new gear & tech
lens offerings cover the focal lengths
that most landscape photographers will
want, and adapters are available to use
additional Hasselblad lenses and also
third-party lenses. Lens pricing ranges
from $1,099 for the recently introduced
and very compact XCD 45P to $4,845
for the XCD 80, which Hasselblad notes
is its fastest lens yet with a maximum
aperture of ƒ/1.9.SYSTEM DESIGN
The camera, and the system as a whole,
is elegant. The sculpting and materials
convey a sense of refinement and lux-
ury that set it apart, and I think there’s
something to be said for that. As artists,
we appreciate aesthetic beauty not only
in our subjects but also in our tools and
the way they feel when we use them.
Putting aside the appeal of exclusiv-
ity, the system’s elegance has practi-
cal benefits. The X1D II’s menus are
a calm retreat from the overwhelming
chaos of typical camera menus. Paring
down the endless array of options you’ll
find elsewhere, Hasselblad has largely
succeeded in a user interface and expe-
rience that emphasizes simplicity. It’s
another aspect of the camera that takes a
bit of getting used to, but it’s refreshing.
The large 3.6-inch touchscreen display
makes it easy to get to most camera set-
tings within one or two taps, and there
are dedicated physical buttons for direct
access to focus, ISO and white balance
controls without taking your eye from
the viewfinder, as well as AE lock and
back-button AF activation. Several of
these can be customized to activate a
different camera feature if desired.
One detail that I particularly admire is
the camera’s mode dial. Camera makers
have come up with a variety of solutionsThe emphasis on simplicity
extends from the camera’s
physical design to its
exposure setting display
(left) and menus (right). A
large 3.5-inch touchscreen,
generously-sized text and
relatively shallow menus
work together to make
it easy to review and
change camera modes and
settings in just a few taps.