Hasselblad to cease production of V system cameras

[John Lawrence]

Just seen this over on AP:

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.u...ease-production-of-legendary-v-system-cameras

John

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

The bad news is that Carl Zeiss has transferred all the parts of V series lenses to hasselblad and will not service them no more... Luckily LEICA has made adaptors for their S digital camera and hasselblad V and H lenses that work perfectly ! The future is NOT H series, but Leica S !!

 

[sepiareverb]

Not surprising.

 

[Bobfrance]

Well at least there's plenty on the second hand market and plenty of people who can service them.

It's a shame they have nothing new to replace it. I don't expect to see a 6x6 H system camera.

 

[Godfrey]

I was not aware that any of the Hasselblad V cameras were still in production until I saw this. Sad to hear it anyway.

And ironic since I just finished reacquiring my favorite Hasselblad setup ... SWC + 500CM + 80 + 150 lenses, and a few backs. Oh well, I expect these will keep me going for a few decades, if I last long enough. ;-)

G

 

[Bobfrance]

Unfortunately I imagine V System users are too sensible to panic sell, so probably no bargains to be had. Shame I always fancied getting another one 😉

 

[Markus]

After this news I just thought:

"This will be a day long remembered, it has seen the end of Obi Wan Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the rebellion"

First bad news from Kodak and now the end of a good camera. I would have added a new body or some lenses instead giving any efforts on the lunar system.

 

[Vickko]

sigh. End of an era.

 

[burancap]

Well at least there's plenty on the second hand market and plenty of people who can service them.

I wonder, if in some way, that may have played a roll in the decision. They were their own best competition in this part of the MF segment.

 

[thegman]

I wonder, if in some way, that may have played a roll in the decision. They were their own best competition in this part of the MF segment.

Probably, I imagine all good film camera makers face major competition from the cameras they themselves made over the decades.

 

[veraikon]

I wonder, if in some way, that may have played a roll in the decision. They were their own best competition in this part of the MF segment.

of course. E.g. I bought my 503 CW (build 2003) in 2009 for a bargain (about a 5th of a new one). In the predigital times that wouldn´t been possible 😉

 

[Rob-F]

After this news I just thought:

"This will be a day long remembered, it has seen the end of Obi Wan Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the rebellion"

First bad news from Kodak and now the end of a good camera. I would have added a new body or some lenses instead giving any efforts on the lunar system.

It is not the end of a good camera; just the end of getting repairs and parts from Zeiss. I intend to keep and use my two 500CM bodies, lenses, and SWC. I just bought a 60mm CF to keep my 60 CT* company. The sky is not falling.

Somewhat OT: has anyone noticed that some people are asking $175 for Hassy B60 contrast filters?

 

[nlubis]

I've just bought a 501 CM +80+50 a couple of months ago. Looking forward to use it well into the future (fingers cross).
My local store had 4 different bodies for sale a couple of weeks ago. Odd, they noticed that as well.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

Somehow I have a feeling that hasselblad figured many things completely wrong: The Digital backs still cost more than double of what a good DSLR costs. I had my CFi 50mm :4 lens serviced at hasselblad factory. The cost € 1800,- That´s about 2300 USD, guys...

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

The classic Rolleiflex TLR has ended up outliving the 500 series Hasselblad. I wonder how many people would have predicted that thirty years ago (I have a foot in both camps).

These are strange times we live in.

 

[Rob-F]

I had my CFi 50mm :4 lens serviced at hasselblad factory. The cost € 1800,- That´s about 2300 USD, guys...

That's outrageous!

 

[noisycheese]

Unbelievable! The Hasselblad V system is dead

Unbelievable! The Hasselblad V system is dead

Hasselblad halts production of its last V system film camera, the 503 cw 6x6 cm. SLR, resulting in the extinction of the entire V system: http://petapixel.com/2013/04/29/hasselblad-kills-off-the-503cw-officially-ending-the-v-system-line/

Simply unbelievable.

 

[FA Limited]

discussed in the SLR forum
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132246

 

[FrozenInTime]

It's been a long lingering death :
I don't think they have been able to supply a complete camera outfit for several years.
They ran out of straps and 80mm lenses ages ago.

However with so many cameras, lenses and accessories in circulation the official death is merely symbolic.

Now do the right thing and never mention Luna again.

 

[willie_901]

I wonder, if in some way, that may have played a roll in the decision. They were their own best competition in this part of the MF segment.

If you are not willing to kill your own products, someone else will be pleased to do it for you.