p.1 #1 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Good evening all,
Hope all is well.
Here the situation...I use a combination of Nikon mirrorless (Z9s) and Hasselblad 907x 100c, 907x 50c S.E. and the X2D...
I absolutely love the 907x 100c and use it almost daily...since I bought it, the X2D has basically sat.
I am considering selling off the X2D with maybe a lens or two for the Leica SL3
I sold my SL2 to purchase my 907x 50c, then jumped into the 100c and X2D...
Absolutely loved the SL2, did find the AF a bit lagging but it did not necessarily distract using the system. At the time, I wanted to jump into the medium format and sort of got hooked....
But, I have the Leica itch...I know, personal problem...but want to hear SL3 users thoughts on the camera, likes/dislikes, fav lens combo, etc...heck any M11 users, who have experience with the X2D would like to hear from you all as well.
Gordon, I know you will eventually read this and know you are comparing the two...would love your thoughts as well...and
Thanks for any insight, and truly appreciate it....
p.1 #2 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Will be watching ... have been wrangling with a similar perspective (on paper).
Gordon has been good to chime in my way on this. But, I think there'll be a different set of questions to untangle where your motivation / heart lie on things.
Optically / performance / etc. ... I think the matter ultiately gets into splittin' hairs a bit. (I can go down that rabbit hole, too.)
I tell myself, that I'm headed toward Hassy (had the X1D II) for the Hassy color science for my color work. Then, as I consider what I'd have to outlay to get the IBIS of the SL series, it would be X2D only option. Optically, the SL APO vs. the Hassy XCD takes us back into hair splittin territory on the top shelf.
Without waxing more about where my head is ... the real point is that I think it'll come down to a matter of your heart at what "trips your trigger" and gives you your "mojo" as it pertains to these top tier decisions.
Not the "direct experience" with SL3 / X2D perspective, but coming from the X1D II / SL2-S perspective, that's kinda the way I see it as I look upward to the SL3 / X2D (907x) potential in my future. Now, I need to get my hands on a 907x, but now I'm rethinking to invest in the SL APO glass and remain in Leica for now. Ideally, I want to streamline things and haven't figure out where a 907 / XCD (50 v. 100) Hassy (thnking two lenses like 75 / 38) fits with SL / M / Q combined.
I haven't gotten my hands on a 907x yet, but it strikes me that it'll be to the X1D / X2D, what the M is to the SL ... that "different" approach vs. the techno marvel. Bottom line is they can all provide excellence in image quality with top tier glass ... just what glass do you want, and which form factor trips your mojo trigger.
p.1 #3 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Well, since you asked.
I will be very upfront that I am biased towards the X2D. I freaking love this camera. My SL3 is my second favourite system. Followed by my Q3’s and then the Sony A1/A7R5. I do not own a Z8 or 9. I only have the Z7 original. I also have a 907x/50c and didn’t upgrade to the 100c.
1. The HB files are better. But this should be no surprise.
2. The SL3 makes the best small format files I’ve seen. I think they’re *slightly* better than my A7R5, M11 and Q3’s. But the difference is slight. Mainly there’s a bit less noise in shadow recovery on the SL3. I put the X2D a half to one stop ahead of the SL3 and 1.5 stops over other small format cameras.
3. The APO Summicron Sl lenses are just f**king epic. You’ll forgive the slower AF and all the weight issues because they’re simple the best set of matched primes ever made.
4. Generally I think the SL3 is a solid upgrade on the SL2 series. The menus are more refined. The grip is improved. The flip screen is really overdue.
5. The new dial is currently useless IMHO. And I miss the removal of the customisation of the rear dial *click* mode. I had this set to ISO and it bugs me I can’t do this on the SL3.
6. AF is faster in AFC but in AFS you don’t see a big difference. It is very accurate in AFS.
7. Subject detection is OK for people and not good for anything else.
8. Long exposures are good on the SL3. Better on the X2D.
9. The 20-35 lens for the X2D is game changing. It’s not only great but it means you don’t need a small format camera for zooms from 16-75mm.
10. The SL3 is generally faster.
11. The SL3 has much more system flexibility, especially in lenses.
12. I really want EFCS on the SL3. Please everyone with one email Leica about this. The sensor readout is slow and we need it for longer lenses.
If you’re not using the X2D much I think the Sl3 is an excellent option. As long as you’re realistic about what Leica does regarding not chasing class leading autofocus. The build is sensational The joystick is best in class. The IBIS is excellent. The menus and UI are great. It’s a great upgrade on the SL2. Especially if you thought the SL2 was just a tad too big.
Don’t get the SL3 if you’re hoping to replace your Nikons. Not going to happen. It’s NOT a camera for action. It’s the X2D for small format. With far more lens flexibility.
Bit of a goldilocks camera for me,
If you have specific technical questions I’m more than happy to answer. From a purely X factor point of view I’m all in on the X2D.
For the record I have 2 x SL 3 bodies and 3 x 2D bodies. Without any question the two most impressive cameras I’ve ever used for my use case which is travel, landscape and fine art photography. I did order an A1ii for my wildlife and action. So there’s that.
p.1 #4 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Hello Gents,
Thanks for the comments....
Thank you Gordon...knew you would jump in...but you're killing me....I know the X2D is a great camera......I love it, everything you describe is spot on. I think for me, the 907x 100c is just to much darn fun...love shooting with it...image quality is amazing...only thing I miss and what would make it the perfect camera is IBIS. The X2D was a daily user until the 907x 100c came along...and it boils down to the fun of shooting with it.
And totally agree, there is no Hasselblad / Leica replacement for the Nikon Z9 (Sony A1), these cameras have a purpose and place...they are not in the fast action world....(although I have shot rodeo and music/concert photography with the Hasselblad and it handled itself well)...but was not the primary camera for sure.
Anyways, with these personal problems...it is more for the enjoyment of using a camera system. Loved the Leica Q2 and Q2M...sold them both in thinking I was getting a Leica Q3 but ended up buying another v lens...lol.
With the X2D camera sitting, I was just thinking...I know, dangerous. I did enjoy the SL2...but it had some limitations and I was in the middle of transition from Sony A1s (and glass) to Nikon Z9s (and glass)...so I focused on building the Nikon kit. Then got into the Hassey.
Was even thinking of going for an M11, just for a totally different shooting experience.
p.1 #5 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
flash wrote:
It’s the X2D for small format. With far more lens flexibility.
That's ^ a great way of saying it.
My original plan was to use some of M lenses on my X1D II with some of the XCD lenses ... the electronic shutter slow readout needed, due to the lack of a mechanical shutter in the body for use with M lenses (i.e. no native leaf shutter), well, that didn't pan out quite like I had hoped.
The SL series brings both the (as noted Fr**kin' good) SL glass AND the M glass back into the equation to a vastly great (which might be an issue unto itself) options for glass on the SL than the Hassy. I'm still in the ... hmmm, how am I gonna fit the Hassy into my bag, but the salient point of the SL3 being the little cousin to the Hassy ... sounds about right to me.
p.1 #6 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
I just got rid of all my leica stuff (SL2-S, SL3 + APO 21,35,50,75) and jumped back on the Hassi X2D train. The APO glass is the best you can grap for guiding light onto your sensor! But I always was a bit frustrated by some SL3 quirks, like the viewfinder flickering during AF-C. The underwhelming AF-C experience when trying to use it for capturing my kids in everyday life etc. I love the files of the SL3 (and the SL2-S) but I just got too annoyed by the "downsides". It just could not replace my Sony stuff as I had hoped.
So now I have the X2D again since a few days and I am happy I did the switch. It has no AF-C which is kind of piece of mind for me, compared to having AF-C which is not reliable enough on the SL3. The files are fantastic, the colors are even better than Leica's, and I am even as fast if not faster than with the SL3 via moving the AF spot with my left hand aon the screen while looking through the viewfinder which is really quick for capturing everyday life stuff. And the Hassi is really snappy for what it is. Plus The haptics are awesome on the X2D, its by far the most comfortable camera I got my hands on yet.
p.1 #7 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
There are some really wonderful thoughts in this thread, and just want to reinforce some of them. I have no experience with the SLs, but have used both 907 50C and the X2D. The X2D is totally awesome - its takes my idea of an image, and gives a really good result, extending in a way that is really magic. It has limitations - it does what it does really well, and there is a whole bunch that it doesn't do. The IBIS is a real game changer. The 907 user experience is interesting, fun, but also sometimes a bit... not so easy. Hard to assess, but since the X2D, 907 just sits... although the back can go on a tech camera.
From a systems view - albeit still not competing with Nikon or Canon - the SL3 or 2 are much better - more flexibility, takes M lenses... overall, a much better job of integrating. One could dream of that 90-280 zoom as well... it likely still wouldn't shoot the water droplets off flying jets that my son can get with his Canon, but it might get closer! (And long lenses is not an arena the X2D plays in). So yes, best small format package, but still not super quick. I didn't fall in love with the haptics and weight, but it can hold a bunch of different uses together. Swiss army knife.
Apart from excellence, there is also at the other end the quick shots, the more casual shooting - either family, or (in my case) some rapid long distance shots (planes, birds, cars). Maybe the SL would do that, but I use the older Leica CL, accept its limits. In this regard, the SL would (with some $$) do better, although still not matching Canikon or Sony for speed or flexibility.
p.1 #8 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
geoffreyg wrote:
There are some really wonderful thoughts in this thread, and just want to reinforce some of them. I have no experience with the SLs, but have used both 907 50C and the X2D. The X2D is totally awesome - its takes my idea of an image, and gives a really good result, extending in a way that is really magic. It has limitations - it does what it does really well, and there is a whole bunch that it doesn't do. The IBIS is a real game changer. The 907 user experience is interesting, fun, but also sometimes a bit... not so easy. Hard to assess, but since the X2D, 907 just sits... although the back can go on a tech camera.
From a systems view - albeit still not competing with Nikon or Canon - the SL3 or 2 are much better - more flexibility, takes M lenses... overall, a much better job of integrating. One could dream of that 90-280 zoom as well... it likely still wouldn't shoot the water droplets off flying jets that my son can get with his Canon, but it might get closer! (And long lenses is not an arena the X2D plays in). So yes, best small format package, but still not super quick. I didn't fall in love with the haptics and weight, but it can hold a bunch of different uses together. Swiss army knife.
Apart from excellence, there is also at the other end the quick shots, the more casual shooting - either family, or (in my case) some rapid long distance shots (planes, birds, cars). Maybe the SL would do that, but I use the older Leica CL, accept its limits. In this regard, the SL would (with some $$) do better, although still not matching Canikon or Sony for speed or flexibility.
p.1 #9 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
All of you guys who have not tried the Fuji GX system should definitely take a look. The Fuji 100ii is a superbly built camera that is very solid. The lenses are excellent; after all, they made all the Hasselblad H and span lenses. I have the SL3 and X2d, and the Fuji is faster than both! Also, the image sensor is the same used in X2D. They are all very pleasing and when used the quality of images is superb. For Traveling all are very heavy, so a Fuji Gfx 100sii or a Sony A7cr are my choices.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:34 AM
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p.1 #10 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
msadat wrote:
All of you guys who have not tried the Fuji GX system should definitely take a look. The Fuji 100ii is a superbly built camera that is very solid. The lenses are excellent; after all, they made all the Hasselblad H and span lenses. I have the SL3 and X2d, and the Fuji is faster than both! Also, the image sensor is the same used in X2D. They are all very pleasing and when used the quality of images is superb. For Traveling all are very heavy, so a Fuji Gfx 100sii or a Sony A7cr are my choices.
I have a Fuji GFX 50S and it is a wonderful camera, but the Fuji GFX doesn't lend itself to travel, IMO. In contrast the Hassy X2D with the 25V, 55V, & 90V weighs just over 2400g, which for me (YMMV) is plenty small enough for travel. If I were to get a similarly capable Leica M11 kit with a 18 SEM, 35 cron APO, 50 cron APO, and 90 cron APO (with the Visoflex 2 and the macro adapter) that kit weighs 2259g, so very nearly the same weight. My personal travel kit right now is the Sony A7r V, the Voigtlander 21 f/1.4, the Voigtlander 40 f/1.2, and the Zeiss Loxia 85 f/2.4 and that kit comes in at 2267g, so again not so different from the Hassy X2D kit with the 3 V lenses.
In contrast the Fuji GFX 100S II with the GF 23 f/4; GF 63 f/2.8, and 110 f/2 weighs 3143g which is just a lot more to carry around. The Fuji GF system has some pretty small lenses, but they are all clustered in the wide angle to normal range and nothing longer than 63mm. That makes putting together a small system for travel very challenging.
In the above analysis I picked the V lenses because I think they are worth the extra weight they require and are still small enough, but if you go with the Hassy P lenses you can lighten the load even further.
p.1 #11 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
I too currently have a comprehensive GFX system. GFX100ii, GFX100S, 4 x zooms and a half dozen primes.
In AFC is is faster than the SL3. Elsewhere it’s a wash. Image review is faster on the SL3. It’s certainly bigger. And heavier. And there are no zooms longer than the 100-200, which is excellent but slow. It’s the same argument. The SL3 has vastly more native lens options. Longer. Faster. Wider.
I love the flip screen on the Fujis. File IQ is great. The 250 and 500 are sensational. Those and the 100-200 is why I keep the system around. I have a trip to Africa next year and I intend to take the GFX100ii and the 500 for wildlife portraits (plus an A1ii). The GFX100ii has the best viewfinder I’ve ever used. Ever. It’s simply sensational.
But the GFX is not a perfect X2D alternative either. The GFX100 is to the X2D as the A7R5 is to the SL3. Same base sensor sure. But wildly different intent. The GFX is comprehensive and therefore complex. The Hasselblad feels agile in comparison to the GFX which always feels cumbersome. Just like you’ll choose a Leica over a Sony, knowing one does it all and the other is an exercise in UI and industrial design, I think the same applies to the X2D and the GFX100 series. Both great. Not the same.
Generally I travel with a body over my shoulder and two lenses in a small (2L) hip pack. With the X2D that’s currently the 20-35E, 55V and 90V. I simply can’t do this with a GFX because everything longer than the 63 is very large. It’s a backpack system.
Having said that if Hasselblad releases a 75-210 or similar for the X2D I’m positive the GFX will instantly become 95% redundant, for me. Even though the X2D would be just a big with three zooms. The Fuji may be technically superior but the Hasselblad is just a joy to use. It’s the camera that makes me want to go out and use it.
As this thread demonstrates, I think the SL3 is an alternative to the X2D. It’s simply a trade off between ultimate IQ and system flexibility.
I do like the GFX100ii with the 500mm and TC. The IQ is absolutely extraordinary.
p.1 #12 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
flash wrote:
The GFX is comprehensive and therefore complex. The Hasselblad feels agile in comparison to the GFX which always feels cumbersome. Just like you’ll choose a Leica over a Sony, knowing one does it all and the other is an exercise in UI and industrial design, I think the same applies to the X2D and the GFX100 series. Both great. Not the same.
p.1 #13 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
If the X2D is "just sitting around", then yes, sell it. However, do not expect any FF system to deliver the same luscious files as the X2D. X2D with the 45p is a great walk-around camera with no compromise in image quality. With the SL system, there is no option of a small prime today. I had the SL APOs: 35, 50, 75, 90. Stellar lenses but I sold them as I found them too heavy and large.
I also had the M11, but sold it soon after getting the X2D as Hasselbad files are simply hard to beat. Ergonomics and menu too are the best of any camera I have used and I have used a lot of brands.
I do have a Q3 28, but the usage is infrequent as I invariably reach for the X2D.
I bought the X2D soon after its release. Generally GAS starts to trouble me within a year of new gear purchase. X2D has cured me of that disease, nothing else tempts me, except the new Hasselbad zoom that just came out.
On a recent trip to Istanbul, I took just the X2D and two lenses. Q3 sat at home. Didn't miss it. Going to Yellowstone this winter and I am taking the X2D with two lenses + MFT for tele option if I come across wildlife. I might as well sell the Q3.
Edit- I started with the Hasselbad X system in 2020, buying a used X1D with the 45 3.5 from B&H. It was an impulse buy and I thought I would return it. I still remember my jaw dropping when I saw the output. This was when I had the SL2 with SL APOs and Fuji GFX as well.
p.1 #14 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
I didn't read through the replies, but since you going to still shoot with 907, I strongly steer you towards the M, and not the latest greatest, but get something like regular M10 or M240 to start with.
For the longest time I shot with autofocus camera, and even switching to an M I still focus everything and yes it slows me down, but the REAL fun with M is zone focus and shooting from hip. Learn your distance perception, preset a distance and walk into the target zone and fire away (Or wait for the target to walk into the zone!). With M and the right lens it's way easier than I would have ever thought, and I never look into autofocus camera again cause the moment you raise your camera you're attracting attention. Give the M a try!
p.1 #16 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Jaree wrote:
With the SL system, there is no option of a small prime today…
TNCasual wrote:
Sigma makes many great Lmount lenses. The Contemporary lenses are compact and high quality.
There is no option of a small Leica SL APO prime with Autofocus.
There is the option of numerous small M mount primes.
There is the option of the smaller (than Leica SL APO) Panny f/1.8 primes.
In the end, there is "no free lunch" when it comes to optical excellence. There's always a price to be paid (size, weight, $$$, vignetting, distortion, CA, build, etc.) in some form or another.
Choose your poison(s) kinda thing.
p.1 #17 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
Jaree wrote:
If the X2D is "just sitting around", then yes, sell it. However, do not expect any FF system to deliver the same luscious files as the X2D. X2D with the 45p is a great walk-around camera with no compromise in image quality. With the SL system, there is no option of a small prime today. I had the SL APOs: 35, 50, 75, 90. Stellar lenses but I sold them as I found them too heavy and large.
I also had the M11, but sold it soon after getting the X2D as Hasselbad files are simply hard to beat. Ergonomics and menu too are the best of any camera I have used and I have used a lot of brands.
I do have a Q3 28, but the usage is infrequent as I invariably reach for the X2D.
I bought the X2D soon after its release. Generally GAS starts to trouble me within a year of new gear purchase. X2D has cured me of that disease, nothing else tempts me, except the new Hasselbad zoom that just came out.
On a recent trip to Istanbul, I took just the X2D and two lenses. Q3 sat at home. Didn't miss it. Going to Yellowstone this winter and I am taking the X2D with two lenses + MFT for tele option if I come across wildlife. I might as well sell the Q3.
Edit- I started with the Hasselbad X system in 2020, buying a used X1D with the 45 3.5 from B&H. It was an impulse buy and I thought I would return it. I still remember my jaw dropping when I saw the output. This was when I had the SL2 with SL APOs and Fuji GFX as well. ...Show more →
What did you use for your two-lens kit with the X2D?
I had the X1D II and 45/3.5 (and 80/1.9) ... another +1 for the files. I traded it out in a moment of temporary (something) / transitional retooling. Not sure how I'm coming back to Hassy ... the M246, M10R, Q2 and SL2-S are in the stable right now. The SL2-S and M10R see the most use. The SL2-S seems to be the most likely "must keep", since it is the only body that supports the long glass (Siggy 500/5.6). Presently I go back / forth with the SL2-S and M10R with M glass. M246 for concerts is nice. Q2 for car shows, etc. because of its macro / mfd.
In some regard, I'd like to get down to two bodies (but, it keeps lookin' like three if I put the Hassy back in the mix). That, and I'll want the proceeds from a couple of bodies to contribute to the Hassy.
p.1 #19 · Hasselblad X2D vs. Leica SL3...looking for thoughts and opinions....oh Gordon?
My standard two lens kit for the X2D are the 38V and 90 f3.2. I add the 135 if I want to torture myself with more weight. I sold the XCD 80 and 65 - stellar lenses but too heavy for me.
RustyBug wrote:
What did you use for your two-lens kit with the X2D?
I had the X1D II and 45/3.5 (and 80/1.9) ... another +1 for the files. I traded it out in a moment of temporary (something) / transitional retooling. Not sure how I'm coming back to Hassy ... the M246, M10R, Q2 and SL2-S are in the stable right now. The SL2-S and M10R see the most use. The SL2-S seems to be the most likely "must keep", since it is the only body that supports the long glass (Siggy 500/5.6). Presently I go back / forth with the SL2-S and M10R with M glass. M246 for concerts is nice. Q2 for car shows, etc. because of its macro / mfd.
In some regard, I'd like to get down to two bodies (but, it keeps lookin' like three if I put the Hassy back in the mix). That, and I'll want the proceeds from a couple of bodies to contribute to the Hassy....Show more →
...I love it, everything you describe is spot on. I think for me, the 907x 100c is just to much darn fun...love shooting with it...image quality is amazing...only thing I miss and what would make it the perfect camera is IBIS. The X2D was a daily user until the 907x 100c came along...and it boils down to the fun of shooting with it. 
