Lance,
I feel I need to step in and point out the "non truths" in your marketing promo piece-
First, for $19,100.00 in the US you can purchase an H5D-50c wifi w/80mm lens.
For the 1K less than you would spent on the Credo 50 XF NO LENS kit, you also get the following:
- built in wifi control
- an optional wired cable release (a simple accessory that the XF is still lacking after almost a year)
- True Focus II
- A Lens!
To claim that the H5D-50c wifi is spending money on a platform that was released in 2002 is kind of funny-
It's like saying "buying a Canon 5DSR is like buying a camera platform that was released in 2005, after all it's based on the original 5D!
The H5D is the 6th generation H body! (H1,H2,H3,H3II,H4,H5) and we still support and offer firmware updates on all of these models, the latest H1 fiirmware is from April of 2015.
As far as Hasselblad "caring" about their customers investments; Lance-
In addition to the H5D platform, we offer the H5x for legacy users- it supports All Hasselblad H5D, ixpress, CF and CFH digital backs. 3rd party backs that were compatible with the H1/H2 cameras (including "team Phase One db units like the P, P+ series- something that your new XF does not even do)
We offer the CF Lens adapter to let you move to the H platform and use most of your legacy V series lenses on the H platform
We offer the CFV-50c DB for those legacy users that prefer to stick with the Classic V system.
Your last point- Upgrades
Hasselblad has traditionally offered and upgrade/trade up path for both owners of Hasselblad branded digital backs as well as 3rd party backs.
With the recent price reductions on the H5D-50c wifi, the trade in/upgrade option does not make sense and is not offered at this price point.
I would expect that the upgrade/trade in path on future products will come back as those are released.
One thing of note, when you do and upgrade via Hasselblad, you always get a new Digital Back, Camera Body & Viewfinder even if you are just trading in an old 3rd party db only. If I am correct, team "Phase One" upgrades have always been digital back only, keeping your old tired body to use with your new back.
Just wanted to clear the air
Jag,
The $5k price delta is not that big of a spread because with this Credo 50/XF Bundle you are investing in a platform that was just released (XF) about 7 months ago and is built for the future. Already Phase One has released 2 firmware updates that have added features .
Purchasing an H5D50c you are spending money on a camera platform that was released in 2002 and a digital back that is showing its age with its architecture. So if Hasselblad does announce something new in the future the cost to upgrade to their latest will definitely cost more then the price difference between their current offerings and Team Phase One's. Historically Hasselblad has not cared about their customers investments by continuing to devalue their systems and not offer upgrade paths within their own product family.
L