Hasselblad X2D 100c + XCD 2.5/38V - HIGH ISO Street Photography

Is the new Hasselblad X2D with the new Hasselblad XCD 2.5/38V lens good for (low light) street photography? I shot this new Hasselblad camera-lens combo with a newly developed 100MP sensor on an early Saturday morning in Zurich in order to answer that question.
Content:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 What street photography is all about
01:48 Comparison to the Leica Q2: 28mm vs 30mm FF equivalent FoV
03:26 Comparison to the Sony RX1R II (very small FF sensor camera)
03:56 Comparison to Leica-M rangefinder cameras
04:24 Comparison with the Nikon Z fc and the Leica D-Lux 7
05:16 The Hasselblad X2D has a significantly improved autofocus
05:51 Zone focussing with the new Hasselblad 2.5/38V lens
06:16 Beautiful early morning time to go for empty streets
06:49 Street photography live - shooting photos early morning in Zurich
07:53 Discussion of sample images
12:05 Conclusions
Watch in 4K to really see the image quality!
See also my other videos on the new Hasselblad X2D:
NEW Hasselblad X2D 100c Hands-on and First Shooting:
• NEW Hasselblad X2D 100...
NEW Hasselblad X2D + XCD 2.5/55V Focus Field Control without Joystick:
• NEW Hasselblad X2D + X...
NEW Hasselblad X2D Long Exposures at NIGHT:
• NEW Hasselblad X2D Lon...
NEW Hasselblad X2D Dynamic Timelapse Tutorial:
• NEW Hasselblad X2D Dyn...
Since the new Hasselblad XCD 2.5/38V, 2.5/55V and 2.5/90V now have distance and depth of field scales on the lens, these new XCD lenses are suitable for “zone focussing” in the same way as Leica-M lenses. I will post a short quick tip on that topic next weeks on my channel.
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Music (if applicable):
epidemicsound.com (licensed)
storyblocks.com (licensed)
motionarray.com (licensed)
#Hasselblad #hasselblad_camera #StreetPhotography #LowLight

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I watched this again, and again! So good. You made me buy the XCD 55V now! Thank you

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Once again, knowledgeable, concise and well-presented. Thank you for taking the time to do, again, such a good job. The photos of the Kirche are wonderful.

[@mathphotographer]

Thank you very much, Zoltan.

[@thomasphillips5850]

Thank you , your videos are always great . The images are spot on. The more I watch you , the more I want to sell everything I have and go for the Hassey. You are killing me, thanks again

[@eduardswoboda9836]

Very informativ and on topic... as usual... thanx a lot!

[@KoelschBand]

Your videos are very helpful. Many thanks!

[@BrunoChalifour]

Thanks for the detailed video (again). Are you really sure this is street photography (whose usual focus is human beings and their interactions) and not urban landscape ?

[@doctuppes2]

Dear Mathphotographer - Thanks for all the wonderful videos and the work they required. Watching your content there is one question always on my mind: if you were allowed only one camera amongst that premium bunch you´ve tested so far: which one would you choose?😉

[@mathphotographer]

Thank you Thomas, appreciate the kind feedback. On your question: its very hard to say because different cameras fulfill different purposes. Personal satisfaction for me when shooting is highest with Leica-M rangefinders like the Leica M11. But some of my jobs I would never get done with a camera with manual focus only. Then the Nikon Z9 or Sony A1 have their time to shine. Or, to make another example, architectural photography in Dubai required very wide angle lenses and shift correction which I typically shoot with the Phase One XT or maybe the Fuji GFX100s or the Hasselblad X2D on a Cambo View Camera with adapter. I could continue for a while ... sorry :)

[@zollieuncle9647]

Thanks for the intro to this new model. Brilliant shots! Did you use back button or just half-way press focus & recompose focusing method? The intro to camera models useful to consider for street photography was also interesting, I guess you could have mentioned the Ricoh GR3/GR3x as being probably the smallest APS censored camera for this ganre.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks, I typically use the shutter release half-pressed and then recompose. And thanks for pointing out that I should have mentioned Ricoh and probably also Sigma since these brands make small body / larger sensor cameras for street.

[@BigSlimyBlob]

Very impressed by those results. 30mm is a great focal length. If they'd made a 38P (much smaller, much lighter, much much much cheaper), I'm pretty sure that would have been my favorite lens.

[@RobJorg]

wondering how it compares to the GFX 100s and if they both have the same sensor.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Very nice shots Seen lots of good reviews from that camera (from people who are not affiliated like the shops) . Switching between your channel and Karl's hehe. Thanks for sharing !!

[@mathphotographer]

Pleasure - glad you like the video and the new camera :)

[@ducgerard2361]

The camera and the lens are Great. You took nice photos Very sharp and the colors Are natural. A beautiful combo! Just a little bit expensive....

[@mathphotographer]

Agree - the camera's performance is outstanding but the entry hurdle via price tag is very high.

[@astudent1109]

A very fine and helpful video. @mathphotographer very kindly showed us options for street photography, ranging from Sony RX1 and Nikon CFC to Leica Q3 and Leica M11, and of course Hasselblad X2D. That is a wide range of prices and leads to the question that can one distinguish the output of one from another. Any thoughts @mathphotographer?

[@canal_mr_wolf]

Hi mathphotographer. Is it possible to have some comments comparing X2D and the Phase One IQ3/4?

[@michaelwilson6584]

Great video, as ever. You mention face detect AF. Is that part of a firmware upgrade or is it now as supplied?

[@bennnnft]

It's phase detect

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I have both the XCD38v and XCD55v ... I'd love to see your comparison and how you would use them. I also have the XCD 45p and the XCD 4/21 - from the light adventure kit - but I will keep these as well....the 45p because it's so light and easy go anywhere, and the 4/21 because it is great for landscapes, cityscapes etc. I Love you videos!

[@79Tiamat]

Thank you for the video! Last year I abandoned a X1D-II setup with several lenses in favour of a Canon R5 (the autofocus on the X1D-II was really infuriatingly slow and prone to not track in some situations, more than I had anticipated), but I surely miss the fast sync and ESPECIALLY MISS THE COLOR. When I look back to the images taken with the Hasselblad the one thing that strikes me is how wonderful and at the same time true to reality the color is (with barely any post production needed, but also when post production is needed for some effect, files are supremely robust and do not fall apart). After some use, do you think that this translates also to the X2D and the new 100MP sensor? One day, can you maybe do a comparison on skin tones between X1D-II and X2D, if they are not the same? Greetings and thank you from Ticino ;)

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks Tia! The X2D has the same Hasselblad Natural Color Solution implemented as the X1DII. Colors are just fantastic with the X2D. And yes, I will see if I find time for a review on skin tones, thanks for suggesting.

[@mathphotographer]

And greetings to beautiful Ticino :)

[@pascaldeshayes5459]

Thank you for all these very informative videos! On the Hasselblads : aren't you annoyed by those stars-shaped highlights?

[@mathphotographer]

Not at all - I actually like them, find them charming :)

[@ErwinSerle]

Street photography at the moment the city is empty, Saturday early morning, do not let Joel Meyerowitz hear this ;-)

[@theovanantwerpen]

great,this is what I like. Point is ,should I wait for the second improved version like the xcd 50 I have the xcd50II and xcd lenses also the hc with adopter.Its getting expensive. I'm thinking to buy the adapter fuji G hasselblad H (750euro) and rent a fuji100 ,so that I can shoot with 100 MP.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

this is great. I just bought the Adventure Field Kit which is the X2D with 2 lenses... the XCD 4/21 which I expect would be great for landscapes and the XCD 45/4 P which I'd think is great for street and general travel. I would love to know your thoughts. Thank you for this video. Very inspiring.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks & happy shooting with your new kit :)

[@JasonWendling]

Thoughts on the 55mm vs the 38mm? I see the MTF indicates the 55 is a little less sharp.

[@StreetMusicReportage]

Hi Math, did you already try out the canon ts-e 17mm on the h2d, does it manage to resolve the sensor? Is rolling shutter very bad?And also do you know if is possible to use that lens on the hasselblad digital back?

[@mathphotographer]

Hi - I did not yet try my Canon TSE lenses on the new X2D, this is a project to come. Rolling shutter is also in the making.

[@StreetMusicReportage]

@@mathphotographer thanks

[@tjmanou6422]

thank you. how did the color science compare to phase one, please? im interested in this camera for landscape. thank you

[@mathphotographer]

Phase One has excellent colors as well, they actually are pretty comparable. Phase One is just much more expensive :)

[@user-if5rd8jn6o]

Would be nice to see a 50mp version also the sa.e same as the 100

[@richarddenise3886]

Another reviewer was less complimentary re: AF. I am glad you did not express a similar opinion. Although in fairness, his gripe was with back lit situations. Thanks!

[@mathphotographer]

Autofocus certainly improved on the X2D with the new "V"-lenses and phase detection. With the older XCD lenses the autofocus is still a bit laggy and not as good as with the new XCD "V" lenses.

[@n2kos]

Firstly thank you for your great videos. My question is a choice to buy the X2D or the HD6 100c. I am a photographer and I heed to know just how much better is the HD6 compared to the X2D? Of course the X2D is a lot more portable and had image stabiliser but is the HD6 worth the extra work? Many thanks Nick

[@tjmanou6422]

pls see Mark Taylor commercial photographer. he has a side-by-side comparison I believe and was very impressed with this one over the HD6

[@mathphotographer]

The H6D has only two advantages: the even bigger sensor at same resolution, and the "True Focus" feature which helps you to focus-recompose and the camera calculates for you the focus correction. From all other angles, the X2D is in my opinion the better choice, in particular if you think about the price difference. On True Focus: I hope Hasselblad provides this in the future in a firmware update for the X2D. I do not see any good reason why the H6D has it and the X2D does not have it.

[@tjmanou6422]

@@mathphotographer if X2D allows choosing focus at any location is this even an issue?

[@sunil3135]

Would you say that the weather resistance of the X2D is the same as Leica SL2?

[@Pembers357]

Haven’t tried the X2D yet, but I have the XCD 38mm lens on my X1D II 50C and autofocus is much quicker than with my older XCD lenses.

[@mathphotographer]

Yes indeed - that's what my gut feeling tells me too and what also others are saying who tried it out.

[@Pembers357]

@Heath Holden Feels pretty good. It’s by wire but feels like the 45P. The major benefits are f/2.5, the focus clutch, faster AF, and lovely UQ…but you’d expect that for a lens costing 3x more. Pleased with mine…but 30mm equivalent really appeals to me too.

[@RyanWu6666]

hasselblad is so impressive!!!

[@MrSbozic]

Hi! I have a question about the rear display. When you hold the camera in a position to your face or when you have it on a table. Do you hear and feel that it´s a glitch between the camera body and the display when you tap on the rear display?

[@mathphotographer]

Nope - no disturbing noises at all. Clearly you feel that the display is variable and can be pulled out but there is no disturbing element to it which would concern or distract me from working with the X2D.

[@MrSbozic]

​@@mathphotographer Okej, i guess I am a sensitive guy for me the rattle is disturbing. Thanks for your feedback

[@paulow1624]

my question : can u do f/5.6 but at ISO64 (underexposed few stop )then bring back with expose editing with LR or C1.isn't it better ? i'm a newbie

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks Paul. Yes, the X2D can easily underexpose by 3+ stops and then in LR you pull up shadows and recover easily all info in dark areas. Having said that, for many cameras with ISO invariant sensors this will not make a big difference.

[@mathphotographer]

In more abstract terms: the X2D has a very high dynamic range, means you can satisfactorily recover information in dark or bright areas.

[@ChristianC-kx3ch]

FYI for those tempted by the Hasselblad X2D sample images: they don't reflect the real output. Took the same city shots and the difference was night and day-underexposed and not as vibrant. Plus, it's not ideal for street photography; it's much heavier compared to the Leica M, which delivers amazing photos right out of the box. If you're into street photography, stick with the Leica M for both quality and comfort.

[@Deraeking]

How does the Hasselblad X2D compare to the Nikon Z9?

[@mathphotographer]

The Nikon Z9 is a sports snd action workhorse ... the X2D is a fine art pro camera ... different areas of application

[@smartti1970]

how does it compare with hasselblad H6D 100c ?

[@Baldy3091]

Mathew: If you could only keep either the 45p or the new 38V, which would it be?

[@mathphotographer]

The new 38V would be my choice, William. Its newer and optimized for the new autofocus system of the X2D.

[@Baldy3091]

@@mathphotographer Ok, cool, Mathew. I’ve heard you say how much you like the 45P, so I appreciate the significance of your choice. Thanks …

[@giovanniGLR]

I got an xd2, and im super happy of it , but since I have GAS( to keep it easy but the reasons are much complicated ): do you think that this realase will push the used H6 in the sub 10 k price level ?

[@ic5607]

👍

[@Eliehbk]

Hi, how does high iso compare to the M11? Thank you!

[@mathphotographer]

Both are really good with high ISO, noise behaviour etc.

[@Eliehbk]

@@mathphotographer thank you for your feedback! I recently added the X2D to my M11 and they are close. I’m use the M11 with the 35mm FLE and the X2D with your favorite lens, the 45p. I think the X2D has a little bit of an edge in noise, maybe one stop? The micro contrast as well is better when shooting 16 bit. I also found the color fidelity much better on the X2D. Thanks again, your videos are encyclopedia Britannica for us photographers:)

[@DB-nl9xw]

You could have done some shoots at 12000 and higher ISO. Nice pictures.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks. I would not shoot above 6400 ISO, grain will be very visible.

[@b.dingeldey5193]

Is the X 2D water resistant? The lenses too?

[@lnz971]

NO

[@wieni1]

The body is weather sealed cameradecision.com/faq/does-Hasselblad-X2D-100c-have-Weather-Sealing

[@mathphotographer]

The X2D and its lenses are fully weather sealed - solid like a rock

[@lnz971]

@@mathphotographer weather sealed is not water resistant, the camera and lenses have no IP certification that mean that it mean

[@b.dingeldey5193]

Thank you! I ment weather sealed, sorry. So, I can use it on rainy days or at the beach near by sea!?

[@c73w]

Why not comparing to the Leica Q3?

[@djengsridisini]

i got "super big full frame" nikon d50 and d40, and they are really great, even without editing

[@alecksnichtdabei713]

if I compare X1D images with X2D images - the X2D images look flat in terms of colors. sooo I ordered an X1D.

[@deejayiwan7]

Any camera you do not have? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@mathphotographer]

:)

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

5:29 We are just normal people not heaving special Hasselblad connections for face detection on the X2D 😂

[@mathphotographer]

:)

[@theunheardprophet4315]

I'm always asking where you found the idea to name your channel "mathphotographer". Do you do something with maths at your job?

[@aaronlee2227]

His name, Mathew

[@artistwithcameras]

@@aaronlee2227 😂 I always thought he is a math professor or works for the CIA or something. We never see him and has all these cameras !

[@mathphotographer]

Haha - nice rumours! 😂 Call me Math and you are spot on!

[@artistwithcameras]

Come watch my X1D2 review on my channel

[@theunheardprophet4315]

@@aaronlee2227 oooh that makes sense!

[@ricardoduarte6589]

In 1983, the film era, Eastman Kodak was the most popular manufacturer of negative and positive (slides) films for 35mm cameras. At that time, any film speed, or sensitivity to light was measured in ASA (American Standards Association) or DIN (German Institute for Standardization) scales. The older standard, ASA, used an arithmetic scale. Doubling film sensitivity also doubled its ASA number. DIN used a logarithmic scale, so doubling sensitivity added 3 degrees to the DIN number. Since 1987, digital era, sensor speed is measured in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) which combines arithmetic and logarithmic scales into a single set of standards. In those days, 99% of all films offered, compared to today, a very limited stretch of speed range, from 64 to 1000 ASA, found on Kodak labels such as Kodachrome, Kodakolor and Ektachrome. I remember well shooting with Ektachrome 400 ASA, B&W negative film. Most people shot colour 100 ASA. B&W 400 ASA cost more and was considered a film for fine art professionals. They yielded a much grainier look to the photos. Over today's digital speed sensors parameters, although ASA and ISO supposedly express the very same analog parameters, I am puzzled how come a digital 400 ISO photo is not as grainy as the old 400 ASA film. Today, grainy is called noisy although I find a grainy film picture much different than a noisy digital one. You say, Mathew, that you never shoot above 6.4K ISO with the 100mp 44x33mm (approx) sensor, 68% larger than the full frame 36x24mm - equivalent to the 35mm film size photogram. Applying the right arithmetic downsizing, shooting at 6,4k ISO in medium format equals to approx. 2k in a 35mm film ASA. Well, well, 2000 ASA in 35mm film is way above the fastest Kodak film made in the '80s. A shot under these speed parameters then would produce an almost visual aberration. Can you please enlighten me these technical paradoxes?

[@samdagreater]

The only regret of this product is that video is not supported.

[@mathphotographer]

Yes - but it would not be the first time that video comes later with new firmware ...

[@lnz971]

Rumors said that they remove video because overheating if they can fix it like canon with their R5, we could see a 4k video later on this but you really don't want to buy that camera for video, its like saying my truck have 600hp why i can't go fast with it

[@mathphotographer]

@@lnz971 Interesting rumor, let's see what the next firmware brings :)

[@mredben]

Naja. Für die geknipsten Fotos braucht man aber keine 10.000 Euro Kamera. Vllt. zeigst mal den eigentlichen Sinn der Mittelformat Kameras. Das Nutzen von Ausschnitten und Ausschnittsvergrösserung sind da doch wichtig. Frauenmünster ist das was ich in solch einem Video erwarte ✌️

[@mathphotographer]

Danke für den Hinweis, ich will ehrlich gesagt schon lange an einer Case Study arbeiten, welche die Vorteile der grösseren Sensoren deutlich macht. Insbesondere die besseren Unschärfe-Verläufe bei Mittelformat wenn man weit offen fotografiert.

[@wolfrainerschmalfuss3515]

Unfortunately, no flipp-up screen, an NO GO for me personally, even on any other cameras!

[@mathphotographer]

Flip up screen: yes - see my videos

[@ekssains7302]

nothing special, but why do people want to buy it? face detection by now? some are already for eye detection, outdated, LOL

[@mathphotographer]

People buy Hasselblad because of outstanding image quality and the Hasselblad color science which make a perfect image!

[@lnz971]

Studio Photography, Product photography, Landscape & Real estate photography, by the color science, iq and high resolution this camera is far superior than any canon nikon or sony product. Oh i forgot about your stupidity : LOL

[@ekssains7302]

@@mathphotographer perfect? hmm, maybe buy this because of the brand, and want to impress others. And it will be trash after the next-gen camera come.. basically, it is just trash,.. as iPhone 13 become trash after 14, etc

[@telemaq76]

@@ekssains7302 some photographers still use some 20 or 30 years old hasselblad, even 50 years old. the hasselblad 500cm was in production for 24 years. And it has still some value. and it s not for eye detection

[@mathphotographer]

@@telemaq76 Exactly! And Hasselblad has a great tradition to keep gear downwards compatible. I can shoot a modern Hasselblad digital back on a decades old medium format film camera body like the Hasselblad 500-series.