Now that firmware 3.1.0 is out and many of the initial software deficiencies have been corrected, I am very curious how people are currently feeling about the X2D. How have you found the face detection in practice? Are you still enjoying the camera and would you recommend it?
Am enjoying quite a bit. Easy to use, feels pretty sorted out. Lots of features to explore, easy to access.
In a way, it's both a penultimate camera, and yet takes some time to figure out. You can get extraordinary quality out of it - the subtlety of the colors is extraordinary.
Apart from poetic photos - also have needed a high quality documentation camera to photograph art and also small collectables from a distance. The resolution, leaf shutter, IBIS all make this immensely satisfying and w quite flexible usability. The only reservation is that its just so good... it takes some time to get one's head around all that it can do: if we work within a kind of "camera space" (like color space) and a camera's limitations sometimes inform technique. This one expands capabilities so much, it will take time to absorb.
Using 45P for general use, 65 for more reach (like this lens a lot, even if a bit slow) and 30 for wider, often cropping. The ability to crop these massive files and have a lot left over is really nice. AF is faster, but not the center of interest - just works well enough. Hope this helps.
I think everyone knows the X2D is my favourite camera, ever. There are more perfect cameras but this one has soul and an undeniable Xfactor.
The latest firmware updates have had huge impacts on the system. Even basic face detect has made the camera faster and more usable around people. The implementation while simple, is excellent. It's not a sports or wildlife came but its shooting envelope is pretty wide. It's a sensational travel camera with the new small primes. The IBIS is voodoo magic. At least as good as the best 24x36mm systems like the SL2 (but not as good as the OMD cameras). The new V primes also make it one of the best AF/MF hybrid systems available in any format.
Flaws are, it needs a joystick. It needs a couple more high quality zooms, especially a wide. And I don't think they did a great job on the flip screen as the EVF blocks it in use. I'd like a b&w preview mode. The buttons are small for gloved users.
It's probably not someone's ONLY camera. There's a use for something for sports and wildlife. I like the Sony A1 for that. And maybe something really small or versatile like an A7CR with a couple of zooms. I'm hoping the new SL3 will deliver as it has the best zooms and the APO Summicrons. And the new Sigma 500 looks really good.
I have lots of cameras including all the competition for the X2D. I know my GFX100II has more features and more lenses as well as the zooms I want (that's why I keep it). But it's the X2D I want to use whenever possible.
Also, I dropped one of my X2D's on cobble stones and it's still going strong with a small ding in the corner of the body. It's survived tons of travel and some pretty nasty places to shoot. It's been in rain and snow and while it has no official weather ratings it's still ticking. The firmware has been reliable and the transfer speeds are insane from the SSD. I have not babied my cameras at all and I super impressed with their robustness and reliability.
Geoffreyg and Gordon, thanks so much for taking the time to provide such excellent summaries of your experiences.
It certainly would not be my only camera. Much like you I have an A1 and SL2, and I had been planning on getting the SL3 but the rumors of the somewhat modest improvements leave me thinking that I would be better served keeping the SL2 in use and looking at something different like the X2D. After the last major AF update I find the SL2 AF perfectly adequate for what I use it for (if I am photographing something in rapid motion I will always choose the A1 anyways).
There are not a lot of conversations about the X2D online and most of the YouTube videos on it are sponsored, so I really wanted to get a “check-in” with real-life owners before making a decision. I will probably hold off until the SL3 is officially released in case it has some killer functionality not yet leaked, but that seems doubtful. It is too bad that the lenses are so hard to find (the 28P and 90V are unavailable everywhere).
Again, I thank you both for your thoughtful replies. Much appreciated!
Beware of anyone on YT extolling anything Hasselblad. Quite a bit of controversy about how they are gifting full kits to Youtubers instead of loan programs like most companies do.
RoamingScott wrote:
Beware of anyone on YT extolling anything Hasselblad. Quite a bit of controversy about how they are gifting full kits to Youtubers instead of loan programs like most companies do.
RoamingScott wrote:
Beware of anyone on YT extolling anything Hasselblad. Quite a bit of controversy about how they are gifting full kits to Youtubers instead of loan programs like most companies do.
Hasselblad would not be the only company doing this. In the video below the guy between 2:30 and 3:30 admits he got a Leica SL2 and a Leica M10-R for free.
I might be cynical but my going in position is that (certainly Day 1) YouTube reviewers have been bought in one way or another...
You might be the only person to do so!