simonpg
Active Member
Of course the V system is dead to the extent that it will not see further development - in fact it's "further development" products (read 200 series) became uncompetitive and too costly to continue due to the advent of AF technology initially as well as the onset of digital imaging in MF.
Obviously Hasselblad's development of the H series was a good commercial move in MF photography equipment - a new era. I suppose like most things in life, new eras are impossible to avoid and manufacturers that recognise such realities are those who survive or even flourish.
The H series was an enormous departure from the V series "legacy" - non-Zeiss optics; plastic covers on the body; 6x4.5 frame - very confronting changes especially to we amateurs who can "afford" to be emotional about the cameras we use.
I think the term: "can afford to be emotional about the cameras we use" really sums it up - explains the: grumbles we make, the resistance to things like plastic, non-Zeiss lenses and a smaller frame.
But like I think Marc keeps pointing out, Hasselblad is in a business - a tough business of relatively small volumes, complex design, expensive engineering and manufacturing. A business of competitive and technological threats! Hasselblads general customer base is made up of business customers - customers who earn money from the products. These customers can generally ill-afford to be emotional about the products they select.
Maybe we are seeing an era in which keen amateurs are being pushed further and further away from being able to own current Hasselblad products - I know I am!!!
In the past when the V series was a current technology even serious (probably with kind parents) student had an entry level to Hasselblad. Very few, if any have an entry level to the H series - even the H1.
But what is certain is that the H series has been successful and is the market segment leader - that much has not changed.
But, by opting to keep manufacturing the 503CW, Hasselblad has maintained a link with many customers (professional and amateur alike) and probably at no real net business cost to it. So then the question is simply why not keep that link? This means that the V series is not dead; it will just not develop.
The fact that the V series will not develop any further, dos not mean that it is impossible for Hasselblad to continue to enhance the CF digital back. Think about it. The hardware development is done and with a large "car park" of current V series users out there, the business case for later sensor and firmware enhancements to the CF back may not be out of the question. Their market research will dictate that. Leica faces a similar situation with the M8. Contrary to the rest of the "35mm format" camera market, the model life-cycle may be much greater and that may help the economics. Time will tell!
Yes, the M8 is a success and it seems to be changing Leica's fortunes which previously looked bleak.
No, it is most unlikely that Hasselblad will engage in a digital Xpan - Leica has shown how complex and expensive it is to produce a top quality rangefinder digital camera - most unlikely that there is a viable market for one.
Whatever the case may be in the end, Hasselblad will know what professional shooter needs it must cater to; what value there is in the legacy V series "car park" out there and we amateurs will just be on the receiving end of it all. Does that make us "bottom feeders"???
I suppose all of this is like the Porsche 911 market - those of us not wealthy enough to own the current products from new MUST be grateful to the other much wealthier owners for being able to afford them and handing them down to us some years later so that we can enjoy the marque as well!!
If I am honest about it, my only reason for not owning Hasselblad H series (non-digital) gear is simply that I can't afford it! But what is certain is that I know that a film H series kit produces superb quality images and that its electronic wizardry is simply a DIFFERENT HORSE FOR A DIFFERENT COURSE!
Obviously Hasselblad's development of the H series was a good commercial move in MF photography equipment - a new era. I suppose like most things in life, new eras are impossible to avoid and manufacturers that recognise such realities are those who survive or even flourish.
The H series was an enormous departure from the V series "legacy" - non-Zeiss optics; plastic covers on the body; 6x4.5 frame - very confronting changes especially to we amateurs who can "afford" to be emotional about the cameras we use.
I think the term: "can afford to be emotional about the cameras we use" really sums it up - explains the: grumbles we make, the resistance to things like plastic, non-Zeiss lenses and a smaller frame.
But like I think Marc keeps pointing out, Hasselblad is in a business - a tough business of relatively small volumes, complex design, expensive engineering and manufacturing. A business of competitive and technological threats! Hasselblads general customer base is made up of business customers - customers who earn money from the products. These customers can generally ill-afford to be emotional about the products they select.
Maybe we are seeing an era in which keen amateurs are being pushed further and further away from being able to own current Hasselblad products - I know I am!!!
In the past when the V series was a current technology even serious (probably with kind parents) student had an entry level to Hasselblad. Very few, if any have an entry level to the H series - even the H1.
But what is certain is that the H series has been successful and is the market segment leader - that much has not changed.
But, by opting to keep manufacturing the 503CW, Hasselblad has maintained a link with many customers (professional and amateur alike) and probably at no real net business cost to it. So then the question is simply why not keep that link? This means that the V series is not dead; it will just not develop.
The fact that the V series will not develop any further, dos not mean that it is impossible for Hasselblad to continue to enhance the CF digital back. Think about it. The hardware development is done and with a large "car park" of current V series users out there, the business case for later sensor and firmware enhancements to the CF back may not be out of the question. Their market research will dictate that. Leica faces a similar situation with the M8. Contrary to the rest of the "35mm format" camera market, the model life-cycle may be much greater and that may help the economics. Time will tell!
Yes, the M8 is a success and it seems to be changing Leica's fortunes which previously looked bleak.
No, it is most unlikely that Hasselblad will engage in a digital Xpan - Leica has shown how complex and expensive it is to produce a top quality rangefinder digital camera - most unlikely that there is a viable market for one.
Whatever the case may be in the end, Hasselblad will know what professional shooter needs it must cater to; what value there is in the legacy V series "car park" out there and we amateurs will just be on the receiving end of it all. Does that make us "bottom feeders"???
I suppose all of this is like the Porsche 911 market - those of us not wealthy enough to own the current products from new MUST be grateful to the other much wealthier owners for being able to afford them and handing them down to us some years later so that we can enjoy the marque as well!!
If I am honest about it, my only reason for not owning Hasselblad H series (non-digital) gear is simply that I can't afford it! But what is certain is that I know that a film H series kit produces superb quality images and that its electronic wizardry is simply a DIFFERENT HORSE FOR A DIFFERENT COURSE!