What the hell are you folks smoking?:loco:
Anyway, back to reality.
As I see this new camera as applied to what and how I now shoot photos:
PROS:
I do not recall any AF issues with the H4D I used, so I doubt this new camera has worse AF than that … and it may be better/faster with the smaller lenses made for it. I do wonder why H did not implement True Focus on this camera which I found to be a tremendous proprietary advantage over all other MF type cameras, and many smaller formats. Actual AF performance TBD.
The balance between size and handling seem to have been well integrated, which is being confirmed by those who've actually handled the camera.
Dual SDs is a key advantage for anyone shooting fleeting subjects. Losing a wedding card is a lot different from losing a vacation card. Both are horrible, but you aren't getting sued by your family for lost vacation snaps. BTW, SD cards are much harder to recover than CFs, so a SD failure is more likely to stay a failure. I worry a bit about this every time I shoot a wedding with the Sony A7R-II. I'm working without a net.
Uses HC and HCD lenses. Recent updates to many Hasselblad lenses have made them more than competitive; the HC-50/3.5-II is second to none IMHO. I hope the HC adapter allows use of the HC extension tubes … even better, the HTS unit for DOF control with the 100/2.2 for table-top product photography.
LS to 1/2000. I know from experience that I can live with this because the H4D I used topped out at 1/800 and I only occasionally had an issue with it. The lack of mirror slap, and of Sony type shutter shock, is a nice benefit of LS only. I'd hazard a guess that this camera is quiet. I could easily see Hasselblad implementing an e-shutter in future when technology allows it. IMO, no focal plane shutter was the right decision for the longer term future of the system because of that.
Higher ISO capability compared to my S-006. Not that big of a deal based on how I shoot, but this new camera could take over S duties AND Sony A7R-II duties with one system.
CONS:
If I understand correctly, this camera does NOT have a PC port. As insignificant as this seems, no PC port conjures up some issues for me. 1) How does one implement 1/2000 sync without the ability to hard-wire from camera to strobe? The Profoto AIR Transmitter tops out at 1/1000 when set to speed mode. (I'm not talking about Hyper-Sync at 1/2000). 2) If I am using a Nikon speed-light in the hot-shoe for TTL fill, how do I trigger my Profoto and Hensel (w.AIR) off-camera strobes?
BTW, no PC port is second only to the cluster-fukc menu when it comes to things I hate about my Sony A7R-II.
NO IS. Actually, with LS lenses this is less of an issue … but a moveable sensor could mean auto sensor cleaning which is a bigger deal with these MF sized cameras.
UNKNOWNS:
For me, the biggest unknown about this new camera is the color rendering and sense of depth in the files. The H cameras I once shot with were great for this using Hasselblad's color engine and profiles … especially when processed in Phocus. That is another thing I subjectively do not like about my Sony A7R-II, and the main reason I haven't really aesthetically connected with anything Sony since the much loved A900.
- Marc
Hi Marc - nice summary, but you forgot to mention the Billingham bag disaster is being a deal breaker for you ...
I haven't got my hands on one of the to try (obviously) but I've been looking for a replacement for my walk around Alpa / digiback combo and I think this camera may just be the one that makes me open my dusty wallet.
I think you will like the colour files - I've tested quite a few CMOS files from Hasselblad 50megapixel CMOS and they don't hurt my eyes like most of the 35mm CMOS files do - in good to ok light - you can get the pop and sparkle factor pretty easy..
I'm a bit disappointed that they haven't got an electronic shutter going ( yet) but thats firmware - and if they ever do - it will allow for all sorts of adaptors to work for all sorts of glass.
Your point regarding PC connection is well made - the camera shoots leaf shutter lenses at 2000th - better than any other MF camera maker can muster - and the triggering strategy is?
In camera square and XPan(almost) panorama cropping is a big deal for me and a very welcome feature - the backs and files these days are so good I think I use photoshop to make pretty frames and thats about it...Phocus I always liked over anything else anyway - but LR is good too.
As for lenses I think I will go with the 100H/50 in H and the 30 combo when it comes out and pick up the HTS device for movements.
For those thinking that Sony versions of this type of camera will be coming out - I think you will be disappointed. Fuji has been cut out of this story so I don't expect them to be playing in this game either.
A real kit isnt cheap though a camera and three lenses will set a person back 15k or more - peanuts compared to what we used to pay for digibacks with (only) 30-40 megapixels a decade ago though.
I suspect tripod work will see it shine of course but Hasselblad have to be congratulated coming out with such a small light kick arse package - such a relief for me these days. I'll be buying one for sure - and ditching Alpa/Rodenstock/Schneider and the issues I've been having with the copal shutters - and all the fussing around I have to do to calibrate a damn back to the Alpa properly - I'm over futzing around.
This camera for my style of shooting and minimalist needs these days is a great way to have access to 50 megapixels - suspect it will work really well in studio as well because of sync speeds - so much more useful in real world than puny 35mm crapola and 125/250 limits.
Good to read everyone's first reactions!
Cheers
Pete