Imaginative self-portrait photographer Flora Borsi is no stranger to the X System, and now, is one of the first photographers to try out the next generation X1D II 50C. Usually working with darker tones, Flora decided to put the camera to work capturing a wide spectrum of colours, dressing herself in melting ice cream, gooey lettuce, vibrant roses, and splattered blue paint.
The X1D II 50C was way faster than the first X1D, both in terms of continuous shooting mode and system start. The menu navigation's user interface is extended with useful, additional sub-menus. I especially liked the opportunity to shoot with interval capturing mode, where I could select how many images I wanted to take with self-timer, setting the time between each take. I love the new, bigger screen with higher resolution. The preview images were a lot clearer and bigger, therefore making it easier to spot any mistakes.
CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO ZOOM IN
RICH COLOUR DEPTH
I wanted to capture the strongest profile of Hasselblad, which is color and detail. Even though it has the same sensor, somehow, I noticed that the color-grades and color depth is more developed, so I wanted to play with the viewer's imagination. I want to inspire people to create something unordinary, otherworldly – so I was thinking in the same way while creating my images.
SHARP DETAILS FROM THE FIRST SHOT
The X1D II was amazing to work with when it comes to details, colours and resolution. Even with 50MP, I could easily enlarge it to 1,5 or 2 meters when it comes to printing. The details are so rich that I couldn't complain or compare it to other cameras. The details don’t come from post production sharpening; they're really sharp from the start!
TAKING A PHOTO IN ONE TAP
I was working mostly with Phocus Mobile on my iPad. To adjust autofocus through Phocus is a precious function since I'm doing self-portraits and sometimes, I don't have time for metering distance. Just one tap and the image is captured – how amazing is that?
I felt really inspired to create. I knew that the final result was going to be technically perfect and this is exactly what I need – I didn't have to worry. The new style of the camera is also very inspiring. When I was looking at this camera, I felt like I wanted to do all of my projects (which have been in my sketchbook for years) immediately. The X1D II is just beautiful and smart – everything I need in a camera. Cameras are tools and should help artists to manifest their ideas. I think the Hasselblad X1D II totally made this possible, without any doubt.
COMPACT.
POWERFUL.
ENHANCED.
More Hasselblad stories
All stories ⟶
Walter Janach
A Love Affair with Aviation on the 500C
Unable to become a pilot due to his eyesight, the young Swiss photographer and later professor of technical thermodynamics Walter Janach channeled his passion for aviation into capturing these majestic flying machines on his 500C.
Donald Michael Chambers
60 Minutes of Silence
No talking. No phones. No distractions. For 60 minutes, Donald Michael Chambers sat with each of his 30 subjects in complete silence. Once the hour began, Donald gave no direction and simply decided when to click the shutter button.
Gavin Goodman
Pleating Paper into Sculptural Headwear
South African photographer Gavin Goodman had a vision to create a series influenced by traditional African headwear done with a modern and simplistic touch. Commissioning a local origami artist as a unique way to bring this vision to life, they transformed delicate paper into beautiful African-inspired sculptural objects.
Tomás Karmelo Amaya
Native Love Stories
Born for the A:shiwi, Rarámuri, and Yoeme tribes, creative Tomás Karmelo Amaya’s ongoing series Native Love Stories illustrates the abundance of Indigenous circles, including love, service to others, community strength, and the ability to thrive.
LUKA TRAJKOVIC
CINEMATIC SCENES IN SERBIA
Inspired by the greatest film directors and DOPs, Serbian photographer Luka Trajkovic creates images that appear to be taken right out of a film.
Roman Jehanno
Artisans of Southern France
Creating his dream roadmap that took him from Monaco to Bordeaux with all the stops in between, Roman discovered the rich multitude of craftwork and ancient practices still being used by his fellow countryfolk in France.