Hasselblad celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, and even before Photokina it got busy releasing a handful new models to coincide with the occasion. The H6D system was unveiled in April, before the X1D – the world’s first medium-format camera based on a mirrorless design – followed in June, and then a camera/quadcopter kit with DJI was confirmed in July.
Now, in a continuation of its “4116” celebrations that have already witnessed collaborations with Motorola, Sandqvist and others, the Swedish company has returned to what it has been traditionally known for by unveiling what it calls a “concept study”, one that’s based around its modular V system; it’s currently on show at this year’s Photokina event in Cologne, and our team on the ground should be able to snap some photos of it shortly.
Intended as a means of exploring “the Hasselblad heritage to find new ways of designing innovative cameras for the future”, the V1D 4116 Concept features a 75MP square image and a customisable platform around which the photographer can construct their perfect camera - although, curiously, the sensor cannot be swapped for an alternative.
The body of the concept camera, which is said to have been carefully developed to find the perfect blend between a modern product expression and the classic Hasselblad silhouette, is crafted out of a solid block of aluminium, with fixings for different modules (viewfinders, displays etc) on four of its sides.
The modular system also promises that left-handed users can “perfectly” configure the camera to their needs. You can, for example, place controls for shutter speed and aperture on either side of the body. You can also use it with the generic grip or forgo it completely, and you can even have two displays if you really want to. It all looks great, although as a concept camera there’s no word yet on if and when the product will ever actually be made available in its exhibited form.
Hasselblad has also announced an all-black “4116 edition” of its X1D model, which arrives with an extended warranty, a leather hand strap and an XCD 45mm lens, all inside a special box to mark the occasion.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the “4116” name given to the company’s celebrations references the years between which Hasselblad has operated (1941 and 2016).
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. digitalrev.com2016-10-7 03:00
