Hasselblad unveil their future strategy and new products

Hasselblad chose Photokina 2004 as the stage to formally introduce their future strategic vision and new technical concepts to the photographic market. The new company, formed following the acquisition of Imacon by Victor Hasselblad AB's parent, Shriro Sweden in August 2004, also be demonstrated at the show its extensive and versatile range of Hasselblad-dedicated and third-party digital, analogue and integrated technologies, including a new Imacon Flextight Roll Film Scanner the first Roll film scanner in the Flextight series.

Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad says: photokina 2004 marks the beginning of a very exciting period in the life of the new Hasselblad. Following the acquisition and merger in August we now have the unique conceptual and technical expertise inherent in both organisations under one roof. This provides us with a product range and technological and commercial reach that will allow us to extend far beyond the markets we currently serve.

For me personally, the exciting proposition is utilising the core strengths of our ultra high-end digital camera back technology to develop both Hasselblad and Imacon digital solutions for a much wider range of photographic market sectors. We already see a number of additional opportunities for the company in the marketplace. One key to our success moving forward will be our ability to significantly lower the entry barriers to both Hasselblad and Imacon high-end digital and integrated technologies, introducing more photographers than ever before to the quality, versatility and performance of these solutions, and providing them with the products they need to grow their business, says Christian.

Hasselblad Products on Show at photokina
Hasselblad and Imacon products on stand at the show include the new Hasselblad H1D high-end digital camera system the company's first fully integrated, digital medium format solution. The camera incorporates a 22 Mpixel sensor designed for total digital functionality, hard drive storage capacity for 850 full resolution images in the portable Image Bank and an extremely competitive price of 18,900.00 Euros.

In addition, Hasselblad will be demonstrating its H1 cross-platform camera, which has been specifically customised to ensure use in both film and digital format. For easy transition from film to digital operation, the Hasselblad H1 camera uses the unique i-Adaptor concept, enabling the smooth integration with the 22 Mpixel Hasselblad Ixpress 132C or the 528C Ixpress digital camera back.

To ensure maximum quality using the H1 cameras, Hasselblad is introducing a new range of precision lenses and a H System CF Lens Adaptor for use with the H1. Designed to the highest optical specifications, the three new lenses, the HC 2.2/100mm, the HC Marco4/120mm and the HC 4.5/300mm feature electronically controlled shutter and aperture, highly efficient stray light elimination and integral focus drive motors. To provide additional inter-camera flexibility, the H System CF lens adapter will enable the photographer to use C-type lenses from a V' system on the H1 camera.

For the Hasselblad V' camera Series, the company is also offering a customised digital solution, presenting professional photographers and photo enthusiasts with high-end integrated digital functionalities and an optimised interface between the camera and the Hasselblad Ixpress V 96C 16 Mpixel digital camera back solution. Hasselblad is offering the V96C digital camera back solution to the market at a price of 7,990.00 Euros.

Hasselblad will also be showing its Hasselblad Flextight 343 and 646 scanners at photokina. Scanning at a resolution of 3200 ppi and 6300 ppi respectively, these scanners have been designed and priced to meet the specific scanning and reproduction demands of professional photographers and creatives.

Imacon Branded Products on Show at Photokina
Some of the most versatile, high-end digital camera backs on the market, the Imacon Ixpress single shot 96C, 132C and Imacon Ixpress 528C multi-shot digital camera backs, (complete with i-Adaptor technology), will also be demonstrated at the show on a extensive range of leading auto-focus and view cameras . For those looking to move from the single shot to the multi shot option, Hasselblad encourages photographers to take advantage of its special upgrade policy.

In addition to photokina 2004 providing a platform for the industry launch of the new Imacon Flextight Roll film scanner, the company will also showcase its Imacon Flextight 848 and 949 scanners - built to meet the rigorous production demands of the commercial photo lab and repro house, where both speed and quality are paramount.

Both the Flextight 848 and 949 offer non-interpolated optical resolutions of up to 8,000 dpi and true 16-bit colour with a 4.9 Dmax possible in a single pass and the ability to scan 200 Mb of data per minute on the 949, and 4.8 Dmax and a scanning speed of 100 Mb of data per minute possible on the 848 model.

The new Hasselblad ready for more
What we have done is to effectively marry the evident technological, brand and strategic synergies of two of well-respected and innovative companies in the market and incorporate the very best in digital and analogue technologies in the process. What we have now is a company with products that clearly demonstrate leadership in the fields of both analogue and high-end digital technology.

The new Hasselblad combines not only the obvious strengths of two great brands but most of all, is a company with an absolute passion for photography. This has always been my driving force, says Christian. You can't consistently question and push conceptual and technological boundaries if you are not totally passionate about the products, the technology and the industry. We believe anything is possible, and I am confident the products we will introduce over the coming year will reflect this fundamental philosophy, concludes Mr Poulsen.