Got $18,000? Grab a Hasselblad camera while it's cheap

Is Hasselblad feeling some pressure from the more plebian realm of 35mm SLR cameras?

That's the thought I had when I got a promotional e-mail from the high-end camera maker offering a 31-megapixel H3D-II and an 80mm lens for $17,995--a lower price, the company is eager to note. The tagline of the promotion: "If you thought you couldn't afford a Hasselblad, think again."

Hasselblad's H3DII-31 medium-format camera now can be purchased for $17,995 with an 80mm lens.

(Credit: Hasselblad)

Those of you who aren't photographers for Vogue advertisers or astronauts taking snapshots of the moon might not be familiar with the Hasselblad name, but it's a prestigious brand that makes "medium format" cameras. However, like every camera maker, it's navigating choppy waters during the transition from film to digital photography.

For photography, bigger can be better. The larger film area provided by medium-format cameras can outdo the smaller frame size of 35mm film in detail, and some of those advantages carry over to digital sensors.

But with digital, the math is unforgiving: it's not much more expensive to make a large frame of film, but it's a lot more expensive to make a large digital image sensor. Medium-format digital camera technology from Hasselblad, Mamiya, Phase One, and others are costly, and indeed, even the 35mm format is confined to a small, higher-end segment of the SLR business as camera makers moved to sensors that are roughly two-thirds the size.

The H3D-II uses a sensor that's 44x33mm, significantly larger than the 36x24mm of 35mm film but not as large as the 50-megapixel 48x36mm sensor Kodak builds for Hasselblad's top-end camera.

Canon, the leading seller of 35mm SLRs, has its eye on the medium-format market. Its $8,000 top-end 21-megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark III is specifically geared for studio photographers, for example. Sony has committed to full-frame 35mm digital SLRs, with a 24-megapixel model planned for later this year, and Nikon is rumored to have its own high-resolution full-frame rival in the works. (I should have been clearer that I meant a high-resolution Nikon alternative to the EOS-1Ds Mark III; Nikon has offered a lower-resolution though high-sensitivity full-frame model since introducing the D3 in 2007.)

Hasselblad is aware of the threat: "For a little more than high-end 35mm solutions and much less than many competing medium format solutions, you too can begin using the world's most advanced digital camera system," the company said.

[powowcow]

Canon, Sony and Nikon are all involved in the Full Frame sensor market. And Nikon already has Full Frame cameras out using their Fx sensor in the D3 and D700. Sony will be a new entry into the segment. None of the big 3 are going into the medium-format segment though, only Full Frame, so do your research.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos1dsmkiii.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d700.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d3.asp
http://www.photographybay.com/2008/01/30/sony-develops-35mm-full-size-cmos-image-sensor-with-2481-effective-megapixels/

[Shankland]

Sorry--I should have said a *high-resolution* full-frame model from Nikon. I was thinking of rivals to Canon's EOS-1Ds Mark III but I should have been clearer.

[William Crow]

I think the government should buy me this camera...and everyone else that wants one.

[shevaberg]

I will take 2

[Travis Ernst]

Crow, ROFL! On a serious note, this brand is for studio use, or shots heading for publication in "controlled" environments. You don't want to be slinging this at a ballgame, or at the waterpark and be in need of repairs. There is the reason these stay in studio.

For consumer end dSLR's (Nikon, Canon), even if you put down 2500 for a body REMEMBER, that will be only HALF (maybe) of what you will be spending (investing). You still will be buying Lenses for telephoto, macro, and a common "all around" range (Canon has a 28-105 that works well for about a $1k) Then Flash (100-700 depending on your needs) Tripod (minimum $100; I say $300 for GOOD) Head for the tripod bumps it up. The price meter keeps ticking up.

It's more then you first think. I went in to buy a $550 Sony a number of years back and my bill was 1100 before the discount (so just under 1k). That was JUST Camera, minimal memory, extra battery, tripod ($100 basic video pod) and cheap $20 bag.

I paid out that cost in lenses, flash, more memory, and a portable camera support and head within 3 months following..

Do your research HARD before investing in a camera. Make sure it's what you want, and that it's weight is something you can take if you add on the lens and flash. Can you handle 5 pounds on your neck?

[littleM]

Actually, the biggest cost factor in film or digital cameras are the lenses. The bigger the sensor, the bigger the lens to get the same perspective and sensitivity. As they get really big (e.g., 4x5), some types lenses don't even exist (e.g., a 100mm f2.0). Even with little sensors, the lens is smaller but needs to have relatively higher optical quality. Many cheap digital cameras have better sensors than lenses, and their image quality suffers accordingly.

You still can't beat large format film. 5"x7" format with a really good camera/lens and the right film can enlarge to 5' by 7' print with outrageous detail, stunning dynamic range, and no artifacts. Try that with the Hasselblad.

[6cm]

Most of it is hype and market manipulation. Remember 12 years ago RAM memory cost? In the case of Hasselblad, the smartest thing would be for some dynamic third party to take a full advantage of the existing vast base of cameras and lenses and enter the market with full frame medium format backs for Hasselblad, Rollei, Bronica, Mamiya, etc, as it is much easier to produce a sensor and develop or purchase software than make optics and mechanical components where you also have to have a service network. I believe some smart Asians are going to kill this "circle of friends" games and you will see a veritable renaissance and common access via reasonable pricing. Ask yourself how many current Hasselbald analogue system owners would buy a 25MP full frame back for $2,500?...and too long after a 40MP for $999?

[jenni2009]

thank you for the information
<a href="http://www.bellspharmacy.com">Generic Viagra</a> |
<a href="http://www.bellspharmacy.com">Cheap Generic Viagra</a> |
<a href="http://www.onlinemedicalstore.net">Cheap Generic Viagra</a> |
<a href="http://www.rxpillspharmacy.com">Buy Generic Viagra Online</a> |
<a href="http://www.safegenericmeds.com">Buy Cheap Generic Viagra</a>