Xenia

Hello again, Thank you everyone for your kind comments! Indeed, I have been busy following your advice to stock up on both 2 GB SD cards and 7.2 volt batteries. Thank you, now I have a small buffer for the future. As before, the camera is a joy to use. I guess in part because it reminds me/us so very much of analog Leicas and Hasselblad. Even the Nikon F2 and F3 were easy to use compared to the overloaded digital monsters that came later. But I am an old photographer, in my early days always using b/w which I in time learned to develop and print in my especially adapted kitchen. Early in the 80ties I bought my first SWC and during my first years as a travel photographer it followed me everywhere. Later it had company with a 501 CM and the wonderful 135 Macro from the fifties. I used both together with a variabel tube and got some astonishing results. I have mostly been an one camera one lens person. Sometimes in Africa I met photographers with whole loads of equipment but their results rarely matched all that material effort. Anyway, the Digilux 2 albeit digital has that glorious back to basic feel and I look forward to post more photos eventually. Varmest regards, Xenia

Hello everyone, Watching this threat, reminded me of the lovely Digilux 2 I once owned. I sold it after a couple of years in favour of a Hassy I needed for a project. The Hasselblad’ are all gone now. (My beloved SWC I lost in a break in.) Also my eyesight is getting from bad to worse. Heavy equipment is out of the question. So here it goes: Today arrived my second Digilux 2 and handling it, I like as much as before. Fingers crossed, the sensor will not die on me, now that Leica cannot replace it anymore. Best Xenia

Dear Pete, thank you for the information! I’m sad to hear about Imants Krumins’ illness and death. Certanly, I understand that his art was not to everyone’s taste. But I found it intresting and thought provoking. What a pity, that I was too late to tell him myself that I appreciated his photo collages. A close friend of mine died from brain tumor. A painfully hard way to go… Thanks again for letting me know! All the best to you, Pete Xenia

Wonderful pics! Pure art! Is there a book? Probably, I‘m years too late…

That's because the photographers used really big large format cameras at the time and people had to sit still and keep their eyes open Wonderful photographs! Best, Xenia

Wow, Henry, so beautiful! I like them both equally! Thank you very much Best, Xenia

What some here have not taken into account is that Victor Hasselblad (1906-1978), the founder and longtime owner of the company, was a birdwatcher and professional photographer himself. He was an autodidact, though a wellknown naturalist with brilliant technical skills which he applied to his various cameras. During WWII Swedish Air Force asked him for assistance. They needed a camera capable of reconnaissance from the air. Victor Hasselblad obliged. He started his company in 1940/1 and there in a garage his first prototype HK7 saw the light. With the war over, he concentrated on the consumer modell 1000F, which in turn was followed by the 500C and CM series. Every new modell was supervised and tested by Victor Hasselblad himself including the 2000F before his death. It was his genius we can thank for the existence of the 'Hassy'. He was for Hasselblad what Oskar Barnack was for Leica, the inventor with a view. Now Hasselblad has appointed a professional photographer (and birdwatcher ) with well documented technical and corporate expertise and excellent social and verbal skills. In that the company has taken a logical step back to its roots and Victor Hasselblad would smile at the decision, which should be applauded - not sneered - at. Best, Xenia

I don't think the two are comparable...

Thank you, Henry! Wonderful photos from a legendary place! I lived for a short while in Paris once, but didn't make it further than Versailles. I would love to visit Paris again and see Monet's gardens as well! Best, Xenia

These shots have such an graphic impact! The second is my favorite! Thank you, Brendan Best, Xenia

A new pressrelease has been published: 2017-03-28 Hasselblad Appoints Ming Thein as Chief of Strategy Hasselblad, the leader in high-quality professional medium format cameras, today announced that Hasselblad ambassador Ming Thein has been appointed as Chief of Strategy. During his former role as a Hasselblad ambassador, Ming Thein serviced industrial and corporate documentary clients across Asia and further afield. Based out of Kuala Lumpur, Ming specialises in representing the lifecycle of a company – from the people behind the creation to abstract beauty of the finished product – be it massive civil engineering projects, interiors or precision timepieces. Location work is his forte, with clients including some of the largest developers and construction firms in Asia. Ming also holds an MA in Physics from The University of Oxford, and served as a director at various finance and private equity firms in Asia before quitting to pursue a lifelong dream of something visual, creative and specifically involving photography. In his new role as Chief of Strategy at Hasselblad, Ming will use his customer experience insights to influence the future product roadmap, while helping to strengthen Hasselblad’s market position and meet the needs of semi-professional and professional photographers. Speaking about his new role as Chief of Strategy at Hasselblad, Ming Thein said: “I’m very excited to enter the next chapter of my relationship with Hasselblad; it is an honour to work with a brand that has such a strong history and such great people. I look forward to helping shape the company’s future product strategy to ensure Hasselblad continues to be a leader in photography, image quality and supporter of the arts.” Paul Bram, Hasselblad CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ming Thein on board as our new Chief of Strategy. The combination of his skills as an accomplished photographer and a Hasselblad ambassador mean that Ming has expert insights into our target consumers. We look forward to working with Ming to help shape the future.”

Lovely These subtil greys are wonderful! Best, Xenia

Two more from my project XPan II Velvia 100

'I seem to remember having read somewhere that in a real-world setting (as opposed to under controlled circumstances) there isn't any "correct" colour; there are only more or less "accurate" representations of colour, which will necessarily be based on the observer's perception.' Years ago I worked as an art teacher. I remember a test involving the red colour of the original cocacola sign. Students had 20 minutes to replicate the red of the sign in watercolours. This test had been earlier performed in the USA by 300 art students. Each result had then scientifically been messured. It showed that only one student got it right, some came close, but most were way off the original. As you correctly note, Philip, all of us have different perceptions of colour. It is not a question of wrong or right. Thank you for taking the time to make it clear! Best, Xenia

These are certainly foggy Wonderful, thank you very much! Best, Xenia