Back button AF on Hasselblad X2D...

[Laci55]

I got the camera today. My very first impression is that this camera is beautiful and give a feeling of extremely high quality in its every detail. Comparing it to my -for a while- sold X1D II is showing me a very different and very much more usable camera.

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

Some unboxing pictures...























--
'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...' Kipling
www.imaginestudio.se

 

[JimKasson]

Congrats on the new camera. By the way, I hate the new trend that Hasselblad followed with the H2D where the boxes fit together so tightly that you need four hands (or a lot of time when you can't wait to get your new camera in your hands) to open them. I don't like all the bits and pieces inside, either. I much prefer the Fuji orgami packaging.

But the issue goes away once the camera is in your hands.

 

[Laci55]

Thank You so much Jim!

Yes it is a pain to open the boxes because of the very tight fit... I also struggled with it for a good while... Talking about the "tight fit"... The 2 doors on the left side are not so easy to open either... I hope that after a while it will be easier to open them...

Jim, could You find a way to switch off the AF function on the shutter release button???

I just made some test pictures and I am very happy with. this camera. I just hope that it is possible to move all the AF actions to the back button...lol...

Have a nice day!

 

[JimKasson]

Thank You so much Jim!

Yes it is a pain to open the boxes because of the very tight fit... I also struggled with it for a good while... Talking about the "tight fit"... The 2 doors on the left side are not so easy to open either...

I struggled with the Flash card access door until I gave up and decided to just use the SSD. THe door to access the USB-C connector is easier to open becaue it has those depressions in it.

I hope that after a while it will be easier to open them...

Jim, could You find a way to switch off the AF function on the shutter release button???

I haven't looked.

I just made some test pictures and I am very happy with. this camera. I just hope that it is possible to move all the AF actions to the back button...lol...

Have a nice day!

 

[JimKasson]

Thank You so much Jim!

Yes it is a pain to open the boxes because of the very tight fit... I also struggled with it for a good while... Talking about the "tight fit"...

I blame Apple for starting that fad.

 

[Laci55]

Yes those doors have very tight fit... It was very similar on the X1D II too...By time those got a little easier to open so I hope it will be the case on this model too...

I just do not like that the AF is triggering whenever I am using the shutter button... My muscle reflexes are on the only BB AF...

You could have right about the "Apple trend"... Damn...I am an iPhone user too...lol...

 

[areallygrumpyoldsod]

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

Not currently and it is annoying.

Since in AF mode depressing the shutter half way and pressing the AF-D (auto-focus drive) buttons do the same thing AND one cannot disable the AF-ON while pressing the shutter button there is some redundancy and it needs to change.

I suggest you send an email to [email protected] asing for the option to disable AF-on when the shutter is depressed and your reasons why.

They have a long list of requests based on my use of the X2D over the last few weeks.

I would expect this to modify the options for Custom Buttons settings in the General Settings entry of the menu. See extracts from the manual below.

AND -- please do share some of your images in the image sharing thread for the X2D in this forum.





--
areallygrumpyoldsod

 

[SrMi]

I got the camera today. My very first impression is that this camera is beautiful and give a feeling of extremely high quality in its every detail. Comparing it to my -for a while- sold X1D II is showing me a very different and very much more usable camera.

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

To use BBF on Hasselblad cameras, you switch to MF mode on the camera, not with the MF lens clutch. The focus operation is disabled on the shutter button, and AF-D triggers focusing.

Another interesting operation: press the power button quickly to instantly put the camera to sleep.

 

[SrMi]

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

Not currently and it is annoying.

It is possible to use BBF by switching the camera to MF mode. Do not use the lens clutch.

 

[SrMi]

Congrats on the new camera. By the way, I hate the new trend that Hasselblad followed with the H2D where the boxes fit together so tightly that you need four hands (or a lot of time when you can't wait to get your new camera in your hands) to open them. I don't like all the bits and pieces inside, either. I much prefer the Fuji orgami packaging.

But the issue goes away once the camera is in your hands.

I opened the box at the dealer and then closed it for the ride home. Aargh .

 

[areallygrumpyoldsod]

It is possible to use BBF by switching the camera to MF mode. Do not use the lens clutch.

Woo -- that is just MF -- and not remotely the point.

Here is a part of the email I sent to Hassi

"On another unrelated matter but related to X2D firmware updates — based on feedback from other X2D shooters. We are confused why there is No Option to turn off AF activation on when the shutter button is half depressed. Using the AF-D button to focus in AF mode and then recompose, pressing the shutter button without focus changing is a really helpful option - available on every other pro grade mirrorless system. Currently Custom Buttons in General Settings does not allow this choice to be made."

 

[SrMi]

It is possible to use BBF by switching the camera to MF mode. Do not use the lens clutch.

Woo -- that is just MF -- and not remotely the point.

What is the difference, what are you missing? AF is disabled from the shutter button and can be triggered by the rear button. That is what BBF is about.

Interestingly, that is the same approach that Leica uses for BBF on their cameras.

 

[Gandolphi]

Don’t know if applies to the X2 but on my X1, I switch to manual focus and the back button will still auto focus and lock.

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

 

[areallygrumpyoldsod]

It is possible to use BBF by switching the camera to MF mode. Do not use the lens clutch.

Woo -- that is just MF -- and not remotely the point.

What is the difference, what are you missing? AF is disabled from the shutter button and can be triggered by the rear button. That is what BBF is about.

Interestingly, that is the same approach that Leica uses for BBF on their cameras.

OK -- the benefit of these threads is one reads and tries -- AND here is how you BBF on the X2D: a) set the camera to Manual Focus b) press the AF-D button on the back and the camera finds focus (using XCD lenses) AND c) the shutter button does not change focus when depressed. No need to do anything else.

NOW - this issue I do have with this approach is that when in AF mode the Touchpad for EVF works great for moving the focus point while one's eye is against the EVF. BUT this is disabled when using MF - one has to tap the rear LCD screen to move the point.

--
areallygrumpyoldsod

 

[JimKasson]

I got the camera today. My very first impression is that this camera is beautiful and give a feeling of extremely high quality in its every detail. Comparing it to my -for a while- sold X1D II is showing me a very different and very much more usable camera.

I have though a question... I could not figure out how to use only the back button AF. I could not find any way to switch off the AF on the shutter release button... Is this possible???

To use BBF on Hasselblad cameras, you switch to MF mode on the camera, not with the MF lens clutch. The focus operation is disabled on the shutter button, and AF-D triggers focusing.

Another interesting operation: press the power button quickly to instantly put the camera to sleep.

Thanks for that.

 

[Laci55]

Thank You so much for the kind answer! I thought I just was stupid because I could not find the way to disable the AF on the shutter button...

Yes, very good advice! I definitely will write to the customer service. I will write to them in Swedish...lol... I do hope this thing will soon be rectified...

I just made some very casual pictures in all "hurry"...

The camera and the XCD 55 2,5 V lens is a wonderful combination. I made a fast comparison in low light with the GFX 100s + GF 110 2,0 lens wide open and the XsD with the 55 2,5 lens wide open. Here is a central crop of the image. I was a bit surprised that this "little Hassy lens" was a little better to my eyes in this situation. Both file was processed in PS and I tried to make them as similar as I could...

I will post pictures later in the picture forum here when I have something to show...

Here is a comparison...











--
'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...' Kipling
www.imaginestudio.se

 

[SrMi]

It is possible to use BBF by switching the camera to MF mode. Do not use the lens clutch.

Woo -- that is just MF -- and not remotely the point.

What is the difference, what are you missing? AF is disabled from the shutter button and can be triggered by the rear button. That is what BBF is about.

Interestingly, that is the same approach that Leica uses for BBF on their cameras.

OK -- the benefit of these threads is one reads and tries -- AND here is how you BBF on the X2D: a) set the camera to Manual Focus b) press the AF-D button on the back and the camera finds focus (using XCD lenses) AND c) the shutter button does not change focus when depressed. No need to do anything else.

NOW - this issue I do have with this approach is that when in AF mode the Touchpad for EVF works great for moving the focus point while one's eye is against the EVF. BUT this is disabled when using MF - one has to tap the rear LCD screen to move the point.

I use the touchpad to move the focus point while in MF mode and while using EVF.

What is your setting for "Move AF Point for EVF?"

 

[Laci55]

Thank You so much! How on the Earth could You know it??? lol... I appreciate Your kind help!

Another thing I would like to know...

I registered my camera on the Hasselblad site. I tried to register my lens too (XCD 55/2,5 V) I can not find the serial number on the lens... Do You know how to see it. In the service menu the serial number of the body is displayed but not the lens...

 

[Laci55]

Thank You so much!!!! I could not find this info...

 

[Rodenmg]

I look forward to seeing your photos with the new set up with the new 55.