I assume some may be following this already, but it might be news to others. The Hasselblad X2D and 907x firmware has been hacked to add features such as AF-C and accelerated focusing. It seems Hasselblad made a deliberate choice not to add these features into the X2D, despite some public commitments to do so after the camera's release. The hardware, it seems, was always capable of it all along. Also now available, eye focus, tracking AF, in-camera pixel shift and some others.
Try at your own risk here:
My take is that anyone buying into the hasselbald system knows Hasselblad's very poor history of maintaining support for their digital hardware after newer hardware is released. I don't think such expensive gear should be like that, but it's also not news to anyone paying attention. I'm hesitant to try this on a camera I need to do paid work. I expect one of three responses:
1) Nothing; Hasselblad ignores it (it's kinda bad PR, but I think limited in its reach)
2) Bricks cameras with a new firmware update, or bricks access to Phocus (this seems a somewhat likely direction as the latest X2Dii firmware release added basically no new features except to prohibit downgrading firmware). If you want to ever have the option to try this, I would download the current versions of the X2D or 907x firmware now.
3) Releases a firmware update that adds these features natively on the X2D, 907x. The fact that the 907x is currently missing it with no successor having AF-C is a head scratcher unless a new 907x is more imminent than we know. (I see this as the least likely outcome. HB has committed to this sales strategy; I doubt they are about to make such a change now based on some vibe-coding hacks).
Candidly I think it came out about perfect- The ability to put it on a 501/c body, use it with older v mount lenses etc. The most unique camera I have ever touched- No way would I put some vibe coded hack software on it.
Candidly I think it came out about perfect- The ability to put it on a 501/c body, use it with older v mount lenses etc. The most unique camera I have ever touched- No way would I put some vibe coded hack software on it.
It was actually what caused me to sell mine. It's a really cool camera and I absolutely love the form factor, but the missing AF-C makes it practically useless for event photography. Landscape or stills photographer, sure, definitely not a big missing feature. However, even with the 2.5 primes at closer distances that lack of AF-C means missed shots. Anything moving, zero chance of an in-focus shot. It's just a missed opportunity, that this proves is more of a business choice. At that price point, I find that a pretty lame decision. However, I'm with you on not loading hacked firmware on these cameras. If they were substantially cheaper, sure.
I love that everyone is going nuts with LLMs and unlocking additional features for these cameras. There's something similar happening in the Fuji space too. It's like the early 10s all over again with Magic Lantern firmware boosting the video capabilities of Canon DSLRs. I messed around with Magic Lantern on a Rebel T2i back in the day. That was a $8 or $900 camera, I'm not sure I'd do this on a $7,000 dollar camera, but it's cool it exists.
Canon eventually started rolling the Magic Lantern features into their DSLRs, but Magic Lantern was a much bigger deal than this Hasselblad stuff (due to the popularity of those cameras). I doubt Hasselblad acknowledges this or even updates their cameras to support this stuff. I do think if their next cameras don't take a meaningful leap forward on the software side, they will be dinged for it harder than they would have pre all this vibe coded stuff. They'll have to spend even more on influencer marketing to control the narrative.
As someone who's taken his X2D II to many an event, the AF-C ain't that great anyway, lol. Hopefully the 100C III has an even better AF system.
