Gear

Photography Gear

Please use the content below for those needing to know for possible commission work or would like to know for curiosity.

First off, personally I’m not one that enjoy’s talking about gear or the technology used to capture an image. At the end of the day, it’s about content, creativity and the story to be told. Nothing else matters.

Please read more about this topic below.

Camera

Hasselblad X1D II 50c

A mirrorless medium format camera which is beautifully assembled and handmade from Sweden.

The imaging sensor is with a 50MP CMOS 43.8×32.9mm (36x24mm in full frame) 5.3×5.3μm pixel size.

Technical Specifications

  • 50 megapixels (8272 × 6200 pixels)
  • CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9mm)
  • 16-bit; Dynamic range up to 14 stops
  • 2.7 FPS (frames per second)
  • Electronic Shutter 300ms (readout speed)
  • Medium Format Mirrorless

So why a Hasselblad? This is a personal choice and in my opinion, it provide superb image quality that renders the look of a particular style I’m after. Though its versatile for different photography genres, however it’s not the ideal camera someone would choose when dealing with sports or fast pace photography since it does not have ultra fast autofocus to the likes of those with Canon, Nikon or Sony. Instead this unique camera, is a tool made for art, whether it’s portraiture, nature or product photographing. It’s ideal while moving slow with the intent of precision and forming the best composition possible to last a lifetime. 

Lens Kit

XCD 2.8/135 + 1.7x Tele-Converter

  • Focal length 135 / 230 (105 / 178 full frame)
  • Aperture range 2.8-32 or 4.5-55
  • Shutter speed 1/2000
  • 1m minimum focus distance
  • Macro details 1:5.8 or 1:3.4
  • Area of coverage 26x19cm or 15x11cm*

*based on minimum focus distance

XCD 1.9/80

  • Focal length 80 (63 full frame)
  • Aperture range 1.9-32
  • Shutter speed 1/2000
  • 0.7m minimum focus distance
  • Macro details 1:6.4
  • Area of coverage 28x21cm*

*based on minimum focus distance

XCD 4/45P

  • Focal length 46 (36 full frame)
  • Aperture range 4-22
  • Shutter speed 1/2000
  • 0.35m minimum focus distance
  • Macro details 1:5.2
  • Area of coverage 23x17cm*

*based on minimum focus distance

Test

Subject on gear

To give an example where gear doesn’t matter, the photos above were captured using an iPhone 13 Pro Max via Lightroom Mobile (free version) and processed in RAW format through Capture One 22 (not required) while using inexpensive constant lighting from Amazon and then carefully retouched in Affinity Photo (affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop).

My hope is to provide perspective, the camera used could have been substituted for a more affordable camera. Many talk about gear or the latest and greatest photography equipment. Where this at times, can make one feel less important or incapable of achieving amazing results due to not having what someone else has.

Again, photography is about creating something that has meaning to you. Whether its an emotion or technical formation, a craft made with your own hands. Never stop and never be discouraged.

© Shaine Meister 2022