Hasselblad X2D II · Field Reference

Long Exposure
Starting
Settings
X2D II 100C + XCD 28P
ModeManual (M)
ISO64  base ISO
Aperturef/11 – f/16
Shutter½ sec – 5 sec
FocusAF-S then lock
StabilisationIBIS ON handheld
TripodIBIS OFF
Timer2-second delay
Pro tip

Use a 2-second timer or remote release on tripod to eliminate all camera shake before the shutter opens.

X2D II Reference 1 / 5
Motion Guide
Shutter Speed
Effects
Water & Motion Blur Reference
1/10 sec Slight motion blur — movement begins to show
1/2 sec Smooth, flowing water with visible movement
1–2 sec Silky waterfalls & ocean with soft texture
5–20 sec Dreamy, mist-like water — waves disappear
30+ sec Ethereal glass-mirror effect, full smoothing
Street & People

1/15 sec — Subtle motion
1/4 sec — Artistic blur
1 sec — Ghost-like movement

X2D II Reference 2 / 5
Location Settings
St. Croix
Ocean
Frederiksted Pier · Cane Bay
ISO
64
Base ISO
Aperture
f/11
Sharp + diffraction safe
Shutter
1–3s
Silky ocean
CPL Filter
ON
Cut reflections
  • Tripod required — no handheld at these speeds
  • Shoot at sunrise or blue hour — softer light & better colours
  • Frederiksted Pier — leading lines + water movement
  • Cane Bay — open ocean, wave energy, coral foreground
  • The X2D II's dynamic range handles the full tonal range of a Caribbean sunrise without graduated ND filters
X2D II Reference 3 / 5
Bright Conditions
ND Filter
Guide
Neutral Density for Daytime Long Exposure
6-Stop ND
Excellent general-purpose daytime filter. Reduces light by 6 stops — turns a 1/250s into a 1/4s. Ideal starting point for most shooting conditions.
10-Stop ND
Best for dramatic long exposures and glassy water. Turns 1/250s into ~4 seconds. Strong enough for full midday sun on the water.
  • Without ND, max shutter at ISO 64 + f/11 in bright sun ≈ 1/250s — too fast for blur
  • Stack CPL + ND for extra 1.5–2 stops and reflections control
  • Focus and compose before attaching the ND filter
  • Check histogram carefully — bright skies can clip with heavy ND
X2D II Reference 4 / 5
Creative Work
Street &
Creative Ideas
Motion Blur & Long Exposure Techniques
1/15 sec Subtle movement in people
1/4 sec Artistic motion blur on subjects
1 sec Ghost-like pedestrians & cars
  • Sunrise ocean — Cane Bay or Frederiksted. ISO 64 · f/11 · 1–3s. Tripod. CPL on.
  • Pier at blue hour — leading lines into soft water. Shoot 20 min before sunrise for best colour.
  • Ghost crowds — 1s shutter in shade or indoors. Stationary subjects stay sharp.
  • Traffic light trails — 5–10s from elevated position at dusk
  • The XCD 28P's ultra-wide FOV exaggerates foreground motion — position interesting elements close to the lens
X2D II Reference 5 / 5