Hasselblad X2D II + Profoto Flashlight | Understanding Hasselblad Flash Photography

This video was originally planned as a quick flash photography tutorial for Hasselblad X-system and V-system cameras since I always get a lot of questions on how get a flash via TTL logic properly working on a Hasselblad X2D II, X2D, X1D(II) and X1D. However, it turned out that I have so much to say and explain when it comes to Hasselblad's TTL logic that the video became much longer and also highly technical in some parts.

My approach in the video is as follows: I explain some general facts about flash photography with Hasselblad cameras. Then I do a lot of experimenting by changing shooting parameters and light conditions to see how the camera's TTL logic figures out the corresponding flash intensity for the Profoto A2 flash - which is the flash I am using in this video. Then I go deeply into six series of test shots where I recorded the camera-dictated flash intensity and explain in detail why we see what we see. I explain how ambient light versus pre-flash measurement influences the intensity of the flash and make the discussion solid by looking in detail into the so-called flash-to-ambient ratio. Of course, the dual gain architecture of Hasselblad X-sensors also plays a role when shooting in different ISO regimes. Last but not least I do a photo shooting with Stephanie with the X2D II, the XCD 35-100E lens and the Profoto A2 flash and discuss the resulting images.

The video is organised in sections with time markers below so you can jump to any section that interests you. But for this particular video I recommend to watch the whole storyline because I will frequently refer to other parts of the video when context-wise required or appropriate.

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Content:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 First thoughts & remarks on flash photography with Hasselblad-X
03:10 Profoto accessories for diffusion of light
04:54 Connecting the X2D II via the Profoto Connect Pro with the Profoto A2
05:55 Shooting setup for a first testing how the flash setup works
07:00 Explaining the flash settings menu on the Hasselblad X2D II
08:16 Auto mode on Profoto means TTL flashing
08:51 First experience when shooting the X2D II with the Profoto Flash
10:08 The flash intensity scale of the Profoto A2 is logarithmic
11:47 Taking a shot triggers a pre-flash and a main flash
14:55 Testing how flash intensity is reacting to shooting parameters
17:34 Empirically testing the distinction of ambient light versus flash light
23:13 ISO driven overexposure leads to consistent flash intensity reductions
26:06 Shutter speed driven overexposure does not reduce flash intensity
28:01 Aperture driven underexposure increases flash intensity abruptly
29:14 More testing but now with ISO 400 instead of base ISO 50
32:32 ISO driven underexposure leads to consistent flash intensity increases
33:46 Changes in ISO always lead to consistent changes in flash intensity
35:56 Same EV in light triangle not necessarily leads to same flash intensity
36:27 Out of six test shot series, four test shot series remain to be discussed
37:14 Shutter speed driven overexposure increases ambient light dominance
38:36 The crucial role of the flash-to-ambient ratio in TTL flash logic
42:16 At ISO 400 flash intensity reacts sharply to slower shutter speed
44:41 ISO 50 vs ISO 400 makes a big difference due to a DCG sensor
51:04 Why Aperture & ISO drive flash intensity differently than shutter speed
55:03 Flash intensity increases when increasing shutter speed at ISO 400
57:18 Flash intensity decreases when opening the aperture wide at ISO 400
59:09 Shooting Stephanie with the X2D II + XCD 35-100E + Profoto A2
59:41 X2D II + XCD 35-100E + Profoto A2 shoots balanced exposure

Hasselblad X2D II + XCD 35-100E + Nomad Star Tracker for Milky Way Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pix0xEuHcV4

Hasselblad XCD 135 - The Truth About Lens Compression & the Beauty of Distance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZgBG69Nr74

Hasselblad X2D II + XCD 35-100E + 2x Extension Tubes
https://youtu.be/OSQWSkBVGt8?si=1h-yYBcsKgp8gRcj

Hasselblad X2D II - 20 Tips & Tricks
https://youtu.be/lGA91K3_byk?si=zTCZ4_Ax7kTiSLYj

Hasselblad X2D II + XCD 35-100E Lens Review
https://youtu.be/AeYrg16YmcA?si=vMPdx-BMSt6ejIdI

Hasselblad X2D II Tutorial - Customisation of Buttons & Wheels
https://youtu.be/27DMrRHwAvo?si=UwFAGjbjrlBEH0v0

Hasselblad X2D II Initial Setup + My XCD 35-100E Journey
https://youtu.be/ty34Ut-vXUQ?si=_hFcr61inxUXGG4q

NEW Hasselblad X2D II - Shooting VERY LONG Night Exposures
https://youtu.be/Wu2da-nSfIA?si=zMMM7yD_yGO-_wG2

Getting my NEW Hasselblad X2D II was quite a Journey !!!
https://youtu.be/ImXlQRbhYY0?si=wkOyS_h_dcERm-Ox

NEW Hasselblad X2D II 100C | WAITED YEARS for THIS !!!
https://youtu.be/RLz5j8J6hgc?si=EFXdJ0rCJZ20v_Qs

Music & Video Clips (if applicable):
epidemicsound.com (licensed)
storyblocks.com (licensed)
motionarray.com (licensed)

#HasselbladX2DII #Hasselblad #ProfotoA2 #Profoto #photography