Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C: Specs
Sensor: 100MP BSI Medium Format
Stabilization: None
AF system: 294-Zone distinction/section detection AF
Viewfinder: None (non-obligatory OVF)
Show: 3.2-inch tilting contact display screen LCD, 2.36 million dots
ISO vary: ISO 64 – 25,600
Max video decision: N/A
Ports: USB-C
Storage: 1TB Inner SSD, CFExpress Kind-B
Wi-fi/bluetooth: Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Max capturing velocity: 3.3fps
Max shutter velocity: 1/4,000 mechanical; 1/6,000 digital
Battery life (CIPA): 420 photographs
Dimension/weight: 4 x 3.6 x 3.3 inches; 22 ounces
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C packs a gargantuan 100MP medium format sensor right into a digicam physique straight out of the Nineteen Fifties, and is the newest within the Hasselblad ‘V’ lineup of retro our bodies which harken again to the producer’s storied camera-making historical past.
It’s possible you’ll be taking a look at that record of cons up there considering ‘how can this digicam be rated so extremely?’ Effectively, it’s difficult, however in brief: this can be a digicam that appeals to a really area of interest viewers who prize picture high quality and a standard capturing expertise above all else. It’ll additionally attraction to these already invested in Hasselblad movie our bodies and lenses, as it could possibly connect with the producer’s traditional movie cameras to provide them a second digital life. The CFV 100C’s options (or lack thereof) are geared in the direction of these niches, and should justify the digicam’s value and disadvantages when you fall into both of them.
Can its specialty options earn it a spot among the many finest mirrorless cameras round? Learn our full Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation to search out out extra.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Worth & availability
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C was launched in late January 2024 and is out there by way of Hasselblad and main digicam retailers. Medium format cameras are costly and the 907X + CFV 100C is not any exception at $8,199 / £6,729 body-only. That is in the identical ballpark as different medium format cameras, such because the Fujifilm GFX 100 II ($7,499), and Hasselblad’s personal X2D 100C ($8,199).
Add a few lenses to your basket, such because the XCD 38mm f/2.5 ($3,699) and XCD 90mm f/2.5 ($4,299) examined right here, and also you’re taking a look at over $15,000 all in. Fortunately I’ve photographer’s insurance coverage.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Design
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C is definitely two parts offered collectively, which can be utilized (though not purchased) individually. The CFV 100C digital again incorporates the sensor, picture processor, display screen and controls. The 907X is a clip-on metallic body which hosts the lens mount and shutter launch.
The 907X was already offered with the 50MP Hasselblad CFV II 50C. Likewise, though new, the CFV 100C isn’t unique to the 907X and could be paired with older Hasselblad movie our bodies.
Right here is the distinctive promoting level of this digicam: in case you have an older Hasselblad physique and lenses already, the CFV 100C will mean you can use them alongside a 100MP digital sensor, bringing them into the digital age. That is its main benefit over the equally priced 100MP X2D 100C, which provides the shape and plentiful advantages (IBIS, video and many others) of a normal mirrorless digicam.
Wrapped in eco leather-based and edged in fingerprint-magnet chrome, the 907X + CFV 100C oozes magnificence and historical past. Unsurprisingly, construct high quality is phenomenal, though it goes past merely being well-built: this digicam looks like an beautiful piece of expertise.
With the management deal with and 90mm lens hooked up, the digicam weighs a hefty 3 kilos 10 ounces (1.635kg). The physique measures 4 x 3.6 x 3.3 inches (102 × 92 × 84mm), though lenses and equipment make it a lot bigger. Nonetheless, medium format cameras are naturally cumbersome, so by that measuring stick the 907X + CFV 100C digicam is kind of compact — a petite big. Regardless, this digicam is designed to be mounted on a tripod.
On the rear is an upwards-tilting 3.2-inch, 2.36M-dot display screen — the identical decision because the show on each the X2D 100C and GFX100 II. No viewfinder is included however an OVF ($499) is out there individually. Sadly, there’s no choice for a high-res EVF. With such a excessive decision sensor, it’d be sensible to focus-check these photos on an appropriately sharp monitor. The GFX100 II comes with a 9.44M dot EVF, whereas the X2D 100C’s EVF packs 5.76M dots.
Contained in the CFV 100C is a 1TB SSD, permitting you to shoot casually all day with out worrying about filling up or altering playing cards (although the digicam’s RAW and JPEG information are 200MB and 70MB respectively). There’s additionally a CFExpress Kind-B port for increasing storage for intensive all-day shoots. Each supply sooner switch speeds than SD playing cards, making offloading these large information bearable. For information switch and charging there’s a USB-C port behind a spring-loaded flap.
There’s no video, so no want for mic or headphone ports, though the digicam does characteristic Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It isn’t climate sealed, so watch out taking it out within the rain.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Controls
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C’s rear monitor options a lot of the digicam’s controls (with out the extra grip). Fortunately the show is brilliant and conscious of the contact, and the menu system is sleek-looking and easy to function.
I might strongly advise buying the extra grip, which makes the digicam a lot simpler to deal with. It offers direct entry to helpful controls, together with a better-positioned shutter button, scroll wheels and a spotlight joystick.
The joystick is slightly blunt, tending to do too little till nudged exhausting, at which level it does an excessive amount of. Annoyingly, ISO can’t be assigned to one of many management wheels on the grip. This meant I had aperture management assigned to each the lens ring and entrance management wheel — a complete waste of a dial — and was pressured to manage ISO purely by way of the display screen.
The grip ensures the 907X + CFV 100C can be utilized handheld like a traditional digicam, however make no mistake, this digicam is primarily designed to be used on a tripod, which means I can forgive a few of its structure quirks. It’s a digicam for slower-paced, thought-about images, the place you needn’t snatch at controls in a rush.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: AF Efficiency
The 907X + CFV 100C options hybrid contrast- and phase-detection AF, which is sweet to have, particularly with no viewfinder for handbook focusing. When you’re used to trendy mirrorless digicam AF methods, although, the CFV 100C’s system will really feel rudimentary. It’s neither fast nor dependable in low gentle and, so far as detection modes go, solely options face detection. So no modes for animals (though that did not cease me getting some beautiful portraits of my greyhounds).
Given the digicam’s meant makes use of, I can forgive it not having modes to trace trains or birds, however there’s no eye detection both. I’ve shot many portraits on cameras with out eye detection, so this isn’t the be-all end-all, however I discovered the face detection appeared to forward-focus, leading to sharp noses and barely gentle eyes. You may skirt this concern just by utilizing the small AF level and positioning it immediately in your topic’s eye. Or manually focusing, after all.
Given the razor skinny depth of discipline when utilizing a sensor this massive with a wide-open f/2.5 telephoto lens, I usually discovered handbook focusing one of the best resolution to make sure correctly sharp focus, particularly in portraits. Fortunately, handbook focusing with the XCD lenses is a pleasure, and really straightforward with the CFV 100C’s on-screen MF dial. You may zoom in on the display screen to verify focus, however a excessive decision viewfinder would’ve been beautiful for focusing whereas capturing handheld.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Picture efficiency
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C incorporates a medium format sensor, which is far bigger than the APS-C or full body sensors generally present in different mirrorless cameras. It’s the identical 100MP sensor as discovered within the X2D 100C, and the photographs it produces are phenomenal.
Key to their magnificence is the sheer element the sensor captures (itself owing to the excellent XCD glass that may resolve 100MP). I can’t present you full excessive decision information or else this web page wouldn’t load, however the gallery above incorporates a JPEG export of my greyhound, Nutty. The second picture is a JPEG export of a considerable crop into her eye from the identical picture, displaying how a lot element the digicam captures. This provides you numerous flexibility, as you may successfully crop or blow up as a lot as you want.
Colours are additionally stunning, captured in 14-bit (leading to 4-trillion distinctive shades). Hasselblad’s famed colour science is demonstrated by the digicam’s single in-camera colour profile, which is beautiful, though clearly aimed toward landscapes and portraiture. Pores and skin tones are gentle however natural-looking and flattering. That mentioned, I did discover a constant greenish tint and adjusted photos in the direction of magenta barely. A lone colour profile could be tough to get used to if, like me, you’re used to capturing in and seeing totally different profiles. Specifically, I actually missed a black and white profile (I transformed to Adobe Monochrome in Lightroom for take a look at photographs).
I discovered publicity metering slightly inaccurate in multi-metering photometry, however not far off — after a day of capturing I aimed for round EV-1 in most photographs and barely wanted to bump the publicity by a lot.
The medium format sensor additionally delivers a powerful dynamic vary. Within the photos under — a RAW export with solely a minimal magenta tint utilized, adopted by the identical picture with the shadows and publicity boosted — you may see how a lot picture element and colour info was captured within the shadows when lifted. The sky of the boosted picture exhibits some noise (at full decision at the very least) at solely ISO 1600 — a facet impact of the excessive megapixel rely, though you need to increase shadows and look exhausting to see it.
Dwelling as much as its traditional ethos, the 907X + CFV 100C doesn’t characteristic IBIS. This appears slightly problematic till you understand that ISO 25,600 on a sensor this measurement doesn’t provide the bother it will on a smaller one. The picture under of Nutty is shot at ISO 25,600 and nonetheless appears implausible. Once you blow it up or crop in, noise is seen, however not even approaching ruinous, as you’d expertise from a smaller sensor.
IBIS would clearly be good for dropping shutter in low gentle to maintain ISO as little as doable, however as soon as once more, this digicam desires to be on a tripod. After all, IBIS is especially helpful for video, which the CFV 100C doesn’t shoot — the X2D 100C provides each.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Battery life
The Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C is CIPA rated for 420 photographs, which I discovered barely conservative. I charged the battery absolutely firstly of testing, then took simply over 300 pictures (largely in single shot drive) and was left with round 40% of cost left on the finish of testing. Extrapolating, that equates to over 500 pictures from a cost. This may little doubt be helped by the truth that there’s no EVF drawing energy.
By standard requirements, 500 photographs is center of the highway, so a spare battery ought to undoubtedly be on the playing cards.
Hasselblad 907X + CFV 100C evaluation: Verdict
It’s straightforward to have a look at value versus (the dearth of) options and deem the 907X + CFV 100C as an overpriced standing image, which to some extent is true. Nonetheless, there are a lot of exorbitantly priced standing symbols on this planet that also reap and deserve reward — consider supercars, for instance. Their value and lack of actual world usability doesn’t imply they’re dangerous automobiles.
If in case you have the means, the 907X + CFV 100C will provide you with an expertise that no different trendy mirrorless digicam (save the CFV 50C) can, and which is totally pleasant. That is partially right down to the attractive design and craftsmanship of the digicam, and in bigger half right down to the unbelievable 100MP photos it produces. In largest half although, it’s due to the kind of images the digicam forces you into. It’s a romantic expertise, evocative of bygone eras of images. No IBIS means you could usually use a tripod, whereas the display screen has you trying down on the digicam as if into the open finder of a traditional movie Hasselblad. These components, plus the restricted controls, imply you could take your time, whereas the simplistic AF usually calls for you manually focus. Regardless of ostensibly seeming like drawbacks, this stuff as an alternative assist outline the digicam’s objective.
If you wish to take that method to images, the 907X + CFV 100C will get you there. And when you already personal traditional Hasselblad our bodies and lenses, the digicam makes much more sense, digitizing your current movie gear with out modernizing the expertise of utilizing it an excessive amount of. Each of the above could be solved with the (not a lot) cheaper 50MP CFV 50C.
Most individuals, although, shouldn’t purchase the Bugatti, and will as an alternative go for the Honda — one thing just like the Fujifilm X-T5 or Sony A7 IV. Moreover, that’s in all probability all they’ll afford.