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 EOS 5D Mark II / 35 f/1.4L (c) C.Henderson

The Flextight X5 is a film (transparency / negative) & print scanner and earlier this week I had a chance to evaluate it using some of my images.  The resolution, density range, and processing speed are played at the highest levels (for 35mm film the results were better than  the Nikon Coolscan V ED that I use on a daily basis). If you need to deliver great scans and can put out that kind of cash, don't hesitate to take a close look at the X5.

The marketing / technical data sheet includes the Flextight X1 and X5 (see below).

Most people make the mistake of trying to get the image to look like what they want right out of the scanner.  Compare this to shooting your dSLR in JPG vs. RAW mode.  Sometimes the jpg looks great, but you may want to capture the image with the greatest possibility for creative interpretation in post processing.  The X5 allows you to scan using preset configurations or the 3F workflow (think RAW output).  For the images I scanned, the output was TIF files using preset configurations.  If I was working with the scanner on a full time basis I might create my own presets and/or use 3F with a structured post processing workflow.  It's all about the results and how you want to get there.

Hakone, Japan (01) - X5 Scan resized and converted to JPG

Hakone, Japan (01) - After Post Processing

Photo: Mamiya RB67 / K/L 90 f/3.5 L (c) C.Henderson - Kodak Porta 400

The configuration used was the X5 connected by Firewire to a MacBook Pro which was running FlexColor 4.8.13.  Maximum film format (for the X5) is 100 x 280 mm, so I brought along some 135 & 120 format film (color negative / B&W) and some sheet film (transparency).  I must say that the scanning process was super simple, and very efficient.  In each case we selected the highest dpi available... which seems to be related to the width of the film.  Thus, as I  understand it, a single frame of 135 (35mm) film will scan to a higher dpi in the portrait mode as opposed to the landscape mode.

X5 Film Holders...

Photo: Canon EOS 5D Mark II / 35 f/1.4L (c) C.Henderson

For example a frame of 35mm color negative film was scanned at 6300 dpi creating a 308MB TIF file of 8981 x 5989 px.  Using my Nikon Coolscan V ED that same frame output would be a 134MB TIF file of 5959 x 3946 px at 4000 dpi.  The difference in the level of detail is very noticeable.

Hakone, Japan (02) - X5 Scan resized and converted to JPG

Hakone, Japan (02) - Epson GT-X830 Scan resized and converted to JPG

Photo: Mamiya RB67 / K/L 90 f/3.5 L (c) C.Henderson - Kodak Porta 400

Above you can see that the scan from the X5 (as configured) is somewhat darker than the results from the Epson GT-X830 (Epson Japan product code).  I put this off to the preset used during the scanning.  As mentioned above, what the results look like right out of the scanner are not that critical, in fact you want an image with lots of detail to work with (possibly a flat looking image).  As you finalize your workflow, it's not that difficult to fine tune the process by e.g. creating your own presets based on the film(s) that you use and the results desired.

Below you can see a 100% crop from the same image (prior to post processing), just to give you a feeling of the detail...

Hakone, Japan (02) - X5 Scan detail converted to JPG

100% crop (800 x 600 px / 3200 dpi)

Typically scanners use a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS), the X5 optical sensor is listed in the technical data as being CCD (3 x 8000) with 16 bit color depth.  In contrast, drum scanners might use a photomultiplier tube (PMT) as part of the image capture.  PMTs are extremely sensitive in the ultraviolet, visible light, and near-infrared ranges.

The X5 has a light condensator in front of the light source that disperses the light and provides a soft illumination. I understand that this helps hide small scratches and dust.  Cleaning the film prior to scanning comes as second nature, which was more critical with the X1 (which had no condensator).  Trade off...  The X1 cuts you no slack, the X5 "may" look a little soft by comparison (kind of like a 1.4 ASPH vs. earlier versions), you pay your money and you make your choice... it's comes down to personal preference... Below I list the documented output resolution and scanning speeds of the X1 and X5.

Slightly confusing terminology... in wet print enlargers a condenser enlarger consists of a light source, a condensing lens, a holder for the negative and a projecting lens.  A diffuser enlarger's light source is diffused by translucent glass or plastic, providing even illumination for the film.  Condenser enlargers produce higher contrast than diffusers. The condenser's increased contrast emphasizes any negative defects, such as dirt and scratches, and image grain.

Hakone, Japan (03) - X5 Scan resized and converted to JPG

Hakone, Japan (03) - After Post Processing

Photo: Mamiya RB67 / K/L 90 f/3.5 L (c) C.Henderson - Kodak TRI-X 400

The X5 can scan formats up to 100 x 280 mm while the X1 can accommodate sizes up to 120 x 280mm (and reportedly 5x7" sheet film).  Some reviews claim this difference is a result of using the light condensator in the newer model...

Wataru Hagai with the Flextight X5 - Shibuya, Tokyo

Photo: Canon EOS 5D Mark II / 35 f/1.4L (c) C.Henderson

With the X5 vertical optical system the CCD faces downward with no glass between the original and the lens.  Size wise the X1 and X5 are 230 x 390 x 650 mm and weigh in at a full 20.5 kg... you can see that it's substantial and as a result very stable...  Once the film is firmly fit into the magnetic holders it is fed into the vertical drum... the operation is preview, select output details, and scan... very simple.  As mentioned above, I used my existing software for processing a TIF output rather than use the proprietary 3F file and the FlexColor workflow.  Any lack of quality in the final output is thus due to my post processing skill, tools, and preference.

I will provide a link to one of the original scans so you can take a look and try processing an image for yourself...  I would love to see how you might render the image .

You might ask why my interested in high end film scanning...  I have seen 8K TV...  I am fairly sure that 300 dpi will not always be the online upper limit that it is today...  I kind of think that hosting site compression might improve (one can dream)...  I do like to print big and hope to do more in the future, and I email photos to my friends who have opted out of social media...  Having used and continue to use both a dedicated 35mm film scanner and a medium format flatbed scanner, what stood out for me with the X5 was the ease of use (including the user interface), the film holder system, and the quality of the output.  If you are a film user... 35mm, 120 format, and/or sheet film and want to print big, or share large then this just might be the ticket...

A big thank you to William Penrice - President of Hasselblad Japan who was kind enough to extend the offer to see the X5 up close and to Wataru Hagai - Sales Manager for his time and engagement while showing me the actual operation of the Flextight X5.

The week of April 20, 2015 I was invited back to try the CFV-50c Digital Back.  If you have any questions or requests (something you would like to see) regarding that upcoming evaluation please contact me.

Thanks for reading...
Casey

This message has been edited by cshimokita on 2015-04-10 18:29:25

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

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

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 and answered the question

What a dream....more than 300dpi online posting.......

Meanwhile, I battle with a 'point and shoot' gizmo.

Regards,

MTF

Kamakura Rewind Revisited

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 Kamakura photos...  I haven't been down there in years.
That sakura / temple shot turned out very nice.

Casey

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 thing.  I have different screens set for Flight Simulation, Games and Watch Porn 

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... the color of traffic signals here are red, yellow, and blue and every now and then you can buy a blue apple... just tell your wife (please give her my best regards) that it's a cultural thing

I struggle a bit when post processing as well... but in the end just adjust as I like it on one of the calibrated in-house monitors and let it fly...

Casey

I had a wonderful time at the Tokyo Metropolitan equivalent of the Department of Vehicle Licencing for my theory examination for foreigners.

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 years...  jumping the line for a right turn on my motorcycle...  seems I jumped in the middle of the intersection, which was not appreciated...

New law here... when a licensed driver turns 70 they have to take an examination to check for signs of dementia... been a string of accendents here recently involving older drivers going the wrong way or confusing the gas peddle with the brake when reversing.

I can support the new examination...

I understand that 青緑色の (pronounced as seiryokushoku no) can be translated as "turquoise" or "of blue-green color"

Casey

During my 2nd stint in Japan c.2004, I entered the theory examination for conversion of foreign driving licence. This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-04-11 20:15:20

I know someday I MUST enter those big brand world for photography, when I have more free time.....  I am still struggling for "today"

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

Go Sweden!

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 really like what Bill Henson (Australian contemporary art photographer) said about using a camera and photography as a way of expressing his art, not an end, but the means.  I will have to dig out that youtube clip and share it...

I am looking forward to try the Hasselblad digital camera back later this month... and see how that kit works for me .

Casey

Next time you head this way, let me know!
We should meet up!


Best
Blomman

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

Thanks for this very well written article, Casey. I will have to test that by myself.

Best,

Nicolas

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 & digital back.  I can only say, if you are interested, go for it... test it out and see what happens

Casey

Technology advances and it is so easy to take it for granted. Pioneering. 

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.  Plus no film holder glass to clean !!!

lots of nice details that (as you wrote) go almost unnoticed

I would have liked to play around with their post processing software, lack of time but I also wanted the evaluation to be apples to apples and focused on the scan aspect of the workflow...

Casey

Thanks Casey for the well written article.

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 levels of quality).  Still the results can be very nice and worth the effort...  In any case I enjoy the process...

Casey

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!  

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 really appreciated the ease of use with this scanner... and no anti-Newton Ring glass inserts to clean when scanning larger format film...

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, it's my new benchmark

Email me about the gigantic scan... for sure I can let you see all of my X5 output...

For the CFV-50c digital back test drive next week (23-24 April) I will be using the CF80mm f/2.8 lens which I believe is equivalent to 60mm on with 35mm format equipment... just my choice for a working lens.  I downloaded the user manual and going through it "as we speak"...

Thanks for jumping in with your comments...
Casey

Hi Casey,

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 frames.  For "slide film" I don't mount the frames, rather leave the film in strips of six frames like color / B&W negative film (two images per strip for my 120 format film as I shoot in 6x7 format).  I scan all frames.

Q2) When you have a scanned photo database to manage, as well as cabinets full of slides and prints! how do you do it?
A2) I don't have a database per se... I store the scanned images, 36-38 frames per roll of 35mm film (10 frames per roll of 120 format film) in one folder.  The folder name is the "date that the roll was scanned_type of film_camera and lens_subject", for example 20150412_KG200_F350_Ginza (Kodak Gold ISO 200, Nikon F3 with a 50mm lens).  The film is stored chronologically in binders with a matching label.

Q3) Are you able to manage which digital images come in via which scanner and then recall patterns in which settings you used?
A3) Note: dSLR camera files are stored by date the photo was taken with a similar folder name (obviously no film type and no hard copy in the binder).  The folder contains the original scans or RAW files and the subfolder (P00, P01, P02...) contain the post processed images grouped by subject or if posted in the grouping that was posted as one set.  The film is either 135 or 120 format, so the camera name tells me what scanner was used (in the case of the X5 scanner, the folder name was specific for that test drive).  The scanner set-up is obviously different for each type of film... however I scan (1) all B&W, (2) all Color Negative, and (3) all Slide film as the type of film, not specific to each mfg.  Thus Kodak Gold 200 is scanned the same way as Fujicolor 400... I don't use presets in the scanning or post processing workflow. I typically use around six types of film and can remember post processing tricks for each film...  Normally the film is chosen based on the planned shoot, so there is already a good match in play...

I backup my folders by year, thus I have a 2012 backup, 2013 backup, etc.  There are two physical backups on different media (I use usb external hard disks, which hold about three year each).

For portfolio and important images, I keep copies on my daily use PC by year and same folder name.  I have a dedicated PC for 35mm film scanning and another dedicated PC for 120 format scanning.  All post processing and current year folder storage is on the 35mm scanning PC.

What I am missing is a "key word" system, but with years of photographs, it's too much to keep on one online-PC... so I don't use an application such as LightRoom.  To be honest, if I remember the image or the event I can somehow pull the date out of my hat and then it's just looking in the archives... sometimes I rescan rather than go to the backup disk if the photo was on film... my scanning and post processing skills have improved over time so it's "better" to rescan/reprocess...

Works for me... thanks for asking...
Casey

You are using the old fashioned computer - the one between our ears - for retrieval, along with some clues in the file names.

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 Windows XP...  Even though the application and OS are no longer supported, the set-up works, so I just keep running it...  new features not required

BTW, when I was in Hakone for cherry blossom viewing I only took 40 some photos over three days... so I do a bit of selection before pressing the shutter button...

Nice wrist shot and maintenance... looks like you are having some beautiful weather at the moment...

Casey

Nice review of the X5.  Very generous of Hasselblad to offer you this test drive of the X5. 
Regards,
ED-209