EO, an even larger, 60MP sensor is in the works. The company also announced changes in pricing policy and other new products such as a revised version of the HTS Tilt and Shift Adapter and a zoom lens.
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\nFor details, read the Hasselblad press release:<\/i>
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\nHasselblad Announces New Products, New Technology and New Directions<\/b>
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\nAt photokina 2008, Hasselblad is introducing a new pricing strategy and exhibiting a range of new high-end products, including a new flagship camera, the H3DII-50, a versatile zoom lens in the HCD 4.0-5.6\/35-90mm, and the HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift adapter.*
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\nTwo new Hasselblad cameras put the world\u2019s largest sensors into the hands of the pros
\nHasselblad\u2019s new H3DII-50 is the first camera on the market to feature Kodak\u2019s 50 megapixel sensor, measuring 36\u00d748mm and twice the physical size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The H3DII-50 provides full 48mm coverage and has been designed to provide an ideal solution for commercial shooters, who demand the highest image resolution, and for any photographer who demands both creative flexibility and ultimate image quality.
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\nChristian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad, says, \u201cThe H3DII-50 features the largest sensor currently available in the 48 mm segment and takes its place as the flagship of our H3DII line. Nevertheless, to show that we\u2019re not going to rest on our laurels, we\u2019re also announcing the forthcoming H3DII-60, an even higher end camera that we\u2019ll launch in 2009. The H3DII-60 will feature a 60 megapixel sensor that provides 94% full-frame, 645 coverage. We feel that it\u2019s important to emphasize the 94% coverage, because, although we hear the phrase ‘full-frame’ being used quite frequently, no manufacturer has yet achieved true medium format full-frame.\u201d
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\nHasselblad HC\/HCD lens line expands its leading market position
\nHasselblad is also launching a new versatile zoom lens, the HCD 4.0-5.6\/35-90mm, to join its expanding HC\/HCD lens line. The HC\/HCD lenses equal or outperform even the legendary Hasselblad\/Zeiss lenses, including the iconic CF 3.5\/100mm and CF 5.6\/250mm SA, considered by most experts to be the finest lenses ever made for professional photographers.
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\n\u201cAs part of our constant efforts to produce the world\u2019s best lenses, our engineers have combined our advanced optical design models and the H System\u2019s unique ability to digitally compensate for any aberrations with a new aspheric lens element design. The result is what we think will prove to be the highest performing zoom lens on the market today,\u201d says Poulsen.
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\nNew HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift Adapter brings new control and creative possibilities
\nA revolutionary new tilt and shift adapter, the Hasselblad HTS 1.5, is also joining the Hasselblad line-up. The HTS 1.5 allows photographers to use tilt and shift functionality with most of their existing or new HC\/HCD lenses. \u201cThe result,\u201d says Poulsen, \u201cis the ability to be more creative and flexible with your photography and a level of image quality that is unmatched by any other product currently available. The addition of digital sensors that read and record all movements and Hasselblad\u2019s proprietary digital lens correction mean that we can offer photographers both a unique level of quality and maximum ease of use.\u201d
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\nRevitalizing the medium format industry
\nFollowing the launch of the H3D camera line at the last photokina, Hasselblad has continued to drive the medium format industry towards a more integrated and complete camera solution.
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\n\u201cWe\u2019re very pleased with all the new products,\u201d says Poulsen, \u201cand with the general direction the photographic industry is taking. Four years ago, we paved the way for the medium format industry\u2019s move towards truly integrated DSLRs. At the time, we were criticized for this move and even accused of killing off the medium format segment. We knew, however, that this move was key not only to the further advancement of high-end image quality, but also to the survival of the medium format industry itself.\u201d
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\nPoulsen sees the developments of the last four years as proof that Hasselblad\u2019s strategy has been a sound one: \u201cNow, four years down the road, all our competitors have followed our lead. Every one of them is hurrying to launch their own integrated solutions, which, for us, is a clear indication of a revitalized and evolving medium format segment. Hasselblad will continue to lead this segment, just as we\u2019ll continue to drive the future development of high-end photography, as I\u2019m confident our offering at this year\u2019s photokina will show. We\u2019ve been very busy over the past four years, developing new technologies and new products, further refining our existing product range, and addressing some of the issues that have kept a number of photographers from adopting the Hasselblad system.\u201d
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\nHasselblad launches a new price model for all digital products
\n\u201cHasselblad\u2019s success with our classic film based cameras was partly due to pricing true professional products at a level that was high, but still affordable, for both serious pros and enthusiasts,\u201d explains Poulsen. \u201cIn these early days of large sensor DSLRs, our initial high pricing has been one of the main barriers to entry, keeping many high-end 35mm photographers from making the leap to the superior quality of a Hasselblad system.\u201d
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\nTherefore, in addition to the range of new products, Hasselblad is also announcing a significant price reduction for all of its camera products, enabled by the increased production volume of Hasselblad\u2019s fifth generation DSLR series, combined with streamlined manufacturing costs and production synergies, and by following a long-established business model taken from the 35mm camera market.
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\n\u201cTwo years ago at photokina, Hasselblad launched the H3D,\u201d explains Poulsen, \u201cbringing the advantages of 35mm system integration to the medium format segment. Now we are doing the same with regards to lower pricing. Most new high-tech products begin with a high price point and then, over time, increased volume and improved production techniques allow price reductions and more accessible products. Consumers are seeing this everywhere in technology, from flat panel televisions to 35mm digital cameras. Now this is happening in our industry too, although we are at a more mature, technical level than two years ago, which allows both increased system integration and a different pricing approach.\u201d
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\nUntil now, Poulsen states, there has been no serious medium format entry-level product at an affordable price. The new, lower price for the Hasselblad H3DII-31, along with the new products, will provide such an entry point, he claims: \u201cIn the H3DII-31, 35mm users finally have access to a serious, high-end system. The H3DII-31, combined with the complete line of HC lenses, the new, versatile HCD 35-90mm zoom lens, the HCD 28mm lens and our new HTS 1.5 tilt and shift adapter, provides a complete high-end package that can cover the needs of any serious photographer as well as providing access to all the advanced features and benefits of the H3DII system. Naturally, we\u2019re very pleased to be able to lower the entry point to our system and to be able to bring Hasselblad quality to a wider range of photographers.”
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\nThe new pricing strategy will also entail other changes in Hasselblad\u2019s business model, so that most of the upgrade and trade-up programs of the past will become unnecessary.
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\n\u201cOur new pricing will mean that photographers can actually purchase a new camera for more or less the same amount that they would have previously spent on an upgrade,\u201d Poulsen comments. \u201cThis has two primary effects: it removes the need for complex trade-up programs and it enables photographers to keep their previous camera as a back-up when upgrading to a newer model – a common practice among 35mm users.\u201d
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\nThe H3DII-39 (including HC 80mm lens) has a new price of \u00a312,225 (H3DII-39 Multi Shot excluding lens, \u00a316,225) and the H3DII-31 (including HC 80mm lens) a new price of \u00a39,750. All three cameras are available for immediate delivery. Priced at \u00a314,750, the H3DII-50 (excluding lens) is also available for immediate delivery and the H3DII-60, which will be priced at \u00a318,750 (excluding lens), will be available in April 2009.
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\n\u201cIt\u2019s long been understood,\u201d concludes Poulsen, \u201cthat for most discerning photographers the only reason not to have a Hasselblad was that you couldn\u2019t afford one. But now, with our new pricing, we\u2019re bringing the Hasselblad world a little more within reach, enabling a whole new generation of photographers to use our products.\u201d
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\n* For more information about the new H3DII-50, HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift Adapter, and the HCD 4.0-5.6\/35-90mm lens see the press releases that will follow for these products.
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EO, an even larger, 60MP sensor is in the works. The company also announced changes in pricing policy and other new products such as a revised version of the HTS Tilt and Shift Adapter and a zoom lens. For details, read the Hasselblad press release: Hasselblad Announces New Products, New Technology and New Directions At […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trending"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n