Hasselblad from Film to Digital 3
CONTENT IN THE NEW HASSELBLAD MANUAL
Since the Hasselblad Manual is recognized as a complete reference book for the use and opera-
tion of Hasselblad equipment, all the important items that have been part of the Hasselblad cam-
era line are discussed in the manual regardless of whether they are still manufactured or have
been discontinued. The manual does not mention specifi cally what items are still manufactured.
I feel that this is the correct approach. Many photographers all over the world still use
equipment that is no longer made and because discontinued cameras, lenses, and accessories
are often still available in camera stores and can certainly be found on the used camera mar-
ket. Furthermore since Hasselblad introduced the fi rst camera in 1947, the company has made
many friends and loyal followers all over the world who not only enjoy taking pictures with
Hasselblad cameras but love to study and talk about Hasselblad products. Photographers who
still love to work with Hasselblad equipment that may be 10, 20, or even 30 years old like to
be informed about the happenings within the Hasselblad organization and are simply proud
of being part of the Hasselblad family. I feel it would be a letdown for all of these long time
friends and loyal supporters of Hasselblad to see The Hasselblad Manual that only discusses
digital imaging and only the digital cameras that are manufactured today.
Updating Discontinued Camera Models
The advent of digital imaging outdated and made completely obsolete most amateur and profes-
sional fi lm cameras such as the very popular 35 mm SLR models. Not so with Hasselblad. Every
SLR camera model made in the last 10, 20, or even 30 years for fi lm photography, even if they
are no longer manufactured today, become equally great tools for modern digital imaging by
simply attaching a digital back instead of a fi lm magazine. This applies to the popular 500 mod-
els and the other cameras in the V system such as the 200 models with the beautiful built-in
exposure metering system as well as the cameras designed for special applications. For exam-
ple, the Hasselblad FlexBody with its tilt capability equipped with a digital back is an excellent
camera for digital tabletop, food, product, or other close-up photography when you need more
depth of fi eld than the camera lens can produce. The ArcBody, with its shift capability equipped
with a digital back, is an updated and compact camera for digital interior or exterior architec-
tural photography eliminating the need for carrying a large view camera on location. The PC
Mutar mounted on a Hasselblad V system camera offers another great approach for digital archi-
tectural work or any other application where shift control results in a more effective image.
Both the PC Mutar and the ArcBody often allow a good architectural image to be produced with
straight verticals eliminating the need for time-consuming after manipulations.
THE HASSELBLAD CAMERA SYSTEMS
The Hasselblad camera system was reclassifi ed in 2002 and the various camera models were
grouped into three systems — the H, the V, and the X.
The Hasselblad H Camera System
At Photokina 2002, Hasselblad introduced the H1 camera, a modern medium-format camera
with a versatile built-in metering system, motor drive, incredibly fast and accurate automatic
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