Hasselblad X1D(II) + XCD 45P vs Leica SL2 + Sigma 45 for Street | Part I

This is Part I of a review of two remarkable (autofocus capable) "camera and lens"-combinations for travel and street photography:
Hasselblad X1D II with the Hasselblad XCD 45p f/4
Leica SL2 with the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN
Part I starts with a comparison of the two systems and then delivers a comprehensive review of the Hasselblad combo with a focus on the Hasselblad XCD 45p lens (the "p" here is important :)
The Hasselblad XCD 45p is in my opinion the "best value" lens in the Hasselblad XCD lens system. In the video I also show sample images taken with the XCD 45p.
Part II (to come) will then provide a detailed review of the Leica SL2 and Sigma 45mm lens combo. The Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN is a highly affordable (around $400) L-Mount lens which cooperates perfectly with the Leica SL2, SL and Leica SL2-S.
Watch in 4K to avoid video compression artefacts.

[@petergregory7199]

For street work the crop factor of the HB is a big plus. Being able to keep some distance from the subject means less intrusiveness. Having said that, some of my best street moments were done on Leicas. They are good at swooping in to click at the right moment. I always found viewfinders were a nuisance. Best to learn the lens and do without them altogether. Shoot first, Crop later!

[@satyarod]

Happy to see this video as I have both of these 😃

[@key2adventure]

Agree so much on the quality of the Hasselblad using the exact same lens and camera. Amazing good quality. See very much forward to post-corona where I can travel with my cameras again. Havent used the hassy abroad just yet.

[@luojiexu]

Sigma has an I series 35mm compact lens coming out, that would make the angle of view comparable. Maybe you can try that one as well?

[@jochenkraus7016]

The 35mm is also faster (F2) which probably helps in low light and dof if needed.

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Although seemingly not ideal, I find that my Fujifilm GFX 100S coupled with the GF 45mm f/2.8 a surprisingly good street photography combo. Although somewhat large and heavy compared to the X100V, the IQ and cropping ability is awesome and I find myself using this combo more and more frequently.

[@mathphotographer]

Agree Todd, this combo is really fantastic and that size is a bit larger is no showstopper :)

[@derrickdu]

I have been using the X1DII 45P so often that my Full frame DSLR Is starting to collect dust. The image quality is just AMAZING. The COLORS!!! Question for @mathphotographer or anyone, is there another camera system that produce the same colors as the Hasselblad? Thank you.

[@annenominous7220]

Leica body with Leica lens = best image possible. Hassy has fine image quality, but its more like an old box camera than a modern camera :)

[@laurencegoldman4639]

@@annenominous7220 The 907x color quality and spatial staging is superior to any digital Leica images I’ve seen.

[@dougmcminimy8199]

Great video. FYI The Pentax-FA 645 75mm f/2.8 weighs in at 215 grams. So, about 30% lighter than the Hasselblad. We learn something new every day :-)

[@chrislonardo]

I have an X1D II, SL2, and M10 Monochrom. The X1D II is occasionally fun for street, but is slow, with non-competitive AF. The Sigma 45/2.8 is.. meh. To me, shooting manual M glass like the 35/1.4 FLE on the SL2 is amazing for street- I have hard infinity stops + a real DOF scale for zone focusing on the street, a focus tab, and minimal size/weight. The Leica L-mount lenses are all enormous, but incredible, as you know.

[@4kpariswalk443]

你喜欢用哪个相机📷多一点？

[@chrislonardo]

@@4kpariswalk443 definitely the SL2 for street, but the X2D would be a more difficult call, it's a much quicker camera.

[@4kpariswalk443]

@@chrislonardo：Merci！我定了一个Apo 35mm f2,接下来会在SL和M中选择一个，谢谢你的指点！我也想买一个SL3,如果等镜头到了可以能巳经出新型号的SL。哈哈😄！

[@gilscharf]

The CL has a L mount pancake lense

[@randolphcroft4212]

That's my pocket pro. And I have used that 18mm on my SL2, as well.

[@bongjovi4168]

I currently use the hassleblad setup. I'd be amazed if you're able to get as sharp images with a correct colour science using the sigma contemporary lens. Looking forward to seeing the results in the future videos :)

[@amaimani]

Great review. I loved the details of Hassy and 45P lens.. Would love to hear your views on 907x and how to utilize the DB on film cameras and on a 4x5 format. Happy 2021 to you and your fans. Abdul

[@asamakhtar86]

Hi, I would love to see a detail review on the Leica S3. There is not much content in the you tube on the Leica S3. Thanks.

[@NikCan66]

Always brilliant & informative

[@nihatkurkcu9927]

Would be great if you could the 3rd video and compare ! Thank you for the great videos.

[@LucyS565]

Great review Math! Thank you!

[@davidalekhuogie8126]

I’m curious as to how the 907x fits into this comparison. I’ve ordered the 907 along with the 45 primarily for the size and it being non intrusive.

[@daniell2572]

Me too

[@NRecob]

Hasselblad X1D ii here I come.

[@iamsouthafrican3655]

You can’t compare the two cameras the hasselblad is cropped medium format, I own both. The hasselblad wins hands down

[@Bayonet1809]

Anyone can compare anything, even apples and oranges,

[@fimbulphoto377]

Great video, as always. Please, please, please compare the image quality. With the SL35 lens on the Leica, it would be the ultimate heritage camera comparison.

[@iamsouthafrican3655]

Lol, you guys of course you can compare but it’s not a fair comparison, in terms of sensor size, in fact I shoot on the Nikon D850 and I have compared the images from the SL2 to the Nikon and I saw very little difference in picture quality, a would give the Leica maybe a slight very very very slight advantage over the Nikon. I am commercial photographer so for me the camera is about performance and picture quality. I am still new to the Leica sl2 so I have a lot to learn, I have a number of questions

[@jimbuch4179]

@@iamsouthafrican3655 Hello, I compared to SL2S to the D850 which I owned for several years... In low light, the SL2S is really better than the D850 that i loved until I tried the other ! And I decided to buy the SL2S to replace my D850. Files from the SL2S are really incredibly proper ! And noise is really well limited ! Maybe it is because of the sensor. More definition brings more noise... now i'm sure of it ! But for me it makes the difference ! In fact, maybe the difference can also come from the lens combined with the body and the couple can produce different results. Not all lenses are valuable for all bodies... The problem I saw when I considered Hasselblad was not the reputation of the make but there is no clear idea with the future of this make. They go for Drones... they sale historical productions, but there is no real innovation and no clear plan where they want to go ! Leica is different on that point. That based my actual decision for Leica.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Take along a Fuji x100 v - if it gets nicked no issue / you can afford at least 4 more for the cost of a digital Hassie or Leica 😎😎😎

[@mathphotographer]

The Fuji X100V is dope, currently almost everywhere sold out. I don't think it can compete with medium format but its dope for sure :)

[@hennievangalen1603]

The Elephant in the room is system weight. SL2 with native L mount lens weigh halve a Kilo more compared to the Hasselblad. There is no excuse for the SL2. Leica can do this.

[@tomislavstanich9379]

Why not comparing the LEICA S2 or S3 with Hasselblad? That would be more natural because of the symmilar sensor size?

[@wolper2155]

Hallo Math. Alles Gute und Gesundheit im neuen Jahr. Grüße aus Germany

[@mathphotographer]

Herzlichen Dank und ebenfalls beste Wünsche für 2021.

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Nice & Thanks :)

[@meshackgaolathe6492]

In Africa Leica cameras are very uncommon and very unknown. If you are to hide the Leica logo it might be in places where Leica is well known.

[@TwistedTruth]

Definetely not a review of budget photography

[@MikeKleinsteuber]

The Blad is truly terrible to use. Very slow and clunky. Vers 1 that is. 2 may be better