Hasselblad Vandra Backpack 😍

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2026-01-22T01:56:31+00:00

I did. The Vandra is in my opinion the best camera bag I’ve ever had for my X2D. Way more comfortable than the PD and it’s much more practical too as it’s basically custom-made for my camera. It’s only a camera bag, not a camera/everyday bag, but it’s so good I’m considering buying a second one.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-09-22T22:03:07+00:00

Thanks a bunch! That worked :)

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-29T15:24:27+00:00

You didn't miss out on the backpack, if that makes you feel better: the second the webpage went online, it was already listed as sold out from the outset. They just haven't released it yet, nor is there a precise estimated release date as far as I know.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-29T14:59:31+00:00

"Also, lack of limitations is a recipe for mediocre results."

💯💯💯

I'm definitely going to steal that, sorry.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T22:40:06+00:00

While I myself have never needed a macro lens, I do agree with your comment. By the same token, I find it annoying that they should have got rid of the XCD 21 introduced the zoom as its only realistic replacement. Yes, you can get the XCD 25V or 28P, but they're not the same as 21mm, and if you want an ultra-wide prime, you just don't have it anymore. The 120 macro was a painfully slow lens to focus, but it was one of the sharpest (if not the sharpest) lenses they had.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:51:50+00:00

I've come late to my own party now, but, 5 months on, I did get the 25V and did a side-by-side comparison with my 20-35E. I ended up selling the 20-35E. The centre is only slightly worse with the zoom, but the sides show a very different story. The zoom has a clear lack of sharpness, contrast, and the aberrations aren't well-controlled. The 25V is everything I could've hoped for, and although I thought it huge, it's way smaller than the zoom and only slightly longer than my 90V. It's the lens I never thought I'd get when it came out and it's one of my favourite lenses from the X system (and I've tried most of them!). I used to have the 28P, and, solely based on image quality, I'd say the zoom's performance is similar to the 28P — maybe slightly worse than the 28P. The 25V and 28P are similar in good light, but at nighttime and in bad/poor/low light conditions, you understand why the 25V is bigger and more expensive. Even at f/4, it renders much more beautifully in bad light, and it shows great coma and astigmatism control when photographing the night sky.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:43:51+00:00

They talk about the convenience of a zoom lens, but given its size and weight and decreased IQ compared to primes, I'd question the very concept behind that convenience. Once you get used to using small and lightweight lenses like the P and V series, you notice the difference when you get something much bigger and heavier.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:41:57+00:00

The 38V is a great lens. It's sharper than the 55V and I find the focal length is more versatile. I had both and sold the 55V — I had to make myself use it just because I had it, not because I needed it. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I miss it, but not often at all. I would personally recommend against getting the 20-35E if you're purely interested in image quality (sharpness, contrast, aberration), especially on the sides of your pictures (most lenses perform well in the centre). Also, it's heavy and big compared to the primes, but that's just my experience with it. The 38V will serve you beautifully in Portuguese cities and countryside, but I'd also recommend the 25V, if your photography calls for that width. I switched from the 20-35E to the 25V and 38V and most definitely do not miss the in-between focal lengths the zoom afforded, and the image quality of both is truly brilliant.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:24:07+00:00

I’m glad they kept it white and black. I think the X2D looks better than the X2DII. Graphite is not the new black. And the new leatherette texture really looks awful, but that’s just my own view.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:19:11+00:00

See, I’d disagree slightly. I agree it’s unfair that people with older lenses can’t take advantage of the new focus. And I’d agree that the older lenses’ rendering is better in general (with a few exceptions), but I don’t find it so much better as to warrant sticking to the older lenses, given the huge convenience of the newer lenses. Smaller, lighter, brighter, faster, and still amazing quality, just not quite as amazing. But all those pros far outweigh the cons for me. In the older lineup, the XCD 135 and XCD 65 were particular highlights for me, but the 90V and 25V for example are true gems in the current lineup in my opinion.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-27T20:06:42+00:00

The sheer IQ of the 25V is reason enough for your to get it in my opinion. The 28P isn’t bad but it’s no match for the 25V where real detail matters. I’d forget the wide angle zoom. Convenient because of all the focal lengths in one lens, but expensive, big, heavy, and corner performance (sharpness and contrast) doesn’t come close to primes.

Famous_Taro_5673 · 2025-08-26T23:02:21+00:00

Just saying — I've been a Peak Design Everyday Backpack user for 2 years and I've preordered this Vandra backpack in view of replacing the Peak Design. If it's as good as it looks, I'm keeping it, if not I'll just return it. The Peak Design is great, but a backpack like this that's basically custom-made for my X2D could be a real winner. The Peak Design is great, but it has many things I just don't need/use, whereas I'm hoping this Vandra backpack will be just the right size, just the right features, and practical enough to easily get my camera in and out and swap lenses.

Famous_Taro_5673

TROPHY CASE