October 18, 2026

Old and New Fused | Hasselblad 907X 50C II

Stanley, a Taiwanese photographer living in Japan, has long experience with the digitized Hasselblad V system. In this article, he shares his thoughts on the new-generation Hasselblad 907X 50C II.

By Fujie Zhang / Stanley

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | Two cameras in a top-down flat lay: left, the back of a Hasselblad 503CXi body fitted with a CF lens and hood; right, a 907X body fitted with an XCD lens and hood

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | Looking up at white cherry blossom branches in full bloom against a clear blue sky, shot with the Hasselblad 503CXi, CFV 50C II digital back and CF 80mm F2.8 — Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

I first encountered Hasselblad around 2008, using a Hasselblad 503CXi + A12. The viewfinder showed left and right reversed, and the small square frame came alive in my hands — the viewfinder was dimensional and bright, and I fell in love with the shooting process. Back then I mostly used Kodak 400NC and ILFORD black-and-white film. Later, work demands meant mostly digital cameras, but through all the gear changes, this Hasselblad 503CXi always stayed with me.

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | Sunlight slanting across a wooden Japanese machiya facade, white lanterns hanging under the tiled roof and a bicycle passing at the left, shot with the Hasselblad 503CXi, CFV 50C II digital back and CF 80mm F2.8 — Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

A few years ago the first-generation CFV 50 came out, and I thought the dream combo had finally appeared. With my soft spot for Hasselblad, I bought it without hesitation — but after playing with it for two or three days, it wasn't smooth to use: slow write speeds, very heavy, an LCD that wasn't detailed enough, and so on. I sold it in like-new condition (laughs).

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | The vermillion Senbon Torii tunnel at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, sunlight falling on the stone-paved path, shot with the Hasselblad 907X 50C II and XCD 45mm F3.5 — Hasselblad 907 X 50CII+ XCD 45mm F3.5

Finally! This time a new CFV came out. With my previous experience, I bought more carefully this time — I studied the official site's introduction in detail, watched videos and read reports from players who got theirs first, and privately asked a few buyers how they felt. Then I placed my order; after about two months, I was notified it was in stock. Used to the 35mm focal length on 135-system cameras, I also ordered the XCD 45mm F3.5.

What I personally like about it:
1) The inherited feel of composing with a vertical view of the body
2) The shutter button is in the same position as the traditional shutter
3) Once attached to a traditional body, cocking the shutter feels completely natural — like having a film magazine with infinite space
4) Colors recorded with true-to-life neutrality

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | A row of wooden machiya along a riverbank with modern buildings behind, the river flowing in the foreground in evening light, shot with the Hasselblad 503CXi, CFV 50C II digital back and CF 80mm F2.8 — Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

Hasselblad 907 X 50CII + XCD 45mm F3.5　

Taking advantage of the pandemic's thin crowds, I shot a video in Uji, entirely with the XCD 45mm F3.5. Since the 907X CFV 50 II has no built-in microphone, I attached an external mic. I did no exposure or color grading in editing — the footage was cut straight from the originals, and the colors are almost exactly what the naked eye sees. (Update: 2022.04.13)

Of course there are small downsides — the buttons wear easily, and the LCD is hard to see outdoors. But I think the pros outweigh the cons; it's very acceptable.

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | Black and white photo: a stone komainu guardian statue in the right foreground, overlooking traffic and shopping streets on Shijo-dori in Kyoto below, shot with the Hasselblad 503CXi, CFV 50C II digital back and CF 80mm F2.8 — Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

Its high resolution + high dynamic range! In post-processing you can flexibly recreate the feel of film from that era. For video there's no slog-like profile, but the original colors are rendered very accurately.

Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

Living in Kyoto, after shooting through spring, summer, autumn and winter, I still can't put it down. What I look forward to most is opening the files on my computer — the process of developing them in the digital darkroom.

Hasselblad 907X 50C II | The vermillion Phoenix Hall of Byodoin in Uji beside its pond, wisteria hanging at the right and fresh green maples at the left, shot with the Hasselblad 503CXi, CFV 50C II digital back and CF 80mm F2.8 — Hasselblad 503CXi +CFV 50CII + CF80 f2.8

I still use the XCD 45mm F3.5 and CF 80mm F2.8. The XCD 45's sharpness sometimes needs to be dialed down a touch to match what I want; while the CF 80mm F2.8 on the CFV II renders a bit soft, so adding a touch of sharpness in post is just right. After all, it was designed for film — every grain of film has its own translucency when light hits it, a different concept from the precise strikes needed on a digital back.