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Hasselblad 503CW rumors
- Thread starter robert_schultze
- Start date
"Just when I was about to blame you for buying most of the H series inventory! "
The H cameras were the first new things I bought from Hasselblad in something like 25 years ( except the last 203FE I plucked from a dealer's shelf for mere $1,500. last year).
Which is most likely the problem. We love, love, love the V stuff, and yet all the recos here are to go to KEH for excellent used ... and there is enough used stock out there to supply the Chinese Army. Lots of barely broke in inventory to be had ... some dentist who used his new 503CW twice, got bored and dumped it for a song.
The B&W client is about 32 years old : -)
The H cameras were the first new things I bought from Hasselblad in something like 25 years ( except the last 203FE I plucked from a dealer's shelf for mere $1,500. last year).
Which is most likely the problem. We love, love, love the V stuff, and yet all the recos here are to go to KEH for excellent used ... and there is enough used stock out there to supply the Chinese Army. Lots of barely broke in inventory to be had ... some dentist who used his new 503CW twice, got bored and dumped it for a song.
The B&W client is about 32 years old : -)
djohnmccarthy
New Member
I was at a Hasselblad new product event in New York last Thursday, October 18, and we were told that they would continue to make the V series as long as there are customers for them. They did say that the cameras will be made with more outsourced parts. There was no announcement about new models.
djohnmccarthy
New Member
The world of software is always changing. Christian Poulsen, Hasselblad CEO, demonstrated a new software to replace Flexcolor that is slated to be introduced in early 2008 that has the look and feel of Lightroom. If it is as good as it looks I may be switching again! The good news is that if you already own a Hasselblad digital camera you'll get the software for FREE.
This is part of their new strategy to reward customers for buying their products. Poulsen admitted that their products were expensive and thought that Hasselblad should reward customer loyality by offering free updates to customers. I think it is a great policy and makes me feel better about making the investment I did in the 503CWD!
This is part of their new strategy to reward customers for buying their products. Poulsen admitted that their products were expensive and thought that Hasselblad should reward customer loyality by offering free updates to customers. I think it is a great policy and makes me feel better about making the investment I did in the 503CWD!
semmelblad
Member
I am so delighted by Hasselblads update strategy. I will send them a dozen A12 magazines for upgrading to CFV-specs.
Ulrik
Ulrik
keith_laban
Member
Apologies, I've been pretty busy lately and have come to this thread very late. Am I right in thinking that the H2F will now be the only film camera offered by Hasselblad and that this signals the demise of the V Series and the CFV?
jotloob
Well-Known Member
Ulrik
If you send them a dozen of A12 magazines , please check the cost for the warrenty expansion first .
Keith
Christian Poulsens letter did not mention the V-SYSTEM and the CFV digital back with one word . Therefore , I think , all lovers of the V-SYSTEM should not develop too much hope for anything new for that system in the future .
For me , it sounds like the end of the production is very near .
Jürgen
If you send them a dozen of A12 magazines , please check the cost for the warrenty expansion first .
Keith
Christian Poulsens letter did not mention the V-SYSTEM and the CFV digital back with one word . Therefore , I think , all lovers of the V-SYSTEM should not develop too much hope for anything new for that system in the future .
For me , it sounds like the end of the production is very near .
Jürgen
Hasselblad has limited resources and their focus is on the more advanced digital platforms where the battle ground lies.
BTW, those that think the Hy6 platform is a totally open one, think again.
I just inquired about upgrading my Aptus 75s to use on a Leaf AFi (Hy6), and the official reply was that the AFi is totally different ... so apparently my brand new $30,000 Aptus 75s will not work on it. If Leaf's Hy6 won't accept their own back ... why would someone else's back work? How in the Hell is that an open system?
I guess one could select the Rollei version ... IF it were available here ... which apparently it is not ... and it it were, God knows when an adapter plate might be available given Rollei's supply track record for such things.
Hmmmm.
BTW, those that think the Hy6 platform is a totally open one, think again.
I just inquired about upgrading my Aptus 75s to use on a Leaf AFi (Hy6), and the official reply was that the AFi is totally different ... so apparently my brand new $30,000 Aptus 75s will not work on it. If Leaf's Hy6 won't accept their own back ... why would someone else's back work? How in the Hell is that an open system?
I guess one could select the Rollei version ... IF it were available here ... which apparently it is not ... and it it were, God knows when an adapter plate might be available given Rollei's supply track record for such things.
Hmmmm.
jotloob
Well-Known Member
Marc
When I visited the LEAF roadshow at Linhof in Munich , the Leaf AFi , I had in my hands and could do quite a lot of shots with , was equipped with a LEAF APTUS 75S .
So , I can not understand , what you report .
Give me more details about your APTUS 75S , and I will check here with my dealer , who is the key dealer for LEAF in Germany .
Jürgen
When I visited the LEAF roadshow at Linhof in Munich , the Leaf AFi , I had in my hands and could do quite a lot of shots with , was equipped with a LEAF APTUS 75S .
So , I can not understand , what you report .
Give me more details about your APTUS 75S , and I will check here with my dealer , who is the key dealer for LEAF in Germany .
Jürgen
Hi everybody
After obtaining an open letter, I asked in e-mail Mr. Poulsen "what about V system?"
He replied:
"We have changed the production process of the V camera, so we can continue to supply V cameras as long as there is a demand for them."
and in the next mail:
"We have outsourced production of parts and components to experts around the world, where cost are lower but quality is still state of the art.
Assembly, calibration, test and quality control is still done in Sweden or Denmark (digital products) "
That is it
regards
Jacek
After obtaining an open letter, I asked in e-mail Mr. Poulsen "what about V system?"
He replied:
"We have changed the production process of the V camera, so we can continue to supply V cameras as long as there is a demand for them."
and in the next mail:
"We have outsourced production of parts and components to experts around the world, where cost are lower but quality is still state of the art.
Assembly, calibration, test and quality control is still done in Sweden or Denmark (digital products) "
That is it
regards
Jacek
keith_laban
Member
"Has Poulsen ever mentioned anything about the V-System at all?
That he doesn't now should not be taken to automatically mean that now is also the time the V-System will be officially abandoned"
I guess the following led me to believe that the H2F was to replace the V Series. "We have over half a century of history with film, and don't want to abandon film manufacturers or photographers. We feel an obligation to continue to offer a film camera as long as possible, and the H2F is a good compromise that allows us to continue to offer a film alternative". In particular I note the use of "compromise". If the V Series goes it makes sense that the CFV will follow.
Sincerely hope I'm wrong.
That he doesn't now should not be taken to automatically mean that now is also the time the V-System will be officially abandoned"
I guess the following led me to believe that the H2F was to replace the V Series. "We have over half a century of history with film, and don't want to abandon film manufacturers or photographers. We feel an obligation to continue to offer a film camera as long as possible, and the H2F is a good compromise that allows us to continue to offer a film alternative". In particular I note the use of "compromise". If the V Series goes it makes sense that the CFV will follow.
Sincerely hope I'm wrong.
Jurgen, this is from the head of Leaf Service in the US who recently expedited my Aptus 75 upgrade to a 75s, not a dealer:
Q: ... what would be involved in swapping mounts for my Aptus 75s to use on the new Leaf AFi?
His reply was:
A: Hi Marc,
At this time they are still working on a plan for this type of upgrade, the Afi is totally different.
"Upgrade" not "Adaptation". The 75s on the AFi that Jurgen used is most likely a back specifically for that camera.
So, Wilko, "never say never". It sounds like they will do something, but it doesn't sound like a simple mount change, nor does it sound inexpensive. More importantly, the unanswered question is ... can that back ever be used on a different camera?
We'll see.
The reason I had inquired, was the obvious proprietary nature of the Leaf & Sinar cameras ... and the assumption on my part that one could not simply adapt a Leaf back to a Sinar Hy6, nor the Sinar back to a Leaf AFi.
So, what does "open system" actually mean?
As these backs become more integrated with the camera and perform complex communications tasks between lens, camera and back ... it seems the more closed the system has to become ... and the more difficult it will be for an independent back maker to compete.
IMO, the V system will eventually perish because of where this is all going and the incredible mass of used gear on the market. To bad.
Q: ... what would be involved in swapping mounts for my Aptus 75s to use on the new Leaf AFi?
His reply was:
A: Hi Marc,
At this time they are still working on a plan for this type of upgrade, the Afi is totally different.
"Upgrade" not "Adaptation". The 75s on the AFi that Jurgen used is most likely a back specifically for that camera.
So, Wilko, "never say never". It sounds like they will do something, but it doesn't sound like a simple mount change, nor does it sound inexpensive. More importantly, the unanswered question is ... can that back ever be used on a different camera?
We'll see.
The reason I had inquired, was the obvious proprietary nature of the Leaf & Sinar cameras ... and the assumption on my part that one could not simply adapt a Leaf back to a Sinar Hy6, nor the Sinar back to a Leaf AFi.
So, what does "open system" actually mean?
As these backs become more integrated with the camera and perform complex communications tasks between lens, camera and back ... it seems the more closed the system has to become ... and the more difficult it will be for an independent back maker to compete.
IMO, the V system will eventually perish because of where this is all going and the incredible mass of used gear on the market. To bad.
wbulte
Active Member
Hi Marc,
An "open system" in computer parlor implies that the manufacturers adhere to industry standards. Standards that are available for all to see and to implement against. Sometimes a vendor needs to pay for the specs but that is typically about it. So, loosely speaking 'open' implies that you, given the means in expertise and $$, could go, get the standard and build your own digiback. The protocols that make the body and back work together are in that spec too of course.
One of the few camera manufacturers that did this kind of thing from day 1 was Pentax with their K-bajonet. That is, until they at some point added a lot of electrical interconnects (I think that was the KAF mount).
Holding your breath waiting for "openness" in the MF back arena is probably something the doctor will advise against ;-)
Wilko
An "open system" in computer parlor implies that the manufacturers adhere to industry standards. Standards that are available for all to see and to implement against. Sometimes a vendor needs to pay for the specs but that is typically about it. So, loosely speaking 'open' implies that you, given the means in expertise and $$, could go, get the standard and build your own digiback. The protocols that make the body and back work together are in that spec too of course.
One of the few camera manufacturers that did this kind of thing from day 1 was Pentax with their K-bajonet. That is, until they at some point added a lot of electrical interconnects (I think that was the KAF mount).
Holding your breath waiting for "openness" in the MF back arena is probably something the doctor will advise against ;-)
Wilko
Thanks Wilko, that explanation is crystal clear. Many on the internet take it as meaning interchangeability which isn't what is happening.
You can still buy Leaf backs for different cameras, and Hasselblad still sells separate backs using the iMount for different platforms. And of course there's Phase One. But I wonder how long that will all last.
God, I wish they'd do just one more CFV @ 22 meg. How hard could it be? I'd grab one in a NY heart beat. Sigh.
You can still buy Leaf backs for different cameras, and Hasselblad still sells separate backs using the iMount for different platforms. And of course there's Phase One. But I wonder how long that will all last.
God, I wish they'd do just one more CFV @ 22 meg. How hard could it be? I'd grab one in a NY heart beat. Sigh.
Marc wrote:
"God, I wish they'd do just one more CFV @ 22 meg. How hard could it be? I'd grab one in a NY heart beat. Sigh."
I think that if Hasselblad does that, they will enjoy a grateful horde of photographers from about every corner in the planet. They will generate loyalty too. If they don't, they will generate exactly the opposite.
A "final"22 mp CFV with a bigger sensor could be the perfect crown for one of the most beloved cameras ever made.
Eduardo
"God, I wish they'd do just one more CFV @ 22 meg. How hard could it be? I'd grab one in a NY heart beat. Sigh."
I think that if Hasselblad does that, they will enjoy a grateful horde of photographers from about every corner in the planet. They will generate loyalty too. If they don't, they will generate exactly the opposite.
A "final"22 mp CFV with a bigger sensor could be the perfect crown for one of the most beloved cameras ever made.
Eduardo
I don't know why this question about "open" systems returns again and again. It's a very simple matter.
In this context, "open" meant that you could use any back with any camera.
There always were some restrictions, but that was just about how it was too.
The reason for the existence of the "openess" was dead simple: camera makers did not make backs, back makers did not make cameras. So both would have cut into their own flesh if they had restricted the number of 'other halves' their product could be used with.
So it did indeed mean "interchangeability": use any back on any camera.
And it indeed was (with some restrictions) what was happening.
Now, camera makers make digital backs too. And whether or not to make sure that competitor's (which is what they now are) backs cannot be used on your camera is a very easy decision.
One of the ways to do this (and then we get close to the computer world's understanding of "open") is to make sure that features of both back and camera do not work unless paired to each other, denying the competitor the knowledge about the technology involved, to make sure their backs will not 'integrate' seamlessly.
And that's what's happening now. That's the marketting way of making sure you buy not only a brand's camera, but their back too.
In this context, "open" meant that you could use any back with any camera.
There always were some restrictions, but that was just about how it was too.
The reason for the existence of the "openess" was dead simple: camera makers did not make backs, back makers did not make cameras. So both would have cut into their own flesh if they had restricted the number of 'other halves' their product could be used with.
So it did indeed mean "interchangeability": use any back on any camera.
And it indeed was (with some restrictions) what was happening.
Now, camera makers make digital backs too. And whether or not to make sure that competitor's (which is what they now are) backs cannot be used on your camera is a very easy decision.
One of the ways to do this (and then we get close to the computer world's understanding of "open") is to make sure that features of both back and camera do not work unless paired to each other, denying the competitor the knowledge about the technology involved, to make sure their backs will not 'integrate' seamlessly.
And that's what's happening now. That's the marketting way of making sure you buy not only a brand's camera, but their back too.