Hasselblad H series discontinued.

With this series going away, that leaves Phase as the only maker using digital backs with the 54x40mm sensor. Been quite some time since Phase One announced anything new. Have we seen the last of this larger MF sensor? Or will somebody shock us and announce a new mirrorless platform using the big sensor? I find it hard to believe we'll be left with 44x33 as the biggest MF option available...

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My site:
http://www.gipperich-photography.com

themediocreenthusiast said:

Well, the video-image showing a "massive" GFX100 vs a silly sensor cube is visually biased to begin with.

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A visually unbiased explanation for the image is that it is intended to be a casual illustration of the difference in the size of the sensors. You can see the sensor in the "silly sensor cube" [more commonly known as a digital back] and in the camera body and I suspect that was the intent of the image.

That explanation would account for the lack of a lens attached to the GFX body and the lack of the body attached to the digital back as either would block the view of the sensor. That's how I perceive it anyway. But, we all perceive things in our own way.

404 error when checking out; also, B &H shows the discontinued for this lens. Incongruous that Hasselblad still promotes the light kit outfit including 45mm F4 and 21mm; that is unless they are liquidating excess inventory? That together with continuing delay of 90mm f2.5v might suggest a sale of the asset or refocus to products more in demand..

Though DJi states it does not produce/sell military grade drones, the DOD reviewed their practices in 2021. Jury is still out, but they would be a logical choice to support Chinese military efforts.

Whether or not H is for sale, would there be enough demand for Canon/Nikon to enter this tiny market?
Is the GFX 100 system adapted fully to support the studio/product/fashion professional worldwide? I have some doubts.

Mr Flip said:

404 error when checking out; also, B &H shows the discontinued for this lens. Incongruous that Hasselblad still promotes the light kit outfit including 45mm F4 and 21mm; that is unless they are liquidating excess inventory? That together with continuing delay of 90mm f2.5v might suggest a sale of the asset or refocus to products more in demand..

Though DJi states it does not produce/sell military grade drones, the DOD reviewed their practices in 2021. Jury is still out, but they would be a logical choice to support Chinese military efforts.

Whether or not H is for sale, would there be enough demand for Canon/Nikon to enter this tiny market?
Is the GFX 100 system adapted fully to support the studio/product/fashion professional worldwide? I have some doubts.

Click to expand...

Discontinued…

Mr Flip said:

Whether or not H is for sale, would there be enough demand for Canon/Nikon to enter this tiny market?
Is the GFX 100 system adapted fully to support the studio/product/fashion professional worldwide? I have some doubts.

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My guess is DJI was never interested in long term viability of Hassleblad beyond its name brand which it will continue to use in its drones. Hasselblad will continue to design optics for drones but beyond that I doubt it will be making cameras 10 yrs from now.



just my 2 cents

Mr Flip said:

Whether or not H is for sale, would there be enough demand for Canon/Nikon to enter this tiny market?
Is the GFX 100 system adapted fully to support the studio/product/fashion professional worldwide? I have some doubts.

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No there is not enough for Canon/Nikon. They won’t move anywhere near enough cameras to justify. PhaseOne still covers that type of camera but they do not (and will not) offer a pixel-shift/multi-shot version.

The GFX 100, X2D, Pentax 645, and Leica S3 are options in the 44x33 format range. A lot of fashion and product shooters are using Canons in many cases and the 44x33 options are there. Only the high end really need the 53.5x40mm sensors. Some of those are people shooting for designers who may use multiple crops, some of those are for ad buyers that need to show they’re not sparing any expense, many of them are for museums and such where you need to document with the highest level of detail.

Mr Flip said:

404 error when checking out; also, B &H shows the discontinued for this lens. Incongruous that Hasselblad still promotes the light kit outfit including 45mm F4 and 21mm; that is unless they are liquidating excess inventory? That together with continuing delay of 90mm f2.5v might suggest a sale of the asset or refocus to products more in demand..

Click to expand...

Hasselblad introduced a new series of XCD V lenses with new design features 8 months ago. The first two in that series began shipping shortly after announcement. One, the 90V, has a new and unique shutter design with a faster top speed of 1/4,000 and this lens has been delayed in shipping.

It appears the XCD 21 mm is being phased out, most likely to be replaced with a model incorporating new design features like a manual focusing ring with distance markers, depth of field scale, and multifunction control ring.

Mr Flip said:

Though DJi states it does not produce/sell military grade drones, the DOD reviewed their practices in 2021. Jury is still out, but they would be a logical choice to support Chinese military efforts.

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Drones, like many things, can have multiple uses and multiple users. But, it should be understood that DJI and Hasselblad are two different companies. DJI, thru its majority control of Hasselblad's parent company (Hasselblad Holding S.à r.l in Luxembourg), has indirect control with Hasselblad being an independently operating subsidiary of DJI, but not a division. It's a distinction entailing multiple differences.

The two companies are legally and financially separate and district entities connected thru Hasselblad's parent company in Luxembourg and a DJI company in the British Virgin Islands which holds controlling interest in that parent.

Mr Flip said:

Whether or not H is for sale...

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There's no evidence that Hasselblad is for sale nor any reason I can think of why it would be. Hasselblad is profitable and has a synergy with DJI which doesn't conflict due to their separate segments within the imaging market.

DJI is in the imaging business, not a private equity firm buying companies to flip. Their investment in Hasselblad has brought profits and funded several new products over the last seven years.

Hasselblad introduced a new series of XCD V lenses with new design features 8 months ago. The first two in that series began shipping shortly after announcement. One, the 90V, has a new and unique shutter design with a faster top speed of 1/4,000 and this lens has been delayed in shipping.

It appears the XCD 21 mm is being phased out, most likely to be replaced with a model incorporating new design features like a manual focusing ring with distance markers, depth of field scale, and multifunction control ring.

I like your optimism. The image quality and outstanding ibis of x2d are enough to attract continuing demand. I wasn’t able to find Hasselblad financial statements online, and their recent decisions could suggest simply a reality check and meeting consumer market demand rather than a few one off pro needs.

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).



The IQ4 may have sufficient resolution to meet the demand of museums, replacing the H multi shot camera. IDK, but I recently saw one used ina gallery setting for archiving high end artwork.

Well informed commentary. Thank you.

Whether or not Hasselblad is a wholly owned subsidiary, DJI controls the board, and/or has made an investment in H, the viability question arises and what is that threshold for DJI. Company structures are established more for tax and control matters than public optics. Profitability is one thing, but ROI and the need to invest in further development costs raises the question, how much cash H requires to meet market demands in the next 5-10 years. Theirs is a premium product in a contracting market.

Also, DJI’s attention span might be diverted with Iran’s sale of drones in the Ukranian matter. In a situation where reality is imitating art, the drone world of George Lucas is at the threshold.

yogi4fitness said:

My guess is DJI was never interested in long term viability of Hassleblad beyond its name brand which it will continue to use in its drones. Hasselblad will continue to design optics for drones but beyond that I doubt it will be making cameras 10 yrs from now.

just my 2 cents

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DJI first started investing Hasselblad in 2015, invested more in 2016, and took majority control at the beginning of 2017. In the digital camera business, that's already a long-term investment and commitment.

DJI provided the necessary funding to complete and launch the H6D-100C, X1D, X1D II, 907X 50C, H6D-400C, X2D 100C, and all of the XCD / XCD V lenses from 2015 until now. DJI supplied technology personnel and support for the latest products. Hasselblad has also been putting a substantial portion of their revenue back into R&D, 10.8 million for the year in 2021.

DJI provided the capital to put Hasselblad on sound financial ground and make them profitable again. I haven't seen any indication that DJI doesn't like making profits. I don't see what there is to suggest "DJI was never interested in long term viability of Hasselblad beyond its name brand" — considering the steady stream of new products launched and financial investments made over the past seven years.

Predicting 10 years into the future of the roller coaster world of the camera manufacturing business is extremely difficult as the dips and curves tend to be extreme.

1) Compact digital camera shipments: 2010 – 108.6 million units / 2012 – 78 million units / 2022 – 2.1 million units

2) DSLR shipments: 2012 – 16.2 million units / 2022 – 1.9 million units

3) Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras: 2012 – 4 million units / 2022 – 4.1 million units.

Digital Still Cameras Total (All Types): 2012 – 98.1 million units / 2022 – 8 million units

www.cipa.jp/stats/documents/Total Shipments of Digital Still Cameras - Classified by Type.pdf

The three main categories of digital still cameras produced are: 1) effectively deceased; 2) following the same path as 1 — but a little more slowly; 3) stagnant. Personally, I'd rather gamble $1 on a lottery ticket than try to guess what the camera market will look like 10 years from now. Just my $1 — no more.

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs. I haven't seen any evidence that Hasselblad is not supporting H series parts and repairs, rumors and assertions on the internet notwithstanding. For some legacy products, service is handled by an authorized danish company B23, also known as hasselbladrepair.com, which is owned by the former Service and Production Manager for Hasselblad in Denmark.

Complaints and conjecture are the Internet's middle names and the life blood of its forums. Where would it be without it?

Mr Flip said:

Well informed commentary. Thank you.

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Just offering my own viewpoint. It's easy to find speculation and drama online, I prefer less of both whenever possible.

Mr Flip said:

Profitability is one thing, but ROI and the need to invest in further development costs raises the question, how much cash H requires to meet market demands in the next 5-10 years. Theirs is a premium product in a contracting market.

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Hasselblad has been reinvesting substantial portions of their own gross profits back into R&D to remain competitive. The most recent public financial statement is from 2021: revenue €63.4 million / R&D expenditures €10.8 million / pretax profit €3.2 million. [2022 update: revenue €66.1 million / R&D expenditures €13.4 million / pretax profit €1.9 million.]

Mr Flip said:

Also, DJI’s attention span might be diverted with Iran’s sale of drones in the Ukranian matter. In a situation where reality is imitating art, the drone world of George Lucas is at the threshold.

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It is still worth understanding that Hasselblad is not a division of DJI, but a separate corporate entity. One difference between a division and a subsidiary is that if you work for Victor Hasselblad AB in Sweden, Hasselblad is your employer; not the majority share holder in the parent holding company which can change over time. Hasselblad signs your paycheck and manages its day-to-day operations. The board provides overall supervision and direction.

You were a Hasselblad employee when control was held by Ventizz Capital, Shriro Group, UBS Capital, Incentive AB, Säfveån AB, or by Victor himself and you're still a Hasselblad employee today with DJI appointees controlling the supervisory board. Your duty and responsibility as an employee lie with Hasselblad as your employer, not the majority share holder in the parent holding company.

Not so with a division, which is an organization wholly contained and controlled inside a business. In a division, the business entity in which the division is contained is your employer and to whom you are responsible as an employee. A division is just one operating part of a single business entity.

Nice discussing this all with you. Best wishes.

TechTalk2 said:

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs.

Click to expand...

As you know, DJI closed the East coast U.S. Hasselblad repair facility and moved everything (unannounced) to an existing DJI building in Southern California.

TechTalk2 said:

I haven't seen any evidence that Hasselblad is not supporting H series parts and repairs, rumors and assertions on the internet notwithstanding. For some legacy products, service is handled by an authorized danish company B23, also known as hasselbladrepair.com, which is owned by the former Service and Production Manager for Hasselblad in Denmark.

Complaints and conjecture are the Internet's middle names and the life blood of its forums. Where would it be without it?

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And where we would it be without people complaining about complaining.

Sunrise, sunset.

The cycle goes on…

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs.

Click to expand...

As you know, DJI closed the East coast U.S. Hasselblad repair facility and moved everything (unannounced) to an existing DJI building in Southern California.

Click to expand...

I know that Hasselblad closed their New Jersey U.S office and moved into a space shared with DJI in Burbank because they announced it.

They did announce it, but with very little notice. We had a camera in for repair when they announced they’d be closed for a couple weeks while they moved.

My bigger issue is they let Paul go. Anyone who’s been working with Hasselblad for a long time knows how critical he was to keeping the service experience a positive one.

--
\~K

TechTalk2 said:

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs.

Click to expand...

As you know, DJI closed the East coast U.S. Hasselblad repair facility and moved everything (unannounced) to an existing DJI building in Southern California.

Click to expand...

I know that Hasselblad closed their New Jersey U.S office and moved into a space shared with DJI in Burbank because they announced it.

Click to expand...

To be truthful, you were first alerted to the news when I reported it as a rumor, which was belatedly confirmed by DJi, after they had packed up people’s repairs and shipped them, without informing them.

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs.

Click to expand...

As you know, DJI closed the East coast U.S. Hasselblad repair facility and moved everything (unannounced) to an existing DJI building in Southern California.

Click to expand...

I know that Hasselblad closed their New Jersey U.S office and moved into a space shared with DJI in Burbank because they announced it.

Click to expand...

To be truthful, you were first alerted to the news when I reported it as a rumor, which was belatedly confirmed by DJi, after they had packed up people’s repairs and shipped them, without informing them.

Click to expand...

Hasselblad confirmed the move in an announcement. Hasselblad has had several different owners since Victor sold the business back in 1976. I just don't recall the previous owner's names being substituted for Hasselblad's until DJI acquired controlling interest.

I don't remember hearing or seeing people saying 'UBS Capital announced...' or 'Incentive AB has discontinued...' instead of using Hasselblad's name. Isn't that odd?

TechTalk2 said:

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Doppler9000 said:

TechTalk2 said:

Mr Flip said:

If dji were willing to support H series repair and replacement parts, it might quell existing customer complaints (and conjecture).

Click to expand...

It's Hasselblad that provides parts and repair for their products, as does DJI for theirs.

Click to expand...

As you know, DJI closed the East coast U.S. Hasselblad repair facility and moved everything (unannounced) to an existing DJI building in Southern California.

Click to expand...

I know that Hasselblad closed their New Jersey U.S office and moved into a space shared with DJI in Burbank because they announced it.

Click to expand...

To be truthful, you were first alerted to the news when I reported it as a rumor, which was belatedly confirmed by DJi, after they had packed up people’s repairs and shipped them, without informing them.

Click to expand...

Hasselblad confirmed the move in an announcement. Hasselblad has had several different owners since Victor sold the business back in 1976. I just don't recall the previous owner's names being substituted for Hasselblad's until DJI acquired controlling interest.

I don't remember hearing or seeing people saying 'UBS Capital announced...' or 'Incentive AB has discontinued...' instead of using Hasselblad's name. Isn't that odd?

Click to expand...

Not particularly. There is a fundamental difference between an owner holding Hasselblad as a financial investment in a portfolio, and an industry member that cross-brands, etc.

kb2zuz said:

They did announce it, but with very little notice. We had a camera in for repair when they announced they’d be closed for a couple weeks while they moved.

My bigger issue is they let Paul go. Anyone who’s been working with Hasselblad for a long time knows how critical he was to keeping the service experience a positive one.

Click to expand...

Paul Claesson is as good as they come. No question there.