Interview with the President of Hasselblad USA

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Gibran

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I read that article yesterday and found it very informative. Two things which stood out to me as extremely telling of the "New" Hasselblad vs. the "Old" before the Imacon merger are:

"For the sake of accuracy: Imacon was purchased by the owner of Hasselblad (Shriro), who then merged Imacon and Hasselblad. It appears to many as an Imacon acquisition, because the senior management of Imacon became the senior management of the new Hasselblad, but the actual event was a merger"

and this statement:

"In my opinion, we are at the same crossroads digitally today that we were at 30 or 40 years ago in film. There are four basic questions that the consumer demands answers to (in this order):

1) Why photography?

2) Why digital?

3) Why medium format?

4) Why Hasselblad?

The first two questions “Why photography?” and “Why digital?” I think have already been answered. Educating the market as to these last two areas is critical to our continued success."

These statements remind me earily of what happened at Kodak when a technology CEO took over. Call me a Luddite but I believe that Hasselblad as it exists in the collective public perception is no more, big period. Abondoning the Square format in the H1-H2 and the pitiful support of the Square format in the V system(no comparable high res square sensor) digitally(Compared to the H) and discontinuation of the flagship 200 square system is really the death knell for the Classic Hasselblad...and it was a conscience decision by Hasselblad to kill the square alone as all third party backs used the V system as the standard. But then I guess I'm just a little nostalgic.
 

Gibran

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One other comment which goes to the heart of what I mean by the "collective public perception" above. When I show up anywhere with my classic hasselblads alongside say the most current Digital whatnot, whether shooting a person or job or just out shooting for myself, the reaction is always the same. "wow" is that a Hasselblad or "wow" what kind of camera is that, it looks so cool. Furthermore, if I'm photogrphing a person with the Hasselblad, they automatically know that its serious or important. Art Directors will even say "use your Hasselblad because I like the look/quality it gives". Now, no matter that "the look" or quality has more to do with my choices and abilities but the perception is that the camera has something to do with it and the classic Hasselblad has that mystique. No Art Director or client ever worries about the quality when you show up with the Hasselblad, as wrong as that might be. Show up with a Bronica and they might have their doubts, however unfounded that might be. Shooting with the DSLR gives little reaction. It might as well be a cheap point and shoot. Now, imagine using a Hasselblad H1-H2. It does not look nor have the public perception as a classic Hasselblad. To the majority of people, its just another Electronic Gadget with buttons and menus no real perceptual difference than the DSLR above. If your a working pro, perception and mystique can mean a lot. Thats just not there witht he H1-H2 except for a very few people. It just does not look the part or earned it yet. And do you think it will be around and look virtually the same 50 years from now? No Way.
 

roteague

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Ara Ghajanian

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"Anyone involved in any technical field who does not accept and even embrace change is in for a very difficult future, in my opinion."

I think this is Leicas pitfall. They did not produce advancements and thus are suffering at this point. I'm glad the Blad is doing well and looking towards the future rather than just trying to survive as many camera companies with rich traditions are doing in this technological environment. I hope they don't go full digital and stay partially true to their film roots, but in a business standpoint they need to do what they need to do to succeed.

God bless them and all their visionaries, but I personally will be buying only used Hasselblad equipment since their new products are so damn expensive. I mean, they were prohibitively expensive in the past with film, but now it's just plain ridiculous. Over $20000 for any piece of photographic equipment is... is... I don't even know the word. Buy an old Blad and an Imacon scanner for a fraction of the price of just one of those stupid backs. And Fuji lenses. Fuji? They made their name with Carl Zeiss. In my opinion, they have lost that mystique which kept them going for so long. They won't fail, but they don't have my love anymore.
Ara
 

avandesande

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So how did hassblad 'survive' if they sold their soul to the digevil? If they don't sell the products they are known for then they don't exist any more.
Leica still exists, and although their market has shrunk they have stuck to their guns.


Ara Ghajanian said:
I think this is Leicas pitfall. They did not produce advancements and thus are suffering at this point. I'm glad the Blad is doing well and looking towards the future rather than just trying to survive as many camera companies with rich traditions are doing in this technological environment. I hope they don't go full digital and stay partially true to their film roots, but in a business standpoint they need to do what they need to do to succeed.
Ara
 
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