Following the successful launch of the H1 range, Hasselblad has announced two medium-format cameras and two digital backs aimed at professional photographers.
The H2 is a cross-platform camera and the H2D a fully integrated digital camera; both are compatible with Hasselblad H system lenses. The Ixpress CF and Ixpress CFH are additions to Hasselblad?s digital back range.
The H2 offers single battery operation with the Ixpress CFH digital back, with one on/off switch and operating system.
Following feedback from photographers, Hasselblad identified five areas for future product development ? format, storage, open standards, image approval and selection and image colour refinement ? and set about incorporating them into the new products.
In terms of format, the H2 and H2D feature a 22MP CCD with dimensions of 37mm x 49mm along with a bright viewfinder.
Hasselblad has included three storage methods: a FireWire drive, CF card and the facility to capture remotely from a computer. Adobe?s RAW file format DNG is also included in the new products, enabling RAW files to be opened in Photoshop CS and improving processing time. Instant Approval Architecture is a feature that informs the photographer of the status (red, amber or green) of the image captured and is designed to save time when sorting images.
Finally, colour refinement has been improved with the inclusion of a new colour engine; FlexColor workflow software is designed to reproduce colours effectively with smooth gradations.
Christian Poulson from Hasselblad comments: ?With these new products we are underlining our mission to work hand in hand with loyal Hasselblad users and new customers to help them take full advantage of the potential that digital technology holds for them, creatively and commercially.?
The new products will be available worldwide in the third quarter of 2005. Find out more at www.hasselblad.co.uk