One of the things I’ve learned while using the Hasselblad X2D II 100C is that long exposure photography becomes much more enjoyable when you stop trying to memorize everything. ND filter calculations sound simple until you’re standing in the field:
- changing filters
- losing light
- watching waves or clouds move
- trying to avoid pulling out your phone every two minutes
So I decided to create something simple for myself: a set of clean, printable Hasselblad X2D Long Exposure Reference Cards.
👉 View the reference cards here.
Why I Made These
The goal was straightforward: create a quick visual reference for calculating exposure times when using ND filters with the X2D II. Instead of:
- opening an app
- typing values
- or trying to do exposure math mentally
I wanted something I could glance at quickly while shooting landscapes or seascapes. Especially when working with:
- waterfalls
- moving water
- cloud motion
- minimalist coastal scenes
- long exposure black-and-white work
Designed for Real-World Use
I intentionally kept the design clean, minimal, and easy to read outdoors. The cards were designed with the same philosophy I use for most of my photography workflows: reduce friction so you can focus on the image itself. Sometimes the best tools are the simplest ones.
Why This Matters More with Medium Format
With the X2D II 100C, long exposures feel especially rewarding. The amount of detail and tonal information this camera captures makes slow, deliberate photography incredibly satisfying. But it also means I tend to work more intentionally, and the reference cards fit naturally into that slower workflow.
A Small Personal Project
This started as a practical utility for my own use, but I figured other Hasselblad photographers might find them useful too. So I decided to share them publicly.
If you shoot long exposures with the X2D—or really any camera system—you may find them handy in the field.
