Hasselblad
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This article is about Victor Hasselblad AB, the Swedish company.| Victor Hasselblad AB |
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Victor Hasselblad AB is a Swedish manufacturer of medium-format cameras and photographic equipment based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The company is best known for the range of medium-format cameras it has produced since World War II.
Perhaps the most famous use of the Hasselblad camera was during the Apollo Program missions when man first landed on the Moon. Almost all of the still photographs taken during these missions used specially modified Hasselblad cameras.
Hasselblad cameras are still widely used by professional and serious amateur photographers. One reason is the superior image quality of 6x6cm size rollfilm over smaller film and digital sensor formats, along with a reputation for long service life and quality of available lenses.
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[edit] Company history
The company was established in 1841 as a trading company. In 1888, Hasselblad became the sole Swedish distributor of photographic products from Eastman. In 1908 the company established a separate photographic division (Fotografiska AB) to respond to the growth in the photography market.
[edit] World War II
During World War II, the Swedish military captured a fully functioning German aerial surveillance camera from a downed German plane. The Swedish government soon realised the strategic advantage of developing such a camera, and in the spring of 1940 approached Victor Hasselblad to develop such a camera. In 1941 this became the first Hasselblad camera, the HK7. The camera HK7 used 80mm film and had two interchangeable lenses. Between 1941 and 1945, Hasselblad delivered 342 cameras to the Swedish military.[1]
[edit] Post-war
After the war, camera production changed into civilian cameras. The first non-military camera, the 1600F, was released in 1948. The 1600F was superseded in 1952 by the 1000F, which was replaced in turn by the 500C in 1957. The first Supreme Wide Angle camera was released in 1954. The first motor-driven camera, the 500EL, appeared in 1965.[2]
[edit] The move to digital
In 1985 Hasselblad established the subsidiary, Hasselblad Electronic Imaging AB, to focus on digital imaging and transmission systems.[3]
In January 2003 Shriro Group acquired a majority shareholding in Hasselblad. The group had been the distributors for Hasselblad in Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia for over 45 years. [4]
In August 2004, Shriro Sweden, the holding company of Victor Hasselblad AB, and Swedish subsidiary of Shriro Group, announced the acquisition of high-end scanner and digital cameraback manufacturer, Imacon. The intent of the move was to accelerate Hasselblad’s ambitions in the professional digital photographic sector.[5]
The move was perceived as part of an industry-wide move to respond to the trend away from film to digital. Christian Poulsen, chief executive of Hasselblad after the merger, said, "They finally realized there was no future. It was impossible to keep Hasselblad alive without digital.".[6]
Imacon is a manufacturer of digital photography equipment, e.g. digital camera backs.
[edit] Hasselblad cameras in space
The Hasselblad cameras were selected by NASA because of their interchangeable lenses and magazines. Modifications were made to permit ease-of-use in cramped conditions and while wearing spacesuits, such as the replacement of the reflex mirror with an eye-level finder.
Modifications by NASA technicians were further refined and incorporated into new models by Hasselblad. For example, development of a 70mm magazine was accelerated to meet the space program.
The first modified (in fact simplified) Hasselblad 500C cameras were used on the last two Project Mercury missions in 1962 and 1963. They continued to be used throughout the Gemini spaceflights in 1965 and 1966.
A general program of reliability and safety was implemented following the Apollo 1 fire in 1967, addressing such issues as reliability and safe operation of electrical equipment in a high-oxygen environment.[8]
EL electric cameras were used for the first time on Apollo 8. A heavily modified 500 EL, the so called Hasselblad Electric Camera (HEC) was used from Apollo 8 on board the spacecraft. Three 500EL cameras were carried on Apollo 11. An even more modified Hasselblad EL Data Camera (HDC), equipped with a special Zeiss 5.6/60 mm Biogon lens and film magazines for 150-200 exposures, was used on the moon surface on the Apollo 11 mission. All following NASA missions also had Hasselblad cameras on board. The photographic equipment and films used on the 5 subsequent flights were similar to that taken on Apollo 11. On Apollo 15, the 250mm telescopic lens was added. During the Space Shuttle period cameras based on the 500 EL/M, 553 ELX, 205 TCC and 203 FE were used.[9][10]
[edit] Hasselblad Products
[edit] Cameras
- 1600F (1948 - 1953)
- 1000F (1953 - 1957)
- V-System 500 (1957 - 2005)
- V-System 503 (1988 - 2006)
- V-System 503 (1965 - 2006)
- V-System 2000 and 200 (1977 - 2004)
- V-System Superwide (1954 - 2006)
- V-System Flexbody (1995 - 2003)
- V-System 503 (1997 - 2001)
- XPan (1998 - 2006)
- H-System (2002 - date)[11]
[edit] 1600F and 1000F
Hasselblad's first civilian camera was launched in 1948. It was a 6 x 6 cm format focal-plane shutter SLR camera. First simply known as the “Hasselblad Camera” it was later named "1600F” after its highest shutter speed of 1/1600 sec and “F” for “focal plane”. The camera was revolutionary for the time with its modular design that allowed exchanging lenses, viewfinders and film magazines. The shutter was made of thin stainless steel which was light and durable enough to withstand the high acceleration forces of this fast shutter.
The 1600F cameras did show a couple of problems (especially the first series) so a number of changes were introduced during the production period that lasted from 1949-1953. The 1600F was initially released with the Kodak Ektar 2.8/80 mm and the Ektar 3.5/135 mm lens. Only prototypes were made of the Ektar 6.3/55 mm and the 5.6/254 mm lenses.
The successor of the 1600F was the 1000F (1953-1957). The 1000F was named after its reduced shortest shutter speed of 1/1000 s. The 1000F has a different shutter mechanism and proved to be more reliable and robust than its predecessor. During production of the 1600F, Carl Zeiss in Oberkochen had become a supplier of lenses for the 1600F/1000F cameras. Zeiss supplied the lenses Distagon 5.6/60 mm, Tessar 2.8/80 mm, Sonnar 3.5/135, Sonnar 4.0/250 and Sonnar 5.6/250 mm. Towards the end of the 1000F production period a Dallmeyer 5.6/508 mm lens made by Cook and Perkins, England, was also available, but did not fully cover the full film format.
Hasselblad 1000F and especially 1600F-cameras are very rare on the secondhand market and usually not in working condition because of age, neglect, lack of spare parts and qualified repairmen. Many cameras suffer from corrosion of the chrome rims. Nevertheless a fully restored Hasselblad 1000F or 1600F is an excellent photograhic tool and a joy to use.
[edit] V-System
The Hasselblad V-System evolved out of Victor Hasselblad's desire to develop a flexible camera system. This system includes interchangeable bodies, lenses, viewfinders, winders, film magazines and holders, and other accessories. Problems with the focal plane shutters in the 1600F and 1000F cameras and especially the increasing importance of electronic flash led to the development of the manual leaf shutter based medium format 6x6 (6x6 cm or 2¼x2¼ in.) 500C SLR camera in 1957 which offered flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. The 500C was joined by the motor driven 500EL SLR camera in 1964. These two cameras, together with the Superwide Camera (SWC) which was introduced in 1954 as a wide angle camera using the excellent Carl Zeiss Biogon 38mm f/4.5 lens and built-in levels for exacting architecture photography, formed the core of the V-system and shared most accessories (with a few exceptions). All accessories are extremely robust, and well-designed.
Throughout the life of the V Series, Hasselblad has been incrementally updating the cameras. The 500C gave way to the 500C/M, the 501C, and finally the 501C/M as the basic manual. The SWC was replaced by the SWC/M, the 903 SWC, and finally by the 905 SWC. The 500EL's replacements included the 500EL/M, 500ELX, 553ELX, and the 555ELD. Added later to the line were cameras that included TTL/OTF (through the lens/off the film) flash metering the 503CX, which was replaced by the 503CXi and the 503CW. Also added was the 2000/200 series of focal plane shutter cameras starting with the 2000FC, 2000FCM, 2000FCW, 2003FCW and then followed by the 201F, 202FA, 203FE, and 205FCC, which added a level of automation to the V series. There were also two series of medium format view cameras developed related to the V series: the FlexBody and the ArcBody.
[edit] The EL-Series
In 1964 Hasselblad started production of a motorized camera, the 500 EL. Apart from the housing that incorporates the motor drive and the NiCd-batteries this camera is similar in appearance and operation to the Hasselblad 500 C and uses the same magazines, lenses and viewfinders. This camera and its successors:
- 500 EL (1964-1970)
- 500 EL/M (1971-1984, introduced user-interchangeable screen),
- 500 ELX (1984-1988, introduced TTL-flash sensor and larger non-vignetting mirror),
- 553 ELX (introduced new internal light-absorbing coating and use of AA-batteries), and
- 555 ELD (1998-2006, introduced new mirror mechanics and electronic contacts for communication with digital backs)
have been and still are used mainly as workhorses in photo studios. This camera type became also very famous when it was used in the US Apollo lunar exploration program. As an outgrowth of the experience with NASA cameras a photogrammetric version of the Hasselblad 500 EL/M, the Hasselblad MK70, was constructed with specially calibrated components.[12]
[edit] X-System
The dual-format X-System comprised the XPan and XPan II, and was Hasselblad's first camera to use 35mm film. Built with a rubber-covered titanium and aluminium body, they were designed as a coupled rangefinder camera with interchangeable, compact lenses.
The XPan reverted to the focal plane shutter, offering 8-1/1000s, and flash sync from B (max. 270s) – 1/125s.
The intent in releasing the XPan was to provide medium format image quality on 35 mm film. The XPan utilised the entire area of the 35 mm film for either panorama or 35mm format, providing a panorama effect without masking the film or reducing image quality. This technique produced a panorama negative almost three times larger than traditional masking and over 5 times larger than that of APS cameras.[13]
They are re-branded versions of the Fuji TX-1 and TX-2. The XPan II has every feature of the original, but grants the user the ability to record thirty minutes exposures compared to the old max of three minutes. Electronic exposure information in the viewfinder is another additional feature of the XPan II.
[edit] H-System
Hasselblad launched the H-System at Photokina in September 2002.
[edit] H1
The H1 departed from previous Hasselblad cameras in several respects. Hasselblad moved away from the traditional 6x6 format to 645 and included autofocus lenses.
It was in large part manufactured by Fuji and featured Fuji-made lenses, leaf prisms and film backs, thus departing from Hasselblad's long association with Zeiss.
The H1 had a number of other innovations, including:
- replacement of the removable dark slide with a fold-out lever
- inserts and backs that could accept both 120 and 220 film
- automatic film advance
- digital back integration
- electronic leaf shutters with timing from 1/800 seconds down to 18 hours[14]
As with the V series, most H1 and H2 series components were compatible with another.
[edit] H2D
[edit] H3D
Hasselblad took what many perceived as a further radical change of direction with the H3D[citation needed], when it effectively abandoned the fundamental principles of interchangeability and backward compatibility. The new H3D lenses and backs were no longer compatible with H1, H2 or V-series cameras, though the waist-level finder could still be used. Hasselblad's official position on the move away from interchangeability was:
"In truth, [the H2] was a great film camera to which a digital back could be fitted, and...Hasselblad started to look at ways that image quality and functionality could be enhanced even more through better integration...The H2 camera has not, in any way, been diminished by Hasselblad’s separate development of functions specifically for the integrated H3D. However, lacking the necessary integration of the new camera engine and Hasselblad Flexcolor software, these functions cannot work on the H2."[15]
The H lineup has progressed including models packaged with a digital back (film backs are still usable)[16][17][18]:
| Model | Sensor | ISO range | Capture speed | HC lens factor | Eq. focal length | Display | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H3D 22 | 49×36.7mm, 22 megapixels, 16 bit | 50-400 | 1.4 seconds | 1.1 | 28 | 2.2" OLED | CF | $27,000 |
| H3D 31 | 44.2×33.1mm, 31 megapixels, 16 bit | 100-800 | 1.2 seconds | 1.3 | 31 | $25,000 | ||
| H3D 39 | 49×36.7mm, 39 megapixels, 16 bit | 50-400 | 1.4 seconds | 1.1 | 28 | $32,000 |
[edit] Scanners
When Hasselblad merged with Imacon in 2004, it acquired Imacon's existing range of Flextight scanners. In 2006, Hasselblad launched two additional Flextight models, the X1 and the X5.
- The X1 had the ability to scan positive/negative film at 6300 dpi optical resolution, and a 60MB/minute scan speed.
- The X5 added A4 reflective scanning, a batch / slide feeder, active cooling to keep noise down, 8000 dpi optical resolution, and a 300MB/minute scan speed.[19]
[edit] Company Publications
Hasselblad published the Hasselblad Forum until 2007, when it was replaced by the new large-format journal, Victor.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Nordin, Richard (1997). Hasselblad System Compendium. United Kingdom: Hove Books, 286pp ill. ISBN 9781897802106.
- Shell, Bob (1996). The Hasselblad System (Hove Systems Pro Guides). United Kingdom: Hove Books, 208pp ill. ISBN 9780906447772.
- Wildi, Ernst (2000). The Hasselblad Manual 5th Edition. Amsterdam: Focal Press, 360pp ill. ISBN 024080385X.
- ^ History of Hasselblad. Hasselblad AG. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ Wildi 2000
- ^ Hasselblad 2007
- ^ Hasselblad. Shriro Group. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
- ^ Template:Cite news
- ^ Template:Cite news
- ^ Hasselblad 2007
- ^ Derr, Albert J (2001-02-01). "Photography Equipment and Techniques: A Survey of NASA Developments" (pdf). Apollo Lunar Surface Journal NASA SP-5099. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ Nordin 1997
- ^ Kitmacher, Gary H (2004-08-03). NASA History Division: Still Photography during Apollo. NASA. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ Heymann, Stefan (2006). A concise tabulated history of Hasselblad camera models. Hasselblad Historical. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
- ^ Nordin 1997
- ^ For a World Less Square - XPan Product Brochure (pdf). Victor Hasselblad AB. Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
- ^ Reichmann, Michael (2002-11-01). Hasselblad H1 Product Review. photo.net. Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
- ^ Template:Cite news
- ^ http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Hasselblad-H3D-31-First-Impressions-Review.htm
- ^ http://www.hasselblad.com/products/h-system/h3d
- ^ http://www.hasselblad.com/media/362051/uk_h3d_v2_datasheet.pdf
- ^ Hasselblad press release quoted in "Hasselblad: Two new film scanners" by Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource (Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 07:12 EDT)
[edit] External links
- Official site.
- Shriro Group acquisition announcement.
- Hasselblad Historical.
- Hasselblad Historical's V-System Close-Up Calculator.
- http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Hasselblad
- Hasselblad's Xpan A brief run-down of Hasselblad's Xpan by New Zealand panoramic photographer, Matthew Joseph.
- Xpan Review - by Chris Groenhout
- the current home of the Hasselblad User Group - an active mailing list of Hasselblad userscs:Hasselblad
de:Hasselblad fr:Hasselblad it:Hasselblad nl:Hasselblad ja:ハッセルブラッド pl:Victor Hasselblad AB sl:Hasselblad sv:Hasselblad (kamera)
