Hasselblad 907X 50C Review: 3 Years Later? Not Buying The CFV 100c

Summary
In this conversation, I review the Hasselblad 907X50C camera system, on the day the new CFV 100c digital back is announced, after owning it for three years. I discuss my motivation for reviewing the camera and my preference for reviewing equipment I personally use. I highlight the modularity of the Hasselblad system and compare the build quality of the Hasselblad and Fuji lenses. I also explore the autofocus performance, lens selection, and the benefits of traveling with the Hasselblad 907X50C. I explain the compatibility of the camera with Hasselblad film cameras and the shooting experience with the camera. I share image examples and discuss the unique look of the Hasselblad 907X50C. I conclude by mentioning the abysmal autofocus capabilities, how I don't think the new CFV 100c back will improve much, and provide my recommendation for the camera system.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Motivation for Reviewing the Hasselblad 907X50C
01:08
Overview of the Hasselblad System and Lens Comparison
02:21
Autofocus Performance and Lens Selection
03:17
Benefits of Traveling with the Hasselblad 907X50C
04:42
Modularity and Compatibility with Hasselblad Film Cameras
05:37
Shooting Experience and Image Quality
07:25
Battery, Memory, and Design Considerations
08:52
Autofocus Improvement in the New CFV 100c 100 Megapixel Back
09:49
Image Examples and Unique Look of the Hasselblad 907X50C
13:24
Abysmal Autofocus Capabilities and Considerations
14:47
Conclusion and Recommendation

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[nelsonclub]

As a Pro who uses the H6D100c extensively and bought the 50c for personal work Im all in with 100c on the 907 - the new 2.5 lenses are a lot sharper than the old XCD's too - easily take 150MPX+ but now we have proper contacts on the top and a new trigger support - this makes it a perfect studio camera - with everything shot at waist level as it should be - props to Hass - we might have to swap - although the lenses lineup is not quite there vs H- system - I will get one for myself though for sure

[frontstandard]

I bought a used/like new Hasselblad X1D 1st generation recently with 45mm/3.5 for a very very good price. I absolutely love it. I'm used to MF film so this is not slow for me and I enjoy manual focus anyway. I don't find it so slow and unusable as many reviews have stated. The slight clunkiness and more primitive autofocus doesn't bother me. The images look great and the large pixels are noticeable compared to my full frame 47 megapixel camera but actually the FF camera is very comparable. There is a difference in depth of field and lens compression with the MF camera however with the FF camera and high quality lenses the difference is not as big as I thought. I use it like a mini 4x5/studio camera with Zeiss Otus lens on a rail and the results are phenomenal to my eye.
Hasselblad colour is very good to my eye, quite natural. The 907 series are beautiful but would not suit my needs, although as a studio/slow camera it seems very nice. Beautiful design. But not practical enough for my use.

[bleubaker]

I know a full time photographer who hates taking photos on vacation as he feels it’s like work. I’m inspired to see your passion and enjoyment that comes out of photography, I need to inject more of that into my life, thanks for showing the vacation photos they were incredible. That gear is awesome but also gives me anxiety….how reliable are these expensive set ups?

[theatyhannington]

Thinking about buying a 50c, but I never use autofocus. Thanks for the timely long-term review. Very good information well presented. Thanks for sharing.

[nelsonclub]

Your photography stuff rocks - thanks for the upload- Foba?

[oliscurra]

Great review mate. Thanks for taking the time. It's helped me nudge a little closer to getting the 907X + 100C. I'm a Leica shooter and toying with the idea of selling my SL2-S and a bunch of other digital cameras and lenses to reduce my camera+lens footprint to the 907X, the 500CM a few manual focus lenses and possibly 1 xcd lens. The bits I am most weary about is the fact, that as I understand it, live view doesn't preview the image in Black & White (something I've very used to from my days with my Leica M cameras, the SL2-S and fuji systems in years prior) and the other is, the lack of a viewfinder for the eye. Curious to know your thoughts...

[benjhaisch]

Fwiw, the rolling shutter in 14-bit mode is twice as fast as the original 50c and in 16-bit mode I believe it’s the same. So definitely an improvement on the 100c, not perfect, but much better.

[NoahBershatsky]

Which camera strap is that? I own a similar one from a brand that doesn’t make them any more, and I’m looking for a new one.

[photogger]

Hi, thanks.. you are so awesome…..I think I missed Which lens did you have on when you did the autofocus test about 8mins in?… thought the 30mm, & the 80mm were on the table, but never heard you mention that lens??…. Sorry if I missed it 👍

[robertchestnut]

One thing I noticed with the new 100c they fixed is the power button is more recessed. I find my cfv will turn on somtimes in my camera bag. I am a little bummed that they just came out with this camera as I bought my 907x in november of last year... I should have waited.

[gurugamer]

Do you recommend and prefer the Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format Digital Camera Body or Hasselblad 907X 100C? Which two lens you recommend for travel and portraits?

[dezfoto]

I thought the 907x cameras came with a focus screen mask for the 500 series cameras in the box?

[kurttreumann]

Thank u so much for your informations. What did u experience with regard to the screen in outside/daylight situations?

[johnkasianowicz]

Nice review and perspective. It’s fantastic that the new digital backs can work on the vintage 500 series cameras.

It looks like one can’t use LIVE VIEW on the old film backs. Is that correct? Also, is the digital back truly parfocal with the old film back (and camera body focus screen)?

Does Hasselblad sell adapters to use vintage Hassy glass on the new mirrorless body?

[cryptobyt]

Form factor wise. This cam is the best for street and photo arts shoot, better than apsc and pancake (street) and rangefinder ovf (photo artist)

[adnanabbas]

Great video! Your original video with the Nikon 58mm was actually what prompted me to get the 907x 50c a few years ago. Unfortunately, my time with it was less than 6 months. The main issues were:
- Massive limitations when using the e-shutter to be able to use 3rd party lenses. There were some cool "medium format look" images using the Voigtlander 75/1.5, but the shutter readout time made using it difficult
- Using classic V lenses was also a non-starter. It was neat to try a couple of times, but using the famous 150mm Sonnar and 80mm Planar turned the lenses into weird focal lengths they were never meant to be. It made me sad... The native digital lenses were 100x better on this camera
- I had no idea how much I'd miss a view finder. Even though the classic 500 series Hasselblads are famous for their waist level finders, in reality, people will flip out the magnifier on the hood and bring it up to their eyes for the focusing. Not really an option with the 907x

I really wanted to love this thing, especially with how much it looks like an old SWC, but if I ever picked up MF digital again, it'd be the X2D.

[arrangearrange]

Great look. Do the 55 or 50 1.2 Nikons work?

[NinjaMonkeyPrime]

I will probably never own one but your video got me thinking about what the "camera" piece is really doing if the autofocus is updated from the back. I need to research it but do they even offer different camera blocks? I was trying to describe this to a friend and mentioned the film body interface but we were both puzzled what the full digital configuration was doing in each part.

[ilonatychon]

Question: do you need a convertor to use the nikon 58mm on the hass?

[chenmunn]

Would the slow autofocus be a deliberate attempt by Hasselblad to replicate the haptic experience of waist level medium format photography? Does it allow manual focus/zone focusing on the digital hasselblad lenses?