J_Warden
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I had no idea Hasselblad made scanners.
I'm happily surprised that there are still companies interested in this market, which is obviously much smaller than it used to be. Like you I use consumer level 35mm and large format scanners, but I don't rely on them for printing so high def isn't such a concern for me. But this product looks really cool and now I want one of those gigantic scans!
Your results look promising too. Your next test of a Hasselblad film camera with a digital back will make for an interesting comparison to these images. Obviously there will be differences because of the lenses and format, but both systems offer large digital files for those that need them. I'm jealous about your next test!
Thanks for this write-up, Casey.
Jeff
Test driving the Hasselblad Flextight X5 Scanner
Let me say right off the bat that the price point of the Hasselblad Flextight X5 is a consideration... this scanner is designed for professional use and the image quality and performance are what you would expect. Exterior - Shibuya, Tokyo Photo: Canon EO...
Original scanned image...
At the link below you can access one of the images in TIF format as scanned using the X5... If you are so inclined, I would like to see your version of this image as you would post process it... Dropbox: Link to img008 (184 MB) Thanks for reading, Casey
iteration 5... I am impressed, thank you!!
On each of my monitors the images look different... my work monitor is calibrated, but my laptop and tablet are just left as delivered... Sometimes I wonder how people see some of the posted images. I sure had a lot of fun taking that photograph... Casey
It took a while but you anticipated my question
cshimokita Thanks for the report even if I will never ever use a Hasselblad Flextight X5. (I don't shoot film anymore and could not find stock anyway). All the way through the review, I kept asking, "But why?" In the last paragraph, you had anticipated me...
Trying the X5 was a very positive experience...
For sure the number of film users (while not small) is only a percentage of... The X5 is a bench mark for me now that I have worked with the scanned images. Keep trucking with the P&S... any gear is better than no gear ;) Thanks for sharing the Kamaku...
I'm a bit colour blind: Here are iterations 3 and 4
Maybe not clinically colour blind but I certainly have trouble between dark blue and black, so says the current Mrs MTF. She's threatened to sew name tags on my clothes for colour matching..... Here are iterations 3 and 4: Must be a colour monitor screen ...
definitely monitor issues abound...
Having multiple monitors I can attest to challenges of keeping consistency across viewing options. Still, better than the monochrome monitors we used 30 years ago... my first Toshiba laptop had an orange screen. As you may remember from your time in Japan...
Don't get me started on Japanese traffic lights
I had a wonderful time at the Tokyo Metropolitan equivalent of the Department of Vehicle Licencing for my theory examination for foreigners. The traffic lights multiple choice questions were a challenge with my Japlish language skills. There is no word fo...
Drivers license examination???
I just showed my (foreign) drivers license and they issued me a Japanese license... of course that was in 1987 ;) When I got my 400cc motorcycle license the examination was at the driving school (road course only). Only one moving violation in almost 30 y...
Selected foreigners allowed a bye for driving licence
During my 2nd stint in Japan c.2004, I entered the theory examination for conversion of foreign driving licence. Selected foreign drivers' licence were allowed a Japanese licence provided you passed the multiple choice theory exam including the visual cog...
Great write-up.
I know someday I MUST enter those big brand world for photography, when I have more free time..... I am still struggling for "today" :-) Thanks for introducing the HB Scanner. I will keep that in mind, but I will consult you anyway when and if I go into t...
Thanks Ken...
I agree... make some time... The next time you're in the Harajuku area stop by the HB gallery, they have some wonderful photos printed large... Good area for street shooting as well... Casey
Hasselblad! :)
Go Sweden! ;) Each time my father hear the name he get's a "dreamy look" on his face.... He had one when he was young! Thank you for this walk-through about the Flextight X5 scanner. I do understand the fascination of using film instead of digital and I g...
Hey Blomman, I am also part Swedish...
Both of my maternal grandparents emigrated to the US Midwest in the early 1900s and my mom grew up speaking Swedish as a child... I visited the old country some years ago and had a great time. That whole film / digital discussion has been interesting. I r...
Hej Casey! :)
Next time you head this way, let me know! We should meet up! :) Best Blomman
absolutely !!!
I have a plan on the back burner to visit Europe again... timing is everything and certainly not this year. When that happens I will definitely let you know... Casey
I was wondering the same, about the interest of it. Now, I understand.
Thanks for this very well written article, Casey. I will have to test that by myself. Best, Nicolas
Thank you Nicolas... and yes! test by yourself...
I enjoyed the process of seeing the X5 go through it's paces and doing research on the product for the write up... I am interested in the brand / product line-up as a starting point !! Then hands on with the scanner and later this month a V-System & d...
Stunning transformations
Technology advances and it is so easy to take it for granted. Pioneering.
Thanks Baron...
technology and well thought out user interface... it was so easy to move between formats... the film holders are coded and for the most part you just select the film type and dpi setting... framing is automatic, so adjust the crop if necessary and scan. P...
Looks like an impressive piece of equipment.
Thanks Casey for the well written article.
Thank you Michael...
Film scanning is a bit of a niche area and due to a number of factors there are only a few players... and the options for those of us who use film & scan are segmented (relatively low cost and relatively high cost with more or less corresponding level...
I had no idea Hasselblad made scanners.
I'm happily surprised that there are still companies interested in this market, which is obviously much smaller than it used to be. Like you I use consumer level 35mm and large format scanners, but I don't rely on them for printing so high def isn't such ...
Good to hear from you Jeff... re: batch feeder
The X5 has batch and slide feeder capability... according to the documentation, the batch feeder allows up to 60 originals to be scanned, unattended. You can also scan using the "3F file format", which like RAW is not altered during post processing... I r...
Question about process
Hi Casey, Thanks for the hardware review. Do you scan all the prints you make, or do you scan from slides or negatives? And when you have a scanned photo database to manage, as well as cabinets full of slides and prints! how do you do it? Are you able to ...
Thanks Mike, here's how I manage my photos...
Q1) Do you scan all the prints you make, or do you scan from slides or negatives? A1) I don't make prints. When I shoot color / B&W negatives or color reversal film (slide film) I just have the film developed without prints and cut in strips of six fr...
Thanks for the detailed answer
You are using the old fashioned computer - the one between our ears - for retrieval, along with some clues in the file names. I do very much the same thing although I thought I was getting clever and using Aperture's strengths - only to face Apple's disco...
Mike, re: out of support software...
Both of my scanning PCs are Windows XP and both of these PCs are disconnected from the internet. I transfer files using a USB memory stick... The Nikon Coolscan V ED has been discontinued for some years and the scanning interface was designed to work with...
Pro level equipment from Hasselblad
Nice review of the X5. Very generous of Hasselblad to offer you this test drive of the X5. Regards, ED-209
Thanks Ed...
I agree, a good bunch of guys... the brand has always been of interest to me so it's a great opportunity... Casey
Thanks for sharing Casey!
I don't use a photography scanner. But even I can see the difference between the X5 and the Epson GT X830. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Patrick... you can imagine how it looks at 100%
One of the problems of sharing via the internet is that when viewed online the difference (or rather the benefits) are not that outstanding... but up close ;) Thanks for taking the time to comment... Casey
Thank you for sharing the info!
The true photography professional world is something that I've seen, but I don't fully understand. When I look at all this equipment in the studio, I have no idea what any of it is. I just know not to touch anything nor break anything.
"not to touch nor break anything" ;-) [nt]
re: "not to break anything" ... always a good approach ;-)
Thanks Quan... testing the CFV-50c next week and
that should be interesting to more people... really looking forward to trying the CFV-50c digital back with a V Series body.... Casey