Well, as you can read: It is a concise title. Today, we will be working with Hasselblad. It has been on my purchase list for over 10 years and is highly desired. When I decided to relaunch my photographic work, I considered starting with Hasselblad instead of Leica but ultimately chose Leica. Today, thanks to Grobet Antwerp, I have the opportunity to test the newest Hasselblad X2D. With 100 megapixels, this camera is impressive. However, it is important to objectively evaluate its performance before making any assumptions.

Hasselblad is a renowned brand. When I had a lot of portrait photography work, I considered purchasing a Hasselblad camera. However, with a price tag of 25,000 euros, it was not within my budget. Nonetheless, I found inspiration in the quality and detail of the images produced by the camera.

The Hasselblad company was founded in 1841 in Gothenburg, Sweden, by Fritz Wiktor Hasselblad as a trading company, F.W. Hasselblad and Co. Arvid Viktor Hasselblad, the founder’s son, was interested in photography and established the photographic division of the company. According to Hasselblad’s corporate website, he stated, ‘I certainly don’t think that we will earn much money on this, but at least it will allow us to take pictures for free.’

The roots of Hasselblad go back as far as Leica’s. But today, I am considering giving Hasselblad a chance and possibly making it my next purchase for photographic work.

As I do my photographic work now, I simply do what I love to do and feel. So, I take on work that I enjoy rather than just what I need to do.

Here are the initial images captured using this Swedish camera.

From the first moment I saw the images captured by the Hasselblad camera, I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality. The camera boasts 100 megapixels, which undoubtedly contributes to the stunning results. With 100 megapixels and a medium format camera, the level of quality is significantly higher compared to working with full-frame or 35mm cameras. At this moment, the Hasselblad and the new Leica M11 have the same price tag, so there is no difference between them.

Some additional images were captured.

A portrait photograph of my wife, taken after she visited the local hairdresser. I used the Hasselblad XCD 55mm F/2.5 lens, which produced stunningly sharp and detailed images.

However, the focus is not solely on portraits. During a rainstorm, I decided to visit the nearby woods and abbey to clear my mind and focus on work.

The initial photographs of the abbey are stunning.

I travelled from the abbey to the nearby castle.

The castle is situated in the heart of Postel, opposite Postel Abbey. Baron Stanislas de Broqueville inherited most of the centre of Postel in 1865 and commissioned the construction of this castle between 1857 and 1861. Despite not enlisting the help of an architect, he designed the castle himself, reportedly drawing inspiration from Castle Leclaireau in Belgian Luxembourg. In 1921, the castle was expanded with the addition of two crenellated south towers. Throughout the centuries, the castle underwent several renovations and repairs. During World War I, the castle was owned by Count Charles de Broqueville, who was then the minister of war. Currently, Robert de Broqueville is the lord of the castle at Postel, where he resides with his wife. The castle was constructed in a neo-traditional style.

If you examine the details in the photograph, it is of a superior level. Also, the colours and depth of field are of superb quality. There is nothing negative to report about the images produced by the camera. Only the photographer should be better.

Aside from shooting more, I noticed a few other things. Capturing images is done by watching the camera display. I do not prefer this method. I enjoy watching classic shooting and that is by watching the eyepiece.
This camera is not functioning as desired and it is difficult to capture the intended emotion when relying solely on the LCD screen on the back. This is not the way to capture photographs. My goal is to be in the moment with my camera and capture the moment. Watching the screen on the back of the camera and adjusting the aperture is not how I perceive photography. However, the battery drains quickly when operating in this manner.

Additional images were captured in the woods of Postel Mol.

I noticed an additional feature on the camera: the X-pan setting. The XPan was a unique camera that offered the benefits of the 35mm format while also allowing for quick switching to full panorama format without the need to change the film. It utilized a dual format, producing both full panorama 24x65mm format and conventional 24x36mm format on the same film. It was the first dual-format 35mm camera on the market that expanded the format instead of masking it, ensuring that every exposure utilized the full area of the film.

One image was captured in this setting.

Here is my conclusion:
The images produced by the camera are of exceptional quality. However, when working with the Leica M110, which I already have in my possession, it aligns more with my photographic style.

I do not prefer working on the display of a camera. Even when using my Canon R3 camera, I do not rely on the display. I capture the image as I see it, ensuring it meets my desired outcome. When I worked with film roll cameras, there was no other way. From the very beginning, we aimed to make the best of what we were shooting. This is where Leica raised my standards.

The Hasselblad produces impressive images, but I did not enjoy using it to capture them. On the other hand, I have a fondness for using Leica cameras. Leica performs this task for me. I appreciate the simplicity and consistent quality of Leica. Working with Hasselblad has also been enlightening.

If I were to focus on Hasselblad, it would require an investment of 20,000 euros. This investment does not align with my personal feelings. Additionally, it is important to use clear and concise language with a logical flow of information.

I am grateful that Grobet helped me clarify some things, including my concern that I made the wrong choice in selecting Leica M cameras. Today I discovered that I made the right choice. Leica holds a special place in my heart, allowing me to capture the images that work best for me.

It is important to trust your instincts rather than your thoughts!

Thank you