Digital Camera News

Hasselblad Unveils World’s First 48mm H3D DSLR

Cologne, Germany, September 27, 2006 – Hasselblad launched the world’s first full frame 48mm DSLR, the H3D at a Photokina press conference. Praised as the world’s first 48mm full frame DSLR by Hasselblad, the new H3D is available in the 22 megapixel count H3D-22 and the high 39-megapixel H3D-39.

The Hasselblad H3D was designed to provide medium format quality in a more compact digital back. The camera has a large 22 or 39 megapixel, 36.7 x 49mm sensor and 2.2-inch OLED display.  With a new engine, the camera promises to provide the company's new "Ultra-Focus" auto focus standard.

Under the new motto of the Hasselblad Star Standard, the H3D has a combined package of clarity, color, sharpness, detail, and resolution, according to Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen at the conference. "What Victor Hasselblad managed to develop with the classic V camera system, the H3D now extends into the digital age," said Poulsen.

The camera possesses a Digital APO Correction (DAC) to reduce chromatic aberration. The camera has a sensitivity range of 50-400 ISO and a shutter speed from 32 seconds to 1/800 of a second. Allowing for only single shot shooting mode, the camera captures images in the DNG file format. The H3D also Includes FlexColor software.

Like the V-system viewfinder, Hasselblad announced the waist-level viewfinder for H-series cameras. The waist-level viewfinder enables photographer to better frame an image and to help maintain photographer-subject eye contact for better photos, said Poulsen.

Along with the announcement of their H3D camera, Hasselblad introduced the 28mm wide angle HCD 4/28 lens designed for their DSLR. The lens is touted as another "world’s first," in Hasselblad’s press release, possessing a 95 degree diagonal angle of view with its 28mm lens.
The HCD 4/28 has 12 elements in 9 groups and ranges from f/4 – f/32. Like the HC lenses, the HCD lens is made from a metal instead of plastic and weighs 850g (approximately 30 ounces).

The HCD 4/28 is only compatible with the H3D digital use, according to the Hasselblad website. The HCD 4/28 lens is not compatible with the analog HM 16-32, HMi 100, or the H17x converter.

Celebrating founder Victor Hasselblad’s 100th birthday this summer, Hasselblad is offering the new H3D as the grand prize to its online Hasselblad Anniversary Quiz.  The questionnaire launched yesterday, will continue until November 27th. The Hasselblad Anniversary Quiz can be found at www.hasselblad.com/anniversary.