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Hasselblad vs Phase One Color

  
 
nickw_
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p.1 #1 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hello All,

I have decided that I would like to get a medium format digital back and technical camera. I am trying to decide between a Hasselblad 100C and Phase One, probably an IQ3 100 (an IQ4 is still to much money for me).

I would prefer the BSI sensor in the 100C for use on a tech camera. However, I would also prefer Capture One over Phocus. It is a toss up there. Both are workable. Neither is ideal.

My main question has to do with colour. I am not concerned about accurate colour, but rather pleasing colour. I will be using the back for a split between landscape and portrait work.

Is anyone familiar with any recent comparisons between the two? Ideally of the same subject matter, with the Hasselblad processed in Phocus to maintain HNCS, and the Phase processed in Capture One.

I realize pleasing is entirely subjective, but if anyone can share any links, I can evaluate for myself. Everything I have found is several years old and mostly related to the older X1D or 50C backs.

Thanks,
Nick



Jan 27, 2026 at 09:29 AM
geoffreyg
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p.1 #2 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


This was put together some time ago, comparing the Hassy 50mb CFV back vs. the Phase One 3100. Perhaps of some use:
Digital back test



Jan 27, 2026 at 03:58 PM
nickw_
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p.1 #3 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Thanks Geoff. I had seen that one. I have a preference for the Hasselblad colour in that test. I think it does a nicer job with the wood tones, red sofa, and pillow colours. The IQ3 100 is certainly workable, but I find the Hasselblad closer to what I consider pleasing to start.

Here is another one I found comparing the Hasselblad 50C vs IQ4 150.
Without adjustments I prefer the Hasselblad files, although it is too saturated/vibrant for my tastes. The IQ4 150 files are bland to start, but with a few adjustments I find them preferable.
https://www.getdpi.com/forum/index.php?threads/side-by-side-comparison-of-hasselblad-907x-xcd-lenses-vs-phase-one-iq4-hasselblad-v-cf-lenses.69373/

This is probably the most well rounded and best conducted test I found, and they include skin tones. I far prefer the Phase and Leica skin tones here. With the Hasselblad the model looks jaundiced, which is surprising since they used Phocus. I haven't seen this issue in other images or tests, but I also haven't see any other side by side skin tone tests.
https://www.720.ch/blog/test-the-best

Based on all this, I leaning towards Phase One, although it is never an apples to apples test, same sensor gen vs same sensor gen. The IQ3 Trichromatic would probably be my first choice right now, if I can find one for a reasonable price. The IQ4 Trichromatic would be even better, but maybe once it comes down in price.

If anyone else can find anything, please share.



Jan 28, 2026 at 05:45 AM
philip_pj
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p.1 #4 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Some random thoughts, and it's amazing there is so little in-depth reviews. Still a lot of mixed fruit. The 720ch crew missed a golden opportunity in not showing a face on test, subject with her default impassive expression held constant over each shot. You need to see how the lens shapes the face. It's why we have portrait-capable lenses.

You really need to use the same lens too to remove a rich source of confounding effects, but lenses appear almost inconsequential here. But it all starts and ends with the lens because the lens is the modulation step of light entry, and it imparts cast, temperature, contrast, tone separation, curvature and fall-off. Not including some optical tricks.

So that's a shame. After all we read about color, note the massive differences here in skin representation. Were they all very good due to format and market orientation, this would not happen.

Looking just under the worst portrait of a senior I've perhaps ever seen (the 'RFK on a bad day' man), the first impression of the four images was, in order: jaundice, sunburn, close, and anaemic. The Leica loses also from pronounced freckle rendering. These S lenses would probably do better in cine than stills, where the accuracy is less obvious. There 'after' set is different comps to the befores. Has no one heard of methodology in this industry?

The flash results : plasticky 'white face' and lacking tonal grading, and totally different expressions. One of the best guides to female faces are the (unpainted) lips, for obvious reasons. Does it all matter? Well, if you were to look at each in turn in their final panel, try guessing her age in each shot. They did not use natural (i.e. undiffused) light, it seems.

The first impression of the RAW is very important, as it forms an instant snapshot in the perceiving visual system, and tends to impact the later fixes. It's good to see color handling is still primitive, even in MF digital.



Jan 28, 2026 at 05:39 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #5 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


My first recommendation is to ask at GetDPI. You've got a bigger concentration of MF users who aren't primarily invested in the mirrorless SLR style bodies from Hassy and Fuji.

My advice is to not worry so much about color. You can get pleasing color from any digital camera with a way to set a custom white balance and the infinite number of ways we're offered to tweak it in post. Your workflow will make a bigger difference than the "color science" of your chosen platform. Instead, I'd figure out what lenses interest you and start there. You've got one camera that requires a 55mm image circle with no movements and another that requires 67mm with no movements. If the lenses that interest you only have a usable 70mm IC, then it's pointless to put an expensive tech camera between them and a FF back.

Just my two-cents. I hope it helps.



Jan 28, 2026 at 09:35 PM
zhangyue
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p.1 #6 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Thanks for sharing. This is first ever useful S3 review pop up regarding color. Leica put a lot of marketing talk on how they improve red channel but never there is a convincing material to show that until this.
I like s3 results the best followed by Phase/Hasselabld. Fuji is last in this test.
Skin tone is the only area I really care about the color. I don’t really mind color accuracy as those doesn’t really matter in real world shooting. Stable skin tone rendering over different light and WB condition is tough to achieve. At least from this test, I have my preference and difference is there and also it is tough to really match.



Jan 28, 2026 at 09:45 PM
nickw_
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p.1 #7 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hi Philip,

There are face shots with flash, but they are small. It is too bad they did not make the raw files available. That would have been wonderful.

If you watch the video (at the bottom), they are using Broncolor Scoro packs, along with various lighting modifiers, including three different Briese Focus's (44H, 77?, 140H).

Ideally they would have used a technical camera with the same lens (maybe a Rodenstock 90 HR, or SK 120 ASPH) to level the playing field, but that would have added a lot of cost in tech cam back mounts. I can understand them using the lenses from each brand, as that is what many people will do. But then, having more tests showing the lenses would have been nice. Although, they said they spent four days doing the tests, just focusing on the backs, so they had to draw the line somewhere.

Now that you said “jaundice, sunburn, close, and anaemic”, I cannot unthink this. All the files could be pushed around in post (to varying degrees), but it adds more work and cost (either time, or money if paying for retouching), plus some things are never quite the same. I find the closer the raw files are (out of camera) to my preferred overall tone and balance, the better. I did notice they didn't mention what camera profiles were used. Given their studio and equipment, I suspect they know what they're doing, but it's not mentioned.

In the end, I would vote for the Phase first, then Leica. I am still surprised the Hasselblad skin tones are so bad. I have never seen this with the newer X1D/X2D's. Maybe this is just with the CMOS H series? I do not know.

I was not familiar with the idea of looking at lips. That is a good one, and I will keep it in mind.

I still wish I could find other tests.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Edited on Jan 29, 2026 at 05:00 AM · View previous versions



Jan 29, 2026 at 03:50 AM
nickw_
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p.1 #8 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hi freaklikeme,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I will probably post to GetDPI, but I am 100% new there.

I am not worried about the color, but it is one factor (of many) I am considering. Clearly people do great work with both systems. How much time and effort it takes to work the files into something I am happy with is part of my equation.

In terms of lenses, that is a major reason I am trying to figure out which back. Given they are different sized sensors, I am setting myself down a path by choosing which focal length lenses I would want for each. Plus it will take time and effort to source them.

I like to plan for my ideal lenses, even if they are rare or expensive, so I can set myself a goal to work towards. And to make sure my focal length spacing is appropriate. With the Hasselblad back, my ideal would be the SK 43XL, 60XL, and Rodenstock SW 90 HR. I think that would be a pretty fantastic three lens kit, albeit pricey and almost impossible to find. I could start with a more affordable/available lenses like SK 60 f4.

With the Phase back, I'm not sure. I read good things about the SK 72L (comparable to the 60XL, but with a smaller image circle). That would make a nice normal lens on the Phase. An SK 120 ASPH would be a dream, but I doubt I could either find or afford one. I need to learn more about the 100mm range lens options, as the 90HR would be too close. On the wide end, perhaps the 50HR? They all have a large enough image circle for what I am currently wanting to do.

So I am still working out my lens choices. I would rather do it right the first time.



If you are interested, there are other things I am considering as well:

Such as the handheld user experience. Simply put, the 907x/100C would be far preferable to me over a Phase XF.

In an ideal world, I would have the 907x/100C for handheld, and an IQ4 for the tech camera. But financially that is not happening. So I need to decide on one system.

I would much prefer C1 over Phocus. With the Hassy, I have considered a hybrid workflow: Phocus import, basic adjustments, DNG or TIFF export, EXIF delete, then C1 import to finish. But that would become a pain. The best of both worlds comes at the cost of time. I do very much like the 907x/100C for it's size and price. The tech camera lenses to go with this combo are also brilliant. The other downside is there is no frame averaging (yet) with the Hasselblad. I do wish Phase and Hasselblad would burry the hatched and provide C1 support, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

The downside to the Phase is the price and weight (when handheld). While I am not yet sure in my lens options, they are many. But overall they have a lot to offer. I could see myself growing and staying with the eco system. I often tell myself to just get over the size. Price will eventually be forgotten, and I can start with a cheaper/older back.

There really is no ideal system, so I need to pick my poison. Depending on the day, I come to a different conclusion. Ultimately both are great, and either would work for me. But because each system pushes me down a different tech cam lens path, I want to really think it though ahead of time.

Sorry that got long.

Edited on Jan 29, 2026 at 08:44 AM · View previous versions



Jan 29, 2026 at 04:46 AM
nickw_
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p.1 #9 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hello zhangyue,
Thank you for sharing. I can see someone liking the Leica. Many years ago I used to dream about an 006 with the CCD. I came close to buying one a few times.

I think most will agree Phase and Leica are preferable here. Hasselblad was a disappointment to me. I don't know why it was so bad, I expected more.

The Fuji rendered about how I expected it would. Its not bad, it's just a look which I am not a fan of. And I would rather not spend my time trying to always push the files in a different direction than they are leaning. I am glad there is something for everyone. Plus, imho even if someone doesn't like the Fuji look, everyone benefits by them putting pressure on the industry by creating the offering that have at the price they did.

I wish there was an updated test (with skin tones) with a Hasselblad X series to compare.



Jan 29, 2026 at 04:55 AM
theHUN
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p.1 #10 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Given the money involved, have you considered renting an IQ3 for a week? Or a trip to Los Angeles (or the nearest P1 dealer) and test driving one for a day? Since color appears to be your main criterion, have you considered the IQ3 Trichromatic?

I also use C1, and Hasselblad's lack of support for it has been the main show stopper for me.



Jan 29, 2026 at 10:01 AM
 


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Josef Isayo
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p.1 #11 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


theHUN wrote:
Given the money involved, have you considered renting an IQ3 for a week? Or a trip to Los Angeles (or the nearest P1 dealer) and test driving one for a day? Since color appears to be your main criterion, have you considered the IQ3 Trichromatic?

I also use C1, and Hasselblad's lack of support for it has been the main show stopper for me.


Hey did you know C1 works only on two of the three DJI Mavic 4 pro drone lens modules? You know why only two of the three? Because one of them is labeled Hasselblad The level of pettiness between the Scandinavians is effin hilarious



Jan 29, 2026 at 05:06 PM
oscartb
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p.1 #12 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


If you're planning to use a lot of camera movements do be aware that the Hasselblad 100c can show artifacts when pushing movements to the limits due to the phase detection pixels. Unfortunately that means that despite being a BSI sensor, the 100c will still require LCC profiling when at the edge of the lens circle. There's a thread or two about it on getdpi. There was a lot of hope that the 100c would provide the BSI benefits of the IQ4 at the smaller size and cost, but that hasn't quite materialized.

I'd suggest contacting a P1 dealer and asking for some sample files and then playing with them yourself in C1. There are several additional ICC color profiles for the backs in C1 other than the default which may get you to a better starting point. Depends on the back but there is daylight, prostandard, and portrait on all of them, some of the backs have more variations. Of course if you find yourself always doing the same correction you can save a style and have it applied on import, including the ICC profile.

This is purely my opinion, but unless the default output from Phocus is exactly what you want with no edits, I'd look strongly at P1 for C1 alone. Phocus is a pretty miserable piece of software.



Jan 29, 2026 at 05:58 PM
nickw_
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p.1 #13 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hi theHUN

Color is one concern, but there are others. I am really considering the whole package (as shared above).

I would happily rent one, if I could. I am in Canada, and the only Phase dealer (and rental house which has them) is on the other side of the country. I have been talking with them.

The IQ3 Tri is probably my top choice right now, but my dealer doesn't have any. They had an IQ4 Tri, but it sold very quickly, and was more than I wanted to spend.



Jan 29, 2026 at 06:04 PM
theHUN
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p.1 #14 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


nickw_ wrote:
Hi theHUN

Color is one concern, but there are others. I am really considering the whole package (as shared above).

I would happily rent one, if I could. I am in Canada, and the only Phase dealer (and rental house which has them) is on the other side of the country. I have been talking with them.

The IQ3 Tri is probably my top choice right now, but my dealer doesn't have any. They had an IQ4 Tri, but it sold very quickly, and was more than I wanted to spend.


https://dt-outlet.com has an IQ3 Tri in stock and they have a showroom in Los Angeles. A trip to Los Angeles is perhaps not cheap for you, but perhaps it is more palatable when compared to the total cost of the system and when compared to the risk of buying blindly and hating everything about it.



Jan 29, 2026 at 09:22 PM
theHUN
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p.1 #15 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


zhangyue wrote:
Thanks for sharing. This is first ever useful S3 review pop up regarding color. Leica put a lot of marketing talk on how they improve red channel but never there is a convincing material to show that until this.
I like s3 results the best followed by Phase/Hasselabld. Fuji is last in this test.
Skin tone is the only area I really care about the color. I don’t really mind color accuracy as those doesn’t really matter in real world shooting. Stable skin tone rendering over different light and WB condition is tough to achieve. At least from this test,
...Show more

Boy, those S3 images sure look amazing. Fingers crossed I can keep GAS in check this year.



Jan 29, 2026 at 09:24 PM
nickw_
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p.1 #16 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Hi Oscar,

Thank you for your thoughts. I will look up those GetDPI threads. I never knew the BSI sensor in the 100C had issues like you mentioned. A mini IQ4 was exactly what I was hoping it would be. I was told the focus pixels would soften the image compared to a sensor without them. But in hindsight it makes sense they could cause other problems too. Especially as the angle of light becomes less direct.

I did see some of the LCC profiles available in various comparisons, but I'm yet to play with them myself. I quite like the look of the Trichromatic with its standard profile. I should probably head in this direction.

Regarding Phocus. Yes, it needs an overhaul. Badly. Or better yet, perhaps it's time for Hasselblad to offer an olive branch and make peace with Phase One, and try and get C1 support.

Edited on Jan 30, 2026 at 08:13 AM · View previous versions



Jan 30, 2026 at 04:02 AM
nickw_
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p.1 #17 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


theHUN wrote:
https://dt-outlet.com has an IQ3 Tri in stock and they have a showroom in Los Angeles. A trip to Los Angeles is perhaps not cheap for you, but perhaps it is more palatable when compared to the total cost of the system and when compared to the risk of buying blindly and hating everything about it.


My wife and I had twins last year, so there is no way I can leave for a few days. I also don't think the trip time and cost would really justify itself. For a new system, yes. For a used $8k digital back, no.

Thanks for the link to the DT outlet site. To be honest, their prices seem on the high side. I wonder if they haven't been updated in a while? They list the IQ3100 for $11k, and only include a 30 day warranty an email support. Where I just saw Steve from CI mention they are selling IQ3100's for about $8k, and they include a 1 year warranty and full support. I've seen good condition IQ3100's going for low sixes now private sales. I may reach out to Doug at DT and Steve at CI and see what sort of prices they can offer. I'm also talking with my dealer in Canada to see what he can find, they are my first choice.



Jan 30, 2026 at 04:14 AM
nickw_
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p.1 #18 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


I thought I would include a final update.

First, thanks again to @geoffreyg for the test he shared. I realize now he is very humble. The test he shared was one that he did himself. He quietly shared the results rather than saying much about it. Thank you for all the work you put into it! I ended up downloading the files you made available. I think the Hasselblad looks lovely here. If I were shooting primarily architecture, interiors, or landscape, I would seriously consider buying Hasselblad 100C. It's small size is lovely.
https://www.getdpi.com/forum/index.php?threads/digital-back-comparison.72376/


In terms of skin tones, I found two more tests:

Here is a test with Fuji, Canon, Sony, Phase One, and Hasselblad. The sony A7R was a pleasant surprise here. I like it's rendering.
https://www.irstafoto.com/blog.php?page=144

Next, I found this comparison with Canon, Phase One, and Hasselblad:



I am now seeing a clear pattern, even with the newer X1Ds. The Hasselblad skin tones can jump around and look varying degrees of yellow to me. This is (for the most part) correctable in post, in the same way the red skin tones from Nikon are correctable. But I wanted to share this for anyone who finds this thread later.

Personally speaking, I like to find a rendering that leans in the direction I want to head. It makes it easier for me, and usually with better results. I find the human eye is very good at picking up on subtle difference in skin.

Hopefully this collection of tests will be helpful to anyone who is interested later. We all have different preferences. Thankfully we live in a time of many good options, and between the new and used market, there is probably something for everyone.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed.

Edited on Feb 03, 2026 at 04:59 AM · View previous versions



Feb 02, 2026 at 04:16 AM
philip_pj
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p.1 #19 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


Easy to see why the a7r is still my primary portrait camera, how bizarre, but far from unprecedented.

Sony had no internal color 'target set' in 2012, no GM pro lenses, and they thought they were making a Leica M facsimile for MILC users. So in today's terms, they were effectively looking for very neutral color, with more than acceptable skin tone rendering.

We used to see a lot of over-exposed skin from Canon users, possibly an unconscious atttempt to hide the truly awful skin tones they had somehow hoodwinked users into believing they looked acceptable - marketing magic! I love the nuclear brickwork early in one of these tests. Goodness me.

The very fact that people defended their color told me that seeing poor color on a reguilar basis - every shot you open up later in post - forms a kind of imprint on the mind as to what is 'normal'. And that is why WB is so important as a foundation.

I can't share the sombre YT's guy's views on the color emitted by his MF cameras, unless this model had jaundice. Neither is wonderful. There is no getting away from understanding color and knowing how to 'mix' it, because no profiles will rescue your color in all light conditions. Maybe people have to step out of their studios every so often. And f5.6 on high Mp MF, truly a disaster when he zooms to the face.



Feb 02, 2026 at 01:57 PM
geoffreyg
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p.1 #20 · Hasselblad vs Phase One Color


nickw_ wrote:
I thought I would include a final update.

First, thanks again to @geoffreyg@ for the test he shared. I realize now he is very humble. The test he shared was one that he did himself. He quietly shared the results rather than saying much about it. Thank you for all the work you put into it! I ended up downloading the files you made available. I think the Hasselblad looks lovely here. If I were shooting primarily architecture, interiors, or landscape, I would almost certainly purchase the Hasselblad 100C and be happy. It's small size is lovely.
https://www.getdpi.com/forum/index.php?threads/digital-back-comparison.72376/


Thank you for the kind thoughts. It was one of those things that came from access to all three backs for a brief time (now only with IQ 3100, but miss the CFV 50CII). When first shared, met with silence, but seems to have some interest recently - as you found. Glad it was helpful. And yes, agree that there is very little of this kind of comparative info available for these backs.

Geoff



Feb 02, 2026 at 05:10 PM
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