Hasselblad H3D 31 First Impressions Review

by Patrick Singleton
Published on March 13, 2007

Navigation
Intro	Physical Tour
Components	Design/Layout
Modes	Control Options
Image Parameters	Connectivity/Extras
Overall Impressions	Conclusion
Photo Gallery

The H3D 31 has a program mode and a variable program mode, which both set both aperture and shutter speed. The variable Program mode adapts its settings to the lens focal length, so it keeps the shutter speed higher with telephoto lenses. It also has aperture and shutter priority modes. It doesn't set anything else automatically – not white balance and not ISO.

 

Movie Mode

The H3D 31 does not have a movie mode. Its sensor is not designed for it.

 

The H3D 31 can shoot in single or continuous mode. At fast shutter speeds, it takes about 1.2 seconds per shot in burst mode, which is about 20 percent better than the H3D 39 or H3D 22. The obstacles to higher speed are probably both mechanical and digital. Because the H3D 31 uses leaf shutters in each lens, the chain of events for an exposure is longer than it is on cameras with focal-plane shutters. The reflex mirror flips up, the shutter in the lens closes, the shutter in the camera opens, the shutter in the lens opens and closes again, the camera shutter closes, and the reflex mirror flips back down. The problem is compounded by the fact that all of these components are larger than they are in smaller cameras. Of course, there's plenty of heavy lifting going on digitally as well.

 

The H3D 31 also offers a self-timer capable of delays from 2 to 60 seconds, and an interval timer that can be set to shoot up to 255 images at intervals of 1 second to 1 hour. Presumably, when it's set to 1 second intervals, it does its best, chugging along at 1.2 seconds.

 

The 2.2-inch LCD is small, and it shows low-resolution thumbnails of the H3D 31's RAW images, rather than rendering the large files to the LCD. It can be set to show exposure, white balance, ISO, meter pattern, exposure mode, date and time, lens focal length and a very readable histogram. It also shows the Instant Approval Architecture rating, in the form of a Green, Yellow or Red dot. The H3D 31 classifies images as either Green – well-exposed and in focus – or Yellow – problematic. During playback, the user can reclassify images from one color to another, which is the only way images can get a Red designation. “Red” images can be automatically deleted from memory if the H3D 31 runs out of media space while shooting. IAA can be shut off, and the user can set all images shot to a Green or Yellow rating. The user can view images by rating and delete by rating as well. The ratings carry over when images are downloaded to FlexColor software and can be used for sorting in the software. The H3D 31 also offers a blinking warning for blown highlights.

 

Custom image presets are automatic settings adapted for particular kinds of shots – landscapes, portraits, sports and so on. The H3D 31 doesn't offer any of these.