As one of the first to try out the new XH Converter 0,8 on the 907X 50C, British photographer Tom Oldham executed a brilliantly dynamic studio session with Greek model and activist Billie Dellios. Allowing H System Lenses to be used on X and 907X cameras with a wider field of view and improved maximum aperture, the XH Converter 0,8 opened Tom’s typical portrait-taking style of shooting on f/11 to a wide f/1,8 to create stunningly bold visuals.
QUICK BACKGROUND ON
XH CONVERTER 0,8
The XH Converter 0,8, used on HC/HCD lenses attached to an X System or 907X camera, reduces the focal length of the lens by a factor of 0,8x, which delivers a wider field of view and improves the maximum aperture of the lens by two-thirds of a stop. Additionally, the XH Converter 0,8 improves lens performance in terms of contrast and apparent sharpness across the entire frame.
WHAT LENS AND CAMERA COMBINATION DID YOU USE WITH THE XH CONVERTER 0,8?
I used the HC 80mm and HC 100mm lenses, which were perfect for this shoot, on the 907X 50C. Faster and wider works well for me right now.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE USING THE XH CONVERTER 0,8 TO SHOOT?
The experience was very different as I was shooting manual focus. Helpfully, zooming into 100% on the rear screen enabled me to really pinpoint the millimetres I had to play with wide open. It was challenging but when it’s right, the quality I found stunning.
WHAT DID IT DO FOR YOUR IMAGERY?
It brought me closer to my subject and without question gave me new encouragement to step away from f/11 and try to shoot portraits at f/1,8 to harness that incredible feeling that shooting this open can bring to portraits.
HOW DID THE CONVERTER OPEN UP YOUR LENS LINEUP?
Faster lenses are really useful as can be wider lenses. Challenges can encourage new thinking and that’s positive.
ABOUT TOM OLDHAM
British portrait photographer Tom Oldham has photographed all sorts of talented folk around the world. Finding his calling at the ripe age of 21, some of Tom's biggest works include: Eldmodur, featuring Icelandic crossfit athletes; The Herder Boys of Lesotho, his proudest series; The Longest Day, where Tom stayed awake for 40 hours and shot one portrait per hour. Check out more of his compelling portrait work at @tommyophoto.
ABOUT BILLIE THE MODEL
Billie Dellios is a non-binary model and artist from Greece. They've lived in London since 2013 and originally moved here to pursue an academic career in psychology. However after coming in contact with the world of fashion their life changed course. Having grown up in poverty as an LGBTQ+ person made them want to change things for people in similar situations and so they now actively try to create safe spaces in their immediate circles. They now work as a model and performer and even though they've never had any professional dance training, they love exploring new ways of moving. See more of Billie at @billiedellios.
THE REST OF THE CREATIVE TEAM
Styling: @stylistjjr
Make up: @annainglishall_makeup
Lighting: @holephoto
Assistance: @hbzhwry
Retouch: @milkandmetalstudio
UNLOCK A WHOLE NEW SET OF LENSES WITH XH CONVERTER 0,8
More Hasselblad stories
All stories ⟶
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.
ISABELLA TABACCHI
Magical Mountainous Landscapes on XCD 30
Italian photographer Isabella Tabacchi escaped to the dreamy mountain views of the Dolomites and the Swiss Alps to capture the beauty of the Milky Way across the skies and the grand Matterhorn Mountain with the X1D II 50C and XCD 30 lens.
TERUYASU KITAYAMA
Capturing Nebulas and Pinwheel Galaxies
The night sky captured by a Hasselblad reveals its special look which is not visible to the naked eye. We spoke to Teruyasu Kitayama to talk about the charm of shooting starry skies with various Hasselblad cameras.
Mathias Elmeskog
Image Quality Specialist Tests X and 907X Cameras in Namibia
As team leader and specialist in the Image Quality Team at Hasselblad, Mathias Elmeskog constantly puts Hasselblad cameras to the test in multiple locations to ensure the sharpest quality and smoothest colour accuracy.
Ken Karagozian
Documenting Thirty Years of the Los Angeles Metro
What started out as going underground for a one-time photo session with his Hasselblad 503CX turned into 30 years of documenting the creation of the Los Angeles Metro system by artist Ken Karagozian.
MARIA SVARBOVA
SWIMMING POOLS OF ANOTHER ERA
2018 Hasselblad Master in Art Maria Svarbova is widely recognised for her captivating Swimming Pool series. After switching to the X System, Maria tells us about how it has dramatically affected creating her dream-like compositions.