Operating the H Cameras for Digital and Film Photography 43
you evaluate the sharpness and effectiveness that only the larger medium fi lm format and the
larger digital sensors can provide.
Rather than repeat all the exact operational details that are in the instruction manual, I
will concentrate on explaining how the features in the H cameras and lenses can and should
be used to produce high quality pictures in the simplest fashion. I suggest that you keep the
instruction manual handy in case you need detailed instructional data. The instruction manu-
als are also readily available on Hasselblad Web sites.
Hasselblad H Camera Models
The original H1 camera model, introduced in 2002, came out in 2004 as an H1D model in
combination with a specially made Ixpress 132 C22 megapixel digital back. This camera
model could not be used with any other digital backs but allowed a fi lm magazine to be
attached. The H2 model introduced in 2005 supplied power to the CFH digital back and made
automatic lens corrections in FlexColor possible. The H2 is usable for fi lm photography and
digital imaging. The H2D with DAC software correction and sold with a digital back is strictly
for digital imaging and cannot be used for fi lm photography.
The H3D models introduced in 2006 are integrated digital cameras where the different
components, camera, digital sensor unit, and lens can communicate back and forth. H3D cam-
era models are sold with 22 Mpixel or 39 Mpixel sensor units both 36.7 49.0 mm in size.
A third H3D model has a 31 Mpixel sensor 33.1 44.2 mm in size. H3D cameras have full
support for DAC and the ultra focus automatic focusing system. The capture for the H2D and
H3D cameras is in the raw fi le format called 3FR. The metering pattern is slightly different
from the original version and now measures 2.5% of the image area in the Spot mode, 25%
in the CentreSpot mode and 95% in CentreWeighted (average) mode. The H3D models also
come with a full frame viewfi nder that magnifi es the sensor area 3.1, and they can be used
with the Global Positioning System (GPS) accessory.
The 22, 31, and 39 Mpixel sensor units on the three H3DII camera models introduced in
2007 have a large 3-in. preview screen making it necessary to relocate the operating controls
on the sensor unit. The controls, however, work basically in the same fashion. To produce an
updated digital camera that is completely integrated for the most modern approach to digital
imaging, Hasselblad felt it necessary to design the Hasselblad H3DII camera for digital imag-
ing only. Keeping the original concept of building a camera for fi lm and digital photography
would have required compromises that are no longer accepted by updated digital photog-
raphers. The new H3DII camera models have an integrated cooling sink to dissipate charge
couple device (CCD) heat reducing image noise. The new cameras also have a programmable
extra mirror delay that reduces the danger of mirror motion affecting the image quality.
Since the H3DII cameras can only be used for digital imaging, in 2008 Hasselblad intro-
duced the H2F model. This camera has all the beautiful features and automation of the original
H2 model but is designed for fi lm photographers. It uses the same fi lm magazine described
below for the 6 4.5 image format on 120 or 220 fi lm. The H2F camera can be used
with some Hasselblad digital backs but lacks most of the functionality of the modern digital
camera such as the integration between camera, lens and software and also requires exter-
nal cable connections. The introduction of this camera model shows that Hasselblad has not
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