An Open Letter to Hasselblad Photographers and Partners.
There have been several announcements from Hasselblad over the past several weeks, and I wanted to take a moment to write to our photographers and partners to make sure each of you are aware of all of them.

The New H3DII DSLR Family
In the past few weeks, we have been busy around the world launching our 4th generation medium format DSLR, the new H3DII family. Following in the footsteps of the H1D, the H2D, and the H3D; the H3DII is the continuation of a product line that is one of the most successful in Hasselblad history. In addition, we have this week announced our newest camera, the H3DII-39MS a multi-shot version of the H3DII-39.
The H3DII has been available for delivery since the day it was announced. New features in the H3DII include a larger display, a new, more efficient "fan free" cooling technology, an integrated GPS option, and many more features and benefits that can be found on our Web site at www.hasselblad.com.
All of our "H System" cameras, whether film or digital, including the H3DII, continue to take advantage of our HC lens line, which independent testing has shown are the finest lenses Hasselblad has ever offered. This is important to us, since we recognize that many photographers have significant investments in HC lenses, and lenses are the most important and significant long-term investment a photographer makes.

Discontinuing the H2
We have made a decision to discontinue the H2 camera line. Starting with the H1 in 2002, both the H1 and H2 products have served us well, but demand simply no longer justifies the dedicated manufacturing line required for its production. The clear mandate we have received has been to continue to develop products and technologies to help create the best images possible, so we are transitioning resources and bandwidth from the H2 line to the H3DII. This will enable us to keep up with H3DII demand (which has been tremendous), and also help us respond to what the market is asking for – DSLR's.
By trimming our product portfolio of models that are no longer in significant demand, we can concentrate more of our resources on what photographers tell us they want – the ability to create great images. The best way to do this, as we have stated for years, is in an integrated system where all of the components, from the lens to the capture unit to the software, are designed as a system and are communicating and working together. In short, via an integrated DSLR. The great success of the H3D and H3DII families, as well as the huge success and product strategy of industry giants like Canon and Nikon (as well as products announced by Sinar, Leaf and Mamiya) all confirm that this is the way to go.

The launch of the H2F
The H2F is a greatly simplified "film only" version of the H2, and consequently does not require the same level of manufacturing, R&D, and support overhead the H2 does. It allows us to devote our resources to developing and supporting products that are in demand, while continuing to support film.
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, while directing most of our R&D, Manufacturing and Support efforts to the digital products that photographers tell us they want.

Future support for the H2 and HC/HCD lenses
At Hasselblad we continue to devote considerable resources to the support of camera systems that, in some cases, are over 40 years old. We pride ourselves on this, our legacy of support. You can be assured that this support will continue with our H1 and H2 installed base, for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase.
In addition, a decision to invest in HC/HCD lenses was a good one. Lenses are a critical and important investment, and we are proud that the HC lenses we produced in 2002 are just as useful and valuable in 2007 as they were the day they were produced. The image files captured through these lenses have improved every day since: with new lens perfecting software, with new natural color rendering, and with several other new advances in digital image perfection. This will continue.

Future Support of Hasselblad CF Digital Backs
We will continue to develop new products in the CF camera back line for Hasselblad photographers as well as photographers using other camera platforms, and will support the CF product line as we do our other product lines.

"Hasselblad Care Program" for H-system owners
To support our commitment to the owners of H-system camera products, on November 1, 2007, we are launching the "Hasselblad Care Program". This program is designed to include owners of all H-camera systems, including digital capture devices, regardless of manufacturer. The "Hasselblad Care Program" consists of a set of product enhancement options, all designed to support our photographers and increase the value of Hasselblad H-system products, including:
- Options for trading in current H-system products for a newer or more powerful model. This includes H1/H2 owners, owners of Hasselblad digital back solutions, as well as owners of a H1D or H2D cameras.
- Options for refurbishing a H-system product to full current factory standards
- Options for access to new H-system product information

Last of all, but most importantly, I want to thank you for your continued support and patronage. It is you who have made our great success possible, and we value your business. And, of course, thank you for helping make the H3D and now the H3DII two of the most successful products in Hasselblad's 50+ year history. I hope you find our new product offerings interesting and I trust you will take advantage of our "Hasselblad Care" program .

Best regards,

Christian Poulsen
CEO of Hasselblad.

Reads like marketing noise to me. Not exactly an 'open letter'

I wasn't really expecting them to write a letter that says, "We're doing this to force everyone to buy our new backs."

H1 and H2 Owners can take a deep breath and relax, you guys have 10 years to enjoy and switch when necessary.

What a useless and pathetic response to a company finally giving the straight dope! I guess this makes your life a little less fulfilling in that now you have less rumors to spread!

Hmmm.... I like the sentence;

"Future Support of Hasselblad CF Digital Backs
We will continue to develop new products in the CF camera back line for Hasselblad photographers as well as photographers using other camera platforms, and will support the CF product line as we do our other product lines."

I believe not that long ago something similar was said about the H2. Anyway, for the moment it is good to hear Hasselblad is planning to further develop the CF.

Now, we CF users only need a camerabody that we can put our backs on

Dope is what you would need to be smoking to think that. Let's keep this forum drug free!

I think this letter is a little disingenous. I mean, how hard would it really be to just keep manufacturing the old H2 at its current state of development? In other words, no new development, but produce the current model as it stands today. Not very.

Clearly, they want to incentivize people to move to their own complete MFD solution and not offer a product that would allow people to make their own choice of which MF digital back to use.

I am always suspicious of any communique from a corporation that justifies limiting consumer's choices with a paternalistic tone and a lame explanation that they are looking out for their customer's best interests. Sounds like the US phone company back in the seventies (at&t) that predicted dire consequences if poorly informed consumers were allowed to purchase any phone they wanted. I mean, what do those stupid consumers know anyway?

Yes, except they can all still use interchangeable bits.

Drugs - are not as bad as all that. The US has a serious industry built up.

Marijuana is good and is not a drug.

Hasselblad makes nice cameras.

It is a drug, but so is alcohol, tobacco, caffeine etc.

None of this has anything to do with the topic.

What the...? It most certainly is a drug.
In case you weren't kidding, see the definition of a drug:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drug
and wikipedia's article on marijuana:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marijuana

Who was talking about marijuana anyway?

quote "In short, via an integrated DSLR. The great success of the H3D and H3DII families, as well as the huge success and product strategy of industry giants like Canon and Nikon"




Mahleu...which bits of nikon or canon are interchangeable apart form the lenses?

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear what I can take off my Canon and put on a Nikon????

This is purely a "spin" letter. Makes me laugh to read how killing off the H2 will help protect image quality -- which is not exactly what he said if you parse each phrase, but that's the impression it is designed to leave. His problem, succinctly, is that what's good for Hasselblad is not necessarily good for its customers, and they're doing a tap dance to obfuscate that problem...

"Marijuana is not a drug..." That made me laugh, too. One thing I know for sure is that using marijuana makes you stupider than you would be otherwise; which may explain this posting...

The overall problem with all digital cameras is that they are extremely complex systems compared to film, and camera companies, whose expertise really fell in the area of precision clockwork mechanics, were not prepared to deal with the complications -- which is the reason that electronics companies like Sony and Panasonic and Nokia sell a lot of cameras.

Things shook out more quickly in the 35mm area -- if you remember the first awkward menus, the silly little LCD panels (when better ones were freely available), you know how quickly things have improved, driven by the ferocious competition. But now, that's all worked through. Within a year or so, Canon and Nikon will be doing what they used to do, which is provide fairly comparable top-end 35mm systems with well-thought-out menus, good ergonomics, etc.

The MF companies simply haven't come along as quickly. Mamiya is still peddling what amounts to a first-generation camera, for example, and Sinar/Rolli haven't even delivered their first generation effort. From here -- using the H3 as a benchmark -- things should quickly get better. I think MF functionality should be approaching the Canon/Nikon standard in five to seven years, because the MF manufacturers have the Canon/Nikon equipment to use as models, and will have smoothed out a lot of their own bumps.

JC

Not between manufacturers, but onto older models. Lenses, flashes, some battery grips, certain batteries, cable releases, angle finders etc

I really wanted to TALK to them at the Photo Expo Show, Hasselblad was NOT at the SHOW.

Classy.

Ken

I agree, these guys are full of it and I don't think they can be trusted to work in our best efforts for a moment. Hasselblad went from a primier flagship company to an also ran and are now only a bit player. Anyone who invests in their harware at this point needs to beware.

What pre-EOS gear can I use on an EOS camera?

1 lens mount change vs Hasselblad's 3 in a few years?

And with an adapter all the fd lenses still work. I don't see Hassy providing any adapter to allow their older stuff to work with newer.

*and i'm dropping this now*

I think calling hasselblad a bit player is a touch harsh..they are still in the medium formt market where they have always been, and still one of the top companies in that market.
Sure in the whole camera market they are small fry compared to canon, sony, etc but medium format always was a small market compared to 35mm

Check out the CF lens adapter!

Hi
I am getting great results using a Aptus 22 on a Mamiya 645 AFDII. I still believe in an open system. Plus there 28 mm lens will work with Leaf, Sinar, Phase & there own ZD ( back/camera).
From now on Hasselblad is for Hasselblad users & it is there business how they run their company.

The H platform was developed as a modular system to accept all sorts of digital accessories or atleast was marketed this way. Corporate policy drives this bs not the interest of existing users. I have invested big time into H system and this Hasselblad bs just keeps getting worse everyday. Ok I can use my H1 for as long as it goes but this is a dead end route for me.

Damn shame Hasselblad damn shame.

Patrik, digital cameras has a short liftime. When I bought my H2/PhaseOne I knew (inside) this would happen. I fact It happened faster than I thought as my H2 is about two months old. When I heard that H was dicontinuing it I fel kind of... unconfortable. But I didn't buy the system thinking about the day I need to change. I bought it because it is the best camera on the market (IMO). I've never seen a Hasselblad break or fail. At least from the V system to the H2. My H2/P21 has never failed, not a single error or diminute failure. 100% stable. My 503 never failed, my 500cm never failed either.

The digital era is like this: they are all experimenting, trying, thinking designing their new products and we buy then, test them and then sell the when they are obsolete 2 years later. Obsolete for then because they have new things in mind, but for us, these cameras are usable for years. I
thing everybody should understand that we pay for what we get, and nor for what we will get. Hasselblad claims they take care of my camera it it happens anything for 7 years and I'm fine with that. And the rest, (like this letter from Christian Poulsen) I personally don't give s**t bacause the most of it is b******t.

But if you feel so bad about all this Hasselblad there's a way out actually. Make great photographs and stay away from this forums because a lot of what people talk here is everything but photography, thats what all those cameras are for...

I could turn off the internet and make photography with the cameras I have for years, without all this rumors especulations and announcements from our great companies. And then come back in 2035 and discover that my H2 was discontinued. What the f**K? My camera was discontinued. How the hell could I make photographs with it? Great deal...

Think about it. You've got the best Hasselblad; you can put any DB on it and it's film compatible. I'll get another body as soon as I can. Beleave me, this camera will be legendary. Opps. I'm making it legendary right now .

The best thing to do it you're to worried about your camera getting outdated is buying a dicontinued system. But hey! We've got it now!

Samuel, I see your point of view but I think you are missing a vital point. Photographers are in competition with other photographers. If a new technology becomes available and is adopted by some photographers to give them a competitive advantage, then the rest may be under pressure to keep up or lose clients. An example of this is the first of the 22MP MFDBs, or the first MFDBs which could run untethered, or a 28mm lens, etc.

So you are right that everyone's H1 may continue to work for 10 years, but there is more to it. In only 5 years, clients may be expecting noise-free ISO 1600, or 5 fps, or one of many other advances, and people holding on to dead end cameras will be left out or will have to pay dearly to upgrade.

Even if the clients don't expect it, most photographers would like to have access to new developments to expand what their system is capable of.

So it is understandable that they become irate when their own camera maker deliberately kills the continuity of expensive and recently released cameras.

Btw, the Hass V cameras often lock up. Hass H cameras also lock up (software issue?). Hass H 50-110mm zoom lenses have failed for many. Hasselblad is far from failure free. Maybe you've been lucky.

just the fact that the CEO came with such letter to justify their choices shows that some bad feed back have been heard...

They do?!! I did not know this. What adapter is it, exactly, and where can I get one?! I would very much love to use my FD glass on an EOS.

OK, Google is your friend--I googled the subject. I guess it depends on what defintion of "work" you're working with. The definition of of "work" I work with does not include losing 2/3d's of a stop and being tele-extended by 1.26x, nor does it include stop-down metering or losing infinity focus.

I got invited by Hasselblad during Photo Expo Show, however it was not at Photo Expo Show it was here:

Dear Natasa,

The main events will take place at Splashlight Studios on Friday,
October 19th from 10:00am-5:00pm. There will be limited access to the studio
on Thursday, October 18th)

On October 19th, Hasselblad will host an open studio as well as a
Victor by Hasselblad table. You are invited to come and see all the new
Hasselblad products at this time as well as learn about Hasselblad's new
corporate magazine 'Victor by Hasselblad".

In the orginal email invitation there was a reference to a porfolio
review. Unfortuantley due to the volume of requests Hasselblad will not
be able to conduct these reviews. Too many requests and not enough
resources.. We do however encourage you to stop by the studio on October
19th to learn about all the new and exciting news from Hasselblad.

Event Venue:
Splashlight Studios
529-535 West 35th Street
New York, NY 10001

Hi!

The adapters I've seen won't make you happy. Normally they incorporate a crappy lens that completely ruins the fine IQ of your FD50 1.2L (or any other FD lens). Longer lenses are less affected but still unusable.
I have not heard about decent currently produced FD-EOS -adapters.

Cheers,
J

Could it be that with the demise of the H2 and introduction of the F that the H2 will become hot on the used market--upping the prices of body and accessories a la Contax 645...

""film only" version of the H2, and consequently does not require the same level of manufacturing, R&D, and support overhead the H2 does."[

Is it really harder to make a product you already make than to go to the trouble cripling it most likely in software? What R&D? Its been Done ages ago! And Support? If you dont have one of their backs they blame your problem on your back! Does Mr. Poulsen really think anybody buys this shit? I hope Hasselblad falls flat on their face!!!! Their product is a distant 3rd or 4th behind Phase and Leaf. I know three people that first bought Hasselblad backs only to dump them for Phase. Problem is their camera is the best choice for many. A Leaf rep told me 1.5 years ago that 85% of their new backs were for the H mount!!! Its a shame Sinar is dropping the ball. If their past performance in the US is any indication. I dont have high hopes for the HY6. No marketing muscle at all. I tried twice to get a demo on their backs from a rep, no dice. Leaf is wise to get on board with the HY6, but I lost faith in them with many shoddy backs last few years, but perhaps they have worked out the bugs. Which leaves Phase. Still the best? Yes, but the idea of buying a back for a dead camera excites no one, not even diehard Contax guys. If only the Canon files were better.....

I don't know what past performance you are referring to but you should really take a close look at the Sinarbacks. With excellent image quality, the flexibility of the adapter system, speed, built-in solid state memory, compactness and clearer LCDs, I believe they are the best backs on the market.

In this day and age of overnight couriers, I don't see why living next door to a dealer is so important to some. I live in a country with no MFDB dealers at all, so I simply went for the best technology and rely on overnight courier service between here and Germany if anything goes wrong.

Have you had a bad experience with SinarBron, for example?

The 5yr hot swap warranty of the Hy6 should get your attention. Who else is offering that?

Dear Jeff,

In which way is Sinar dropping the ball? Could you emphasize and give me details?

Thanks and best regards,
Thierry

I guess this is officially the "bash Hassleblad" thread, now. Here are my 7 top reasons for buying Hasslebad (except I didn't):

1. It says Hasselblad. Your clients like that because they cannot afford it.
2. There are Hasselblads, leggy models with long hair, and wind machines at every major photo event. This is why your brother in law wants a Hasselblad.
3. You cannot really afford it either so you want it.
4. It's all made by, excuse me, labeled Hassleblad. You know who to call when it doesn't work.
5. It's the only functional MF solution your dealer can sell you these days if you need high flash sync.
6. It actually works when you get it. And mostly works when you have it.
7. Even if you hate it when you get it, there are still reasons 1 and 2 and 4 and 5 and 6 that make you keep it.

Oh, and why don't I have a Hasselblad ? Well I guess 1, 2 and 3 didn't quite work for me for some reason. Bad marketing

Edmund

Top 7 reasons to think twice before you hit the "post" button:

1) Your ego exceeds your wit and your image can't afford it.

2) It takes time away from dreaming of leggy models with long hair that you can't afford.

3) You can't afford someone seeing through your posing–and you're not a leggy model.

4) You are overly impressed with your own label.

5) You may have mockery confused with insight.

6) You know that humerus is a bone in your arm, but still have humorous confused with contemptuous.

7) You still don't get it and you hate the fact that others do.

Oh, and why doesn't everyone recognize your comedic genius? Reasons 1 through 7, better work on your marketing.

You talking 'bout me

You make a really good sparring partner ! See, we're a live comedy team now ! D'you think we can ask for a fee ?



All together now:

We love Hassy coz' it's flashy -

Edmund

Very well said. But the H1 works very well. I don't have any problems with mirror slap. My lenses have held together and are very very good.

Only reason for discontinuity of H2 is PhaseOne. The manufacturing cost bs is just bs, why not just raise the price instead of pissing people off?

PhaseOne in the eyes of Poulsen is getting a free ride and that's why the H2 is history. PhaseOne is too big of a threat to Hasselblad. Things will change when average digital back prices fall under USD 10.000 because then again it may prove to be more profitable to manufacture camera bodies than digital backs. But who knows?

Except the Rollei 6008 which has an even faster flash sync, and the Hy6 which is actually on the market now!

I just bought a H3D yesterday. I will see, if I get along with it.

The AFD was no way because of the bad finder (even with the MF-screen).

The H3D is the only way to get a 28mm for me.

Why did the three people mentioned above sell their Hasselblads backs? When was this?Which models did they drop to replace it by which Phase product? I hear a lot of good things on the older Imacon 22MP backs in this forum. There is at least one user who likes his CF39 back a lot.

Bernd

Bernd:

You have to take those kinds of posts with a grain of salt. I believe the poster is a Phase One user and is welcome to his opinion. I am actually getting calls from Phase One users since the announcement of the H3DII who are trying to sell their P+ backs to get into the H3DII. So, it's a 2 way street.

Steve Hendrix
www.ppratlanta.com/digital.php

I can understand why those who bought H series cameras and use non-Hasselblad backs on them would be teed off over Hasselblad's decision to discontinue the H2 and make new lenses(or at least some of them) non-functional except with an H3D, but I really don't understand why someone who does not even own an H series camera would spend so much time weighing in about Mr. Poulsen's letter, treating it as an opening for the insertion of more Sinar/Hy6 advertising copy. Moreover, how many days have you actually spent working with an H3D in the field?

If you want to hear only the opinions of Hass users, then there should be a Hass forum somewhere.

As you can see from the responses, most people aren't buying the Hasselblad lies.

I don't think such marketing materials should have been copied and pasted into this forum in the first place, but once posted we are all entitled to post our comments.

Thanx for the encouragement! Having paid twentysomethingthousand dollars makes you worry sometimes, especially as long as I don´t have the thing in my hands.

Bernd

Still no answer as to how many days you have actually spent working with an H3D in the field? Hmmm? Of course, you don't own a Hy6 either, and that hasn't gotten in the way of you treating it like the Messiah for over a year now.

Hi Graham

As a former user (V-series) I was sent the text in an email from Hasselblad. It struck me that it might be of interest to a wider audience. It appears I was right.

Regards
John

hcubell,

I don't get it: Graham has simply answered to a claim from Edmund, saying that the Hasselblad was the ONLY functional MF solution when you need high sync.

This is simply not true and as such can (should) be corrected without getting the remark of it being advertising. Don't you agree with this?

There is further no bashing or disrespect or whatsoever to this now famous "letter".

Best regards,
Thierry

I'm not sure if anyone has seen one, but Fuji has a GX645 AF. It looks exactly like an H2, but
just has a darker finish.

Chris Lawery
Sales Manager
Capture Integration
www.captureintegration.com