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Archives for March 2025

03/29/25 Phocus 3.8.5 released, still no fix for the HNNR issue

Posted on March 29, 2025 // Leave a Comment

I noticed that Hasselblad released a new updated version of Phocus Desktop, 3.8.5. The readme is pretty lame as usual, and there was no mention of a possible fix for the Phocus Mobile 2/HNNR noise issue when using Phocus Mobile Desktop.

After a quick renaming of the current version of Phocus to 3.8.4, I installed 3.8.5. and guess what? No fix. In fact the same issues I have always noticed still are there:

  1. Slow to allowing viewing of an image at 100%
  2. Thumbnails returning to original image view after viewing or modifications
  3. Partial block views of images when viewed at 100%
  4. Extremely slow response when moving the sliders for any of the adjust tabs
  5. Currently the worst masking tool set on the market, reminds me of software from 15 years ago.

It’s quite obvious that the entire issue could be fixed quickly by Hasselblad support because Lightroom and all other raw conversion software that support the X2D do not have this issue with HNNR raws. There needs to be a very simple code fix to Phocus to not allow the default noise reduction to be added when an HNNR is opened. Most likely this would take about 10 seconds of coding.

It’s sad that Hasselblad, a company that built it’s name on HNCS (Hasselblad Natural Color Solution), continues to lock user out of it.

You can download the latest version of Phocus Desktop here:

https://www.hasselblad.com/my-hasselblad/downloads/#133

Filed Under: Hasselblad, Hasselblad X2D and Phocus, Uncategorized // Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

03/17/25 I have added a new article on the issues of using Hasselblad’s HNNR output with Phocus Desktop 3.8.4

Posted on March 20, 2025 // Leave a Comment
Screenshot

With the latest version of Phocus Mobile software 2 for iPad and iPhone, Hasselblad released an excellent noise reduction process called HNNR (Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction). However they overlooked or did not care that these files cannot be used with Hasselblad’s Desktop Software Phocus as they have an inordinate amount of noise reduction applied. Thus you no longer can use Phocus to get the HNCS (Hasselblad Natural Color Solution).

I have written a very detailed article on this issue with images showing examples. You can find it here:

03/17/25 Hasselblad–Major Disconnect with HNNR and Phocus, Please Fix
Filed Under: Cameras, Hasselblad, Hasselblad X2D and Phocus, Uncategorized // Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

03/11/25, Another click bait video on the “new camera” from DJI/Hasselblad

Posted on March 11, 2025 //
Hasselblad X2D

I just watched yet another click bait video about the “new” camera coming from Hasselblad.  The authors hints at 150MP in place of the current 100MP in the X2D.  However currently there is not a 150MP cropped sensor chip that I am aware of.  The only 150MP chip is in the Phase One IQ4, and that chip will not fit in the body of the X2D.  So once again, click and watch, add to their subscription and get them paid.  What a joke.  It’s amazing to me that people are willing to watch this kind of crap.  Do your homework.  You can expect an upgrade to the X2D, the current body is long in the tooth and it does need to improved.

I love these folks who post videos like this, total click bait. What’s going to come, new camera, great new sensor?

Anyone who follows the sensor tech knows that there is not a 150MP cropped sensor out there at least so far. That leaves the 150MP sensor in the IQ4 which I don’t believe that will work due to size.

DJI/Hasselbald refreshed the X1D to the X1D II and gave it the features it really needed to compete. It’s safe to assume that this will be a camera with the same sensor, and MAYBE:

AF-C, sensor cleaning cycle, joystick (what a total omission from the first X2D), slight fast and more accurate AF, Newer faster processor. Still 8K, but it might make the original X2D come down in price so a 2nd body might be more affordable.  Maybe some form of a remote?  Wired or non-wired?

What REALLY needs to be done is have DJI/Hasselblad rework Phocus desktop. Bring it out of the dark ages, and make it work as well as other raw software. I personally love all the comments about how Lr is so close in color. It’s not, period. You purchased the camera hopefully to take advantage of NHCS, and the only solution that gives you that is Phocus. Sadly using Phocus is tedious at best.  I would love to watch a video on an updated version of Phocus Desktop, bringing it out of the dark ages.

Just a side note, DJI/Hasselblad brings out HNNR, which give excellent results, however the workflow is terrible. Having to use the Phocus Mobile 2 as the interface, and by using it you no longer can use Phocus Desktop as it applies too much noise reduction to the HNNR files. So great, you have an excellent noise reduction solution that removes 95 to 98 percent of hot pixels, and you lose the ability to have HNCS. This should have been figured out before DJI/Hasselblad released the HNNR, or do they really think you are going to do all your work on a 13 or 10 inch iPad? That’s an insult IMO.

So, instead, let’s bring out an updates X2D. What a waste of time.

Paul

Filed Under: Cameras, Hasselblad //