad didn't send out the viewfinder mask either, to be used with the film body. The mask goes inside your 501cm viewfinder to help you stay in frame with the digital sensor. The digi-back has that flip touch screen that simulates the waist level view finder on your 501cm.
The simplicity and ease of use with the menu is perfection. If you used the mirror lock up and put the lens in bulb mode, you would have been able to use live-view with your 501cm. Also, turning on the cameras electronic shutter would have helped with that issue. I've used the back on my 500c and my 203FE with no problems. The software basically switches everything over for you when you choose which body you're using in the menu.There is a histogram overlay available while you're reviewing your shots.
I'm happy you brought up the image quality, it is pretty awesome. Maybe I missed it .... one very important feature you didn't mention is the 16 bit color depth. SOOC they are close to perfect and need little adjustment. Highlight and shadow recovery is really impressive. The Fuji is close, with 14 bit. Since you brought up the Fuji, you can't slap a GFX on to the back of your 501cm. These are two different cameras with two difference purposes.
Nice to see you totally missed the point of his review and his opinion. Please tell us more how wrong people are?
@@road_side_tog7906 I didn't say he was wrong. I clearly stated this camera isn't for everyone, and that he probably didn't have enough time to thoroughly test out the camera. It's part of my opening in my comment. What part of this didn't you understand? I added to this "review" because a lot of important info about the cameras features was left out, along with some incorrect information. People should be informed fully and accurately of it's features if they are considering buying one. This "review" was way off.
All I'm saying is you don't buy a Lamborghini to do off road driving.
You can shoot with the 500cm without pressing the shutter the whole time.
Option 1) Set the lens to Bulb to use live view
Option 2) Select the 500cm mode on the settings menu to use 500cm as you regularly would (without live view)
Way too convoluted!
most important con : sensor size isnt 6x6
That huge sensor looks very exposed. . . why didn't they incorporate a dark slide that you remove after fitting the camera to the body? Would protect the sensor and keep out most of the dust.
Being that I inherited a Hasselblad 500 C, 500C/M and a SWC, I am really interested in a digital back. Since Hasselblad won’t sell the CFV 50c II individually, I surmise that I will have to purchase the 907x. Enjoy your videos. Thanks.
I think they just gave the wrong camera to you. For you as a landscape photographer, the better Hasselblad option would be the X1D series!
The whole point of the 907x is that it is modular, yes it also is a design piece, and above all you can use it very well together with the 500 series cameras.
If I read correctly, there also is an option that the you set everything from the back, without using the SLR viewfinder and external light meter. And isn't there a round knob around the shutter button so that you can lock it open on B ?? Then you don't need to use a cable release all the time. But maybe not all 500 series bodies have that. I remember my old one had it.
Great review. I just bought two based on your recommendation 👍🏻 thanks.
Are you going to try out the nikon Z7 ii ?
Why would he? He’d have to give up all his Canon glass. Why would anyone do that unless they were making a switch to another format?
@@jaredwillson3769 iso 64.
Of all the way too many cameras I’ve had, 35mm to 4”*5” I need to scratch the 501+itch one day. But, re your want to upgrade.. I bought a 5DSr new in 2015, stupidly sold it and kept a 7Rii. Files nowhere near so good so that went too, moving to Fuji. Last year I got a brand new 5DSr for £1300 - several sources on line - half price! Sorted. At last green looks green.
People moan about noise but you use a tripod so, durr! If you added one for a fraction of the Hasselblad all your lenses etc. swap over and the 5Div still there when lighting suggests it. Win, win.
BTW, have you seen online reviews of the 5DSr, Fuji GFX and Hasselblad? With, especially, the 45mm TS the Canon was better than the MF cameras with lesser lenses.
these hassy story...remember the 500 ...it was allways too expensive and not usefull out of studio...why ? because it is a studio camera since at least the 60’s and the reflex wave.
60 years after we still discuss that showing an old gran ma 500...( love it so much I buy one each 5 years just for the pleasure).
So this new back, this new camera is full of flaw and compromise but....full of charme.
and charme is often missing in this industry.
thanks Djin and Hasselblad to bring that.
You did not address the lens$ i$$ue. As I own the 503 and a couple of len$e$, this eases the burden cost to a degree. Plus, I love film but finding a day to go to the darkroom is harder and harder. Still at the junction. You put doubts in my mind about the 907X because of the fragility. But would you not say the same about the film back on the Hassie?
Ive been shooting the GFX 50r for over 18months now, never looked back. The added bonus of getting capture one was the icing on the cake or was it the combined $4000 cash back ive got from my body and lenses.
Honestly I joined the 907x group on Facebook. And I hate to say the photos people have posted are not inspiring at all. They all look like basic snapshots. And so like you said only people with money buying but no "actual" photographers.
The cons are all silly. Like being waist level, without evf and the price being too high. 6 grand for a brand new digit back, you must be kidding me. This is even cheaper than I paid for the used leaf aptus 12r.
Why would someone recommend a photo camera for its image quality. That would be insane right 😅 especially for landscape image quality is not that important nor is resolution. Besides the 50r might have the same sensor but the output is much different. But again why buy a camera for its image quality...
Leica s3 is weather sealed, with all the lenses! Three frames a second and it’s all about the optics. They out perform anything else I’ve tried. Even at 200% the images look perfect and the feel of the image has a more film like quality to it. It doesn’t feel digital. Ok, it’s about 30k. But you could spend 15-20k on a full Fuji system especially if you bought the gfx100. The Leica is a better camera for a ten year investment. Less likely to go wrong, much better made. Or just continue to use your film back, industry standard in the old days. Beautiful glass. Can’t beat that. Not weather sealed, that was my thought as you finished off.
Fair comment!.......but somebody will buy it though and think they will get better pictures with it. Thank you for your time...
Dear i would super suggest go for GFX 50S if you really want to get switch over on medium format digital camera for landscape ...
First generation digital always suck. Especially since it's cropped Give it a few generations and it will still suck, because digital sucks. Hasselblad film camera's are amazing.
Same sensor as my Fuji GFX 50r, and that one is not compatible with C1... but i stil want to test it on a tech camera Arca RM3D...
This is the camera used by the (also beautiful) model rather than the photographer :)
I agree. Studio camera, portrait camera, casual landscape but not for a full on workhorse for landscapes and nature work. Not without weather sealing. Too risky, especially with what it costs. Like Leica, you're really paying for the brand name and whilst I like them, I wouldn't buy one as my main camera and they're just too pricey. Which is what it boils down to...the cost. The 50R makes far more sense and even a 1XD does, but I still wouldn't buy one with the Fuji's on offer. It sort of reminds me about guys that use waist level shooters for street photography and this camera might even make a great "yuppy" camera for street photography. Like those that use an M3 or M6 for street, this camera is a "status" symbol. A "red dot", a canted "H". Great pics for a premium.
All these reviews are done outside! Don't any of these amateurs know how to light??😂🤔
The best medium format digital image quality in the world is Phase One but that’s beyond 99 percent of people in terms of price. The next choice is then FUJI precisely because of price in the other direction. Hasselblad holds this difficult middle ground but as with Leica loyalty is profound and so maybe they can make it work where logically otherwise it shouldn’t.
Speaking of "driving a nice car and wearing nice clothes", where's the van?
Seems that it's been in country for over a month, but you still haven't taken possession.
Hi Thomas, did you consider the Leica SL2? And if you did what are your thoughts on it?
After purchasing a Hasselblad 907X who can afford a London studio 🤣🤣🤣
Out of my league but I applaud your honesty in this review. Just got your calendar - thanks.
Why can it not be real medium format. I don't like that bloated FF.
You missed a couple important points. Firstly is the quality of the Hasselblad lenses. Secondly is that people shooting Hasselblad usually do not put price as the priority, though it may be for you. Hasselblad is always in this configuration and that is exactly what makes it different from a Canon for example. In summary, If you are a Hasselblad fan, you will like this camera. If you are not, please...please don’t pretend to be one.
Fancy cellphone camera. Not my cup of tea. However Huawai’s/Leica camera work great.
I was looking to upgrade my X-T2 - I guess that's the Hassy off the list :-)
This camera has an eye-level viewfinder. Just you have to buy it separately. And about the digital back on 501cm, you can connect them by a flash sync cable.
Medium format has always been a big bump in price.
It's also always been about better image quality.
And it's not so much a poser or rich guy thing. People know the name. If you're a pro shooting a Hassy. People know you have quality and the best gear. Same with Profoto , Broncolor, and Elinchrom over Godox.
Weddings used to be 35mm film for the ceremony with a Hasselblad for the over the mantel shots. And people at the wedding recognized the name. And, it was a better quality print.
Seriously, I see it as just getting the name at 50mp. That's done by many. Now for the medium format you should be looking at 100mp or more. Fuji, Hasselblad, or Phase 1 at 150mp.
Everyone shoots with Canon, Nikon and Sony. The Name helps sell high end prints for more. Always has, always will.
And saying this, a high end drum scan from your film will give you a better file then a 50 to 150mp sensor. :-) Use your 35mm digital to proof the look of the shot and Film Hasselblad to get the shot.
I'd still love for a back for a Bronica gs1. As I have the whole kit from the old days. Every lens. Multiple bodies and backs. Still makes amazing shots. Wish a 250mp digital back was available before I die.
It's a studio/fashion camera. Always was.
I’ve used a GFX 50R for 20 months now. I love it so much. The colour, the image quality, the dynamic range and the lenses all amazing. Only thing that bothers me is the lack of a longer telephoto zoom - but of course this would be GIANT on a GFX.
If you ever want to borrow my 50R or any of the lenses I have, please feel free. I’m in Yorkshire and would be happy to send them your way.
That is why I use a couple of GFX50S's. One for the vertical tilt rear screen capability, Ergonomically perfect for my 250mm f/4.0 lens and the tilting viewfinder adapter.
Thomas, it’s ironic to hear you effectively say that digital back is is too slow...whilst emphasizing the need (for you and landscape photographers overall) to take one’s time, not rush, look at the scene from different points of view, etc. Mind you, I use the Canon 1D system, so I’m not speaking as either a Hasselblad or film user. You made time to learn how to use the film system, but not the same camera with a digital back.
I use a rain sleeve even with my weather sealed cameras if the rain is coming down. Easy to use and less cleaning of a wet or dirty camera after a long day in the weather. I use them at the beach or really sandy locations too. The weather sealing isn't up to blowing sand and salt spray on most cameras. I do agree about the histogram. I have no idea how I ever made any images without staring at a histogram before pressing the shutter release.
He seems not be familiar with the old Haselblad cameras
Had to work with a couple of Hasselblad Digital Cameras in my career. Never liked them because of their flaws. And no one is talking about them. Used them only in Studio, and its the most unintuitive Camera ever. Often it just stopped working, and every now and them the outcome was just rubbish.
Sometimes an agency insists on getting Pictures from Hasselblad Cameras. Everyone still thinks that they are somehow better. But for some years now, I decline working with them, only using my trustworthy Nikons and Fujis.
And btw. I enjoyed working with Mamyia Medium format Cameras much much more than with the Hasselblads back in the analogue times.
So if you love the medium format image quality and are open to upgrading from your 5D Mark IV, is an R5 or the rumored high-MP R5S in your future? I'm looking at both, myself (although the latter camera isn't in existence yet).
The juiciness of the MF files in post is a combination of pixel count, per pixel sharpness, fatter more malleable pixels and the general extreme high quality of MF glass. Canon is (finally) doing something great these days but Thomas would end up selling all his SLR glass for RF. The cost of the best RF lenses are on par with the Fuji GF lenses ..so why not take a full step into the image quality high end.
Well, the advantage of switching to the EOS R system for someone coming from EOS SLRs is exactly that you don‘t have to sell all your glass. You would probably replace some of your lenses but you could also do that later rather than sooner as all the EF lenses work perfectly on the R cameras. And since Thomas probably has pretty good lenses, they should be good enough for the higher resolution of the R5 at least or maybe even higher resolutions than that. I am currently mainly using two of my Zeiss Milvus lenses on an R5 and they perform brilliantly. And focussing manually is so much more fun on the R5 than it was on any AF (D)SLR I have ever used. But of course you are right about the other advantages of medium format (though as a hiking landscape photographer I also see some disadvantage with respect to size and weight in particular).
@@haraldselke Yes ..and no. Using an adapter may work but it's not ideal especially when hiking, just unnecessary hassle. And speaking of hiking I find no problem hiking with my GFX gear. The 50S+GF23 are about the same size and weight as the 5D2+21ZE I used to have (and love). The camera hangs off a Peak design Clip on my backpack sholder strap. Fuji has made an effort of doing small (and slow) glass for this purpose. For me the GFX system is the ultimate system when it comes to hiking for landscape photography and I hike a lot.
@@hauxon You are certainly right with respect to the Fuji system. For a medium format system it really is very small and lightweight. Whoever wants to see if that is a feasible alternative, should check with their priorities and way of taking photographs. Besides the lenses mentioned in my earlier post, my most used lens which I almost always carry with me is a 70-200mm f/4. Maybe a light-weight equivalent is available for medium format, I haven‘t checked. Also, I use a filter system which would probably also have to be bulkier for a medium format system. My main point, however, was that switching from EF to RF does not mean that you have to buy a whole lot of lenses. So far, my adapter has been sitting on the camera all the time - so no hassle at all. If I were to switch frequently between EF and RF lenses, I would probably buy a second adapter and would leave the adapters on the EF lenses. And since I rarely go hiking with more than three lenses, two adapters would be the maximum I‘d need. But then again: That‘s me. Your mileage may vary.