I owned a Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM whose optics were quite nice, but due to age the motors just couldn’t move the heavy glass with any degree of speed. Canon didn’t offer a better technology, but they did offer newer lenses that were designed from ground up to perform better. You have a genuine complaint should Hasselblad leave you without a more modern solution, but then again, this camera has just been released. I’m waiting for a 1:1 modern macro. Also, your lens has the same capability as it did when you purchased it. Lastly, I can’t defend Hasselblad and admit that after purchase I’m not even sure of how the company is structured, nor in what language they best receive communications. Hasselblad is a relatively small company and given that they have been purchased, not the most financial stable one at that. It’s also frustrating to see how much resale value of the X2D has fallen, but this is a natural outcome when the new camera is cheaper and better meets many photographer’s needs. I’m sure that old lenses not upgraded to modern capabilities will somewhat suffer the same fate, but only if there is a better lens available. So, I’m wishing Hasselblad well and with the new deep pockets owners, hopefully they will come up with my macro and your new 1,9-80mm.
The GetDPI Photography Forum
Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!
Upgrading to the Hasselblad X2D Mark II
- Thread starter Michael Erlewine
- Start date
Paul Spinnler
Well-known member
4k residual value for X2Ds is brutal. DJI always keep the production machine going - they're pumping out drones like there's no tomorrow ... in two years they'll release the next cam ...
Yes, it fits.
Thanks!
It depends. MF no longer is in a totally different league compared to full frame 35. I am quite happy with my Leica SL2 which readily adapts about everything I have in my lens closet. But then again, I hear Marco’s words about the minority…
Paul Spinnler
Well-known member
I had an SL2 and still the S3; I loved the form factor of the SL2, but clearly see the 35mm look - ie much prefer crop MF and MF rendition.
So if there are mirrorless options which are not massively larger than the 35mm option, and not significantly more expensive, then the MF option is more attractive.
With lower price, better AF and ability to use say M glass on it on a larger crop the X2D for 7400 US has become a very attractive proposition ... they remedied the AF issue of MF systems to an extent it seems, so now an X2D is very appealing IMHO
It’s very much a known quantity with a lot of tech companies though, you can plan and sell around that. I don’t find that to be “brutal” either, I have seen and experienced worse. I got my X2D sold before the announcement knowing how these things can go.
Paul Spinnler
Well-known member
Yes, but I think this time around the improvement vs. MK I was better than expected and MK II on top 800 USD less is absolutely killer for X2D market value.
One week before announcement you could have gotten 5.5k now 4-4.5k ... timing is key. Good for you!
Obviously, the X2DII is better than my old SL2. My point was more on that, that the differences between the formats shrink and other factors become more important. So the SL3 might be appealing to some for different reasons than the X2DII.
I called Hasselblad USA and got a technician immediately and started asking questions. He spoke English if that's what you are asking.
I’m currently doing some work with the X2D2 in amazing and vigorous lighting involving people. I have shot for hours on end amid bright sunlight to dark bar / theatre lighting.
I put the Nikon and Leica away, this camera is just bonkers good!
TechTalk
Well-known member
Victor Hasselblad AB is headquartered at Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg Sweden where administration, marketing, product development, camera manufacturing, lens design, and service are located. They speak Swedish, but I think you'll find English is readily used and understood as well. Hasselblad has subsidiaries in Denmark (software development), USA, UK, Germany, France, China, and Japan according to their most recent public financial statement (2024). Employees of their international subsidiaries will speak whatever language is most commonly used in the country in which they're located.
Hasselblad is directly owned by Hasselblad Holding S.à r.l. in Luxembourg. The holding company was established by German private equity firm Ventizz when they acquired Hasselblad in 2011. Hasselblad Holding S.à r.l. in Luxembourg has been directly owned by DJI Ventures II-A Company Limited, an investment entity located in the British Virgin Islands, who retained the holding company structure already established when they acquired Hasselblad in January 2017.
That company is indirectly owned by DJI International Company Limited in the Cayman Islands. That Cayman Islands entity is an international consortium of investors — including major equity firms in the U.S. and Europe like Accel, Kleiner Perkins, and others who provided much of the financial capital to fuel the rapid growth of DJI — in addition to the major stake held by DJI's founder and initial investors in China. It's that investment group which also indirectly owns DJI in China and Japan thru a Hong Kong subsidiary IFlight Technology Company Limited. It is the ultimate parent company of the various subsidiaries it controls.
Hasselblad is a Swedish company with international business connections thru its own subsidiaries and as a subsidiary itself of investors in other countries. It shares executive board management connections with DJI in China. The president of Hasselblad's executive board is Christina (Xiaonan) Zhang. She has a degree in business management and accounting. She worked as an audit manager at Deloitte before being recruited in 2013, by DJI's founder, to help manage their rapid growth. At DJI she is currently *Senior Director, Corporate Strategy & Communication. *(Edit - She is now Vice President of Sales & Marketing at DJI) Hasselblad engineers in Sweden collaborate with DJI engineers in Japan and China to advance product development for both companies.
Since Victor sold his namesake company in 1976, Hasselblad has been owned by a variety of entities in various countries including Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Hong Kong, and Germany. As is still true, Hasselblad has always remained a Swedish company headquartered and operating in the same city and retaining some employees and managers for decades across multiple owners based in multiple countries and continents.
Does that help to alleviate some of your confusion?
Last edited:
TechTalk
Well-known member
They are a small company, but financial stability is not determined by size. Their most recent public financial statement is 2023. The 2024 statement will be probably be available in a couple of months.
*EDIT - I just obtained the Hasselblad 2024 financial report and replaced the 2023 chart, which I had attached here earlier, with the latest information. I started a new thread linked here for any comments on the topic of Hasselblad's financial success to minimize disrupting this thread. So if you have comments, please leave them in the new thread. Thanks!
Last edited:
TechTalk
Well-known member
It's been almost nine years since Hasselblad was last acquired in January 2017. At what point is that no longer new, but well established?
I don't know where you get information about Hasselblad, but you may want to consider looking for better sources.
That was educational..thanks..
Precision
Member
i am *considering* adding a X2D II to the quiver.
When I *considered* the X2D, I rented one and was underwhelmed to put it mildly. I do like the CFV/907x Combo generally, but there have been times when out and about that a EVF would be super useful…shooting in bright sunlight in Tucson last year clearly defined a real opportunity for improvement.
so, a X2Dii will be arriving in a few weeks on a weeks rental to put it through its paces. The feature set sounds great…the price looks, well, *better*.
I don’t know if socks will be knocked off as they were with my old CFV50ii….one can hope.
When I *considered* the X2D, I rented one and was underwhelmed to put it mildly. I do like the CFV/907x Combo generally, but there have been times when out and about that a EVF would be super useful…shooting in bright sunlight in Tucson last year clearly defined a real opportunity for improvement.
so, a X2Dii will be arriving in a few weeks on a weeks rental to put it through its paces. The feature set sounds great…the price looks, well, *better*.
I don’t know if socks will be knocked off as they were with my old CFV50ii….one can hope.
Let's hope that the CFV-100c Mark II will get the improved screen (higher brightness and HDR support) and the additional screen movements of the X2D Mark II.
Last edited:
Godfrey
Well-known member
It is times like that when I fit the CFVII 50c back onto a 500CM instead of carrying around a tripod and dark cloth for focusing...
G