Hasselblad X1D-50C vs Fujifilm GFX-50S Lens Lineup (UPDATED 13 Jan)
See my Hasselblad X1D-50C wish list and Fujifilm GFX wish list.
See Hasselblad X1D coverage and Fujifilm GFX coverage and in particular, yesterday’s Hasselblad X1D-50C or Fujifilm GFX?.
On lenses, I would first note that both Hasselblad and Fujifilm have an established history of designing lenses that required software correction for distortion and/or color errors (Fujifilm all but hides this fact entirely with the Fujifilm X series). As I write this I have no idea if this will hold for medium format mirrorless lenses, but I hope not, because distortion correction wrecks micro contrast by stretching pixels—degrading one key advantage of a medium format sensor.
See also:
- Format-Equivalent Depth of Field and F-Stop
- The Medium Format 'Look'
- Reader Comment: Travel Cameras, Small Kit and The Irrational Aim of f/1.4 Lenses
Hasselblad X1D lens lineup
Multiply by 0.82 for equivalent horizontal focal length / field of view as compared to a 36x24mm sensor: 30mm ~ 25mm, 45mm ~ 37mm, 90mm ~ 74mm.
I expect the Hasselblad X1D lenses to be superb, based on images I’ve seen. I am less happy about the absence of an aperture ring.
- The 30mm f/3.5 is 1/3 stop faster than the Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 zoom.
- The 45mm f/3.2 is 1/3 of a stop slower than the Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8.
- The 90mm f/3.5 is a whopping 1 2/3 stops (almost 2 stops!) slower than the Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2. Heck, the Fujifilm GF 120/4 macro is only 1/3 stop slower than the Hassy 90/3.5.
- According to Hasselblad, “Existing H System users also have the flexibility to use their existing lenses with the X1D by the way of an optional adapter.”.
The lens speed leaves much to be desired on the long end (90mm): a medium format system ought to have one fast lens.
With no ultra wide angle offering (yet), it loses some appeal for me (landscape). But presumably there will be something wider than 30mm ~ 25mm coming.
Three lenses is a good start. A reader tells me that Hasselblad plans "5 additional lenses" for 2017. It would be helpful if Hasselblad listed planned lenses on the Hasselblad X1D web page; as I wrote this no mention is made of any additional lenses (see the Lenses tab on this page which shows 3 lenses). Even though it seems likely to be true, pros investing in a system need solid info, and actually delivery. Given Hasselblad’s 4-month slippage with the X1D, credibility on delivery has already disappeared from my POV.
Fujifilm GFX lens lineup
Get Fujifilm GF lenses at B&H Photo.
This is a very impressive lens line rollout. It remains to be seen just how good these lenses are optically, but they are all new designs, so I am hoping for very high image quality.
Unlike Hasselblad, not only is there an ultra wide angle (19mm equivalent), but also a wide to normal zoom lens (26-52mm), and a 110mm f/2—very fast for medium format.
This lens line is far more compelling that what Hasselblad is showing. And to my eye, the fit and finish is far more attractive, and with an aperture ring. It looks first class, so I hope it is.
Multiply by 0.82 for equivalent horizontal focal length / field of view as compared to a 36x24mm sensor: 19mm, 26-52mm, 37mm, 52mm, 90mm, 98mm.
