Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!
Thank you, Paul.Nicely written. I owned a 501CM once and it is one of the big regrets I have to have sold it.
The all black 500 series is on my list and it would be nice if there was a large sensor to go with it.
Burbank, CAJust out curiosity, where is the Hasselblad service center for the US? I thought there was one still in California. East coast was shuttered.
Paul
Hasselblad is making compelling cameras with amazing colors. Surely we can have a separate discussion about managerial decision-making and not get emotional.Nobody knows and it is inexplicable why you would care. It would be very unfortunate if you and Mr. Spinnler were to turn this forum into a replica of that MF Forum that you moderate over at DPReview that is consumed with negativity about all things Hasselblad.
I made that very suggestion several pages ago and it was not well received, to say the least. This thread was about concerns over lens availability not corporate relationships and DJI bashing.Surely we can have a separate discussion about managerial decision-making and not get emotional.
A very good and warm, heartfelt story. Thank you. And to the broader community - a few more of these more positive outlooks please!Speaking of projections ...
Captured Dreams: A Hasselblad Love Story
In the summer of '85, when my photography business was finding its footing, fate intervened in the form of a chance encounter at KEH Camera Brokers. Back in those days, if you lived in the Atlanta area, you could walk into KEH and go through their bins. My heart yearned for a Hasselblad, a symbol of professionalism and artistic excellence, but my wallet whispered tales of financial strain.
A commotion at the counter caught my attention as I stood amidst the array of lenses and bodies. A man, his frustration palpable, lamented the meager offer the buyer proposed for his beloved Hasselblad kit. With lenses spread before him like treasures on display, he turned to me, a stranger, and posed an unexpected proposition.
"Would you purchase it for $1,500?" he asked, his voice desperation tinged with hope. I hesitated, torn between desire and practicality, but $1,500 was half of what it was all worth. My husband, sensing the gravity of the moment, nodded in silent encouragement.
"Yes," I replied, my voice steadier than my racing heart. "But times are tough. I couldn't afford it all at once."
To my astonishment, he offered a lifeline. "Payments," he suggested, a glimmer of kindness in his eyes. And so, with a handshake and exchanged numbers, a pact was made.
That Hasselblad, with its distinctive click and precision, became more than a camera. It was a beacon of possibility, a talisman of dreams yet to unfold. With each click of the shutter, my vision crystallized, and my artistry honed.
From weddings to portraits, my Hasselblad was my steadfast companion, capturing moments of joy and difficult lighting scenarios with equal grace. As my business flourished, so too did my collection of Hasselblad bodies and lenses, each a testament to the journey we had embarked upon together.
Through the decades, amidst shifts in ownership and seismic changes in technology, my allegiance remained unwavering. It was not merely a camera system but a conduit for my creativity, aspirations, and income.
Today, as I look back toward forty years of partnership with Hasselblad, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful for the guardian angel who saw potential where others saw only uncertainty. I am grateful for the camera system that never faltered, never wavered, and always exceeded expectations: my loyal partner in the business.
So, here's to the dreamers and the believers, the ones who dare to chase their passions against all odds. And here's to Hasselblad, the steadfast companion on a journey of a lifetime.
--
I'd love to hear your Hasselblad story, too. For in every click of the shutter lies a tale waiting to be told.
We Hasselblad nerds always knew. On my wishlist!
Yes, please feel free to go ahead and start a separate thread about managerial decision making among medium format camera manufacturers. BTW, it is not TT that suggests that it besmirches Hasselblad's brand for DJI to have major input in decision making. The clear implication of your insistent comments and those of Mr. Spinnler about DJI's control over Hasseblad are not intended to enhance Hasseblad's image. Nobody here is fooled for a minute that this all about intellectual curiosity. Mr. Spinnler is all about "bespoke" and "curated" experiences. He wants to tear down Hasselblad's image as a prestige brand, by talking about DJI/Shenzen and Hasselblad flipping cameras at shopping malls next to Levi's stores.Hasselblad is making compelling cameras with amazing colors. Surely we can have a separate discussion about managerial decision-making and not get emotional.
TechTalk goes on about how it besmirches the Hasselblad name to suggest that DJI has input on decision-making. He points to irrelevant distinctions to support his views. I was pointing out obvious flaws in his thinking, not criticizing Hasselblad. It is a tough market and companies need to do what they feel is best for them. I find it disingenuous, however, when people romanticize and misconstrue reality. YMMV.
"Mr" Cubell ...Yes, please feel free to go ahead and start a separate thread about managerial decision making among medium format camera manufacturers. BTW, it is not TT that suggests that it besmirches Hasselblad's brand for DJI to have major input in decision making. The clear implication of your insistent comments and those of Mr. Spinnler about DJI's control over Hasseblad are not intended to enhance Hasseblad's image. Nobody here is fooled for a minute that this all about intellectual curiosity. Mr. Spinnler is all about "bespoke" and "curated" experiences. He wants to tear down Hasselblad's image as a prestige brand, by talking about DJI/Shenzen and Hasselblad flipping cameras at shopping malls next to Levi's stores.
And with that summary of what's really going on here, I am out.
If you really want the conversation to end, why do you keep continuing it?Yes, please feel free to go ahead and start a separate thread about managerial decision making among medium format camera manufacturers. BTW, it is not TT that suggests that it besmirches Hasselblad's brand for DJI to have major input in decision making. The clear implication of your insistent comments and those of Mr. Spinnler about DJI's control over Hasseblad are not intended to enhance Hasseblad's image. Nobody here is fooled for a minute that this all about intellectual curiosity. Mr. Spinnler is all about "bespoke" and "curated" experiences. He wants to tear down Hasselblad's image as a prestige brand, by talking about DJI/Shenzen and Hasselblad flipping cameras at shopping malls next to Levi's stores.
And with that summary of what's really going on here, I am out.
If you really want the conversation to end, why do you keep continuing it?
You are correct when you say that my comments are not intended to enhance the image of Hasselblad, but I can speak only for myself. The certitude with which you have made your other statements is misplaced, however.
If you feel that to discuss the current strategy, including selling direct to consumers both online, and in Apple-style stores in malls is “tearing down” Hasselblad’s reputation, then it is you who has the issue, given that this is, in fact, the new strategy. I dislike the diversion of sales away from retailers, but the degree to which this, and the retail storefront approach, affect Hasselblad’s prestige has nothing to do with me pointing it out. Pretending things are just like the old days is simply dishonest, it does nothing to change the current reality.
I have bought several Phase One Hasselblad back adapters from Capture Integration in anticipation of fabricating some cameras to work with the CFV 100C. I am looking forward to Hasselblad addressing the banding issue.
I also hope they address this issue. It's not the end of the world for me as I don't shoot wide that often but it would show that they listen and react to customer needs.I have bought several Phase One Hasselblad back adapters from Capture Integration in anticipation of fabricating some cameras to work with the CFV 100C. I am looking forward to Hasselblad addressing the banding issue.