WITH ALL THE MEDIA LIMELIGHT on Digital D-SLR offerings from Canon, Nikon, and all the rest, it's almost scary to think that the latest Hasselblad H2 has virtually slipped past all but the most commercially aware publications and artisans. Granted, the Hasselblad H2 is more of a firmware upgrade and not so much an outer construction upgrade from the already excellent H1, but nonetheless, within the professional circuit this is big news.
Sticking with the topic of digital for a moment; it's safe to say that medium format is at a bit of a crossroads and struggling to find its place in today’s photographic world. Over the past year we've seen the demise of Bronica, Rollei (in the USA anyway), Contax, and there are rumors that Mamiya is soon to follow. Pentax is all but ignoring its medium format arsenal and it seems 120 film sales are being kept afloat by the legions of enthusiastic Holga and Seagull owners that have spread around the world. If want a brand new pro level medium format camera; right now Hasselblad is it.
This situation has made Hasselblad the lone wolf of the medium format world and like any cunning pack hunter that wants to survive the long winter ahead, Hasselblad has learned to adapt. A variety of digital backs are available for the H2 from either third party vendors (like Phase One) or Hasselblad's own back made from a recent merger with Imacon. Take a look at Hasselblad's website and it is clear they are pushing a digital package bundle dubbed the H2D-39, referring of course to the 39 mega-pixel back. With a digital back, expect to pay upwards of $20,000 for the H2 or $8,000 if you want to stick with film.
But let's move back to the H2 itself for a moment. On the outside it is a direct twin of the H1 and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately I have always found Hasselblad's 'H' series cameras to be comprised of too much plastic. I suppose that cuts down a great deal on the weight but when paying for a camera with a five figure price tag I expect to be lugging around something quite heavy. I should mention however that the H2 is an aluminum body with a stainless steel chassis, so solidity isn't the issue, just a matter of feel and appearance.
From an ergonomic standpoint, the H2 is just about as perfect as a camera can be, especially when you consider the H2's size. The handgrip feels large and supports the weight of the camera nicely. Naturally this is not the camera you will ever be using one-handed though I have to admit I was tempted to try once or twice.
I must stress again that the H2 is purely a firmware upgrade and owners of the H1 can still upgrade their camera's to H2 functionality directly from Hasselblad. So what's new for the H2?
The real advantages of the H2 over the H1 are its increased level of integration with Imacon CFH backs. This means that these backs are now powered by a single battery (the camera's) if the Lithium Ion battery grip is used, and both can be turned on and off with the H2's On-Off switch. The camera is also capable of controlling various back oriented functions directly, but only if the back is an Imacon back. There is no increased functionality with third party backs such as those from Phase One or Leaf.
In other words, if you are an H1 owner still using film exclusively there is really no reason at all to upgrade.
There is no question that medium format offers a large array of advantages for photographers. On the digital side, medium format backs offer unsurpassed quality for those who can afford them. For film shooters, medium format may not have the quality of 4x5 films, but it is probably the highest quality film size to still offer some degree of portability outside the studio.
That being said, the Hasselblad H2 is without a doubt the medium format to set the standard of judgment for all others. Well, what little there is left anyway. The question now is how long wills the medium format industry last?
There is no question in my mind that the Hasselblad H2 is a sophisticated picture taking machine without equal. The H2 is one of the most advanced cameras ever designed from the inside out by real photographers who know the features pros want. But, in order for a film format to survive one needs healthy competition and though the H2 is at the top of the heap, currently it is a very small pile.
Though I certainly hope this does not come true, the Hasselblad H2 may very well end up being the last man standing.
www.hasselblad.com
