Axel, you had the H3D/H3DII right? How do you feel about the change to H2/P45+? I assume the "integrated solution" had it's drawbacks too?
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Thats right. I started with the H2D-22 for around a month, went with a H2+CFH-39, and ended up with a H3D-39 (cheap upgrade from H2+CFH-39, cost 1000 euros, and the back was brand new, but the body just got new circuitry, where the outer shell stayed the same.)
I have been a bit reluctant to speak about my switch so far, as I'm not too familiar with the P1 yet. However, some of my personal experiences are:
H3D system has a gorgeous and low contrast file, where you have to work a lot to get the "punch" out of it. This was for me a great way of working, as I love PS techniques that bring out a little bit of the picture at a time.
P45+ has an equally gorgeous, but very punchy file, with midtones and highlights pushed way to the right. Turning off the default tone curves leaves you with a file that does not look very good, and is not a starting point for me. This forces me to re-evaluate my whole digital workflow, relying on the raw converter to get me "almost there" instead of PS. This is reason nr.1 for me to wait on commenting the two systems, as I need to seriously work the P1 files for a while to see if i can get the same amount of control back as I felt I had with the Hasselblad system.
For me the H3D-39 starts at "zeroed" and you add what you like, P45+ starts close to maxed out, and you subtract/tweak. It's a matter of personal preference, where product/architecture shooters are likely to enjoy the P45+, and skin/lifestyle shooters will probably like the H3D more. But It's all so different from ones personal style to anothers...
As far as hardware goes, I won't hide the fact that I had lots of trouble with my H2+CFH-39 system, with the camera locking up all the time and at one point erasing half of a CF card, (as to why I still wonder to this very day...) I lost a lot of outside lighting opportunities to this camera. The H3D got a lot better, but still had trouble, and at one point locked up completely (dealer had to fix it.) This was the drop and I would not touch the camera again. They offered me an upgrade to the H3D-II but I said no, and got myself two H2 bodies and a P45+. The two bodies offer redundancy, as well as the P45+ having a solid 3 years warranty program and a free mount change. So I feel pretty safe now.
P45+ on a H2 rocks, I now don't have a single lock-up, no resets, no issues when the firewire cable gets yanked out of the socket, etc. It's just solid, solid, solid. But as some here may know, my P45+ is now in Denmark to have an image issue sorted out, so the verdict is not in yet on wether I traded a hardware problem for an IQ problem... P1 seems very forthcoming, and have expedited my complaint quickly and efficiently (Hasselblad, read that last sentence again!) If the back returns safely and the IQ problem is fixed, I'm a happy shooter.
I do also use a view camera from time to time, and I did not think the Image-bank that I needed to use for power on the H3D-39 was too much of a hassle. Now i know otherwise, the integrated battery of a P45+ is a dream in comparison, and a lot less hassle than the wake up shot introduces. The lens cast kit that comes with the P1 is also a lot better, as Hasselblad provides none...
Lastly I have several colleagues who shoot the H3D-39 happily without incident, also many on this board shoot this camera with great success. I would recommend this camera to anyone, but would be very vary of buying used without a return warranty or a known seller who will be fair if problems arise.
-axel