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Hasselblad V series 2005 catalogue

G

gjames52

Member
Although I received a new 2004 V catalogue last week, at an store event, today, I downloaded a new Hasselblad V series 2005 catalogue because I had noticed that the website no longer showed the 200 series cameras, a recent change.

So, Simon if it means anything the 503CW, 555ELD, and 905SWC are listed as are the lenses of late.

So, for now there is some hope left.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Gilbert
 
Thanks Gilbert. No I have no fear of the end of Hasselblad V series overall. While it is logical that the series continues to get "trimmed", I'm confident that fundamentals like the V series lenses and key accessories like film backs will continue for many years - it's no "skin off their noses" to do so really. But I would expect that the camera range would become limited to the CM or CW or both only - the R&D is complete; the likely only market segment remaining for such MF cameras is for the very basic all mechanical versions (the H series has really replaced anything more complex). To keep assembling the declining numbers ordered would / should / hopefully not be a serious production problem nor cost drain (so long as the human skills continue to exist there).

But, seeing Zeiss' statements on their web site (yes many companies fail to track the currency of web site info very well) might have indicated some sort of continuing commitment by Zeiss lead by its knowledge of Hasselblad's longer term plans. Alas it is not really any such indicator.

I never really bother listening to rumours or fuss much about what "might" happen one day and prefer to just focus on the absolute joy my 501/503 kit gives me.

Happy Christmas and thanks for the enjoyable dialogue and your contributions during 2005.
 
Today I take delivery of the CF adapter for my new H2D with integrated 22 meg Imacon back. This wise engineering move on the part of Hasselblad assures interest in V lenses for some time to come. I cannot wait to try my 180/4 on that camera/back combination.

Over the Holiday break, I hope to run some tests on the Fuji 80/2.8 verses the Zeiss 80/2.8 along with testing the relative merits of the 50/3.5 verses the Zeiss 50/4 and the 150/3.5 verses the Zeiss 150/4. This of course will be an optical comparison only. I need the AF abilities of the 3 Fuji made Hasselblad lenses for my wedding work.

But the use of Zeiss glass for more controlled situations such as studio jobs and personal projects is of paramount importance to me. I have so many V lenses that I use for film work, it was a chief reason I continued on with Hasselblad for the digital migration necessary in commercial work these days. Best of both worlds as we enter 2006. Happy holidays to all !!!!
 
I wouldn't be that confident about the V-System continuing for many years.

First, if it doesn't sell, it will be gone in a jiffy. It is "skin off their noses"!
You don't really think it costs nothing to keep producing things, do you? And when there are no returns, believe me, it will end very quickly.

Second, in control of Hasselblad is mr. Poulsen, of Imacon. It has become quite apparent that he's only interested in selling digital products. As far as he's concerned, there is no commitment to the V-System at all.
So give him an opportunity to axe the V-System (and the film bit in the H-System too. Or the H-System itself...), and see what happens. That opportunity will (as in: is guaranteed to) come in the form and shape of a (continued) fall of V-System sales figures.

Zeiss has been taken by surprise before. Their (old) statement that they are working on several new V-System lenses reflects their hopes and expectations of that moment. Things have changed quite a bit since then.

Rumours are rumours, and sometimes hard to value.
But we do not need to dismiss them off hand any more then we should let them scare us.
That the end of the V-System will come rather sooner than later does not in any way affect thw pleasure we can get out of the V-System cameras we already have and use.
The only fear is that the thing driving this is also affecting film sales, and eventually film availability.
 
Marc
I disagree with you . I do not believe , that the CF adapter for H-SYSTEM means , that there will come new designs and lenses for the V-SYSTEM . I believe the adapter was made to improve the H-SYSTEM sales figures , because many photographers just did not want to buy an other bunch of lenses , when they switch to the H-SYSTEM .
Q.G. I appreciate your contributions very much , but i do not believe , that some day , (in the near future) there will be no more films for the V-SYSTEM . I believe , nobody knows how many MF cameras of all makes are on the market , but it will be a hell of a lot . So if Kodak , Agfa , Ilford or even Fuji will be out of the market , i am shure there will be an other manufacturer , just jumping in and take over . (think of russia or china , just as an ex&le) We will then not have all the films available today , but shurely some good colour and b/w films .
Merry X-MAS and i wish you all to find a lot of good 120 films under your X-MAS tree . Santa still has a lot to in stock .
happy.gif
 
Sorry Jurgen, I did not mean to imply there would be new V lenses which was someone else's thought I believe.

I meant that use and interest in using the fine Zeiss V lenses will continue on into the future no matter what Hasselblad does. It would be astounding if they did bring out new glass because I cannot imagine what they would be. Maybe a higher sync speed? Or tilt shift. Or a true Macro like the HC 120/4? But I seriously doubt it.

You are correct that a prime motivator is photographers not wanting to start over with an all new lens collection. However, I would speculate that IF the HC lenses had been Zeiss AF glass, many pros would have dumped their V lenses when switching to the H system.
 
Dr. Puritz

http://www.hasselbladusa.com/http://www.hasselbladusa.com/

Downloads catalogues

Film>

Film is a real concern. I was at one of the larger pro rental service in Los Angeles today and had a pleasant conversation with a pro photographer whom loves film, but due to the I need it now mentality shoots digital. During the discussion I pointed out that his film refrigerator was nearly empty. He agreed and stated that it is hard to get 8x10 films. Having stated that I know there are several very large stores in same area and I know they stock a lot of film, but the obvious answer is not as much as they use to.

Another freezer anyone?
 
The best model to follow is what happened to vinyl records and vacume tubes. Both are still available as specialty items. I can't say about the v system, but what is already produced will probably sustain me, even though I hope it continues. Film continuing as a specialty item will likely continue.
 
Yes, the V-System equipment already 'out there' will sustain us for a long time after they eventually decide to stop making the stuff.

The usual comparisons (vinyl, oil paint, vacuum tubes) are however a bit flawed. Making, say oil paints, or even vinyl records, is something that can be done with relatively simple means. In a garden shed even, if needs must.

Building cameras however is something else. Wooden view cameras, yes. But anything comparable to what we get in the V-System now? Not a chance.

And film? It's a bit easier to do, yes. But still.
So whether that model applies... i don't know. I'm rather pessimistic.

But though i (obviously) like Hasselblad, and film, i'm sure that even in a world without Hasselblad and film we could find something that allows us to do what we want.
Unless, of course, all we want is fondle and admire camera equipment that has the name "Hasselblad" on it somewhere...
wink.gif
 
Macro like the HC 120/>

So give him an opportunity to axe the V-System (and the film bit in the H-System too. Or the H-System itself...),>

FYI:

The Sinar M is a modular digital camera with new Zeiss Autofocus lenses and it can utilize V lenses and Nikon 35mm as well.

The following is an excerpt from their brochure.

"In cooperation with the firm of Carl Zeiss, the lenses for the autofocus configuration of the Sinar m camera were specially designed to meet the highest demands of digital photography. This means, among other criteria, high resolving power and the very best contrast rendition all the way to the edges of the image circle."

Sinaron Digital AF Distagon 4.0/40
Sinaron Digital AF Planar 2.8/80
Sinaron Digital AF Sonnar 4.0/180
Sinaron Digital AF Macro Planar 4.0/120

The another venue for the V glass or some new Zeiss glass. Options, options and options.

http://http://www.sinar.ch/sinar/default.htm

Best Regards:

Gilbert

24271.jpg
 
Gilbert,

There are adapters available to mount Hasselblad V-System lenses on just about every camera ever made, past and present.
Should we post advertisments for every one of them here?
 
Q

Second, in control of Hasselblad is mr. Poulsen, of Imacon. It has become quite apparent that he's only interested in selling digital products. As far as he's concerned, there is no commitment to the V-System at all.
So give him an opportunity to axe the V-System (and the film bit in the H-System too. Or the H-System itself...), and see what happens. That opportunity will (as in: is guaranteed to) come in the form and shape of a (continued) fall of V-System sales figures.>

Yes, as an alternative to your pessimistic fortune telling, and to show that there is some competition to the H system from a company that makes there own backs as well. Perhaps that would be something Mr. Poulsen would consider, instead of your doom and gloom.

Secondly perhaps others might be interested is these new Zeiss lenses as Marc wrote: "However, I would speculate that IF the HC lenses had been Zeiss AF glass, many pros would have dumped their V lenses when switching to the H system."

Regards:

Gilbert
 
Gilbert,

We know that there is competition.
And that the least of it comes from Sinar (or Leaf, or PhaseOne, or...)

We know that the Hasselblad H thing is doing better than the V thing. Both in the market and in the mind of mr. Poulsen.

We also know that you can use Zeiss lenses on a host of other cameras, including the Canons and Nikons that are currently taking all our spending money.
And we know too that noone is in fact trying to mount these Zeiss lenses on any of these cameras.

We also know that Sinar has been promoting their M product for years and years, without they ever turning up in studios anywhere.
Canon and Nikon again.

We also know that Zeiss is desperately looking for a reason to keep their camera lens division open, with Contax gone, Hasselblad no longer buying lenses, Rollei gone too, their Zeiss Ikon thing flopped...
Now Sinar (which has been offering adapters to take the very same design Hasselblad/Zeiss lenses for years) and mobile phones. And they are going to be offering Zeiss lenses in Nikon AF mount very soon too.

But Zeiss has been seriously considering closing the camera lens division before. Trust me, it will not take long before they do.
After all, it being a minuscule part of Zeiss, they really do not need the division. The main reason they were selling camera lenses is to keep the Zeiss name in the minds of the general public. Their eye glasses and current mobile phone venture will do that just fine.

We (finally) also know that this the bit of the forum devoted to discussions of Hasselblad 503 cameras.
 
We (finally) also know that this the bit of the forum devoted to discussions of Hasselblad 503 cameras>

Guess you are not in control. "Hasselblad V series 2005 catalogue" was started as a new thread.
 
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