The Most Beautiful Digital Camera that I've ever used!

[@farron4376]

Off topic and I'm not sure if this has been talked about much, but I really enjoy the idea of Manny using little to no jumpcuts in his mic recordings. It's genuine and feels like having an actual discussion with him. Just something I wanted to point out. As always, appreciate the fantastic review, Manny!

[@nickguzman1734]

The panning in this video were incredible. Great video Manny

[@BoostLeekdMedia]

I spotted 2 Hassleblads at a camera store in Montreal...totally agree with you that they are VERY B-E-A-utiful lookin' cameras

[@cellardoor7500]

This was a great review. Love your passion for photography

[@michelvanryswyk8560]

Hello Manny, I can hear your enthusiasm shine while you speak, thank you for your insight on this beautiful camera! Greetings from 🇨🇦

[@Aci-de8zm]

So refreshing to see a camera review that doesn't just compare specs. The emotion attached to using a product and how it makes you feel is very important, and the Hasselblad X2D is certainly the best camera for this!

[@trogdor]

That’s awesome your dropping this on the heels of the GFX100 II release. These almost-medium / larger than full frame cameras can create some incredible images - but most won’t notice because of how people view images.

[@jacobh5817]

I’ve been using the X2D in the studio the past 6 months. It replaces an older Hassy H and for a short while I’ve also used GFX cameras. This is hands down the best medium format camera for fashion and beauty photography, I’ve ever used. Like you said, color is phenomenal and the files are so easy to grade. The new lenses are superb. I don’t mind the lack of AF-C mode or video. There are some issues that Hasselblad need to solve in firmware though and I hope that year’s end they’ll release the new 90mm, but so far I’m very pleased with it. It’s so much easier to handle than the big H6D I used before. I use the X2D next to a couple of SL2s and SL2-Ss to cater for more run-and-gun type of work. It makes a great combination.

[@Bob4golf1]

I have had my X2D for about 7 months (I came from the X1Dii) and it's still blowing my mind. I agree with all that you say but would add 2 elements that you may not have had time to experiment with. 1) The 7-stop 5-axis In Body Stabilization feature allows me to shoot hand-held at 1/3 second shutter speed and still get tack sharp images! Every time! This blows my mind! I shoot a lot of landscape and floral images and I don't even bother to carry a tripod with me anymore. 2) Since Medium Format cameras always have a leaf shutter in the lens there is no more sync speed. You can shoot up to 1/1000 sec without too much loss of light. Unlike the focal plane shutters in 35mm land you never get a black bar at the bottom because no part of the sensor is ever covered. More like shooting in bright sunlight. As you point out, there are a few drawbacks to MF cameras but they are few and when you get home and put your images on a large screen it's always WOW time! Good Video Manny! (you need to make the leap into the Hasselblad MF world - come on over, the weather is just fine!)

[@jacobh5817]

As a fellow X2D user, I totally agree. However, medium format cameras don’t all have leaf shutters that allow for high sync speeds. Hasselblad H and X do, as well as Phase One. Leica S does too and has in fact a dual option: curtain for lenses without leaf shutter, and the leaf shutter for the CS lenses. Pentax and Fuji GFX don’t have a leaf/central shutter. Their sync speeds are limited to 1/125th or so.

[@Bob4golf1]

I stand corrected, thansk!@@jacobh5817

[@sekaf4125]

What are your thoughts on using this camera for landscape?

[@sekaf4125]

I heard a firmware was coming to have eye detection focus?

[@jacobh5817]

@@sekaf4125 yes, I’ve been told so by a Hasselblad rep. I’m using the X2D for fashion and beauty. I don’t care about AF-C, but would love to see eye-AF. However, since Hasselblad is a rather small company, they’re generally slower to release new products and firmware.

[@UListenHere]

Thanks for the informative, superb video. I use the X2D with 2.5 55v since march 17 2023 and i love it. It tooks my a while, coming from analog/digital, to figure out its possibilities. The colors and details are unbelievable. I use phocus ( Hasselblad ) import files from camera. Mostly take nature, landscape or city and architecture, seldom portraits or street. Does all this superb.

[@williamsolis1]

These MF cameras remind me of film in the sense of slowing down and being intentional with each shot. Beautiful, I do look forward to the day where the readout speeds improves

[@puredistancegolf]

Stunning camera. More like what you'd expect a camera would look and function like in 2023. Wish more camera companies would adopt larger LCD/OLED rear screens and mobile device like menus and user interfaces.

[@goyogannon1970]

You are an awesome photographer, great use of lighting and posing models and location choices. Amazing production in your videos, plus i always learn something from every video you post... as well as buy products.. so it costs me money every time too.

[@97nelsn]

My first Medium Format camera I used was a Hasselblad X1D from an MPB Meet up last year and it was amazing to see how the image quality looked. Makes me wish I had the money to invest in a Hasselblad camera.

[@JohnCarlosMartinez]

🔥🔥🔥 That 1TB internal storage 👌🏽

[@MrObrienneil]

The holy grail of cameras ❤❤

[@garyc6183]

I've owned several Hasselblad film cameras throughout my lifetime. They have always been amazing to shoot with. I still own one and three lenses. I just can't bring myself to part with it. Even though I no longer shoot film, with an adapter, I am able to use the lenses on my Sony cameras. The images I get always have a certain, special look to them.

[@dakotaxu4792]

That shot with the traffic lights…… DOPE!

[@rajoosolanky780]

I totally agree with you. Days have come to define yourself & prioritise as Photographer or Videographer. Hence use the best tools available at your disposal

[@Demullete]

3:25 for this i got a bitter experience. First. My DJI Air 2 crashed and fell into the sea. Nothing survived from the drone, except the micro SD card. What's frustrating is that there was a cool footage saved in the internal memory because the external memory was full. The micro SD card falling into the sea wasn't a problem, it was submerged in seawater but the memory remained intact. Unlike the internal memory, which we couldn't do anything about. And that footage couldn't be saved. Second. It was when someone stole my camera bag along with the camera inside. But the photos and videos remained safe because we kept the memory separate. Hopefully, my experience serves as a lesson for other photographers or videographers.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

This unique and ways better UI than any other camera brand is not only on X2D, there is quite the same on Hasselblad H6D, A6D, X1D, X1D II, 907X

[@chloescanlon1107]

Mmm. When you were testing the Fujifilm GFX 50Sii the AF lacking great face detect was an issue. All of a sudden it’s not.

[@ianslingsby3415]

Love this review the honesty the passion thank you Manny.

[@Joe32942]

This is a dream camera for commercial work. A Leica Q will get you in the game waay cheaper (I mean the first Q which is still plenty good) and your street photography will look much more lively. I have both but I wouldn't go out and shoot random street photography with it, landscape and architecture probably, but this aside its a nice studio commercial stuff.

[@Mr.Nautis]

It’s a fun camera to shoot on. Love the 100MP. Detail is unreal. File size is big. That’s a price you pay to really be able to play around with the image as much as possible, especially when cropping in. To mitigate this I say shoot with intention but leave room to play. I will admit I was happy to go back to my Sony a7iv w/ Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 art lens as that’s my main camera/lens I shoot with daily/professionally. Will have to play with the X2D again in a better setting/setup next time.

[@71sbeetle]

I've been shooting film medium format (and 35mm) lately, really enjoying it! Slowing down and planning every shot and the best is not knowing the results until I develop it later that day/following day

[@DonaldHawk]

Ironically I just was able to pick up the X1D II 50C and 45p. Agree these are beautiful systems. Hoping to bring back some enjoyment.

[@walkingmeditation61]

I love mine !!! best user interface !

[@touchtennis]

“Talk to any Leica shooter” only because you’ll never find a Hasselblad shooter to ask! 😂

[@strippedlist]

:)))))))))))))

[@blueridge8992]

I know of exactly 2 Hasselblad shooters, and they’re both world famous portrait photographers lol. Funny enough, both of them also use Fuji X-T2s and X100Vs.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

@@blueridge8992not as big of a jump from full frame to medium digital

[@dcwaku]

Obviously you don’t know very many professional photographers, Hasselblad’s have been a studio standard for decades.

[@strippedlist]

obviously you are brainwashed@@dcwaku

[@MrJupton1]

Love medium format! grew up and started my photog career shooting 6x6 & 6x7 220/120 film cameras. You're right... Nothing like the image quality! Think if you are a serious pro, you're gonna use a medium format. IE Phase One, Blad, digital system. Of course you're gonna pay the price but it sure as hell is worth it!

[@herbon93s]

i also shoot like you most of the time..its easier to get your composition right or i would say its more effortless and make us more aware of the surrounding.

[@abchappell01]

Those photos were really nice 👍🏾👍🏾

[@richardbudai9590]

I was waiting for this for soooo long! I am on the market for a x1d II, so curious to see this video too.

[@juanarroyo5324]

Manny that will be my next camera !! Thank you so much for this awesome review .

[@chrisignacio1791]

Manny Thank You 🙏🏽For Sharing Your Gift Of Photography ❤

[@johnw.3636]

These images are stunning!

[@cvelz]

Great review because at the end of the day it's all subjective and you're a real photographer showcasing really beautiful work, not just a camera. Hasselblad should sponsor you and give you all the equipment and pay you for real.

[@trevorpinnocky]

you’re definitely gonna buy this camera. I’m calling it now. ;)

[@babajaiy8246]

How was the Hasselblads manual focus mechanism?(feedback). When I first started photography 45 years ago when it was only film, I had a Canon AE-1 that had a supurb split screen focus. It was super thin and precise yet at the same time easily visible in all light conditions and at the same time did not interfere with looking at the subject for composition. When I got my first digital camera and the same split screen was no longer, I was so dissapointed. I felt cameras took a step back instead of forward. I'm only just getting used to trusting autofocus on the new digital cameras, and getting good focus all the time. But there's something about having good clean feedback that doesn't interfere with the look of your subject at the same time. I still haven't come across a digital camera that allows you to do it(manual) as good as that old AE-1 I had.

[@skepsys]

can someone explain why smartphone quality lcd's are not standard in mirrorless cameras in 2023? what is the technical obstacle they can't get over in order to implement such screens?

[@kenrhem]

Battery life. Phone screens murder batteries.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@kenrhem plus processing power. The general purpose processor of basically all cameras is significantly slower than that of a modern, high end smartphone.

[@joelsjodin]

But also simply cost it would be a way more expensive product

[@Gundolf300]

Battery life and money. High end phone screens are really expensive and swallows battery life for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[@krishnastock]

Price! Would you pay $400-500 more for a camera that can produce the same results for less? Smartphones sell in the 100's of thousands to millions. Nowadays even the best high end cameras don't sell anywhere near that quantity!

[@robertoryuk]

insane quality bro !

[@Vahagraphy]

strongly considering buying this camera. btw , what are you using for your B Roll video shots of the model? Amazing quality. great video.

[@g1998k]

Thanks for the video. I have been shooting with Hasselblads and own a few as well. Your description can easily relate to the X1Dii as well but thumbs up on your enthousiasm.!! And yes, you really need a wrist strap when shooting with this gear man....

[@spdcrzy]

The COLORS! My god.

[@DanSme1]

I LOVE minimalist tools. I’d love to play with one.

[@Lastman10101]

Love this camera so far

[@rolandrickphotography]

The reason why RED have become so popular (around 12:44) is the compressed raw digital movie format they developed and kept it for themselves. Since Blackmagicdesign developed their own amazing BRAW, you can get the same quality at a much more affordable price. The URSA Mini Pro 12K nails it, awesome high res slo mo features, the Cinema Pocket Camera model supports also vertical mode for productions targeting Smartphone specific purpose. In about 2 days they have massive new announcements. DaVinci Resolve supports Apple Metal (Adobe still doesn’t), Open GL and CUDA (nVidia required, only available for PC) and if you once switched away from Premiere, you never go back. DaVinci outperforms Pr by factor 10 to 100 or so. I’m a Mac user, to me Pr is totally no go, not one single Adobe product utilities the GPUs on Mac, even telling you they do so. It’s not true, just start up Activity Monitor, open by Cmd+3 and Cmd+4 the meters for CPU and GPU and do some export from Pr or work with LrC or Ps. Zero, even on M Macs. Check what happens using FCP or DR. Jaw dropping experience.

[@pkennethv]

Not gonna disagree with you on video performance but recent versions of LR Classic do use the GPU on Apple silicon a decent amount, as can be seen by MX Power Gadget

[@rolandrickphotography]

@@pkennethv I'm watching this in Activity Monitor. True is since M Macs at least a little bit of M GPU is utilised but still far too less in comparison to other software. Pr Pro I can't compare, I have only the Photo subscription everything else is FAR to expensive. DR, FCP, C1 and Affinity Photo I can *purchase* at a much lower price. And I really don't like the subscription model.

[@pkennethv]

@@rolandrickphotography an export of pics from LR Classic on M1 Pro for me has GPU utilization at ~85%

[@rogiervdheide]

how is this comment relevant to the Hassy being reviewed in this video?

[@rolandrickphotography]

@@rogiervdheide That's a good question. Frist: I posted accidentally the wrong time code, it should be 12:20. Second: Yes, it has nothing to do with Hasselblad, I just wanted to clarify why RED has become so popular. There is nothing special with the sensor, lenses etc., you can use the same lenses over all that systems, Canon, Fuji, etc., whatever suites your needs best. But when it comes to Hasselblad, it's a whole different thing. They adjust each camera individually to even out any glitches in tolerances, for getting (amongst other things) the best and equal results for the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS). That's jaw dropping. Well, I assume I forgot to mention that point in my original comment. Thanks for asking and giving me the chance to add this lines.

[@jaughnekow]

amazing photos.

[@roadrider_2771]

This has been on my wishlist since it came out 🥰

[@kenrickhadley4499]

Manny, what is it about camera design? Even when some cameras are just sitting on a desk they look gorgeous, and forget about holding them, then it's love bordering on obsession.

[@maximewong3415]

This is photography dream my God 🎉🎉

[@oxynupe2k2]

Broski, I've been dying for camera manufacturers to move towards internal storage. I realize they want to make money on cards, but we only need one slot for backup if internal storage is available. AND it would be fast!!!!

[@hankdinardo4308]

Manny did Fuji send you a GFX 100ll? Everyone seems to be raving about its form factor and the handling. Great video specs as well.

[@TheRhettjohnson707]

1tb internal ssd is amazing!!! We need that in every high end camera

[@Takeonm]

Beautiful camera, great review

[@noenken]

13:15 The 90mm f/2.5 is the last piece of the puzzle. They have it on their Twitter profile banner ... but it almost feels like false advertisement at this point. It's been over a year now since the announcement. Still, Hasselblad is one of ... very few companies at this point that offer products purely for photography. I hope it stays that way. I can also very much recommend the X1DII as a first step into the system. It is a big jump up from the first generation X1D, that one was more of a proof of concept than a finished product. A used X1DII gives you the same sensor size, the same lens portfolio, the same workflow as the X2D but at roughtly one third the price. In my mind it is the best value medium format digital right now.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

It looks good, it feels good, it handles well. It does color and light like no other. It's killer. And it costs about the same as an M-11with the recommended M-11 50 on it. No comparison, X2D us way better. I have the XCD 55v with mine and it is great. I have also shot with the Skyllaney Bertele and Cooke Amotal (Leica M-mount lenses) and the HB sensor and color science makes them sing. You're right, it is a kick-ass camera. It is hard to use other cameras after using the X2D. Your models will love it too as it is detailed but flattering to the skin SOOC.

[@KienVirak_]

Thank you so much brother for sharing your ideas ❤

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!! I'm gonna need to pick one of those up!!

[@Naku-SomewhereYouAreNot]

I was totally involved almost emotionally as you described its beauty. I sooooo love to have technology that includes quality craftsmanship. Things done right with style. I had to look it up. I've recovered now. The sticker shock was financially debilitating. ;) Oh well, I'll have to settle with envy. The shots of her from the right with the sun off her left side, literally for me, cause to pause.

[@chriscanon5278]

Ya ya great camera blah blah, forget that! Manny you’re the absolute best out there! 100% real 100% honest, 100% no bs. Thank you for doing what you do man!

[@gregoryzigah3947]

One of my dream cameras 😍

[@kemarbell]

Such a beautiful camera bro 🤤

[@CalvinRobinson]

Thanks Manny!! I was so torn between picking this camera or the Leica SL2. I decided on the Leica. Just 2 weeks in and I'm in Love. I'm sure I would've loved the Hassie too!

[@DESIGNS-vo1mt]

I truly wish Canon, Sony, and Nikon would go back to the days of photo-only cameras. With today's tech they could all easily compete with Hass if they weren't trying to design every camera for youtubers!

[@chrislognshot]

that is camera on my list to own beside phase one camera for portraits shooting. will get marco lens for it for doing head shots and half body shots too. want to pull out most or all details out for person. what sucks i not sport camera which i do the most

[@Cestariarts]

It's funny, people call this medium format, but the sensor size isn't even a 6x4,5 frame which is the smallest medium format film size ever.

[@georgiosc41]

I would suggest to look at the Leica TL2, i think you will like it as well.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Yes Leica UI's are much better than any japanese, but for me having X Hasselblads and a Leica Q, Hasselblads have the better UI

[@Htownthanos]

Hey Manny I love your work. I don’t have a third light yet and wanted to know if you could share a two light , or if you made a video about it what’s the name of it?

[@georgesealy4706]

Yes, it is a great-looking camera.

[@therealscoobydoo]

Pics are nice; however, you can get a similar look with an old CCD camera. Albeit, they will not be as sharp.

[@photophilsteingard8374]

I'm hearing lots about the new Fuji GFX 100ii curious to know your thoughts between these 2 cameras

[@PIRRYLATT]

I'm wondering how the sensor stays free of dust especially if you're changing the lens outside and with wind blowing. Does the sensor vibrate?

[@cameraprepper7938]

The XCD 2,5/90V can reach a shutter speed up to 1/4000s, and delivers flash sync at all speeds You also have to try the new Fuji GFX 100 II

[@kh1188ish]

question about the internal storage... what happens if you drop and break the camera? That would suck but to add insult to injury, how do you get the photos? Obviously other cameras you just pop the SD card out.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

Oh well

[@davejenx]

I remember the first version has the best grip of any camera I've ever used and that's a lot

[@David_Aguirre92]

Hey man awesome video. What's the brand of the black tshirt you are wearing in the studio if you don't mind. Thanks

[@robertgrenader858]

Dude, I shot a gig last night and held my XT-4 out in front of me all evening. I thought, "gee, like Manny."

[@jonathanalfred9847]

Really nice camera. Was the camera gifted to you ?

[@0zymanndias773]

I’ve owned 2 leicas but man, a hasselblad is a dream

[@vorpled]

Great video. Is the SSD replaceable? If not, the life of the camera is the life of the SSD, and they are an item that wears out.

[@TechnoBabble]

And cameras wear out anyway. Buttons, dials, displays, shutters, etc. all have limited lifespans. A high end, high capacity modern SSD should last as long as any of those components.

[@vorpled]

@@TechnoBabble It's not about whether it should, it's what options you have if it doesn't.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@vorpled you mean like all of the other not easily replaceable parts of a camera or lens that can fail...? I'm just really not seeing what the problem is. If they make it easily user swappable that would introduce a whole host of other problems.

[@bngr_bngr]

SSD’s don’t wear out they fail. If a lens stops working then you use another lens.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@bngr_bngr SSDs absolutely wear out. What happens if your shutter fails?

[@ryzeruffort]

And Sony Makes Hasselblad's sensors. But I love their design.

[@StylezDj23]

Hey Manny have you tried the new Neewer Q4 400w light, what are your thoughts?

[@Ryanphotos1]

Anyone know where I can find sounds like this at the beginning of the video? New to this and would like to try similar sounds. Thank you kindly

[@ErikWithaK63]

More X2D reviews Manny please 👍 👍 V lenses also.

[@EZ-lj3hv]

That woman made a video about the way you are holding you camera and told you it was wrong, seriously? I hold it in many ways like you do, the external screen allows for so much more flexibility and comfort and also helps making better compositions. My 2 cents. Yeah that Hassleblad is our dream camera for many of us :-)

[@stkuj]

Need a Hasselblad VS GFX video!

[@mredben]

In a few weeks or months you have something else that you find great and better?

[@sroject1450]

Wts Ur vedio camera gear .. 🙃

[@PaulEnoch]

Which video cam did you use on that photoshoot?

[@KTurner212]

what camera did you use to take the video?

[@rbj.photography]

Great video, but I must say to hear you bash Nikon over the years about it's poor eye auto-focus and then to watch you back track on this issue with the Hassleblad (having no eye auto focus) is a bit interesting to me. I have always felt that photographers need to know how to shoot period; eye autofocus or not. You always talked about not having to think about focusing and only concentrating on composition but now you thinking differently when it comes to Hassleblad. Moving forward we should never hear another negative thing about Nikon's eye auto focus. Just use the same approach that you are using for your X2D right? Obviously, I just giving you a hard time. Your work and videos are great. Keep up the awesome content. Thanks Manny!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Indeed the Hasselblad focuses on the nearest eye of the detected face, and you can choose what face you want in a group of people with what manufacturers call eye autofocus it focuses per default on the nearest eye but if you want you can switch to the far eye. Thats the only difference between the two systems.

[@bubiorbi9818]

Imagine hasselblad were to release a cinema camera with that sensor and color science. Damn

[@Chris-ey7zy]

What flash system does Hasselblad use? Is it Nikon? Or single pin?

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

It is Nikon i-TTL flash without Nikon CLS functions

[@phelix920]

👍🏾I agree sir. Still liking your work bruh. Phelix

[@definingslawek4731]

I’d like to see Sony come out with some true medium format sensors cause in film 645 is considered to be kind of small and for portable use and that’s still way bigger than these modern digital medium formats. Full frame is: 36x24mm Digital “medium format”: 44x33mm Image size on 645 MF film: 56x42mm

[@jacobh5817]

Hasselblad (H6D) and Phase One offer uncropped medium format sensors. You pay for it though (in size and price)…

[@definingslawek4731]

@@jacobh5817 Idk what you mean by cropped, they're still a little bit smaller than 645 which is the smallest of the medium format range. But that's good to know thank you, I didn't ralise Hassy had one too.

[@jacobh5817]

@@definingslawek4731 they’re marginally smaller than the film versions: 54x40mm, but around 50% larger than the cropped sensors of the Hasselblad X and Fuji GFX system.

[@Keyboardwarrior42]

Manny which strobes do you use for the hasselblad?

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

It's a licensed Nikon i-TTL flash system

[@Keyboardwarrior42]

@@jean-claudemuller3199 thank you bro

[@LakerTriangle]

😭 I don't shoot Comercialy anymore but still want a MF! The light to dark transition are gorgeous!

[@afcl1984]

I’ll just keep dreaming with a medium format digital camera😢. Nice video, thanks.

[@MichaelFreechild]

Black and white might be a vibe with this one.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

That's one of Hasselblads drawbacks, no B&W in camera RAW preset with B&W viewfinder.

[@DirectorNachoB]

Can you test the PhaseOne camera ?

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Phase is a totally different camera, it's a monster in weight and size