Mirrorless medium format Hassleblad

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SFTPhotography

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http://www.dpreview.com/news/1988725790/medium-format-mirrorless-hasselblad-unveils-x1d

I could see this being a cheap way into medium format digital photography.

Body cost: £5990. Compared to a D5 or D810 it is more but its still single digits. It isn't unaffordable.

Ok lenses are more but this is likely to be a camera I may buy :D

Indeed, when I say may. It will be. No more 35mm bodies. This is the next step. The quality of colours, tones, and dynamic range of a big big sensor with great glass makes this a landscaping dream :D
 
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I think everyone guessed this right from the teaser campaign, but I expected a mock-up, a prototype at best and a promise of maybe next year. But this is fantastic! All credit to Hasselblad, but I think there's more to this than they'd like us to know just yet.

For Hasselblad to come from its parlous business position and horrendous re-badged Sony cameras, to this wonderful creation - overnight - is almost unbelievable. The fact that it's got 'handmade in Sweden' so prominently engraved on top almost proves that Fuji has had a big part in it, possibly very big - and Hasselblad just stuck the badge on*. The mirrorless concept suits medium format better than anything else, and getting rid of that huge reflex mirror really makes a massive difference.

If that's the case though, even better - I hope it is :) Fuji is a very big, successful, and capable company (cameras only a small part) with a great track record in this market and they have the resources to develop this and produce the vital set of lenses and essential system accessories. Like a phoenix from the ashes does, for once, apply here. Great news :)

*Edit: This is not true! See correction post #13 below.
 
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On the livestream event where the CEO introduced the X1D, he was specifically asked if it was a collaboration with Fuji, and he categorically stated it was not.
 
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The Hasselblad HGD-100C - 100mps - is Euros 31,000 minimum - talking to the local doctor about it on Tuesday, he is a gear nut, he is trying to find a used one, does most of his camera shopping in Germany
 
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Its just the 50mp sensor (sony made) thats used in other medium format digital cameras packaged into a mirrorless case. I assume it will focus in live view and do histogram live previews it will be fine for landscaping. A couple of choice prime lenses and many landscapers like me would be happy with this.
 
ST4 said:
The quality of colours, tones, and dynamic range of a big big sensor with great glass makes this a landscaping dream :D
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I think all of those are a big stretch if it's the same Sony 50MP sensor... the D810/A7RII are both better there.

Where it will make a difference/benefit is in sharpness and large prints... if only marginally/at the extremes.
 
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magicolor1 said:
On the livestream event where the CEO introduced the X1D, he was specifically asked if it was a collaboration with Fuji, and he categorically stated it was not.
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I stand corrected - and somewhat gobsmacked TBH. They were very clear in the presentation about collaboration (@ 42:50 in the livestream video) - concept, design and manufacture by Hasselblad in Sweden, nothing to do with Fuji. Lenses made by 'Nito'* I think he said, in Japan (all other Hasselblad lenses are made by Fuji, and also the H'blad XPan camera). No mention of the sensor, but we know that's a Sony. Custom bag by Billingham!

Edit: It's Nittoh https://www.nittohkogaku.co.jp/en/company/index.html
 
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ST4 said:
Better lenses, bigger sensor. I suspect out in the field it'll be great.
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Yup, sharper/larger images...
But right now they've only got a wide angle and a normal lens for the system... way too limiting for me to honestly consider. But if I made more money from advertising/large print work I would definitely be keeping my eye on this.
 
I haven't seen it in the flesh obviously but it certainly looks like it's making the most of mirrorless losing the large mirror/pentaprism. From the photos I've seen it looks comparatively tiny against equivalent MF kit, even with a lens fitted.
 
If Hasselblad don't, surely someone will create a lens converter to make older Hasselblad lenses fit, it'll just need a change of register
 
There are 14 (?) H lenses that it can use with the new adapter.

It seems that you require a shutter in the lens.
 
Phil V said:
If Hasselblad don't, surely someone will create a lens converter to make older Hasselblad lenses fit, it'll just need a change of register
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Hasselblad have already said they'll produce an adapter for H lenses, but they're not exactly cheap!
 
Sensor size Medium format (44 x 33 mm)
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That's a little bit bigger than 35mm but hardly a proper full 6x45 medium format let alone something bigger.

I will be happy enough with Canon 5DsR (or newer) once the price nosedives a little further. Same 50mp at marginally inferior IQ is good enough. All my lenses will stay compatible and that's great news. Even the masochistic viewfinder-lacking sony a7RII is better compromise for many.
 
What? No built in flash? Jus kiddin'.

But lack of external dials might be an issue.

A relatively small body and I'm pleased that it's a 4:3 ratio sensor and not some legacy panorama 3:2 ratio. That keeps the lens size down.
 
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I've just watched the launch video that's linked above, this is tiny! The lens that's fitted has a 67mm filter thread which is the same as my APS-C Samyang 12mm so how have Hasselblad made lenses that cover the larger sensor area but are the same diameter as an E-Mount lens? Every article about the Sony FE lenses being comparatively huge has stated that physics means that the full frame sensor means large glass yet this seems to have been ignored here?
 
I'm just now learning about the Canon 5DsR, I never knew it was 50mb full-frame. Hmmm interesting indeed. How long has this been released ? I must have been sleeping.....
 
stevelmx5 said:
I've just watched the launch video that's linked above, this is tiny! The lens that's fitted has a 67mm filter thread which is the same as my APS-C Samyang 12mm so how have Hasselblad made lenses that cover the larger sensor area but are the same diameter as an E-Mount lens? Every article about the Sony FE lenses being comparatively huge has stated that physics means that the full frame sensor means large glass yet this seems to have been ignored here?
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Have you tried comparing the size of (for example) a Canon EF 35/1.4 lens with a Leica pre-asph 35/1.4? Both cover "full frame" but the Canon is vastly bigger. Granted it's also got AF motors etc, but just the glass alone is massive in comparison with the Leica. Part of that is because the Leica lens is for a mirror-less camera so the glass can be nearer the film/sensor which affects the lens design. Same goes for this Hasselblad lens designs as the lens mount is very close to the sensor plane.
 
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stevelmx5 said:
I've just watched the launch video that's linked above, this is tiny! The lens that's fitted has a 67mm filter thread which is the same as my APS-C Samyang 12mm so how have Hasselblad made lenses that cover the larger sensor area but are the same diameter as an E-Mount lens? Every article about the Sony FE lenses being comparatively huge has stated that physics means that the full frame sensor means large glass yet this seems to have been ignored here?
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There's a misunderstanding of lenses contained there.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I've just watched the launch video that's linked above, this is tiny! The lens that's fitted has a 67mm filter thread which is the same as my APS-C Samyang 12mm so how have Hasselblad made lenses that cover the larger sensor area but are the same diameter as an E-Mount lens? Every article about the Sony FE lenses being comparatively huge has stated that physics means that the full frame sensor means large glass yet this seems to have been ignored here?
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Maximum apertures have a big influence on lens diameter, and the new Hasselblads are a modest f/3.5 and f/3.2. They can't go much more than that either, due to physical limitations imposed by the in-lens shutter, with f/2.8-ish probably close to the limit.

Size of the front element is also generally an unreliable guide and lenses with the same basic spec vary widely (as mentioned above). Eg:
Samyang 85/1.4, 72mm long, 510g, 72mm filter size
Zeiss Otus 85/1.4, 141mm long, 1200g, 86mm filter size
 
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LongLensPhotography said:
That's a little bit bigger than 35mm but hardly a proper full 6x45 medium format let alone something bigger.
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That's what I was thinking too - not what I'd have considered even a small medium format, and being a 'blad it should really be 6X6. I appreciate sensors that size aren't exactly readily available, of course.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I've just watched the launch video that's linked above, this is tiny! The lens that's fitted has a 67mm filter thread which is the same as my APS-C Samyang 12mm so how have Hasselblad made lenses that cover the larger sensor area but are the same diameter as an E-Mount lens? Every article about the Sony FE lenses being comparatively huge has stated that physics means that the full frame sensor means large glass yet this seems to have been ignored here?
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bit slower aperture helps, and certain lengths might fit well with the desired flange distance/sensor size ?
 
Phil V said:
If Hasselblad don't, surely someone will create a lens converter to make older Hasselblad lenses fit, it'll just need a change of register
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Already stated they have an optional adaptor to fit the H series lens on this. I for one am very interested.
 
I get that the marginally slower aperture makes a difference with lens physics but it's hard to ignore the relative size difference. With regards to comparing a Canon 35mm lens, that's completely different hence me comparing to an equivalent mirrorless system.

I understand lens physics and the differences between flange depths impacting them (I'm in the middle of building 3 of my own 3D printed cameras now) but the Hasselblad system as a whole still looks surprisingly compact.
 
magicolor1 said:
Hasselblad have already said they'll produce an adapter for H lenses, but they're not exactly cheap!
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Yup, H series lenses are 2-3x the price... put's the system outside of any real cost/benefit rationale for me.
And there's another factor to be considered/determined... will the less expensive lenses for this system compare favorably? If the lenses aren't up to equivalent standard, that could completely negate any benefit to the system.
 
I just remembered Pentax 645Z. £5999 at most outlets. Apparently same or near identical sensor, proper viewfinder and a nice array of lenses already available. If I had the money burning my pocket why shouldn't I buy Pentax instead of this novelty?

stevelmx5 said:
I get that the marginally slower aperture makes a difference with lens physics but it's hard to ignore the relative size difference. With regards to comparing a Canon 35mm lens, that's completely different hence me comparing to an equivalent mirrorless system.

I understand lens physics and the differences between flange depths impacting them (I'm in the middle of building 3 of my own 3D printed cameras now) but the Hasselblad system as a whole still looks surprisingly compact.
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Let's see how small Sony E mount 24-70mm f/2.8 and longer zooms are. Not very small at all. I wonder why?!

sk66 said:
Yup, H series lenses are 2-3x the price... put's the system outside of any real cost/benefit rationale for me.
And there's another factor to be considered/determined... will the less expensive lenses for this system compare favorably? If the lenses aren't up to equivalent standard, that could completely negate any benefit to the system.
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H lenses are designed for much larger sensor as well. This is a cropper medium, and should there be a FF Hassy mirrorless, these lenses will be pretty useless on that.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
I just remembered Pentax 645Z. £5999 at most outlets. Apparently same or near identical sensor, proper viewfinder and a nice array of lenses already available. If I had the money burning my pocket why shouldn't I buy Pentax instead of this novelty?
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Leaf shutter lenses that sync up to 1/2000 for a start.

May not be important to you, but it would distinguish the Hasselblad offering from the Pentax for me. That said, the Pentax could make use of my Hasselblad 110mm f/2 F lens, which the mirrorless Hasselblad cannot...

I'd rather own a Mamiya 7 than any of them though.
 
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LongLensPhotography said:
That's a little bit bigger than 35mm but hardly a proper full 6x45 medium format let alone something bigger.

I will be happy enough with Canon 5DsR (or newer) once the price nosedives a little further. Same 50mp at marginally inferior IQ is good enough. All my lenses will stay compatible and that's great news. Even the masochistic viewfinder-lacking sony a7RII is better compromise for many.
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Good grief.

I had hoped we'd moved on from this.
 
skysh4rk said:
Leaf shutter lenses that sync up to 1/2000 for a start.
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OK, flash work outdoors might certainly be easier with leaf shutters. Pentax has 75 and 135mm LS lenses that would sort of do that? Personally that wouldn't matter for my work. The pentax wideangle options would be far bigger argument.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
OK, flash work outdoors might certainly be easier with leaf shutters. Pentax has 75 and 135mm LS lenses that would sort of do that? Personally that wouldn't matter for my work. The pentax wideangle options would be far bigger argument.
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The lens route Hasselblad has chosen is fundamental to the concept and the key to success. It's also the X1D's greatest weakness at launch, and they have to grow the range quickly - 30mm promised shortly.

Hasselblad has been able to pull this off because the new camera is basically no different to a Hasselblad digital back with a lens mount attached, and they have a long track record there. It's relatively easy to make, and inherently compact. The shutter is in the lenses, and they've sub-contracted lens production (as Hasselblad always has, to Zeiss historically, and then Fuji) to a Japanese manufacturer.

The in-lens shutter is a strong sales feature (flash x-sync, low vibration, quiet) and rules out adapting other brands of MF lens, tying buyers to Hasselblad optics. This might explain the unexpectedly low price of the camera as almost a loss-leader, with the real profit coming from lens sales.
 
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