I don't quite understand the need for a 45 degree H finder ... it only works in landscape mode on a 645 ... finders for the H camera are expensive to make (electronic controls are housed in the finder), so I wonder how many Hasselblad would be able to sell even if they made one? Super low volume = super high price. Leaf and Sinar have one because they are for the Rollei 6X6 camera that already had a 45 degree finder.
Berating the MF digital camera companies about a larger square sensor seems futile. They do not make the sensors, Kodak and Dalsa do. There may be larger sensors already in existence, but how much did they cost? Technology funded by industry and the military is usually out of reach for individuals. And, if I'm not mistaken the large Dalsa sensors are for integrated scan cameras.
While it is true that the V cameras are ubiquitous, I also wonder how many people who bought a $900. 501CM would pay $30,000.+ for a larger square digital back? Again, low demand = high price tag.
A new V camera with AF lenses? No thank you. The H camera is just fine. If a 6X6 camera with a rotating back and AF German lenses is what is desired, it already exists ... and demand for it is apparently low ... a good indication that Hasselblad did indeed take the right path ... the same path taken by the other dominate MFD manufacturer, Phase One and their association with Mamiya 645AFD-III.
The practicality of the matter is that whatever these companies do must fit the demands of the professional photographer who can pay the price tag because of business income. Without that demand, the volume for such expensive tools decreases with a resulting increase in price. I would say that demand for a square format digital back is low despite this forum's love of the format. There is low demand for the square in professional digital photography. Most applications are not square, and maximizing the resolution with-in a practical rectangular format is the goal. The demand is far greater for wide applications. The Phase One P65+ back answers this demand with a 53.9 wide sensor, and Leaf does also with it's 56 wide Leaf AFi 10 and Aptus-II 10.
Currently, the best solution for a V camera that, unlike the Rollei, does NOT have a rotating back, is the Leaf Aptus-II 10 which has a 56 meg., 56 X 36 sensor that rotates inside the back @ $35,000. (currently on sale until Aug. 31st for a mere $25,000. ... a bargain compared to the Phase One P65+ @ $39,000.)
This is rarified financial territory that few can justify, especially now. So, how many V owners out there would shell out at least $30,000 for pleasure of using a larger square sensor?
