22 THE HASSELBLAD MANUAL
which can be called a true digital medium-format DSLR camera. Combined with a sensor that
is almost as large as the 6 4.5 fi lm format, this camera is now recognized as a full frame
DSLR medium-format camera.
HASSELBLAD’S ADVANTAGES IN DIGITAL IMAGING
In addition to the superb image and tonal quality created by the large Hasselblad sensor units
with larger pixels, digital imaging with Hasselblad can help a professional or amateur photog-
rapher in other ways. If you presently do your fi lm photography with Hasselblad, you do not
need to invest in a completely new digital camera and lens system. Just invest in (or rent) a
digital back and switch from the fi lm magazine to the digital back. For most Hasselblad cam-
era models, you have a choice of different digital backs with different specifi cations so you
can select one (or rent one) that you feel is best for your particular type of photography.
The interchangeable component design allows you to use the same camera, lenses, and
accessories for fi lm photography as for electronic imaging. In addition to the fi nancial advan-
tage, this is helpful when you may still use fi lm for some applications or clients and digital
imaging for others.
Working with the same camera in both media gives you more time to think about image
quality, composition, and photographing the subject in an effective fashion rather than con-
stantly switching cameras and worrying about operating each camera in the proper fash-
ion. Working with the same camera and lenses for fi lm and digital photography makes sense
because recording either type of image is based on the same principles and requires the same
camera and lens operation. The image is simply recorded on a different medium. The real dif-
ferences between fi lm and digital photography come after the image is recorded in the cam-
era, when you have to decide whether to leave the image as it is or change or improve it and
how to store it for possible future use.
Most Hasselblad digital backs can also be used on various Hasselblad cameras, so you
can select the camera model that is best for a specifi c job; use a 200 model camera because
of its excellent built-in metering system, or take advantage of the shift and tilt controls in the
ArcBody or FlexBody for an architectural job. By investing in one back, you can convert two
or three different fi lm cameras into cameras for digital imaging. If you do not own some of
these special Hasselblad camera models, look into rental possibilities.
Furthermore, the Hasselblad CF digital backs are designed with an adapter system so they
can also be used on other makes of medium-format and view cameras. You do not need to
buy another digital back for other cameras that you might be using.
The Question of Obsolescence
With new digital equipment introduced constantly and the new features of these cameras
promoted to the point of giving the photographer the impression that their present equip-
ment is completely outdated, photographers, especially professionals, are naturally concerned
about obsolescence of their equipment. Many photographers feel, or are told, that upgraded
equipment produces better image quality and therefore might improve profi tability.
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