Hasselblad Returns to Its Roots with the Powerful, All-New H6D System

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For its 75th anniversary, Hasselblad is returning to its roots. They’re saying goodbye to the smaller, rebranded models, and taking aim at the high end medium format market once again. And the company’s first giant leap in that direction comes today, in the form of the all new H6D system.

A camera system worth salivating over, Hassy is calling the H6D system “a new chapter in medium format photography.” And they’re introducing it to the world in a video that celebrates their storied history while taking a good look at Hasselblad’s new “present”:

The new camera system has a lot to brag about, so let’s get started. Available in 50 and 100MP versions, the H6D sports all-new CMOS sensors, a brand new processor, built-in WiFi, dual card slots (SD and CFast), a new high-resolution touchscreen display, USB 3.0, shutter speed ranging from 60 minutes to 1/2000th of a second, ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, and video up to 4K.

Those “up tos” mean you have to get the 100c to take full advantage. The 50c maxes out at ISO 6400 and 1080p Full HD video. But even the 50c will get you 14 stops of dynamic range, with the 100c pushing that an additional stop up to 15.

Finally, Hasselblad has updated their full range of H lenses to incorporate a new shutter unit capable of the faster shutter speed of the H6D, and actually rated for more actuations.

Here’s a look at this bad boy from a few more angles:

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“We’re back on top of the photography pyramid,” said Hasselblad CEO Perry Oosting when he announced the new system in London earlier today. “It’s fitting that we have returned to our pinnacle medium format camera to showcase the innovation and passion that have been present in every one of our first 75 years.”

Those of us wishing Hasselblad would return to their roots may have just gotten our wishes granted.

Of course none of this means much if the camera doesn’t perform well IRL, so Hasselblad gave the H6D system to top notch photographers Tom Oldham and Karl Taylor to put to the test. They talk about their experiences in the videos below:

And here are a few sample images captured by Oldham and photography duo Kristian Krän and Marco Grizelj (AKA Aorta):

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The new cameras, of course, do not come cheap. Current Hasselblad users can get a little bit of relief through a trade-in program, but a new H6D-50c will run you 22,900 Euro (about 26K USD) and a 100c 28,900 Euro (about 33K USD)… and that’s excluding VAT.

To learn more about these beautiful new medium format monsters from Hasselblad, or if you want to find a dealer near you, head over to the H6D website.

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