Wide Angle Lens Envy - Hasselblad XCD 25V Lens Review With the X2D Medium Format Camera

My Photo Book: www.fototripper.com/chasing-a...
Hasselblad sent their new XCD 25V wide-angle prime lens over for a review, but they didn't send it to me! I'm not gonna lie; my ego is bruised.
With the offer of some toffee popcorn, I quickly relieve Amanda of the burden of doing a lens review in a chance to show off my astrophotography prowess.
We head to the beach to test the limits of the Hasselblad XCD 25V to see how it copes with a dark sky landscape. The results are fascinating.
With a bit of pixel peeping, we can see how this wide-angle lens performs at 10" exposures, but I'm curious how it handles a one-hour exposure. Why? Because I can!
I explain three methods of focusing on the stars, and Hasselblad has a unique method that's supposed to work every time. Does it work?
We also went to the forest to see how a wide-angle prime lens with an f/2.5 aperture renders its bokeh. If you've always wanted to see Amanada's photography in action, here's your chance.
Of course, no bokeh test is complete without a shot of Leo posing for the camera.
Which of the three lens-focusing methods do I prefer, and what does my face look like at 2 AM? How did my one-hour astrophotography exposure turn out, and did you hear me correctly when I said, "Book plug"?
There's really only one way to find out.
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
🔘Hasselblad XCD 25V Arrives: 0:00
🔘How This Lens Works: 1:15
🔘Focusing The XCD 25V To Infinity: 2:31
🔘We Get An Early Night: 4:55
🔘Driving To Meat Cove: 6:14
🔘Best Astrophotography Camera Settings: 8:09
🔘My Astrophotography Shot With the XCD 25V: 9:35
🔘Hasselblad X2D Raw Files With XCD 25V Prime Lens at f/2.5: 10:10
🔘Hasselblad X2D Raw Files With XCD 25V Prime Lens at f/3.2: 11:32
🔘Spherical Aberration & Vignetting: 12:36
🔘One Hour Exposure With XCD 25V Prime Lens: 13:35
🔘Bokeh Test With XCD 25V Prime Lens: 15:18
🔘My One Problem With XCD 25V Prime Lens: 16:54
🔘Fototripper Bloopers: 18:03
Thanks for watching
Gavin Hardcastle - Fototripper
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#landscapephotography #XCD25V #hasselblad

[@fototripper]

My New book: www.fototripper.com/stories-within-stories-landscape-photography-book/

[@sophietucker1255]

It could be time for Amanda to have her own channel. We could use some instruction from a serious photographer

[@alandyer910]

Great shots! The green in the sky isn’t aurora, it’s airglow. Very common at all latitudes. The green bands slowly move across the sky. Airglow can be red as well.

[@darrelltheriault5793]

Several weeks ago you requested feedback to help you to improve the views of your videos which had fallen over the past several months. While I didn’t comment at the time, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know I am enjoying your most recent presentations and now look forward to seeing new material. From my perspective, your videos have much more useful information and provide real learning opportunities. The humour has been toned down to a level that now compliments the information rather than being overdone. In short, well done Gavin ( and Amanda), thanks. In any event that’s my opinion, for what it’s worth.

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

I approve of this message.

[@kathyjurgens7153]

We really enjoyed this one! Perfect blend of photography, good humor and good lessons and insights shared. Amanda's photos are terrific! Your galactic core images are magical.

[@travissaunders4686]

Good and proper astro review. Most reviewers skip over coma and astigmatism. From what you showed, this lens really performs well. One of the better lenses out there, for sure.

[@larsj5964]

Really like these Hasselblad videos, thank you

[@lightmeetslens]

Tuesday Morning! What a treat :)

[@bryanswisshelm941]

Always look forward to the videos. I’ll likely never own this lens, but can still appreciate the way you evaluate/review equipment and incorporate a tutorial!

[@Backinthegame.]

Another great Vlog Gavin, you and Amanda put a smile on my face every week.

[@desgardner7169]

Thank you for showing us the picture that Amanda took.

[@peterzpictstube]

I so love the feel of the XCD Bodies. Something to Dream/Aspire to.

[@shaunmadill8866]

That camera and lens are worth more than the whole of Wakefield.

[@mickeystine3100]

i see Amanda having a book come out. 👍👍👍

[@calmdown888]

Funny, informative and with 3 options. Doesn't get any better than that. Thanks Gavin and Amanda.

[@Ourworldinphotography]

Hilarious start to the video 🤣🤣 you guys never fail to make me laugh and educate at the same time 🙏

[@telemaq76]

x2d has a lot of hidden funcition, one is "focus on infinity", you can attribute that function to a button, you press it and bam, you are on infinity. That can be a 4th method ! i didn t know about pressing the infinite symbol on the viewfinder !

[@hostmeto2448]

Love you guys!

[@user-mn6rm8rb1h]

Hi Gavin I’ve been following your channel for a long while now and I really appreciate some of your shots. The one hour shot was awesome. Absolutely loved. Keep it up love you Work.

[@jamespanter4060]

Well done Gavina and Amanda.

[@toddwhitmire9057]

Thank you very much for your lesson on the new lens. I can only imagine how much better it will shoot once you stop rubbing it, Gavin! LOL. You and your wife are a blast to watch, love your videos. I look forward to watching them.

[@jeffreysproule]

I think ill give you and that lens a moment...I'll check back in a bit. Lol, great review and shots!

[@cameragirl5554]

Your kitty is beautiful and was so nice to see a Milky Way shoot again! If you are having trouble with vertigo, we have seen it fixed quickly by a chiropractor and the sooner you go in, the faster it stops. I hope you get relief from it quickly and it doesn't return. That's a bit scary that you are out on cliffs at night with that. We need you to live a lot longer!!!! - a faithful fan

[@ChrisPattonPhotography]

Fantastic shots Gavin, i really like seeing you shoot astro, something i want tonshoot more off. Enjoyed the vlog mate 👍

[@forkintherode8236]

I turned green halfway through this video!! I want one!!

[@luboinchina3013]

You can use Sequator to stack stars and foreground separately and that can greatly reduce the noise and improve colours.

[@StarScaperPhoto]

That airglow looked amazing!

[@martinpriest5446]

looks a amazing bit of kit, but it should be for the price, love the images you got, top marks for Amanda,s image of the roots, great stuff again Gavin, thanks for sharing.

[@es0terra]

It’s no Hassleblad, but I just picked up a new 20mm f/1.8 prime for my Z8…and I LOVE this lens for Astro. Aside from my 14-24 f/2.8 S, there isn’t another lens mirrorless lens I’ve used that is this damn good. Happy shooting to ya.

[@GodIsReal]

I just googled ‘best nature photographers on KZbin’ and noticed that several of those listed abandoned their channel a year ago. And overall, most of them have very limited views. You are still doing really well in this field, even though KZbin seems to have had its best time.

[@DamienCulley]

37,912 unread emails! My OCD can’t handle that

[@roderickwho1983]

Thanks Gavin & Amanda.

[@alien6551]

Great camera and lens another great video

[@appalingbehaviour]

Love you Gavin! 💓

[@PortugalCarp]

Lovely night shots there Gavin, that star trails is brill.

[@gregdarroch1946]

I must spend my inheritance and get a Hasselblad camera with that lens. Love it.

[@Harry-bh5dg]

Wow these pictures blew me away and I am going to try and attempt some astro photography of my own thank you for such a great Vid

[@marellacoyle6999]

Yeah Amanda you need to give Darin a few lessons I'm sure he will pick it up in no time. 😍

[@jimsmith556]

That was funny when you said you couldn't focus on the brightest star in the sky because it was daytime. You just needed a really dark ND filter so you could focus on the sun. Those images are drool-worthy. Loved the long exposure night sky and the beautiful crisp roots and bokeh. Thanks for another great video Amanda and Gavin!

[@daleshafman4227]

Thanks for showing Amanda's shots!!! But, I have not seen anyone hold a camera like that.

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Nice shot Mrs. H That manual flip to focus is dead handy, I have it on my Tokina and it goes to infinity when it’s told big the digital version screen button looks mint Super clean images too man 💪💪

[@rocketmanab]

That long exposure shot tho 😍

[@brandensPhotos]

Nice shot 😮

[@mickeystine3100]

great shots💔💔💔

[@richcower]

Beautiful lens. That bit at the end with you fiddling with that ring on the lens is a classic. You both are nuts, but in a good way. I thought it would be very expensive, but at $3700 it’s not that bad.

[@r2hildur]

Ah, the Hasselblad. No frills, just pure handcrafted quality to document photo models with a BMI of 3 in lovely promising cities like Los Angeles, Paris, and London. I want one.

[@amodernsaga]

You just have the best photo videos by far... Can't stop laughing. Epic channel

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Cracking video as always cheers for the limited Astro I shoot my rokinon 14 mm stuck the old workhorse D3s will have to do for me.

[@terricarpenter1798]

Hey Gavin, I was wondering which Luminar Neo plan you use and why. Thanks for all the wonderful videos and information you give to us hobbyists.

[@MattLakeland]

I love how clicking on the video I get an ad from Simon D’Entremont appearing first. I had to check it was definitely fototripper I was watching 😂😂😂

[@rolsonn]

Loved the long exposure image. How soon. before we see Amanda's Chasing Awe book?

[@happymystic9800]

A review! … you? … OMG, what a start to this video 😂 … hilarious and informative as always. 😊

[@fruhfruh429]

Love the shot ! I will say I thought the difference between 25mm to full frame from medium format would be more than 5mm . Little sad about that but makes me appreciate my full frame a little more ❤ Absolutely love your work and videos , keep doing you 🙇🏻

[@bk6020]

So what camera and lens did you shoot this video with? It looks nice and clean.

[@junerobinson8169]

Great video, I always enjoy them, for the photos and to see how other cameras work and the different quality the cameras have etc. Well worth watching. Amanda did well with her photography watch her Gavin I can see her having her own channel 😂😂.. See you next time and thanks for sharing

[@JasonLorette]

Girthy! 😂 Meat Cove in the dark would be kinda scary…great images! 📸😎

[@dcallan812]

Will you be fitting Uranus into the photo? Very nice lens, mind I find a smooth ring is best, no one want clicking. Just so many euphemisms ☺ Great video 2x👍

[@dinsdalephotography]

Fantastic video Gavin! You guys are such a great team. Gorgeous lens, but not sure if the images were straight out of camera or slightly processed? Don't know if you can, but if possible, could you make the raw files available for download? Maybe you despise the idea, IDK but it would really help people see for themselves on their own, the beauty of the Hasselblad system.

[@Matthew_Tyler]

Looks absolutely beautiful. I love the 1 hour exposure shot. But you haven’t released a video in a while Gavin.. Everything alright? 🤔

[@fototripper]

Stay tuned for Sunday ;)

[@Rayzer2368]

Uh-oh, Amanda has some mad camera skills. Oh, and I hear she has a new book coming out titled "Chasing Awe-some." 😉

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

Piss-your-pants funny, as always! Amanda should release a book called “Chasing Gavin”. Would be nice if Hasselblad sorted their supply issues. I had two XCD lenses on order in Australia for months (90 & 28). In the end, I got an 80 1.9 from a dealer who was holding it for a client willing to cancel; and a Voigtlander 21 (Leica M-mount + adapter). The 80 is delicious, but weighs as much as my head! The little Voigtlander is a work of art. Loving the X2D. Thanks for the valuable tutorial, mate. Time for me to get up at sparrow’s fart and do some astro!

[@fototripper]

Which adapter do you use and how does it perform?

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

​@@fototripper The Novoflex, which works a treat, and is built like a brick sh*thouse. Some vignetting is present - I can remove a bit of it with a Camera Raw lens profile, but the rest I crop out. I figure it's like having a 25 or 28mm lens after cropping. The Voigtlander Nokton lenses are really beautiful - and sooo much cheaper than the H lenses.

[@cameronwalker5078]

Amanda definitely should do the book, it'd be the funniest thing since Monty python 😅

[@eight7sixjoe]

Man you both are great 😅

[@marcoliver5390]

Great stuff Gavin! Hope you and Amanda have a blast in NFLD; I was going to join you with my fiancé, but we couldn’t make it work time-wise unfortunately. Watching you climb those rocks in the last video makes me think we might have a go with that slot canyon later this summer after all. Cheers! 😎

[@fototripper]

it's epic so far...

[@marcoliver5390]

@@fototripper I used to fly out there maybe 25 years ago, but never had time to spend any significant time on the ground. I’m kind of scared to go now, because I might never want to leave again 😂 I wish you guys awesome light! 😎

[@kristianarntsen7049]

Love it😊 But, you should lover the Blacks on your foreground a lot. I think it will be much more moody😃

[@pieterduplessis6578]

Hi, are you busy doing the Aroura Borealis for us? Should be amazing in your areas now.

[@mauiflyingdress2178]

sold !... too cute

[@seidmadur]

I wish you could try some 30 minutes exposure with a star tracker.. just to see how it turns out!

[@CapricornGirl9]

I love a good Milky Schmear, beautiful image.

[@pauldarville3843]

Thanks!!

[@brianmckeever5280]

Interesting!

[@PhotographyByRune]

68*N here, that is definately som Aurora your camera caught there!

[@wbuttry1]

Amandas shot is awesome but I like your astro photography better love how the milky way turned out.

[@Chromatomic]

Still waiting on the fast GFX prime myself. Until then, maybe Amanda will have her own book?

[@AcuraTechMan]

Sometimes these videos are like time travel.

[@julians9297]

Great video Gavin as always. I am interested in the Hassie at some point but currently shoot with Sony. How would you compare the Hasselblad set up in this video to say a Sony A1 or A7R5 with either a 14 1.8GM or the Sigma 14 1.2?

[@fototripper]

The A1 does killer shots with the Sigma 14mm but I do find the Sony annoying to use and the image quality and colours on the Hassy are better for most landscape situations.

[@julians9297]

@@fototripper that could prove to be a very expensive answer for me Gavin! I have the A1 and Sony 14mm and will work on my skills for a while before considering the upgrade…

[@shaycostigan2091]

Hi Gavin I always enjoy your videos They are very entertaining and educational I have the canon r5 and I'm thinking about upgrading to the Canon r5 mark ll but I'm also thinking about upgrading to the Hasselblad D2 I was wondering if you had a preference which one would be best if money wasn't a concern?

[@fototripper]

I've never used the Canon so I could not say.

[@robertlavers1121]

They are chalk and cheese, the R5 is excellent for a whole range of genres with the lens choice to match. You aren’t going to use the Hasselblad for wildlife for instance but in the limited field it operates in then no doubt the Hasselblad is better.

[@dman_gonefishing]

Yo man you really need to get on those E MAILS 😆

[@k-willberg550]

Nice video and shots.. You’ve got some unread mail Gavin..

[@LandscapesDronescapes]

If you’re using a Hassy for Astro you’re winning in life :) In all seriousness though be good to see a tracked image with a lower ISO

[@bradpeck1901]

pretty good

[@timnightingale4325]

Milky Way action, lots of girth and 'book' plugs - FNARR, FNARR!

[@andyvan5692]

at 1:20 what a deal!! to get that $$$$$ lens for only a bag of popcorn, GREAT job mate, bet the wife was well and truly kicking herself, what a mistake to make.

[@MrFirstdance2000]

Chasing Awe is aptly titled. No doubt about your love for your bride. Now, stop switchintg the manual ring to on and off so much and shoot your best shot. 😁

[@Paula-he7qe]

Thomas has had one of these for ages.

[@DavidHarrisGRI]

I am curious of the ISO for the hour long exposure? Seems like that could be hard to not overexpose.

[@fototripper]

Luckily the x2d has umpteen stops of DR.

[@GettingOlderByTheDay71]

Amanda should start her own Photography KZbin channel

[@veivoli]

I'm ambivalent as to whether or not she should team up with Sophia (see Alex Armitage's channel) as there is a good possibility that mayhem will ensue. But it was good to see her in action with her Hasselblad.

[@neilbest7696]

Whew I'm getting too old for anything at that hour of the early morning hehehe. Thanks for doing it for me. By the way the background at the beginning looked like a new house. Did you finish the church?

[@fototripper]

it's a long way from finished.

[@davelindey8023]

Great review. A would have caution do not nickname your new lens, which appears to be an amazing light gathering machine, “the bazooka”. I once made that mistake and during a club photo tour my wife was telling some of the lady members I had amazing bazooka. Well that lead to a very awkward situation when out on photo walks and shots with the lady members. That is my PSA to you.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I'm not into Hasselblad because, poor. But that's a sweet lens. You certainly enjoyed playing with that f*ckus ring. I mean, focus.

[@warrenswales5693]

"Baw-kay"👀

[@PhilipBallGarry]

A few of my cheaper lenses (Samyang 12mm f/2 for example) will foccus to infinity - and beyond 👌

[@justinrichardson3864]

It looks like 37,912 potential sponsors have tried to "get in touch."

[@robertwhitemoto]

so when is Amanda's book coming out ? :)

[@powderedtoastman3093]

Reading Chasing Awful with Marvin Mooseknuckle

[@michelebullock9867]

Are the glows on the horizon fishing boats or city lights?

[@fototripper]

aye boats

[@thanko1]

I think the green you caught might be air glow. Happy to be corrected though. And do you really have 38000 unread emails?

[@pattymattes7124]

I loved your shots. I love Amanda's too. You should let her do more. I have a question about the sensor. When you do an hour exposure, doesn't it overheat? What about hot pixels? Just curious. Though I don't have a budget for a Hasselblad I would love to do Milky Way photography again. I took a night sky photography workshop and seeing the Milky Way with dark skies is amazing.

[@pedzsan]

Look up “calibration frames” in astrophotography. The practice is to take sets of frames: dark, flat, bias, etc… these are used to compensate for various problems in the capture system.

[@fototripper]

On the back of the camera there were a few hot pixels but when I loaded them in ACR they were gone automatically. it was bloody freezing, how could it overheat ;)

[@pattymattes7124]

@@fototripper When is Spring in your neck of the woods? LOL

[@user-hm2js1xg7j]

I think this is my first comment on your channel. Amanda, you did a reeeeeeeeeallly good job. Sorry, I couldn't resist going there.

[@phillipmoore1697]

Where in Yorkshire are you from

[@Hirsutechin]

Getting up at 2 ack emma is no trouble to you, after a mug of Black Semtex coffee innit? You should try Angry Charging Mastodon blend - it's dark as Meat Cove beach in a power cut, has a kick like Amanda reclaiming her Hasslebald and you would end up with a face like discarded leg wax in a thunderstorm. You're welcome.