MediumFormat
Latest
Hasselblad introduces the 50 megapixel H3DII-50
We haven't heard much from Hasselblad lately, but whenever the high-end cameramaker does make a peep, it's usually pretty impressive -- like the new 50 megapixel H3DII-50 back it just announced. Building on the H3DII-39 back, the 50 features a 36 X 48mm Kodak sensor twice the size of other full-frame DSLR sensors that generates 300MB files at 1FPS. Pricing hasn't been announced, but don't expect this bad boy to come in under the $37K pricetag of the 39 when it launches in October -- especially since Hasselblad says anyone who buys a 39 now can trade up to the 50 later for the difference in price and instructions on how to properly sleep on beds made of money.[Thanks, Douglas]
Phase One introduces elusive 645 medium format camera platform
It's been a solid tick since we've heard any rustling in the bushes from Phase One, but the company's striking back with a vengeance with the 645 (also known as the Mamiya 645AFDIII). Hailed as the "world's most flexible, open medium format digital camera platform," the unit plays nice with a smorgasbord of high-end lenses (Mamiya's 645 family, Hasselblad V-lenses and Pentacon Six lenses, for starters), and can achieve shutter speeds from 1/4000 second to 60 minutes. Unfortunately, that's about all the details we're given for now, and while pre-production units are sneaking out at this week's Photo Imaging Expo, we'll be forced to hang tight until Q2 before indulging in full technical specifications. No worries -- we figure most folks will need a quarter or so to save up, anyway. [Warning: PDF read link][Thanks, Harsh A.]
Pentax canceling the 645 Digital to focus on K-series DSLRs?
Pentax's 31.6 megapixel medium-format 645 Digital has been announced for over a year now -- we've even seen one in the flesh -- but it's never actually shipped, and now it looks like it never will. According to Impress, Pentax is killing off its digital medium format cameras to focus on K-series DSLRs, but the 645's film versions will live on. Considering the ever-more-competitive field of excellent prosumer cams out there, we can't say we fault the decision, but if there are any engineering samples lying around, we'll be happy to take 'em off Pentax's hands.
Hasselblad discontinues the H2 product line
We don't foresee too many tears being shed over this news, but the Hasselblad faithful will probably want to know that the tried and true H2 product line has been nixed. Not surprisingly, the company reported that "demand simply no longer justified the dedicated manufacturing line required for its production," and that it would be shifting those resources to the H3DII. On a more positive note, the outfit is introducing the H2F, which is being billed as a "greatly simplified film-only version of the H2," so those (still) sticking with film can look here to get their fix. Lastly, the firm reassured H1 / H2 owners that it would continue to support those products "for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase." So long, H2, it's been a good run.[Via CNET]
Pentax busts out Hasselbladian 31.6 megapixel 645 Digital
Pentax has apparently tapped Kodak to provide its 31.6 megapixel KAF-31600 medium format CCD for the upcoming 645 Digital, which would seem to be the company's highest resolution digital camera to date. So far all that's known from the pre-PMA announcement is that the 645 will sport both SD and CF slots, and will ship with a specially-built 55mm lens that's also compatible with 645-series SLR film cameras. We should find out more about this behemoth in early March -- although possibly not pricing and release info -- but one thing we can say for sure is that if it's priced anything like the Hasselblad H3D-31 whose sensor it shares, expect to pay out well into five figures.[Thanks, David N.]
Another forgettable compact from Rollei: the da6324
You'd think that a company like Rollei with such a proud history of manufacturing fine cameras with quality optics would be a little more discriminating about the digital models they release under the esteemed brand name, but lately all we've seen is a bunch of generic, re-badged OEM offerings that probably don't really represent the vision of founders Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke. Take the "new" 6.36 megapixel da6324 that the company introduced today, which is the exact same camera we saw yesterday being sold by Pentacon as the "Praktica Luxmedia 6203" -- 3x optical zoom, 2.4-inch TFT and all. Instead of watering down the brand with forgettable $250 models like these, maybe the company should concentrate on those medium format cameras they're famous for, and leave the crowded compact digicam market to players who want to offer the consumer some innovation.
