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New camera from Hasselblad??

There's enough bits and pieces of info now to indicate a new camera ... Medium Format, possibly with a CMOS sensor, and some other new thinking.

We'll see soon.

-Marc
 
I sure hope you're right. I will be away from the Internet for one week from the 30th of January. I bet it'll be all I can think about.
 
Hello all--

I'm hoping for a Hasselblad Super Micro 4/3rds that also has a panoramic format in addition to the standard aspect ratio. While they are at it they could throw in the adapter ring that would allow the use of Xpan lenses.
I visited my local Austin camera shop yesterday and they say that Micro 4/3rds is the hottest thing going at the moment.

Don
 
That photo is from 2006 Nathan.

Just for kicks and grins, here is my speculation (we'll see how far off I am soon enough ... if it is in fact a new camera).

A less expensive (relatively speaking) Medium Format camera that is totally integrated ... meaning "not modular" so the digital back and maybe the viewfinder cannot be removed.

Reasoning: Hasselblad has been moving this direction for some time now with the H system. There have been no indications of continuing the 31 or 39 meg versions of the H camera ... only 50 and 60 meg. H4Ds. So, this new camera would become the entry level Hasselblad. Indications that "the evolution continues" leads me to believe this is akin to the H camera not the V or any other camera.

To retain "entry Level" status it will take the existing H/C lenses, so photographers can grow into to higher meg, larger sensor H versions, and existing H owners can supplement their current H system with a new camera that provides different shooting and handling features ... that may eliminate the need for a supplemental 35mm DSLR kit with a separate set of lenses and accessories.

To expand the appeal of the camera with 35mm SLR users, the sensor may be a CMOS type that provides higher ISOs at full resolution and allow a number of other innovations like Live View, WiFi and possibly video capture (eventually).

Video doesn't interest me much, but it is a growing phenomena in the DSLR category on one end, with the possibility of still capture from video systems like RED at the other end.

I would guess that the sensor will be sourced from Dalsa who makes both types of imaging chips. Much has happened with CMOS technology in a few short years and CMOS provides for smaller less complex camera design while providing faster capture rates with less heat. A good hint as to what's coming is provided again by watching RED ... which uses CMOS technology, and have indicated up to medium format sized CMOS sensors are coming.

Since shutters have been discussed in some articles including the elimination of a mechanical shutter, this would lead me to believe that the Leaf shutters will not be how this camera controls exposure speeds. If this is true, then the possibility of new, faster aperture, smaller lenses for this camera could be offered ... like the faster Zeiss lenses for the 200 series camera ... but smaller because the sensor will be less than 645 sized (like the new Leica S2)

Like I said, we'll know in a few days how wrong I am ... LOL!

-Marc
 
Interesting observation Marc.

I would not go for a smaller sensor, as this would result in things like yet another cropfactor and (potentially) the need for yet another wider wide angle to compensate. By introducing another range of lenses you loose the 'system camera' (or camera system if you like) that the H series has become, and what has been a strong point of V in the past. And, more importantly maybe, you want MF or you don't. A slightly-larger-than-35mm-FF, hm, no I don't see the point there.

In addition to WiFi I would at least prepare the camera for an internal(!) option of a GPS receiver to location-stamp the EXIF data.

Maybe a more fancy TTL flash option too, like by partnering with Metz (yes, I show my favourites here :) ?

Your idea about another form factor is also an interesting one, maybe a bit along the lines of the Pentax 67, supersized 35mm. Would potentially fit the desires of Nikonians and Canonians out there wanting to upgrade.

Nice huh, speculating? :)

Wilko
 
If it is a new camera (or camera system), then it must have been developed during the tenure of Christian Poulsen's leadership of the company as CEO. But (whatever it is), it is being released now, after he has been replaced. The change at the top of Hasselblad must have been as the result of some pretty major conflict as to policy, of which no details have been made public. Is this new device something which Poulsen did not want released, or not (perhaps) want released in its present form?

John
 
If it indeed is a new camera, I hope it is smaller, cheaper and more travel friendly than the H-system. If it were to be a "travel camera" e.g. rangefinder, panoramic, 4/3 etc., I will definitely be putting my name down for one.
 
That photo is from 2006 Nathan.

Video doesn't interest me much, but it is a growing phenomena in the DSLR category on one end, with the possibility of still capture from video systems like RED at the other end.

Thanks for the clarification, Marc.

I found it interesting that last night I was just shooting with my Nikon D700 and two people that I knew both asked at different times "does it shoot video?" I guess people are expecting that "feature" in cameras now...at least in the smaller format. It would be very interesting if Hasselblad included that with their cameras. It would definitely be a first for medium format and, not really sure here, wouldn't that be close to IMAX-size film if it did?
 
It says on http://www.hasselblad.com/promotions/countdown.aspx

"What if we were to tell you that we can put your work in front of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people, absolutely free of charge?"

Sounds like some sort of marketing device/site/whatever to me.

This is exactly what I am thinking too.
Most of these posts seem to be photographers thinking there are new hardware products about to be released. Sadly, the "clues" do not indicate or imply hardware at all. Instead, it seems something more intangible, leaning more towards marketing or business related software, possibly related to Apple's newly released iPad? But I don't "see" hardware in the clues, and I don't see "V" in the clues.
Well, we don't have long to wait now. Call me a pessimist, but I'm not holding my breath. Hope I'm wrong.
Michael H. Cothran
 
Well, sensor size could well play a role in pricing out an entry level camera, as well as video (which I seriously doubt would be part of this announcement).

A crop frame sensor didn't eliminate the H3D-II/31 from being a "systems" camera ... nor apparently does it stop Phase One from launching the crop frame P40+ with Sensor Plus technology ... which seems to be selling well.

But we'll see.
 
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