Hasselblad X2D II 100c with XCD 35-100mm E Lens Attached

My Go-To Medium Format System

At CI, I have access to the finest medium-format cameras on the market today. Recently, I’ve found myself gravitating toward shooting with the Hasselblad X2D II 100c. Its user interface is simple and intuitive, the shooting experience is enjoyable, and the end results are always satisfactory (at least to me). With the recent addition of the Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm E lens, I can now carry one lens and cover over 50% of the focal length range in the Hasselblad lineup (if you count the discontinued XCD 135mm).

The Objective

I’ve seen testimonies from people online saying they could get a sharp image with the X2D II at as slow as one to two seconds. It makes me wonder: how consistently can they freeze motion at that shutter speed? And would they describe themselves as steady-handed? To me, there’s no one-size-fits-all for the lowest shutter speed that’s safe to handhold. Factors like magnification, lens size and weight, and user steadiness will yield different results. As someone with less than world-class hands, I want to do this test myself with one of the biggest lenses in the Hasselblad lineup: the XCD 35-100mm E.

I want to know, what is the longest shutter speed I can use to consistently freeze motion in regular shooting conditions? Key words being “consistent” and “regular.” If there’s a stabilizing technique I can’t or won’t use during everyday shooting, I won’t be using it for this test. If I can only get a sharp image for a majority of my shots, the shutter speed isn’t fast enough.

Size ( & Weight ) Matters

Size Comparison: XCD 35-100mm E vs. XCD 38mm V Lens

As mentioned before, the size and weight of my lens could play into how stable I can keep the camera. The XCD 35-100mm weighs just shy of two pounds and is 5.4 inches long. That’s over double the weight of lenses like the XCD 55V, 45P, or 38V, and exactly double the length of the XCD 38V specifically. Needless to say, the weight distribution is going to be different than shooting with nearly any other prime lens in the lineup.

Lens	Length	Weight
XCD 35-100mm	5.4″ / 138 mm	1.97 lb / 894 g
XCD 38mm	2.7″ / 68 mm	0.77 lb / 350 g
XCD 55mm	2.8″ / 72 mm	0.82 lb / 372 g
XCD 75mm	3.0″ / 75 mm	0.87 lb / 398 g
XCD 90mm	3.7″ / 95 mm	1.21 lb / 551 g

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As an aside, it was a great feeling to import my .3FR Hasselblad RAWs straight into Capture One for this test. If you want to compare how Phocus, Capture One, and Adobe perform with raw Hasselblad files, give Steve Hendrix’s article below a read.

Hasselblad Raws in Capture One!

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My “Technique” for Handholding

For the sake of brevity, I chose to test only three focal lengths: wide, middle, and long. I stood with my feet wide and staggered for stability, exhaled, and pressed the shutter at the end of my breath. I likely could have improved my results with a time delay or by leaning against a wall, but again, I want this test to inform my practical shooting conditions. A delay while shooting anything other than landscape or architecture (which you are likely using a tripod for anyway) would drive me mad. And support to lean against is not always guaranteed, nor does it allow you to freely compose your image.

Handheld at 35mm

At 35mm, the lowest acceptable shutter speed was 1/15th.

**Images were chosen based on a visual progression in motion blur. Each focal length will display a different set of shutter speeds and are not to be a direct comparison between focal lengths

No motion blur after 1/15th

Handheld at 60mm

At 60mm, the lowest acceptable shutter speed remained 1/15th. At first glance, you may think the 1/8th image is completely clear. However, look closer.

A closer look at 1/15th vs. 1/8th

Handheld at 100mm

At 100mm, the lowest acceptable shutter speed remained 1/15th. To be sure, I compared a closeup of 1/15th vs 1/125.

A closer look at 1/15th vs. 1/125th

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