That’s right.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote this post complaining about the lack of breathtaking new cameras that would make me say WOW! I NEED TO BUY!

And yes, that was a full-hearted, honest complain because I do miss the excitement from the days mirrorless was starting and camera brands were rolling out new products non-stop, sporting inspiring looks, design features or new technology. It was always worth checking, celebrating – and buying – new stuff.

Now it all came to a stop. New cameras come out slower and manufacturers are only upgrading the very same boring specs, nothing else.

But then…

I’m not sure how, but one day I happened to recall this camera from Hasselblad that is a bit different and retro, a reference to their waist level cameras from the past. I had it in the back of my mind, I remember seeing it sometime in the past, so I went to Hasselblad’s website to check.

And the rest is history.

I felt immediately in love with the 907x 50c. Incidentally, I then realized just recently Hasselblad launched a newer, improved version of this medium format camera, which is the 907x 100c. In short, the old 50c has a 50MP medium format sensor, whereas the new 100c comes with a 100MP sensor.

So I wasted no time ordering one in my local camera store, together with the XCD 4/28P lens, which is a super small wide angle lens offering a 22mm equivalent field of view.

This was not a logical decision, it burned a hole in my pocket and furthermore this camera has some so-called *limitations*. There is no IBIS, EVF or video. Some people would tell you the X2D 100c is a better option because it’s got all of the above.

I actually feel the opposite. If I’m shelling out this amount of my hard earned cash, I want to experience something totally different. I appreciate the camera being barebones without bell and whistles and lacking current technological features. Especially lacking video, which I see as a very positive indeed. Like Leica M cameras, in a way.

Light & small

This combo will weight a mere 865 g (620g + 245g for body and lens, respectively). This is crazy impressive for a medium format, 100MP camera.

In fact, it’s lighter than my medium format Fuji GFX 50R, which with my smallest GF 50mm pancake lens weights 1.1 kg (775g + 335g, body and lens).

So you can imagine the question that comes next. Shall I keep my Fuji 50R, together with the 3 medium format lenses that I bought along?

Probably not.

I love my GFX 50R, I like the colour it produces and the overall quality of the files. This is a superb camera and it did not cost an arm and a leg like the Hasselblad. I mean, it was not cheap, but comparatively cheaper than the Hassy.

I have a passion for this camera, even though I never considered it particularly good looking. It’s an oversized rangefinder-styled camera body, looks and feels like a brick. Not the best looking camera, but it’s user-friendly and works well. Fundamentally, I like this camera because it’s a good product – like everything from Fuji. It’s an affordable medium format camera.

So as I write these lines, I’m already feeling sad to think I’m parting ways with my GFX 50R. But then, in life we need to be practical. And I have to admit, once with the Hasselblad, I can hardly imagine myself using the GFX 50R again.

Selling the Fuji together with the 3 lenses will also help finance the Hasselblad and cover the whole left in my pocket. It won’t cover it entirely for sure, but it will help…