Hasselblad X2D II 100C
What are the main upgrades of the X2D II 100C compared to the X2D 100C?
The X2D II 100C is the new 100MP HDR Mirrorless Medium Format flagship of the Hasselblad X System. It combines AF-C continuous autofocus, Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution wiht High Dynamic Range (HNCS HDR), and 5-axis, 10-stop in-body image stabilisation*.
* 10-stop stabilization at the cenre and 8-stop at the edges. Measured through Hasselblad with the XCD 3,5/120 Macro lens using CIPA standards.
What sets HNCS HDR and traditional HDR apart?
Hasselblad HNCS HDR provides an extended colour gamut to the wider P3. This new imaging system features 1400-nit peak brightness, which is a 75% increase over previous models. The result is the complete unlocking of the medium-format sensor's imaging capabilities. It reveeals details in highlights that would otherwise have been lost.
Traditional HDR focuses only on dynamic optimisation by brightening shadows and compressing highlights to maintain detail. However, this approach can reduce contast, resulting in images that appear flat and lack crucial tonal qualities.
What are the file formats compatible with HNCS HDR?
JPG, HEIF, and RAW formats.
How is HDR enabled or disabled on the camera?
Enable or disable HDR through the "Quality" page of the X2D II 100C menu. When disabled, photographs will be captured and displayed with SDR effects.
How can I view my HNCS HDR images?
To see the full High Dynamic Range effect in your HDR JPG files, you can use several compatible applications. These include Hasselblad's Phocus software, the Preview app on recent MacBook Pro models (2021 or newer running macOS 15.0+), and current versions of Adobe software like Lightroom (Classic 13.0+, mobile 9.0+) and Camera Raw (15.1+).
The following products are recommended for optimal HDR display in Phocus:
For the best viewing experience, please be aware that HDR display performance can be affected by certain device conditions, such as Low Power Mode, high temperatures, or maximum screen brightness.
Additionally, it's important to note the specific compatibility of HDR HEIF files. While they display full HDR content perfectly on the X2D II 100C and in Phocus, the extended highlight detail is not currently supported in applications like the iPhone/iPad Photos app, Adobe Photoshop, or Adobe Camera Raw.
What is the recommended workflow for editing HNCS HDR photos?
HNCS HDR image files are compatible with post-processing. Full viewing and editing capabilities for all formats (JPG, HEIF, RAW) are provided by the native Phocus software. Support is also available in Adobe Lightroom (Classic v13.0+, mobile v9.0+) for the JPG and RAW formats. For information regarding compatibility with any other third-party software, users should consult the official documentation provided by the respective software vendor.
Why do my HDR JPG files lose their HDR effect when shared to an iPhone or iPad?
Based on Apple's current system architecture, iOS and iPadOS exhibit variable rendering support for HDR JPG files depending on the import pathway. Consequently, even on HDR-capable hardware running iOS 18 or a later version, the display of HDR effects is not uniform across all transfer methods. For optimal and consistent HDR image validation, the recommended environment is the Preview application on a MacBook Pro (2021 or later) operating on macOS 15.0 or higher.
The HDR effect may not display correctly when sharing or importing files using the following methods:
* In these modes, RAW files can still be processed in Phocus and exported as Ultra HDR JPGs. Be aware that enabling HDR also locks the metering mode to Smart Metering.
Which lenses support AF-C Continuous Autofocus?
The following lenses are supported: XCD 2,8-4/35-100E, XCD 2,5/38V, XCD 2,5/55V, XCD 2,5/25V, XCD 2,5/90V, XCD 4/28P, and XCD 3,4/75P. Other lenses might be compatible, but not with electronic shutter. All lesnes must be updated to the latest firmware.
Is object tracking available?
Subject detection can be enabled in AF-C mode to track cats, dogs, humans, and vehicles.
When should I use each of the different focus point modes?
Why is the lens vibrating slightly during AF-C?
The lens fine-tunes focus around the focal point during continuous autofocus. This does not affect accuracy when capturing images.
Can you explain 10-stop stabilization in more detail?
With aperture and ISO held constant, each stop of stabilization doubles the safe shutter speed time for a sharp photo. For example, a baseline of 1/500s becomes 1/250s with 1-stop of stabilization. Following this formula, a 10-stop system can extend that safe shutter speed* to approximately 2 seconds.
* These are reference figures. The actual safe shutter speed will vary based on focal length, user stability, and other factors.
How do you make the moust of out the 10-stop stabilisation feature?
Why are my photos sometimes less sharp when I use a tripod?
Image stabilization is designed to counteract your movements. When your camera is perfectly still on a tripod, especially for long exposures, the system can get confused and try to "correct" for vibrations that aren't there. This can actually introduce a slight blur to your photos.
While the camera can automatically detect a tripod, this feature isn't foolproof and can be affected by things like wind or ground vibrations. For the sharpest possible results, we always recommend manually turning off image stabilization when using a tripod.
What is the "Motion" stabilization mode used for?
If you are actively tracking a subject in motion, select "Sport" mode for enhanced stabilization and clearer results.
Are there limitations to image stabilization when shooting close-up shots?
Stabilization can be less effective against the side-to-side movements common in close-up work, so a different strategy is recommended for maximum sharpness. Use a faster shutter speed combined with a higher ISO, and then apply the Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR)* feature in Phocus to ensure a clean, detailed final image.
* RAW images only.
How does the stabilization system function with adapted lenses?
The camera's in-body stabilization will work with adapted lenses, but with one important step: you must manually enter the lens's focal length in the camera menu. This allows the system to calculate the correct compensation. The feature supports all adapted lenses with a focal length of 499mm or less.
To gain some stabilization benefit with lenses over 499mm, manually enter 499mm as the focal length in the camera's menu.
How is exposure compensation adjusted when the exposure is set to manual and ISO is not set to auto?
While turning the rear scroll wheel, hold the "ISO/WB" button.
What are the flash/wireless trigger models that are supported?
Hasselblad recommends the following in TTL mode:
What CFexpress Type B memory cards are supported?
Can you explain the Adaptive Frame Rate option in the display settings?
This feature automatically lowers the live view frame rate in low light to boost autofocus accuracy and improve the clarity of the image on the screen.
Can you explain the sensor calibration feature and how often it should be performed?
If you notice unexpected bright spots that consistently appear in your photos or live view, use the sensor calibration function. This tool will check and optimize the sensor to correct these issues.
