Hasselblad's 39 megapixel H3DII-39MS DSLR brings the multi-shot

It can't be easy to improve upon a $37,000, 39 megapixel DSLR, but high-end camera manufacturer Hasselblad claims to have done just that with its H3DII-39MS, which adds a multi-shot feature (and $7,000) to the recently-announced H3DII-39 (pictured). Targeted at architectural and still-life photographers, the 39MS essentially takes its sibling's body and tacks on Hasselblad's CF-39MS digital back, promising unprecedented performance and image quality when firing off multiple shots of the same scene. Look for this new model in stores (specialty retailers, not Best Buy) starting in January of next year.

[David @ Oct 18th 2007 8:51AM]

I want it.

[TDG01 @ Oct 18th 2007 9:05AM]

i wouldn't know what to do with it

[ryantrevisol @ Oct 18th 2007 9:25AM]

1GB Jpegs FTW!

[saycheese @ Oct 18th 2007 9:24AM]

Is it just me, or does anybody think it's funny that Engadget mentions the camera is aimed at architecture and still-life photographers, yet, the camera now offers a $7K add-on multi-shot upgrade !!

In the words of the caveman, "Uh, What !!"

[sane @ Oct 18th 2007 9:33AM]

Skateboard photographers use the Hasselblad for cover shots. I'm drooling just imagining being able to take a sequence of that calibre/resolution.

That's their target, sports photographers, fashion cover shoots where a split second distinguishes a perfect shot from a good one.

yep, still drooling

[craig @ Oct 18th 2007 11:03AM]

If a "skateboard photographer" can't get the timing right without continuous shooting, then he's not a photographer. That's what photographers do and skateboard shooting isn't anything special in that respect.

[kumbhani @ Oct 18th 2007 11:42AM]

Multiple shots is necessary when doing high dynamic range photography. Most cameras are limited in their dynamic range due to a global white balancing. By taking multiple shots at different ranges (typically adjusted using exposure compensation settings) and combining them in postprocessing, you can get images that look more realistic (i.e., how you or I would normally see the scene). Hope this helps.

[mike @ Oct 18th 2007 11:43AM]

Ummm ... I think that this is aimed at HDR applications, not action shots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

[DingDong @ Oct 18th 2007 11:53AM]

I can't imagine anyone using this for sports, unless it is fixed in an arena. A "skateboard photographer" probably doesn't know what a Hasselblad is, he shoots with whatever his mommy gave him for high school graduation.

[unkone @ Oct 18th 2007 1:54PM]

^^ You could not be more wrong. They might not be using these new digital cameras, but they are using medium format Hasselblad's. Usually Hasselblad 500cm or better

[Joseph @ Oct 18th 2007 5:47PM]

Makes sense if your landscape has moving items like the ocean or clouds.

[Joseph @ Oct 18th 2007 5:48PM]

I mean to specify for HDR landscape shots or stitching together panos(400 mp panos).

[John Alfred @ Oct 18th 2007 7:17PM]

Multi shot is predominately used to capture still life or architectural images in super high resolution (for increased tonal range & image definition).
Instead of taking 1 shot it takes 3 shots (one for red, one for green & one for the blue channel) each at the chips highest resolution.
So you end up with a massive file, well over 300MB.
The Hasselblad H series of cameras are practically useless for action shots (unless using high speed, low flash duration flash light) as it's top shutter speed is only 1/800. Combined with a digital chip this makes for blurry images at anything more than walking speed.

[Joe_Templeman @ Oct 18th 2007 10:06PM]

--------If a "skateboard photographer" can't get the timing right without continuous shooting, then he's not a photographer.--------

Open up a skateboarding magazine moron. You will see that a large percentage of shots aren't single images but sequences. Its the only way to capture complex and technical tricks.

I do however agree that HDR images are also what cameras like these are for.

[mike @ Oct 19th 2007 1:07PM]

John A ... wouldn't that assume that there's no Bayer filter? How does that work when you DON'T want to take 3 shots?

[pauly @ Oct 18th 2007 9:26AM]

Definitely an amazing camera, but even if you are a pro would you spend $37,000?

[MacFly @ Oct 18th 2007 9:35AM]

Guess it depends on how much you're charging clients for you photos

[Preston @ Oct 18th 2007 9:40AM]

The answer is yes.

[Eric @ Oct 18th 2007 10:55AM]

Who would spend $37,000? Photographers in New York who charge $15,000 a day. That's who.

[Devon @ Oct 18th 2007 11:48AM]

Most photographers will rent these cameras for a shoot.
I am quite sure that the rental on one of these isn't cheap either.

[Luigi193 @ Oct 18th 2007 9:40AM]

Holy Mother of Crap thats a lot of megapixels...

[jon @ Oct 18th 2007 9:40AM]

Actually the "multishot" is not for sequence photos, its for combining 4 shots into one, still life only. You do this to get more information per pixel.

[Gilbert Nelson @ Oct 18th 2007 9:44AM]

SLOBBER, SLOBBER...I'M DROOLING!!!!!!!!!!
I'VE GOT TO WIN THE LOTTERY!

[Alexander @ Oct 18th 2007 9:53AM]

How long does it take to have that picture written to _whatever_ memory card you have in the camera?

Holy Long-Load times, Batman!

[Joseph @ Oct 18th 2007 5:50PM]

you probably arent using memory cards. probably a hard drive or direct to PC.

[vanboy @ Oct 18th 2007 10:01AM]

You guys do know that mega pixel doesn't mean $hit for camera's quality, right?

It depends on the size of photo you are printing and the quality of hardware/software from the camera. A good 5 MP camera can easily beat a bad 10 MP camera.

[James Williams @ Oct 18th 2007 10:20AM]

Of course, since this is a Hasselblad, words like "good" and "bad" don't really apply.

The words your looking for are "awesome", "amazing", or possibly "the camera that God himself would have used to shoot the resurrection, if only he'd thought of it."

[jon @ Oct 18th 2007 10:31AM]

"Of course, since this is a Hasselblad, words like "good" and "bad" don't really apply."

Yes, words like "lens error? WTF!" apply.

And for the record God himself would have used a classic Hasselblad 503 (you know when Hasselblad actually had good lenses, not fuji crap) with a Phase back. (Heresy not intended)

[Wwhat @ Oct 18th 2007 7:10PM]

Would be a typical sick behavior of god to go al ghraib like that.

[shmengie @ Oct 18th 2007 10:52AM]

i'm holding out for a gigapixel camera.

[tekdroid @ Oct 18th 2007 11:22AM]

that price hassles my bladder.

[Ryan @ Oct 18th 2007 11:25AM]

Drooling.. but seriously $37,000!!?? If I ever have a client requesting wall murals or billboards I'll drop a couple hundred dollars to rent one. I would imagine most pros would be in the same boat. I dont know anyone who could justify that, and if anyone other than maybe Annie Leibowitz is charging clients $15,000 a day thinks WAY to highly of themselves.

[Ender @ Oct 18th 2007 11:31AM]

My department has a Hasselblad with an Imacon 22-megapixel digital back. It's a couple years old and hence the improvement to 39 megapixels now. And yes, the images are unimaginably large and as you would assume, insanely detailed... You can see ever hair on the women's faces which is sometimes scary. Pair this with a great photographer and you have world-class photos.

[Magallanes @ Oct 18th 2007 3:40PM]

But magazines are just 300-600dpi so the only way to use those megapixel are for a big canvas or for detect minor details.

[Mark @ Oct 18th 2007 12:14PM]

I bet this gets great prints for 4x6's :)

[kevjohn @ Oct 18th 2007 1:08PM]

You need to start marking these articles as NSFW. Looking at this Hassy gave me a minor erection.

[nathan.wong @ Oct 18th 2007 2:19PM]

The real question you should be asking is "does the lens come with it?" You'll find the answer is "no." That's a minimum of $3500 more you'll need to spend.

If you want to see this in action check out "America's Next Top Model." The photographers are always using that camera.

[kevjohn @ Oct 18th 2007 3:24PM]

That's the only reason I watch that show.

Honest.

[lapa @ Oct 19th 2007 8:10AM]

What is multishot? I mean, what prevents you taking multiple shots with standard Hasselblad?