An open letter from Hasselblad

[david b]

I just got the following email from Hasselblad...

"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, continue to take advantage of our HC lens line, which independent testing has shown are the finest lenses Hasselblad has ever offered. This includes the new H3DII. 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 develop and support 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. "

To be fair, I included all of the important info, digital too.

 

[keithwms]

Nice. Glad to see the h2f.

 

[rusty71]

Well, the company Hasselblad as we all knew it is dead. When Imacon bought them, they only wanted to make a fast buck off the name. QC went into the toilet, and they have no products that other companies do not offer already.
I think a quote from the press release sums up the new company's attitude:
"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."
In other words, They really don't give a damn about quality or craftsmanship. That's what the old Hasselblad was built on. I really wish they would've just retired the name and called their new system the Imacon SLR or something. But no one would buy that. Because, what does a scanner company know about cameras?
Viktor must be spinning in his grave.

 

[David R Munson]

"Greatly simplified" in no way means they don't give a damn about quality or craftsmanship. The high-res digital backs require a much more sophisticated camera to make the most of their potential, and that includes a lot of technology that would be to no effect or overkill on a film-based camera. Strip away the excess and what you get is a camera that is greatly simplified as compared to the digital-platform version.

 

[Matt5791]

I just dropped my 500C/M 30 feet off a wall onto hard ground and a brick. It broke the 250mm lens clean off and ripped the tripod out of the thread of the underside of the camera body. The WLF was totally destroyed.

I put a different lens on and different back - and it still worked! And although the mount is broken on the back of the 250mm lens, it still focuses smoothly and the shutter fires and it stops down. Probably a bot squew though.

Would an H series survive the same fall?

Maybe I will ask Hasselblad.

 

[david b]

For the car folks here, I am viewing the H2F as a Porsche 911 RS, which was a 911 minus the a/c unit, electric window motors, and the radio. It was a lightweight, no frills car built for one thing....to go fast.

The H2F is built for one thing, to make pictures using film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just dropped my 500C/M 30 feet off a wall onto hard ground and a brick. It broke the 250mm lens clean off and ripped the tripod out of the thread of the underside of the camera body. The WLF was totally destroyed. ...

And you did this because ...

Interested readers want to know!

Steve

 

[copake_ham]

I think this is good news. I have a late-model Hassy C-series and it is just a well-built light tight box that holds some great lenses which focus on some well-make film backs.

While it's built like the proverbial brick sh*thouse - it's not a complicated piece of gear. After all, the only electronics are in the prism VF if you have one.

So I think it's good news that Hassey will continue to make a film camera body!

 

[genecrumpler]

Hasselbald H vs V

Does all this mean that I should start to follow the urge to buy up as many of the gold plated 500cm's I can find? The V series is no more

For the first time in history, some one (me) was able to purchase a piece of V equipment (with the Hasselblad name on it) for $5.00!!!! I got a nice bellows hood with 2 adapter rings and the masks for 135, 150, and 180 for 5 cheap, badly deflated (realative to the Pound and the Euro) US $.

I think I just died and went to heaven!

 

[Nokton48]

I got the message too (second time), and I carefully read it, then I deleted it.

I'm interested in the V cameras, primarily, that I couldn't once afford (Well, I did get the basic 500Cm package, but I couldn't afford anything else for it). Now, I have an entire original system, that is an absolute joy, and delight, to use.

Sure hope the complaining continues. It helps to drive the prices down.

 

[David R Munson]

Sure hope the complaining continues. It helps to drive the prices down.

Yeah! Hasselblad sucks! Viktor! Rabble rabble rabble!


*counts pennies, compares figure to going rate for 110mm f/2*

 

[Jeffrey A. Steinberg]

Open letter about a closed system

I think its kind of ironic. An "open" letter about a "closed" (no 3rd party AFAIK) backs.

--Jeffrey

 

[WarEaglemtn]

More than 50 years of 'square is good' and then you guys introduce autofocus as a 645 format.

Nothing like pissing on your heritage and customers. You are almost as bad as The Yellow Peril.

 

[Paul.]

Well I got the email and ignored it. I will never be able to afford new Hasselblad gear, my system goes back to 1975 and everything was baught second hand. As long as I can get my 500CM repaired it will last longer than me.

Regards Paul.

 

[arigram]

Well, I got this message from Hasselblad:

The Hasselblad H1 and H2 cameras helped redefine top-end photography. But as the proud owner of one of these camera systems, you already know all that.

The H System story doesn't stop there, however. We at Hasselblad continue to develop new products, continue to push the technological envelope, and continue to produce the best cameras in the world. Now, with the release of the H3DII, the H3DII-39MS, and the H2F - and the discontinuation of production of certain older H System models - we are taking the H System even further. All well and good, you say, but where does that leave you? Naturally, we will continue to support older H System products, and continue to produce new lenses and accessories even as we release new products.

But here comes the really good part.

At Hasselblad, we feel strongly that being a cutting edge photographer, an early adopter, or just having the boldness to follow the latest in photographic advances, should never have to mean being left behind at some later date. That's why we're launching the Hasselblad H System Customer Care Program.

This program that will provide a foundation for upgrades, trade-ins, and refurbishment/replacement options to ensure that your Hasselblad investment retains its value for many years to come.

The first stage of this program is being targeted directly towards H1 and H2 owners and includes extended service/replacement options, an attractive trade-up offer, and special Hasselblad “obsolescence insurance” in the form of a fixed rate refurbishment plan. We will begin by offering this program to all H1 and H2 users and will expand the program in the near future to include all Hasselblad digital products as well as V System cameras.

Under the extended service option, in addition to standard Hasselblad service policies, you are guaranteed service and spare parts for all H1 and H2 products for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase. It also includes a product renewal/replacement guarantee for 5 years from time of purchase covering catastrophic situations where your camera is lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair.

The Trade-up Program allows all existing H1 and H2 camera owners to trade up to one of a variety of the most recent model configurations for a special price.
Please note that the Trade-up Program also includes very favorable trade-up options for owners of H1 and H2 cameras and third party digital backs.

The refurbishment program provides a factory check of the camera body consisting of maintenance and cleaning as well as repair or replacement of any components that require attention. All electronics will be replaced or upgraded to the most recent H2 standards and this service includes a 12 month full product warranty from date of refurbishment. After registering your camera body at www.hasselblad.com/hcare, you will receive a voucher giving you a one-time-only option to have your camera body refurbished for only 995€ at any time through December 31, 2011. This represents an additional 6 months of warranty coverage and a substantial discount on our standard refurbishment rate of 1,200€.

By registering before February 29th, 2007 you will receive a voucher that entitles you to sign up for any and all of these programs. And registration is free for all H1 and H2 owners!

NOTE!
You are under no obligation to register. Registration simply gives you the opportunity to receive a “fixed price” refurbishment of your camera at any time between now and December 31, 2011, qualifies you for the lost/stolen/irreparably damaged replacement guarantee, and gives you access to the trade up program. It is up to you whether you actually wish to utilize any of these options. We hope you will think of the refurbishment coupon you will receive upon registering as an “insurance policy” that entitles you to a fixed price H1 or H2 camera refurbishment at any point during the covered period.

So, log on to www.hasselblad.com/hcare to register and keep your photographic edge with the latest Hasselblad gear.

Sincerely,
Hasselblad

www.hasselblad.com/hcare

Atleast there is a small mention of V cameras, seems more like a marketing afterthought than anything else, probably restricted to trading up your "old V camera" for a "shinning new H3D, H4D" or whatever.
The local Greek representative's words of glorifying digital and "pushing" me to "upgrade" still sting...

 

[Shawn Rahman]

Please send Hassy a reply and ask them what they made their film backs with all these years that compelled them to charge over $800 for them.

 

[Bandicoot]

I just got the following email from Hasselblad...

[SNIP] 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.

Good grief, all those who said Hasselblad's quality control had collapsed with the Imacon purchase are right! The old Hasselblad would never have been so moronic as to think that the plural of "DSLR" would have an apostrophe in it...


Peter