X2D II 100C - FAQ

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR UPGRADES OF X2D II 100C COMPARED TO X2D 100C?

X2D II 100C, the 100-Megapixel HDR Mirrorless Medium Format Digital Camera, is the new flagship of the Hasselblad X System, combining AF-C continuous autofocus, Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution with High Dynamic Range (HNCS HDR), and 5-axis, 10-stop in-body image stabilisation*. Together with Phocus Mobile 2's streamlined and efficient workflow, these advancements deliver a transformative leap in your photography experience.

* 10-stop stabilisation at the image centre and 8-stop at the edges. Measured by Hasselblad with the XCD 3,5/120 Macro lens using CIPA standards.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HNCS HDR AND TRADITIONAL HDR?

Traditional HDR solutions focus solely on dynamic optimisation by brightening shadows and compressing highlights to retain detail. However, this approach reduces contrast, causing images to appear flat and losing crucial tonal qualities.

Hasselblad HNCS HDR extends the colour gamut to the wider P3. The new imaging system also features 1400‑nit peak brightness—a 75% increase over previous models. These advances unlock the medium-format sensor's complete imaging capabilities, revealing nuanced details in highlights that would otherwise be lost.

WHICH FILE FORMATS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH HNCS HDR?

RAW, HEIF and JPG formats.

HOW DO I ENABLE OR DISABLE HDR ON THE CAMERA?

HDR can be enabled or disabled in the "Quality" page of the X2D II 100C menu. When HDR is disabled, photos will be captured and displayed with SDR effects.

WHICH DEVICES AND SOFTWARE CAN DISPLAY HNCS HDR?

HDR JPG can display HDR effects in Phocus, the Preview app on MacBook Pro (2021 and later, running macOS 15.0 or later), and third-party software such as Adobe Lightroom (Classic 13.0 and later, mobile app 9.0 and later) and Adobe Camera Raw (15.1 and later).

For optimal HDR display in Phocus, we recommend:

• iPhone 13 Pro and newer models (with at least 6GB RAM), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later) and iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), running iOS 18 or later with Low Power Mode disabled
• MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display (2021 and later models, running macOS 15.0 or later)

HDR display quality may be reduced when devices are in Low Power Mode, at elevated temperatures, or when screen brightness is excessive.

HDR HEIF only supports HDR display on X2D II 100C and in Phocus. iPhone/iPad Photos app and third-party software such as Adobe Photoshop/Adobe Camera Raw do not support HDR HEIF highlight display.

CAN HNCS HDR PHOTOS BE EDITED IN POST-PROCESSING?

HNCS HDR photos (JPG/HEIF/RAW) can all be viewed and edited with HDR effects in Phocus. HNCS HDR photos in JPG/RAW formats can also be edited in Adobe Lightroom (Classic 13.0 and later, mobile app 9.0 and later). For other software support, please refer to the latest official documentation from third-party software providers.

WHY MIGHT HDR JPG NOT DISPLAY HDR EFFECTS PROPERLY WHEN SHARED TO APPLE DEVICES?

Due to Apple's system architecture, iOS and iPadOS currently have varying support for HDR JPG across different pathways. Even on HDR-capable devices running iOS 18 or later, HDR JPG imported through different methods may display differently. We recommend viewing images through Preview on MacBook Pro (2021 and later models, running macOS 15.0 or later) for optimal HDR display.

The following pathways may not display HDR effects properly:

1. Viewing through Photos app on iPhone/iPad: Some models display HDR directly; others require tapping "Edit" first; some photos may show fading in highlight areas.

2. Viewing through Photos app on MacBook Pro: HDR effects display but some photos may show fading in highlight areas.

3. Viewing directly through Files app on iPhone/iPad or after saving to Photos app: HDR display not supported.

WHEN IS HDR FUNCTIONALITY UNAVAILABLE?

HDR is not supported in the following situations:

1. Shooting mode set to Focus Bracketing

2. Shooting mode set to Continuous

3. Shooting mode set to Exposure Bracketing

4. Exposure mode set to Manual (M)

5. When connected to a Nikon-compatible flash

6. Image format set to "RAW" only

* In these shooting modes, RAW files can still be processed with HDR effects in Phocus and exported as Ultra HDR JPG images. When HDR is enabled, metering mode is fixed to Smart Metering.

WHICH LENSES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH AF-C CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS?

Compatible with XCD 2,8-4/35-100E, XCD 2,5/38V, XCD 2,5/55V, XCD 2,5/25V, XCD 2,5/90V, XCD 4/28P, XCD 3,4/75P, and other lenses (lenses must be updated to latest firmware), but not available with electronic shutter.

IS THERE OBJECT TRACKING FUNCTIONALITY?

Yes. Enable subject detection in AF-C mode to track human, vehicles, cats and dogs.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE FOCUS POINT MODE FOR DIFFERENT SCENARIOS?

1. When shooting small objects, scenes with complex foreground/background, or when precise selection between multiple detectable subjects is needed, use "Spot" or "Expand Spot".

2. For continuous shooting where the subject moves within the foreground area with varying composition, use “Wide” or “Custom”.

WHY DOES THE LENS VIBRATE SLIGHTLY DURING AF-C?

During continuous autofocus, the lens continuously fine-tunes focus around the focal point, but this does not affect focus accuracy when capturing images.

HOW DO I UNDERSTAND 10-STOP STABILISATION?

If the safe shutter speed (for sharp photos) without stabilisation is 1/500s, keeping aperture and ISO constant, with stabilisation enabled: 1-stop compensation gives 1/250s safe shutter speed*. Following the formula, 10-stop compensation gives approximately 2 seconds safe shutter speed.

* These figures are for reference only. Safe shutter speed is affected by focal length, hand-holding stability and other factors.

HOW DO I MAKE THE MOST OF 10-STOP STABILISATION?

1. Each time X2D II 100C connects to Phocus Mobile 2, it obtains current latitude/longitude position. Using location and compass information compensates for Earth's rotation effects on stabilisation. We recommend connecting to Phocus Mobile 2 before shooting to help the stabilisation system obtain latest geographic information, valid for 4 hours. When location changes significantly, obtain new position information.

2. Stabilisation improvement has limits; the camera still needs to be held stably.

3. After extended use, rest the camera on a stable surface for a period for better stabilisation performance.

WHY ARE PHOTOS LESS SHARP WHEN USING A TRIPOD?

When shooting long exposures with a tripod, the motion sensors in the stabilisation system may detect invalid data, causing incorrect compensation.

When stabilisation is enabled, the system automatically detects tripod use, but detection can be affected by environmental vibrations. We recommend disabling stabilisation when using a tripod.

WHEN SHOULD I SET STABILISATION MODE TO "MOTION"?

When tracking moving subjects, switch to "Sport" mode for better stabilisation effects.

WHY IS STABILISATION LESS EFFECTIVE FOR CLOSE-UP SHOTS?

In close-up photography, lateral movement significantly affects stabilisation. In such cases, we recommend using faster shutter speeds, higher ISO, and applying Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR)* in Phocus.

* Only available for RAW images.

DOES X2D II 100C STABILISATION WORK WITH ADAPTED LENSES?

Since stabilisation is built into the body, it still works with adapted lenses. However, you must input the lens focal length in camera settings. Stabilisation supports lenses up to 499mm focal length.

When using lenses longer than 499mm, you can still manually set focal length to 499mm to obtain some stabilisation benefit.

HOW DOES PHOCUS MOBILE 2 MAKE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKFLOW MORE PORTABLE?

With Phocus Mobile 2, easily export, filter, browse and edit freshly captured photos from your camera. It also supports remote camera control and parameters adjustment.

X2D II 100C offers even more comprehensive remote camera control through Phocus Mobile 2 for self-timer and time-lapse needs. Powered-off wake-up allows you to connect and download photos even when your camera is powered off in your bag.

DOES PHOCUS MOBILE 2 SUPPORT HDR IMAGE DISPLAY AND EDITING?

Images captured in HDR mode (HEIF/JPG/RAW) by Hasselblad X2D II 100C and RAW files from other Hasselblad cameras (including X2D 100C, CFV 100C, X1D II 50C, CFV II 50C) can all be viewed and edited with HDR effects in Phocus.

HOW DOES PHOCUS MOBILE 2 CONNECT TO MULTIPLE DEVICES OF THE SAME MODEL?

Phocus Mobile 2 does not support simultaneous connection to multiple devices. To switch devices, select the target camera model in "Connect to New Device" from the "..." menu in the top right corner of the app.

WHICH DEVICES ARE SUPPORTED BY PHOCUS MOBILE 2?

Phocus Mobile 2 supports iPhone/iPad with at least 3GB RAM, running iOS 16.2 or later.

DOES PHOCUS MOBILE 2 SUPPORT HDR IMAGE EXPORT?

Phocus Mobile 2 can export HDR images (JPG/HEIF/RAW) as Ultra HDR JPG.

HOW DO I ADJUST EXPOSURE COMPENSATION WHEN EXPOSURE IS SET TO MANUAL AND ISO IS NOT SET TO AUTO?

Hold the "ISO/WB" button while turning the rear scroll wheel.

WHICH FLASH/WIRELESS TRIGGER MODELS ARE SUPPORTED?

In TTL mode, we recommend:

Nikon flashes: SB-300, SB-500, SB-700, SB-5000

Profoto flashes: A10, A1

Triggers: Connect Pro, Connect, Air Remote TTL

WHICH CFEXPRESS TYPE B CARDS ARE SUPPORTED?

Sony CEB-G series CFexpress Type B memory cards (128GB)

SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Type B memory cards (128GB, 256GB, 512GB)

Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B memory cards DIAMOND series (128GB, 256GB)

WHAT DOES THE ADAPTIVE FRAME RATE FOR LIVE VIEW IN DISPLAY SETTINGS DO?

Helps the camera reduce frame rate in low light to improve focus accuracy and enhance low-light image quality.

WHAT DOES SENSOR CALIBRATION DO? WHEN SHOULD I PERFORM SENSOR CALIBRATION?

Sensor calibration checks and optimises the camera sensor. If unexpected bright spots appear in photos or live view, use this function to correct these issues.