Hasselblad to cease production of V system cameras

[Gabriel M.A.]

Hasselblad stops production of V System

Hasselblad stops production of V System

The decision, which comes into immediate effect, brings to an end over a half century of evolution of the company's original camera line.


And before the predictable happens (somebody will think that this is "another nail in the coffin" for film --nevermind that there definitely is a market for it), who here will be scouring eb@y?

 

[rpsawin]

It's interesting to me that the sale of Kodak's Personal Imaging division and Hasselblad's announcement about ending production of the V system happened on the same day.

Kodak provided the start up funding for Hasselblad back when. I do not believe that this is the end of film in general rather it's the end of film for Hasselblad. Time will tell if there are enough customers to support the uber high end digital systems currently offered by Hasselblad.

 

[veraikon]

=> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132246

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Not my fault the Search function on RFF is a misnomer.

 

[Godfrey]

The decision, which comes into immediate effect, brings to an end over a half century of evolution of the company's original camera line.


And before the predictable happens (somebody will think that this is "another nail in the coffin" for film --nevermind that there definitely is a market for it), who here will be scouring eb@y?

LOL! I already did ... Bought the SWC and two backs, hoods, other accessories right around the end of last year, and just finished outfitting a 500CM with 80, 150mm, another back, hoods, filters, etc. Wonderful modular system it makes. I figure it will last me a few decades with reasonable care.

I hope I outlast it.

G

 

[Godfrey]

=> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132246

I merged the two threads.

G

 

[burancap]

You folks who are serious Hasselblad users should think about getting a cheap parts camera.

I suppose most do. At least I have never had any less than two on hand, but that was for reasons beyond just parts.

 

[Spanik]

Well, they now have the Luna to take over the banner and go boldly forward, don't they?

I'd like an SWC but I'm afraid the prices will now rise far above my budget.

 

[S.H.]

How ironic...

I'm searching for a planar 80 or 100 right now to complete my setup (managed to grab a 500c with acute matte and crank, 50 C T and 150 CF for less than 660 EUR). Looks like the worst enemy of Hasselblad was Hasselblad itself : it sold too well for too long, it is hard to sell new gear now with all those second hand kits on the market.

 

[ZeissFan]

Once pros shifted to digital, that signaled the beginning of the end. The cost of the system, particularly the Zeiss lenses, kept it out of reach for most non-professional photographers.

 

[louisb]

You folks who are serious Hasselblad users should think about getting a cheap parts camera. My repairman has been collecting marginal M2 bodies/parts cameras for some time as Leica quit selling (ran out?) M2 parts a while back.

No point. Your Hasselblad body well looked after will probably outlive the one you buy for parts.

Shame that no one want to buy a new one.

Even better though that no one really wants to buy an old one and you can often acquire kit for peanuts relative to DSLR and other fancy system modern systems.

LouisB

 

[Ronald_H]

It's a bit like Porsche halting production of the 911, or indeed Leica doing he same with the M-series.

Have a late 500 C/M with 80mm Planar. Amateur kit, hardly used. Added the 50 and 150mm lenses later. Had them serviced by an expert. Have to admit I scarely shoot 10 rolls a year with this kit, but it is immensly satisfying to work with. All manual, modular, top notch quality.


Bibi - Hasselblad by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

In the 70's I bought a new one, it was a massive amount of $$$, like $1700 as I recall. Sold it later on. Now I have four bodies (500C/M and 500EL/M), all the black T* lenses except the 500 Tele-Tessar, 250 Apochromat, and 105mm U/V, twenty filmbacks from single-shot to A70, and probably 80% of the original accessories (there were over a hundred, I have the catalogs).

They were always expensive, but now, not as much. Too bad they can't sell any more new ones, but it makes little difference to me. I only buy used stuff. It's plentiful and easily available.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

You folks who are serious Hasselblad users should think about getting a cheap parts camera. My repairman has been collecting marginal M2 bodies/parts cameras for some time as Leica quit selling (ran out?) M2 parts a while back.

hehe, this is the reason I go to guys that have a seal number for Leica service. It is the guys that don`t have one, that are not supplied by leica factory for parts. Everything except complete finders are available for M2-M3 and so forth. Also that will be corrected when the new factory is ready in Wetzlar. There will be a limited run of all parts for older Leicas. Price will be however based on these short runs...
I was told in Photokina at Hasselblad booth, that all parts except for chromed Zeiss lenses are in stock at Hasselblad. I even got a card to a guy that supervises the parts department. They just stop assembling new cameras and stop advertising and printing catalogs having those V series cameras. If you know what you want, they will supply you. Rather get a copy of Hasselblad microfilm parts lists than an old junk camera for your unauthorized repair guy...(What is the bright idea of disassembling one body and reassembling the second one, just for some small spring, except if you do all this for money...)

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

In the 70's I bought a new one, it was a massive amount of $$$, like $1700 as I recall. Sold it later on. Now I have four bodies (500C/M and 500EL/M), all the black T* lenses except the 500 Tele-Tessar, 250 Apochromat, and 105mm U/V, twenty filmbacks from single-shot to A70, and probably 80% of the original accessories (there were over a hundred, I have the catalogs).

They were always expensive, but now, not as much. Too bad they can't sell any more new ones, but it makes little difference to me. I only buy used stuff. It's plentiful and easily available.

Are you well supplied with 70mm film stock, nokton? remember Rollei/MACO:
70mm infrared 400 and Ortho 25, both great stuff...

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

Hi Louis-

I've had trouble with them in heavy field use. Mostly jammed backs. They don't like dust. If you don't know there is a potential jam - and crank too hard, things can "bend"..

hey Man:Filmbacks have to be serviced too.. When you open the inside part, the counter has to reset to zero, if you push the button inside, the counter has to start counting when you shoot the shutter. There is many springs and levers that have to interact. It is silly to try to do precision work with bad equipment. hasselblad is a very delicate machine...

 

[thegman]

It's a shame, but inevitable I suppose. If you're going to make film cameras in this day and age, you've got to do it with more enthusiasm than they did. Fujifilm, DHW Fototechnik (Rollei), Voigtlander etc. all seem to have a *desire* to make film cameras, not just reluctantly offer them to collectors.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Damn shame but... As others have posted, Inevitable.

If their digital backs were more affordable then maybe things could have been different. Even second hand they're stupid money. 😕

I love my 903 SWC but the thought of something going wrong and the part to fix it is NLA fills me with dread. But that may never happen so all is good in the world.

I wish them well.

What I fear the most is the eventually complete dominance of the Japanese manufacturers. Don't get me wrong. I love the gear Nikon and Canon produce. I just hope Pentax eventually make s full frame DSLR. That should shakes things up a bit. 😀

 

[jsrockit]

What I fear the most is the eventually complete dominance of the Japanese manufacturers. Don't get me wrong. I love the gear Nikon and Canon produce. I just hope Pentax eventually make s full frame DSLR. That should shakes things up a bit. 😀

You fear complete dominance by the Japanese and then want Pentax to succeed? 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Fujifilm, DHW Fototechnik (Rollei), Voigtlander etc. all seem to have a *desire* to make film cameras, not just reluctantly offer them to collectors.

It's been a few years for Fuji and Voigtlander at this point... I wonder if either have something new in the works.