Hasselblad H2D 39-megapixel medium-format digicam

For most people, a digital camera upgrade means trashing the old point-and-shoot and getting a DSLR. For pros that are used to medium-format gear, an upgrade may well mean finding a way to justify buying a Hasselblad H2D-39, a 39-megapixel behemoth that we assume is based on Kodak's previously announced 39-megapixel CCD (no CCD provider is listed in the specs, but Kodak makes other CCDs for Hassy and, really, how many 39-megapixel imagers are there?). The new camera includes new color-correction technology, a 2.2-inch OLED display and the ability to work with tethered hard drives (after all, the RAW files this shoots are a whopping 78MB each). Hasselblad has also announced three digital backs based on the same CCD, for use with Hasselblad H2 cameras. One version, the CF-39MS (Multi Shot), uses multiple exposures to improve color accuracy. Pricing on the H2D is expected to be about $31,000, with the backs going for similar prices, with the exception of the CF-39MS, which will go for close to $40,000. All models are due out later this year. Start saving those pennies.

[Thanks, Fino]

[billflu @ Jan 11th 2006 6:35PM]

Wow.

[ET @ Jan 11th 2006 6:57PM]

HOLY ****!

[Jarrod Turner @ Jan 11th 2006 7:00PM]

And the macbook doesn't have fw800 why?



These babies are fw800 only (400 compatible but something like a 5 second delay between shots). I really don't see why they're rolling out new cameras though when the H2D has some serious problems still. There's still a delay of about 4 seconds now until they get their hardware right.

[Phone Reviews @ Jan 11th 2006 7:17PM]

How much, jeeze that is alot, cool product but with a cool price....... freezing.

[Brian @ Jan 11th 2006 7:49PM]

For that price, it had better come with a bar-tending midget who knows kung fu.

[steve @ Jan 11th 2006 8:58PM]

Another "popular" alternative is the Leaf back. I've used their 22 Mpel models and the Aptus 75 is seriously exciting. For 6x7 cameras - 6726 x 5040 pixel/16 bit with 200MB RAW images and pixels big enough to keep noise manageable. It uses a 33Mpixel DALSA chip.



not cheap

[Andrew @ Jan 11th 2006 10:37PM]

So that's why TigerDirect is selling a 512GB SD card.

[Matthew Rader @ Jan 11th 2006 11:12PM]

No Biggie, Phase One announced their 39MP backs many months ago.

[Brian @ Jan 11th 2006 11:31PM]

No biggie? Hasselblad is only the bently of cameras.

[danconnortown @ Jan 11th 2006 11:32PM]

I'm not to sure i would think it's going to be a Kodak digital back. I mean, Phase One is shipping their P45 digital backs, which are also 39mp and also tetherless and utilizing an advanced raw format that minimizes raw file sizes to allow more storage on the cards. Hasselblad also has a reasonable history of working with Phase One, although the cool chip technology in Hasselblad's own imacon backs is something that most pros find very useful, especially considering moir?ssues with chips that get warm. The battery config on the back in this photo looks more akin to the imacon back available for the original H1d. it's not likely that makers like Leaf, Phase, or Imacon are seen as lagging in the ability to produce backs with CCDs that are as large as something Kodak might release. Also, the fact that the back is bundled with Flexcolor software, lends creedence to the likelihood the back is very closely related to the Imacon gene pool.

[carpeicthus @ Jan 11th 2006 11:48PM]

I can't imagine why anyone would buy a "D" model of this camera (or H2D or H1D). Medium format back technology is still evolving pretty rapidly, and at least 90 percent of the unit cost is the back, so wouldn't it make *much* more sense to buy the camera equipment and lease the back? These cameras are modular anyway, it doesn't make much difference in form.

[bk @ Jan 11th 2006 11:49PM]

Why in the world would one need 39 megapixel? What, planning to creating posters for Times Square?

[ChrisF @ Jan 12th 2006 12:21AM]

Danconnortown: Hasselblad and Imacon are one company now but the chip in these backs (and the 22MP backs) is made by Kodak... same as with Phase One.

As for batteries, the H2D uses the battery in the grip to power the whole system. Battery life seems a little shaky at this point.

None of the camera manufacturers make their own CCDs- they either come from Kodak or Dalsa.

[Derek @ Jan 12th 2006 12:23AM]

#12 That's seriously what I was wondering. I mean, if you're doing professional photography, how far away from the subject are you usually? And isn't this why they have telephoto lenses? Of course, I wouldn't mind having one of those 4 gigapixel cams... http://www.popsci.com/popsci/technology/generaltechnology/43f47ce253607010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

[Khaytsus @ Jan 12th 2006 8:35AM]

Derek,



I bet you're one of those people that say "my cameraphone takes great shots!" Don't comment if you're clueless, thanks.

[r @ Jan 12th 2006 10:30AM]

bk: the 6-16MP range doesn't cut it for professional print use unless you're talking about small-ish newspaper photos. A photo is a photo and a powerful one will be used no matter the resolution, but there's certainly a large professional market for 22+MP cameras and backs.

[mark @ Jan 12th 2006 10:49AM]

#12 and #14 -- these types of digital backs are mostly used for studio photography (fashion, product beauty shots, etc) in which you need extremely high-res files for offset-printed posters, in-store POP displays, and so on. For this type of output you need a final file at 100% of the output size and a pixel density of 300ppi, and you don't want to res up digital captures much because their quality quickly degrades. So you need as much resolution as you can get right from the beginning.



The irony is that a Times Square billboard requires LESS resolution because nobody's looking at it up close, so it can be printed at 50dpi or less.



(By the way, the market for this camera is indeed the sort of people who might need to create a billboard, or large in-store posters or what have you.)

[Derek @ Jan 12th 2006 6:52PM]

Hey Mark, thanks for your honest answer, without sounding like you've got sand in your vagina, like Khaytsus.



I am not a professional photographer, and my 5.5MP works just fine for my day-to-day needs. I hadn't really thought about those big ass in store displays.

[RickDeez @ Jan 12th 2006 8:47PM]

in response to "r", # 16

saying a 16mp image, or even a 10mp, "doesn't cut it" for pros who have their work printed is one of the most assine statements i've ever read in my life.

there is a reason that that a majority of published working professionals do just fine with the likes of a Canon 1ds.