Hassleblad Mirrorless!

I'd rather get a P-45 digital back for my 500CM. It's conceivable that I could afford one used, and I hear the quality is great. And I could keep shooting with that wonderful 10 pound square brick that I'm so found of and those big chunks of Zeiss glass that I love. The new camera is, as the consensus suggests, ugly as sin. And when I think Hasselbald, I think square, 6x6, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4; and square is good.
 
This looks like something that got run over in the supermarket carpark.

What are they thinking ... how can the people who made my wonderful 500cm even contemplate this move? Occasionally when something like this gets discussed at RFF 'someone' will like it because lets face it we're all individuals!

The universal feeling in this thread is one of disbelief and contempt ... and rightly so!


IMG_3601.jpg
 
I can't help it and don't want to say it because others have, and in general not liking to post negative points of view, but "WOW" this is just, well, "WOW". I can smell it from here.
 
British Journal of Photography

Hasselblad defends Lunar's concept and pricing


Hasselblad unveiled Lunar yesterday, an interchangeable lens camera that is strongly reminiscent of the Sony NEX 7 and uses the Japanese firm's technology – from its sensor, to its image processor and lens mount. The launch, which coincided with Hasselblad's announcement of its strategic partnership with Sony, has since been heavily denigrated, with critics condemning Lunar's retail price of €5000, forcing Hasselblad to go on the defensive.

The defence offered fell flat IMO, boiling down to "we want to appear hip".
 
A digital xpan would have been *so* much more interesting. So. Much. More.

You can say "lots of cameras stitch panoramas together, so no need for a new xpan" but that misses the point. Xpans are awesome enough that they still command high prices. Stitched panos aren't the same as dedicated panos. And really, there is no "going for a bigger market" rationalization when you're trying to sell a $6k NEX-7. You're going for a tiny, tiny niche already: why not go for the tiny niche that craves a digital xpan instead of guessing there's a tiny niche that wants an ugly NEX-7?
 
Not a word about the lenses, probably an M adapter is needed :D

They are free to do what they want but the spin they utter is nauseating.
 
A digital xpan would have been *so* much more interesting. So. Much. More.

You can say "lots of cameras stitch panoramas together, so no need for a new xpan" but that misses the point. Xpans are awesome enough that they still command high prices. Stitched panos aren't the same as dedicated panos. And really, there is no "going for a bigger market" rationalization when you're trying to sell a $6k NEX-7. You're going for a tiny, tiny niche already: why not go for the tiny niche that craves a digital xpan instead of guessing there's a tiny niche that wants an ugly NEX-7?

Could not agree more... I have had the xpan since it was first released.. Name me another panoramic film camera w/ these check box..
- lightest full frame rf panaramic
- mid roll change from Pano to normal 35 fov, makes every lens dual purpose
- great set of lenses, though limited

All made by Fuji for Hasselblad. Given Fuji history in lens design and rf based cameras, it is a shame Hasselblad did not partner w/ Fuji again... There are only two Japanese companies that still has the technical expertise around to go into a digital rf market, Cosina and Fuji.. Not sure if the others still have any around (most likely retired by now)..

Gary
 
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It isn't as bad as it looks in photos in person.... but really, it's an NEX-7. No functional differences between the two cameras--even the firmware is the same.
 
It isn't as bad as it looks in photos in person.... but really, it's an NEX-7. No functional differences between the two cameras--even the firmware is the same.

Lol -

Are they going to releases better lenses for it or rebadge Sony Nex lenses?

Gary
 
Lol -

Are they going to releases better lenses for it or rebadge Sony Nex lenses?

Gary

Leica gets away with it with Panasonic. It's probably all Sony, and they are just licensing the Hasselblad name to create a "luxury" brand.
 
Lol -

Are they going to releases better lenses for it or rebadge Sony Nex lenses?

Gary

The lenses they had on display were just straight Sony—apparently the 18-55mm is the kit lens. It's the silver version, not the black that ships with the NEX-7.
 
The lenses they had on display were just straight Sony—apparently the 18-55mm is the kit lens. It's the silver version, not the black that ships with the NEX-7.

Thanks for update...

So sad, same stupid UI, not even the better lenses.. Basicallly what Leica has been doing w/ Panasonic.

Gary
 
Good god. This a classic case of too much money meeting bad taste. Whoah that is one ugly puppy. Why on earth would anyone pay good money to get something that repulsive. When i saw the picture posted by Keith, honest to god i thought someone who had never seen a camera had baked a cake that was supposed to look like a camera. Hope it tastes better than it looks.
 
Leica gets away with it with Panasonic.

Yes, but the price difference there is modest in comparison.

I don't think Hasselblad will get away with it. Firstly, Hasselblad is not nearly as much of a household name as Leica. It's only well known amongst people who have an interest in cameras. And those people will not buy a re-badged Sony at such a premium.
Secondly, while there may be some people with more money than sense, they still don't like to be played a fool.

My prediction is this: This new strategy will turn into a marketing disaster, nobody will buy the new cameras and the whole thing will alienate the professional medium format clients. At some point Ventizz will try to sell the company again as they will see that it is losing money.
 
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