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Hasselblad H4D-40 Wins TIPA Award for Best Medium Format D-System

Trevor Current — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:57:55 +0000

April 27, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

The H4D-40 with its breakthrough True Focus technology is selected as Best Medium Format D-System Camera by prestigious international TIPA committee.

For the second consecutive year, the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has selected a Hasselblad camera as Best Medium Format D-System. The new 40 megapixel H4D-40 and its groundbreaking True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock) was chosen for this esteemed award by editors of more than two dozen of the most well-respected photography magazines from around the world. Selection for the award was based on innovation, the use of leading-edge technology, design and ergonomics, ease-of-use as well as price/performance ratio.

In addition to its True Focus and APL technological innovations, “making auto-focus easier and more accurate for photo professionals,” TIPA noted that “The H4D series has been designed to meet the demands of high-end commercial photographers who require the ultimate in both image quality and performance.”
Upon hearing the news, Hasselblad CEO Larry Hansen commented that, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award and proud of the company’s achievements in developing the H4D-40. This camera not only meets the needs of the established Hasselblad community of professional photographers but will introduce 35mm DSLR photographers to the benefits of Medium Format photography including advances in image quality. Based on the H4D-40′s overall success, Hasselblad has clearly stayed true to one of its founders’ core values – the courage to set extreme standards for product development and the ability to make it happen.”

Key to Hasselblad’s success, of course, is to understand what photographers need in order to create extraordinary images. Director of Product Management Peter Stig explains that the H4D-40′s True Focus and Absolute Position Lock “provide a clever use of new technology.” He adds that, “By providing this unique mechanism with which photographers gain speed, accuracy and flexibility when focusing in a recomposed image, Hasselblad has solved one of the technological challenges facing serious photographers today.”

The H4D family was introduced in September 2009 in Orlando, at Cape Canaveral on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the moon landing and the Hasselblad camera’s first trip to outer space. This year’s selection of the H4D-40 marks the fourth time that Hasselblad has received the TIPA award for Best Medium Format D-System.

Initially founded in 1991 as a consortium of European editors and magazines, TIPA expanded its membership to non-European countries in 2009, creating a truly global association. Rigorous judging standards and the technical expertise of its members are combined to select the best photo and imaging products each year.

Pentax 645D Medium Format DSLR

Trevor Current — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:37:36 +0000

March 13, 2010 - Pentax announced the launch of their medium format DSLR camera, the 645D. The large 40MP Kodak CCD image sensor combined with the PRIME II image engine, the 645D is able to produce super high-quality images with rich gradations and true color reproduction while allowing fast data transfer speeds to the dual SD/SDHC memory cards.

The Pentax 645D is definitely a high-end camera with pro features and pro build quality but it comes at a pro price of around $10,000. Currently the 645D is only going to be available in Japan while Pentax determines its release in other markets.

PRESS RELEASE

PENTAX 645D - PENTAX’s First Medium-Format Digital SLR Camera:
Designed to be the Top of Medium-Format Digital SLR Cameras, Thanks to Super
High-Resolution Images

HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX 645D lens-interchangeable, medium-format digital SLR camera. Thanks to the incorporation of a large image sensor, equal in performance to professional-standard digital camera backs, this high-performance model delivers super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It also offers outstanding dependability and superb operability and maneuverability to make outdoor shooting effortless and comfortable for demanding photographers.

The PENTAX 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors — something previously available only on professional models — to serious landscape and outdoor photographers. It combines exceptional image quality with excellent maneuverability and outstanding reliability to simplify professional-level outdoor shooting. Thanks to the incorporation of a large, high-performance image sensor (measuring 44mm by 33mm) and PENTAX-original image-processing technology, it produces extra-sharp, super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It features remarkable durability and dependability, thanks to its lightweight but solidly built body featuring a magnesium-steel-alloy frame, reinforced glass LCD panel protectors and a reliable dustproof, weather-resistant construction. In addition, it is designed to be compatible with the majority of the existing PENTAX 645 system, so that current PENTAX 645-series camera users can take advantage of their valuable assets, including high-performance smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses.

Major Features

Unprecedented image quality

Super-high-resolution images made possible by approximately 40 effective megapixels The PENTAX 645D incorporates a high-performance CCD image sensor produced by Kodak. It measures 44mm by 33mm, and is approximately 1.7 times larger than its 35mm-format counterparts. Thanks to approximately 40 effective megapixels, it assures a wide dynamic range to faithfully reproduce the prevailing ambience and the sense of depth in super-high-resolution images that are rich in gradation and truthful in texture description. In order to bring out the full potential of the lens and the image sensor and assure the highest level of image-resolving power, the CCD unit is designed with no low-pass filters.
High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine The PENTAX 645D features the acclaimed, PENTAX-original PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II as its imaging engine. Thanks to its high-speed data-processing capacity and new algorithm exclusively programmed for medium-format digital SLR cameras, this high-performance imaging engine produces super-high-quality images rich in gradation and faithful in color reproduction, while allowing speedy data transmission of large-volume image data — even RAW-format images as large as some 50MB per file.
14-bit A/D converter for faithful conversion of image data to digital signals The PENTAX 645D features a high-performance A/D converter, which faithfully converts the large volume of analog image data output by the large CCD image sensor to digital signals carrying an extensive amount of image data, including resolution and gradation.

Solid, maneuverable body
The PENTAX 645D’s main frame is made of lightweight but strong magnesium-steel alloy, while the chassis is made of diecast aluminum to minimize the expansion and extension caused by heat and also to optimize kinematic accuracy and thermal stability. The LCD panels — one on the camera’s top panel, another on the back panel — are covered with tempered glass plates for extra protection. The PENTAX 645D’s body is also designed to be a compact and highly maneuverable medium-format camera, despite the incorporation of such dependable features as a dust-proof, weather-resistant construction with 70 special seals, outstanding cold-resistant performance to assure solid operation at a temperature as low as –10°C, and a newly designed shutter unit with a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second that can withstand as many as 50,000 shutter releases.

Dual SD/SDHC memory card slots
The PENTAX 645D has a pair of memory card slots for the recording of images on both SD and SDHC memory cards. This dual-slot design gives the photographer extra data-storage options: for instance, recorded images can be assigned to different cards according to recording format (such as RAW or JPEG), or one of the cards can be used as the backup of the other. The settings for each memory card slot can be easily made by dedicated button.

Dependable DR II mechanism to minimize dust spots
The PENTAX 645D comes equipped with the highly dependable DR (Dust Removal) II mechanism, which effectively minimizes annoying dust spots on recorded images, even when the lenses are changed in dust-prone outdoor settings. By shifting UV/IR-cut filters placed in front of the CCD image sensor at supersonic speed using a piezoelectric element, this mechanism effectively and efficiently shakes dust off the image sensor. Thanks to the user-friendly dust-alert system, the photographer can check at a quick glance for dust adhering to the image sensor prior to the actual shooting.

Newly designed, high-precision 11-point wide-frame AF sensor
The PENTAX 645D’s new SAFOX IX + wide-frame autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to assure the extra-high-precision focusing demanded of medium-format digital SLR cameras. To develop this sophisticated AF system, the entire optical system was redesigned, at the same time with the addition of the new functionality to analyze and make use of the light sources data in the field of view.

Advanced 77-segment multi-pattern metering
The PENTAX 645D employs a state-of-the-art, 77-segment multi-pattern metering system to assure super-high-accuracy light metering. The exposure accuracy is further enhanced by collecting such additional data as image orientation (horizontal or vertical) and the distance to and magnification of the subject using the sensors installed inside the camera body, with the obtained data incorporated into exposure calculations.

Large, easy-to-see optical viewfinder
Incorporated in the PENTAX 645D’s finder unit, a trapezoid-shaped glass prism not only assures an approximately 98% field of view, but also greatly contributes to the downsizing of the camera body. Coupled with a bright, easy-to-focus Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the PENTAX 645D’s viewfinder offers a large, clear view of the subject.

Custom Image function to create desired visual effects with ease
The PENTAX 645D’s Custom Image function lets the user easily control an image’s finishing touches to more precisely reflect the user’s creative intentions, or to more faithfully reproduce the ambience of the scene. The user can select one of eight modes, including the new Reversal Film mode designed to create images with the colors that are typical of reversal film. In addition, all parameters — such as saturation, hue, contrast, sharpness, key, and highlight/shadow contrast — can be easily adjusted to desired levels, so that the photographer can shoot images with great ease.

Versatile, multi-mode exposure system for faithful reproduction of creative intentions

Hyper Program function The PENTAX 645D’s Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch from Programmed AE mode to Shutter- or Aperture-Priority AE mode with a simple turn of the electric dials positioned around the grip. A single push of the green button shifts the exposure mode back to the original Programmed AE mode.
Hyper Manual function When shooting in the Metered Manual mode, the PENTAX 645D’s Hyper Manual mode lets the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject with a single push of the green button.
Sensitivity-Priority mode The unique Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode automatically selects the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for the user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted swiftly by electronic dial on the back panel. The variable amount of the ISO could be configured to either 1/2 or 1/3 steps per click.
Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode Taking full advantage of the unique capability of digital cameras for the automatic shifting of sensitivity at any time, the Shutter/Aperture-Priority (TAv) mode automatically selects the most appropriate sensitivity for the user-selected aperture/shutter-speed combination. It allows the user to effortlessly experiment with a greater range of photographic expressions.

Large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots
Positioned on the camera’s back panel, a large 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots provides a clear, bright view of onscreen images and menus. Since its wide-view design allows quick, effortless confirmation of the monitor image from approximately 170 degrees both horizontally and vertically, the photographer has little difficulty shooting images from low and high angles. The LCD monitor is also treated with exclusive AR (Anti-Reflection) coating to minimize reflections on the screen, even in the outdoor locations under bright sunshine.

Long battery life
The PENTAX 645D is powered by a large-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can capture approximately 800 images* when fully charged.

* Under testing conditions prescribed by PENTAX, when using a rechargeable D-LI90 lithium-ion battery with no flash.

Other features

HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures
Dynamic-Range Expansion function to compensate for both whitewashed (excessively overexposed) and blacked-out (excessively underexposed) areas
Digital Level function for easy checking of the image’s levels
Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration (available in combination with the D FA 645- and FA 645- series lenses)
Versatile white-balance control system, including the CTE mode designed to emphasize the dominant color components of the captured images, which works especially well with such scene like sunset.
Mirror shock/operation-noise reduction function to assure smooth, quiet operation of the mirror during shooting
Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images
Compatible with the SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) autofocus mechanism, designed to assure smooth, quiet operation using the supersonic motor installed inside SDM lenses
HDMI terminal (for type C mini connectors) for high-resolution image data output
User-friendly, color-classified control buttons/switches, based on the color universal design concept
PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, including a RAW-data processing application (based on the popular SILKYPIX RAW-data processing engine developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) and browser application

Hasselblad Announces the H4D-40 Medium Format DSLR

Trevor Current — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:50:09 +0000

Feb 4, 2010 – Hasselblad announced their new H4D-40 medium format DSLR camera that’s intended for high-end 35mm photographers. Built on the successful H3D-II series, the H4D-40 adds faster capture rates, higher ISO ratings, up to 4 minute exposure times and the new True Focus feature. The 40MP CCD sensor measures 33x44mm and provides almost twice the capture area of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors.

Most high-end photographers understand the advantages of medium format systems over smaller 35mm DSLRs. It’s more than just mega-pixels, you also get superior image quality in color, detail and clarity and the larger H systems provide considerably shallower depth of field range, making it much easier to utilize selective focus for creative effect.

Features such as new low noise color filters of the H4D-40’s sensor and the high performance HC/HCD lens line, provide the basis for increased clarity and increased depth of field. The Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) achieves consistent color reproduction using a single color profile, and digital lens correction (DAC), perfects each image captured through the HC/HCD lenses, by removing any trace of distortion, vignetting, or chromatic aberrations.

The H4D-40 is available for immediate shipping and costs $19,995 for the camera body, viewfinder and 60mm lens.

HASSELBLAD H4D-40 Medium Format DSLR

HASSELBLAD H4D-40 Medium Format DSLR True Focus System

PRESS RELEASE

Copenhagen, February 4th 2010

Hasselblad brings Medium Format DSLR advantages to new generation of photographers with new H4D-40 camera.

The announcement of Hasselblad’s H4D line of cameras and True Focus technology heralded the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. Now, with the launch of the H4D-40, Hasselblad is announcing its intent to bring the advantages of Medium Format DSLRs to high-end 35mm photographers.

Hasselblad, world leading manufacturer of high-end digital camera systems, announced today the launch of a new product, the Hasselblad H4D-40, the most recent addition to the company’s new H4D camera line. The H4D line, built upon Hasselblad’s successful H3D-II series, adds faster capture rates, higher ISO ratings, up to 4 min exposure times, and the new True Focus feature, a further refinement of Hasselblad’s segment leading Auto Focus system that makes accurate near field composing substantially easier for photographic professionals. Hasselblad is targeting the H4D-40, which features a 33x44mm CCD sensor with 40 million pixels and provides almost twice the capture area of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors, towards high-end 35mm professionals.

“Most high-end photographers understand the advantages that a Medium Format system has over smaller formats,” explains Hasselblad CEO Larry Hansen, “but many younger photographers have never been exposed to larger format photography. Most everyone in the photographic world is aware, for example, of the dramatic developments that have taken place in the 35mm in recent years,” he continues, “but many of the younger generation of shooters are not aware of the fact that Medium Format DSLRs have evolved equally dramatically, maintaining – and even in some cases increasing – the quality gap that has historically existed between small format and larger format systems.”

“The fact that our large sensors have millions of pixels more than 35mm sensors is known, for instance,” Hansen continues, “but the superior image quality that results, in terms of color, detail, and clarity, is not as well known. Likewise, many photographers are not aware of the fact that the larger format of the H System cameras provides a considerably shallower depth of field range, making it much easier to utilize selective focus to creative effect. When combined with True Focus, this opens enormous creative possibilities and technical accuracy. Add to this the modularity of the H4D-40 with its choice of bright image viewfinders and an extensive accessories program, and you get a feature set that makes a Hasselblad system, today, more than ever, a crucial component of any professional photographic toolbox.”

The H4D also comes bundled with Hasselblad’s new Phocus 2.0 imaging software, featuring a dramatically reduced learning curve, enabling the average photographer to be up to speed in less than 30 minutes, and a feature set that matches the industry standards defined by Adobe and Apple.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce the introduction of the H4D-40,” continues Hansen, “and look forward to welcoming a new generation of 35mm photographers as they step up to a higher level of image quality and begin to explore the creative possibilities provided by a Hasselblad system. With the H4D-40, photographers get a camera that is as easy to use – or even easier – than a high-end 35mm DSLR, but that comes with the famed Hasselblad image quality – larger lenses and sensors, more advanced optics, increased resolution and clarity, and all the other benefits of Hasselblad’s Medium Format DSLRs.”

“For over half a century,” Hansen concludes, “Hasselblad cameras have been the choice of the most discerning professionals and the reason for that loyalty has not changed – at Hasselblad, image quality always comes first. We will continue to pursue image quality perfection and will continue to provide the ultimate imaging tools for any application where image quality is important. And in the upcoming months we will do our best to see that as many 35mm photographers as possible get the opportunity to try these amazing products for themselves.”

Hasselblad is launching the H4D-40 worldwide via a series of dealer demonstrations and events in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The H4D-40 starts at 13 995 Euro / 19 995 USD / 12 995 GBP for camera body, viewfinder, and 80mm lens, and is available for immediate shipping. For dates and times of regional or local launch events, or to learn more about the advantages of the Hasselblad system, log on to www.hasselblad.com

True Focus: Delivering accurate composing at close distance with shallow depth of field

True Focus helps solve one of the most lingering challenges in professional photography, true, accurate focusing throughout the image field when working with shallow depth of field at closer range. Without multi-point autofocus a typical autofocus camera can only correctly measure focus on a subject that is in the center of the image. When a photographer wants to focus on a subject outside the center area, they have to lock focus on the subject and then re-compose the image. In short distances, this re-composing causes focus error, as the plane of focus sharpness follows the camera’s movement, perpendicular to the axis of the lens. The traditional solution for most DSLRs has been to equip the camera with a multi-point AF sensor. These sensors allow the photographer to fix an off-center focus point on an off-center subject, which is then focused correctly, but such multi-point AF solutions are often tedious and inflexible to work with and do not really solve the problem.

To overcome this problem, Hasselblad has used modern yaw rate sensor technology to measure angular velocity in an innovative way. The result is the new Absolute Position Lock (APL) processor, which forms the foundation of Hasselblad’s True Focus feature. The APL processor accurately logs camera movement during any re-composing, then uses these exact measurements to calculate the necessary focus adjustment, and issues the proper commands to the lens’s focus motor so it can compensate. The APL processor computes the advanced positional algorithms and carries out the required focus corrections at such rapid speed that no shutter lag occurs. The H4D’s firmware then further perfects the focus using the precise data retrieval system found on all HC/HCD lenses. The True Focus technology and APL (both patent pending) mark a significant milestone for Hasselblad’s high-end DSLR strategy and represent the result of many years of development work.

To read more about True Focus, please visit http://www.hasselblad.com/promotions/apl.aspx

The New H4D-60 From Hasselblad

Trevor Current — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:24:42 +0000

Sep 27, 2009 - Hasselblad introduced a new line of high-end pro DSLR cameras. The H4D-60 is the first of the H4D series cameras to be released. It was built on the successful H3D platform and features a 60MP medium format sensor with their new True Focus and Absolute Position Lock technologies for true, accurate focusing throughout the image. This camera is not for everyone though. If you’re a high-end commercial photographer who requires the ultimate in image quality and performance and you have about $42,500 to spend, then give the new H4D-60 a look.

PRESS RELEASE

Hasselblad launches new H4D high-end DSLR, featuring revolutionary
True Focus functionality.

25/09/2009 With the release of the new H4D-60, the first H4D camera and most recent addition to the Hasselblad H System, Hasselblad marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs. The H4D-60 will feature True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate for photography professionals.

As part of the celebration honoring the first manned lunar landing and the first lunar photography, camera manufacturer Hasselblad is announcing another first, the launch of the H4D camera series. The first model in the new series is the H4D-60, featuring a 60 Megapixel medium format sensor.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce the introduction of the H4D,” says Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad. “This step represents the natural evolution of our H System and of our photographic strategy in general. As part of our efforts to inspire 35mm photographers to step up to the quality found in high-end DSLRs, the H4D series is built upon the successful H3D platform and features our revolutionary True Focus technology. The H4D also comes bundled with our new Phocus 2.0 imaging software.”

True Focus and Absolute Position Lock

“True Focus helps solve one of the most lingering challenges that faces serious photographers today,” he continues, “true, accurate focusing throughout the image field. Without multi-point auto-focus a typical auto-focus camera can only correctly measure focus on a subject that is in the center of the image. When a photographer wants to focus on a subject outside the center area, they have to lock focus on the subject and then re-compose the image. In short distances especially, this re-composing causes focus error, as the plane of focus sharpness follows the camera’s movement, perpendicular to the axis of the lens.”

The traditional solution for most DSLRs has been to equip the camera with a multi-point AF sensor. These sensors allow the photographer to fix an off-center focus point on an off-center subject, which is then focused correctly. Such multi-point AF solutions are often tedious and inflexible to work with, however, and do not really solve the problem, claims Poulsen.

“Photographers have grown accustomed to using auto-focus systems in their day to day work and we see increasingly higher numbers of focus points advertised in each new wave of AF products. The term ‘multi-point auto-focus’ is a bit misleading, however, for cameras with sensors larger than APS,” claims Poulsen. “Due to the physics of an SLR-camera, the off-center focus points that are offered are all clustered relatively close to the center of the image. To set focus outside of this center area, the photographer is still forced to focus first, and then shift the camera to reframe, with the resulting loss of focus as a result.

“This technology takes AF to an entirely new level, correcting for the vertical and horizontal focus-shift that results from the rotation of the camera around an axis close to camera,” says Poulsen, “In simple terms, True Focus allows the photographer to concentrate on their composition, to focus on their creativity, while True Focus takes care of the other, more mechanical focus.”

True Focus on the H4D can be set to work at a half press of the camera release button, or via any user button programmed to AF-drive when the camera is in manual focus mode. This, the first release of True Focus, only corrects the horizontal and vertical positioning of the camera, and does not correct for any focus-shift which results from larger lateral movements of the camera during recomposing. The True Focus technology and APL (both patent pending) mark a significant milestone for Hasselblad’s high-end DSLR strategy and represent the result of many years of development work.

Faster Software, Shorter Learning Curve

The new user interface in Phocus 2.0 drastically reduces the learning curve for high-end imaging. The average photographer will be up to speed in less than 15 minutes, claims Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen. Functionality has not been lowered, however, with Phocus 2.0 matching or bettering the speed, functions, and usability found in Lightroom, Aperture, and Capture One.

“We’ve increased speed, increased functionality, and dramatically increased the speed at which photographers can learn to use this advanced software,” says Poulsen. “In less than 5 minutes an amateur photographer can learn to work with our images. In less than 10 minutes, learn how to setup for production of high-res files for Photoshop. In less than 20 minutes learn how to shoot tethered as a professional studio photographer. The new version of Phocus is just another step in our efforts to make complex functionality simple to use, allowing photographers to focus on their shooting.”

This philosophy lies behind a range of the features found in the H4D, including Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS), which achieves consistent color reproduction using a single color profile, and digital lens correction (DAC) which perfects each image captured through the HC/HCD lenses, by removing any trace of distortion, vignetting or chromatic aberrations. It was also the key motivation for what will surely be the most attractive feature in the new H4D, Hasselblad True Focus, explains Poulsen.

The Hasselblad H4D-60 will be available for delivery in January 2010 at a price of 28,995 €.

The Hasselblad H4D-50 will replace the H3DII-50. Delivery of the H4D-50 will begin in Q1, 2010 at a price of 19,995 €. H3DII-50 cameras purchased between now and Q1, 2010 will be upgraded to the H4D-50 free of charge. A program is also being announced for owners of H3D-31 and H3D-39 cameras to step up onto the H4D platform.

Certified Pre-Owned Products from Hasselblad

Trevor Current — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:35:31 +0000

Aug 23, 2009 - Hasselblad sent out an email this week with a pdf listing of deeply discounted Pre-owned products. Stock is limited so if you’re interested in anything you’ll need to act fast. Click here to download
the pdf.

Hasselblad USA Offers Huge Savings on Certified Pre-Owned Products

Trevor Current — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:23:53 +0000

May 19, 2009 - Hasselblad USA sent out an email offering huge savings on Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) products. Check out the below pdf price list for all of the great deals but hurry, quantities are limited so contact your Hasselblad Authorized Reseller to secure inventory. All products include a six month warranty.