Hasselblad launches 60-megapixel H4D camera
updated 02:35 pm EDT, Fri September 25, 2009
Hasselblad H4D-50 and H4D-60
Hasselblad chose Friday to unveil a long-in-progress upgrade to its H System medium format cameras. The H4D is billed as one of the first cameras to have a true off-center autofocus system, known as True Focus. Where even DSLRs often have to first focus and then reposition the camera to get focus significantly away from the center, the H4D has a yaw rate sensor that can detect the horizontal and vertical movement away from the focus point and refocus the lens to compensate.
As before, the camera has automatic adjustment for color, vignetting and other image qualities and can be tethered to a computer over FireWire to bypass the camera's own storage.
The company's in-house Phocus software has also been revamped and in 2.0 is said to be both faster and much easier to use, giving it performance as good or better than pro photo management tools like Aperture or Lightroom.
Two models start of the line and help raise the maximum resolution of Hasselblad's line. The H4D-50 shoots at the same 50 megapixels of the H3DII-50 but won't be the most expensive camera, costing 19,995 Euros ($29,299) for a complete system. At the top is the new H4D-60, which as its name implies has an extremely high-resolution 60-megapixel sensor and a 28,995 Euro ($42,486) price. The premium model ships first and will be ready in November, but the H4D-50 won't be ready until January. Those who order an H3DII-50 now will get a free upgrade to the H4D-50, and those who own the H3D-31 or H3D-39 will get a discount to upgrade to either of the H4D cameras.
One sweet camera!
09/25, 03:42pm reply
For just a few thousand more than the H4D-60 I could get a new Corvette. Hmmmm... decisions, decisions.
macvette
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Joined: Feb 2004
Yeah, but. . .
09/25, 04:42pm reply
. . . the 'Vette doesn't have auto-focus!
DanielSw
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Joined: Aug 2009
ummmm
09/25, 04:57pm reply
Anyone who can afford this probably thinks a Corvette is a cheap sports car.
eldarkus
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Joined: Feb 2004
Either way...
09/25, 05:12pm reply
my wife would kill me if I purchased a new Vette or the Hasselblad...
macvette
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LMFAO!
09/25, 05:17pm reply
Yeah either way you be sleeping alone in the corvette or with the Hasselblad.
LEStudios
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Joined: Jul 2008
Re: Yeah, but. . .
09/25, 05:28pm reply
No Autofocus, but the Corvette has Zoom! haha
cmoney
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Joined: Sep 2000
My First Digital....
09/25, 10:00pm reply
My first digital camera was a cheap $28,875, and for a whopping 6MP. A Kodak DCS 460 built on a Nikon body. Now just 15 years later I can get 44 more MP for almost the same price.
Progress...progress
ClevelandAdv
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Joined: Jul 2004
RE: Yeah, but..
09/26, 08:40am reply
quote: Yeah, but. . .09/25, 04:42pm reply
. . . the 'Vette doesn't have auto-focus!
Well, neither does he, so it's a wash.
macjockey
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Joined: Jun 2004
Niche Market
09/26, 07:33pm reply
This camera is for studio photography only, specifically for billboards and other ultra-high resolution needs. It is not for consumers.
Autofocus isn't very precise and even the best autofocus logarithms wouldn't be sufficient if you want certain elements out of focus.
lolcat789
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Joined: Sep 2009
This is cool...
09/26, 08:57pm reply
I did find a $5.00 off coupon in the paper today.
Faceplant
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