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Rumours of new smaller Hasselblad cameras at Phokina


jaques

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On this forum I have often seen opinions stated that Leica will face no direct competition in the FF DRF market segment any time soon. This view has remained despite the instant success of Fuji's 'RF like' products... I have always believed Leica would face competition and following the obvious success of the m9: sooner rather than later.

 

Now Hasselblad is set to release new 'small' cameras at Photokina- they have money following a takeover last year (by a European based consortium)- and are apparently planning on selling into new markets: notably the 'less than $10,000' market':rolleyes:... some talk of a digital X-Pan... others crass Hasselblad labeled P&S cameras cashing in on the logo...

 

I will go out on a limb here and predict a new RF (or simulated RF-Like) small body camera system of exceptional quality...

 

I doubt it will happen but the best outcome would be if they made a modular camera system based on a cross of the M3's 'Bauhausian' minimalism and the upgradable modularity of the 500C design... removable sensors, removable lens mounts... removable viewfinders?

 

Who here would by an R solution camera if Hasselblad made it?

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It will be a rangefinder camera that takes Zeiss lenses.

 

Probably third party adapters will accommodate Leica lenses.

 

Not an XPan.

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I get tired of "rangefinder-like" cameras. Marketers used to call any compact camera a "rangefinder". OTOH, another genuine rangefinder would be interesting and prove RF technology is still very much in demand and has a future. It would give Leica some more competition for sure.

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Of the various hipotesis, the only that seems at all uneven to me is a P&S Hasselblad-labeled... P&S customers' set has a very little perception of the Hasselblad brand, imho... much less than Leica itself (which, in turn, I think makes no spectacular numbers with the PanaLeicas... but the very good global volumes of Panasonics probably still give an economic sense to the biz).

 

One thing they could do, with a certain success, I think, could be a Ricoh-style modular system, designed to support also FF sensor (and, why not, a square 24x24 sensor, plus a "pano" one... ;)) ; or something "FF digital" evolving on the Zeiss RF body... (with "real" RF + some other focus confirmation system)

 

I haven't ever had a Hassy, though dreamt of one for years when used regularly Rolleiflex TLR... I hope the brand will find a way to survive...

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It will be a Hasselblad badged S2 with a Hasselblad specific lens mount......;)

 

 

Steve

 

If only!!

 

I have all the lenses already.

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Competition is good. One argument why we have to put up with the M9's shortcomings and Leica's unwillingness to innovate is because there is insufficient competition in the segment. If Hasselblad were able to produce a camera which took my M glass, I would certainly be interested.

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Competition is good. One argument why we have to put up with the M9's shortcomings and Leica's unwillingness to innovate is because there is insufficient competition in the segment. If Hasselblad were able to produce a camera which took my M glass, I would certainly be interested.

 

By sure would be an intriguing camera... and the new owners of Hasselblad are basically German... who knows ?

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It will be a Hasselblad badged S2 with a Hasselblad specific lens mount......;)

 

LOL

 

That's the best one - I hope it's mirrorless quasi medium format which would allow adaptation of Leica S lenses - something close to the concept they once demoed a couple years ago.

 

Seriously though, there are chances that it's only a rebdged Fuji X-Pro 1.

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Competition is good. One argument why we have to put up with the M9's shortcomings and Leica's unwillingness to innovate is because there is insufficient competition in the segment. If Hasselblad were able to produce a camera which took my M glass, I would certainly be interested.

 

I agree completely. And I think Leica has also seen this competition in their own crystal ball, and understand the need to innovate and not rest complacently on the M9. I believe the m10 will be significantly 'enhanced'...

 

Leica essentially revived the dead RF camera market tentatively with the m8- and then made record profits with the m9- beginning roughly 3 years ago- others have been watching- and three years seems about right for them to offer their replies- Fuji got in quick and lapped up a an entirely unsatisfied market: I am predicting now several direct competitors to Leica emerging this Photokina with FF products.

 

Given their small size, lead in the market, and luxury status (and prices) Leica can survive being technologically outclassed, but not indefinitely one would think... Unless they really become a type of anachronistic jewelry...

 

I wonder how much these various manufacturers actually know about what other companies are doing? I wonder if their is much industrial espionage in such industries...

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Seriously though, there are chances that it's only a rebadged Fuji X-Pro 1.

 

No, I seriously doubt that... I agree with Luigi on this: Hasselblad is unlikely to re-badge, etc... Hasselblad make things... whatever it is: it will be entirely new...

 

Erl seems awful confident concerning his source: want to chine in here Erl and clarify a little?;)

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Erl seems awful confident concerning his source: want to chine in here Erl and clarify a little?;)

 

I think what erl's source really wanted to say was that it is a "RF style" camera other than an orthodox RF camera. I still wish a mirrorless MF though ... there are already way too many EVIL/ILC/CSC in the market.

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Well, almost anything Hasselblad would announce would be "smaller" than the current

system. The key to selling it would seem to be lens compatability/availability. Sensor

size may be an issue if one would expect to use R or other 35mm type lenses - and it

probably should match/outdo the Nikon D800/Pentax 30mp range. Under $10,000

is a interesting price point - it may even entice some new dealers.

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