Q2/Q3 or Hasselblad X2D? Which do you choose?

[ianforber]

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3 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Some weeks ago, I made some long exposures with the Q, but unless @LocalHero1953, I couldn’t get the camera over 2 minutes. For sure a user mistake.

During this week, I get up early to photograph the sea (with a SL). I manage 4/5 clicks in 1,5h. Very frustrating cause half of the time I am waiting for a black image.

So, to come back to the original question: x2d or q3? None. I sold the Q, but bought a x1d ii instead of the latest version. But, I will not use it as I would have used the Q. For that, I have a M.

You’re not wrong. The Q and Q2 have a maximum exposure time of 120s regardless of what exposure mode you are in. The Q3 is different. For my uses, 120s is sufficient. I do infrared and long exposure photography but the longest exposure I’ve taken on any camera, not just Leica, is 60s. 
 

The M11 is streets ahead of the Q2 for long exposures, not least because you can switch off the LENR. I’ve never used the Q3 but if it’s anything like the M11 and you want very long exposures, I’d be happy to buy it. No idea how it compares to the x2d though. 

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[Olaf_ZG]

41 minutes ago, ianforber said:

You’re not wrong. The Q and Q2 have a maximum exposure time of 120s regardless of what exposure mode you are in. The Q3 is different. For my uses, 120s is sufficient. I do infrared and long exposure photography but the longest exposure I’ve taken on any camera, not just Leica, is 60s. 
 

The M11 is streets ahead of the Q2 for long exposures, not least because you can switch off the LENR. I’ve never used the Q3 but if it’s anything like the M11 and you want very long exposures, I’d be happy to buy it. No idea how it compares to the x2d though. 

May be Leica should have been more clear about it. Now it is too late: I offloaded my gear and aint going back.

If The new generation finally could do some real long exposure, Leica should have pointed this out as an advantage.

Anyway, no use to discuss as I switched already. That said, I don’t believe I am the only one doing long exposures.

[LocalHero1953]

I’ve just checked. You can turn off LENR on the Q3-43 as well. I didn’t think to do this for my photos - but then I was taking shots at a series of different exposure times - perhaps I’d have needed a black exposure for each of them. 

Tilt screen as well, Olaf……just sayin……

Edited July 3 by LocalHero1953

[Olaf_ZG]

9 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I’ve just checked. You can turn off LENR on the Q3-43 as well. I didn’t think to do this for my photos - but then I was taking shots at a series of different exposure times - perhaps I’d have needed a black exposure for each of them. 

Tilt screen as well, Olaf……just sayin……

Too late  

question is, how do images look like without the black exposure.

I remember my last year’s try with the SL2s didn’t work out well. But, to be fair, the camera is standing in the blasting sun while taking those images so it is getting a bit hot, which might impact as well.

[LocalHero1953]

Ye cannae change the laws of physics, Jim.

My guess is that you will need a black screen for long exposures with the Hasselblad as well. It's a question whether you can get away with a single black exposure for a series of long exposures, use shorter black exposures to reduce noise on longer exposures, and whether the extra work in post processing is worth it.
(I've never used a black exposure to reduce noise in a long exposure - what's the process?)

[hoolyproductions]

I've always been a bit puzzled by LENR. I understand the underlying physics well enough but still it surprises me that a dark frame taken in the (next) moment can make a big difference.

For my amateur attempts at astro and northern lights photography I usually turn it off. Would be interesting to understand this better!

[Jeff S]

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In simple terms, as I’ve read, the second frame contains only the noise and hot pixels present at the time, which are then subtracted out.

[Olaf_ZG]

@Jeff S correct.

@LocalHero1953 hasselblad doesn’t even offer lenr

the x-series from fuji needed lenr, the gfx had it optional but didn’t need it.

but, we are rather off-topic and may be we should open a long exposure thread to discuss the possibilities of any of Leica’s cameras in case someone is interested in this as well…

[LocalHero1953]

I would be suspicious of a camera that didn't need LENR - I would assume they do more noise reduction in camera, rather than giving you an unprocessed file. I don't believe such sensors have no noise in long exposures.

[SrMi]

17 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I would be suspicious of a camera that didn't need LENR - I would assume they do more noise reduction in camera, rather than giving you an unprocessed file. I don't believe such sensors have no noise in long exposures.

Hasselblad has always employed special calibration and hardware to enable operation without LENR. This has been true for H series as well as for X series.

[LocalHero1953]

1 hour ago, SrMi said:

Hasselblad has always employed special calibration and hardware to enable operation without LENR. This has been true for H series as well as for X series.

Sounds like in-camera processing to remove noise. Unless Hasselblads sensors, unlike all others, have no hot pixels and very high S/N ratio in very low light.

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Sounds like in-camera processing to remove noise. Unless Hasselblads sensors, unlike all others, have no hot pixels and very high S/N ratio in very low light.

No in-camera noise reduction. Noise reduction works only on uncorrelated noise anyway, while LENR addresses frame-to-frame correlated noise.

 

[Olaf_ZG]

On 6/17/2023 at 6:44 AM, Olaf_ZG said:

I am considering to change from SL to X2D and therefore rather interested in every topic regarding this camera. For the price (especially secondhand) and size I would buy the 45p. 
The 38mm might be a bit too tight for landscapes so I am considering the 30mm. On the longer side I think of the 135mm. 
A three lens kit, mainly for landscapes.

Just more than two years later I finally made the switch with the three lenses mentioned.

But, instead of 100mp, I went for 50mp.

[luetz]

Q2/Q3 or Hasselblad X2D? Which do you choose....

Is this still the topic???

[howiebrou]

On 6/25/2025 at 9:09 PM, Oxfordian said:

I Looked at the X2D v Q3 and for me it was like trying to compare Apples and Oranges, I would happily have both the Q3 as a small lightweight easy to carry camera that will cover most of my needs then using the X2D with a small selection of lenses to cover what the Q3 doesn't cover.

My thought process today would be to contemplate giving up my SL2 plus lenses and move to the X2D plus lenses, but the cost of such a move is prohibitive so unless the lottery numbers fall in my favour I'll be sticking to what I have.

The X2D would be a lovely camera to photograph with but I simply don't have the funds to go down that route - if anyone is feeling generous and would like to gift me one........

With the X2D mk2 out in a few weeks, now might be the best time to get a used X2D mk1.

[Oxfordian]

8 minutes ago, howiebrou said:

With the X2D mk2 out in a few weeks, now might be the best time to get a used X2D mk1.

Maybe when the X2D2 is out and the GAS'ers swap in their mint condition perfectly usable X2D's for the new model, then might be the time to buy a X2D on the second hand market.

Just one other thought;

Is the soon to be launched X2D2 related in any way to that star of the big screen R2D2?

😁 

[Mikep996]

Related - sort of... When I first looked at a Q3 shortly after it was released, I commented that if it had come with internal memory I might have purchased it.  A year later I bought one anyway but here's the ironic part...

I bought the Hasselblad X2D a few months ago and it has become my primary camera BUT the internal memory (1TB), which I thought was a major "improvement" over a camera like the Q3 actually isn't TO ME.    Yeah, I found that the internal memory FOR ME was a better concept than it was a reality.  Connecting the camera to the computer is more fiddly and slower than inserting the memory card into a reader.  Yes, in the case of the X2D I need a separate reader because the 2D uses CF Express cards rather than an SD card (SD card slot built into computer). 

I know it sounds more complicated - connect the reader to the computer, remove memory card from camera, insert card in reader as opposed to connect camera to computer.  But it actually functions better, primarily due to the transfer speed improvement which is pretty dramatic.  Plus, I prefer being able to just pull the card from the camera, leave the camera in the bag or wherever.  Of course the camera internal memory still has all the images - assuming you tell it to save images to both locations.  So "forgetting" the card (been there- done that) is not an issue.

My actual point here is that I discovered that FOR ME the lack of internal memory in the Q3 which initially put me off purchasing it wasn't really an issue at all but I wouldn't have figured that out without the experience of having internal memory.  Moving a card around is easier/less trouble than moving a camera around AND transfers are faster.  

[SrMi]

7 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

Related - sort of... When I first looked at a Q3 shortly after it was released, I commented that if it had come with internal memory I might have purchased it.  A year later I bought one anyway but here's the ironic part...

I bought the Hasselblad X2D a few months ago and it has become my primary camera BUT the internal memory (1TB), which I thought was a major "improvement" over a camera like the Q3 actually isn't TO ME.    Yeah, I found that the internal memory FOR ME was a better concept than it was a reality.  Connecting the camera to the computer is more fiddly and slower than inserting the memory card into a reader.  Yes, in the case of the X2D I need a separate reader because the 2D uses CF Express cards rather than an SD card (SD card slot built into computer). 

I know it sounds more complicated - connect the reader to the computer, remove memory card from camera, insert card in reader as opposed to connect camera to computer.  But it actually functions better, primarily due to the transfer speed improvement which is pretty dramatic.  Plus, I prefer being able to just pull the card from the camera, leave the camera in the bag or wherever.  Of course the camera internal memory still has all the images - assuming you tell it to save images to both locations.  So "forgetting" the card (been there- done that) is not an issue.

My actual point here is that I discovered that FOR ME the lack of internal memory in the Q3 which initially put me off purchasing it wasn't really an issue at all but I wouldn't have figured that out without the experience of having internal memory.  Moving a card around is easier/less trouble than moving a camera around AND transfers are faster.  

Interestingly, I find it more convenient to transfer M11 and X2D  images via a (fast) cable than via a card reader.

Edited July 21 by SrMi

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[LocalHero1953]

I have used the Leica Fotos app on and off since launch - mostly off because for several years after launch it was very slow to download images. I tried it again yesterday while sitting at a cafe table with the Q3 43 in my bag at my feet. I was startled to find that it was just about as quick and as seamless as downloading from a SD card to a MacBook via the built-in card reader. (I haven't tried a cable, because my MacBook download speed is quick enough.)

Feeling clever, I imported all the images to LR Mobile - which are now taking days to transfer to the cloud via holiday apartment wifi and thence to LR CC on my MacBook. Not feeling so clever now.

 

Edited July 21 by LocalHero1953

[Mikep996]

"Interestingly, I find it more convenient to transfer M11 and X2D  images via a (fast) cable than via a card reader."

Maybe I don't have fast (enough) cable.  If I connect the X2D to my MacBook Pro with say 50 images (raw + Jpeg) on internal memory, it takes a while for the images to all load up; if I use the CF card in the camera and the reader, it's almost immediate.  The cable is the one that came with the X2D.