Reviewed, The Hasselblad H4D-40

[MattBeardsley]

Hello LL,

I've just posted the first part of a review of the awesome Hasselblad H4D-40.  It's an awesome camera.  Any comments?  Does anyone have experience with how the digital version compares to earlier Hasselblads, including the relatively new HC and HCD lenses?

Thanks for reading!

 http://mattbeardsleyblog.com/2010/09/19/full-throttle-645-the-hasselblad-h4d-40/

[BrendanStewart]

Thanks for the writeup. I'm looking to upgrade to the H4D in the next year. Some useful info in there...

[Dustbak]

Matt,

I have just read the review. Nicely done!

I think you should replace the CR3 file type format to 3FR since that is the compressed Raw format of Hasselblad.

[MattBeardsley]

Matt,

I have just read the review. Nicely done!

I think you should replace the CR3 file type format to 3FR since that is the compressed Raw format of Hasselblad.

nice catch!  Thank you for the heads up..

[Ben Rubinstein]

You can't change the back between bodies? How do you do backup?

[Dustbak]

You can buy a 2nd body and have it calibrated to that particular back or you buy another H4D and have a backup for both body & back.

[gazwas]

Nice review!

Thanks Matt, your review could not have come at a more apt time. I've booked my demo of the H4D-40 and 50 for this week. 

What made you go Blad over Phase?

[Will Ophuis]

Good Review! I love mine 

[ondebanks]

You can buy a 2nd body and have it calibrated to that particular back

What exactly does "have it calibrated" entail? I am having difficulty understanding what (technologically) ties a particular back to a particular camera in the H3 and up.

[Dick Roadnight]

Hello LL,

I've just posted the first part of a review of the awesome Hasselblad H4D-40.

When can we look forward to a review of the awesome H4D-60?

[Dustbak]

I think you should ask Hasselblad about this if you want to have the exact information. I know you can buy another body when you provide them your back, a body that is calibrated for that specific back.

What that calibration specifically is? Ask Hasselblad.

[MattBeardsley]

Thanks for the comments, guys.  Regarding the issue of backs and cameras, they are calibrated to one another for the sake of precise focus.  Both the camera and back store some sort of profile information when they are paired.  It sounds like certain U.S. rental places may eventually be able to pair cameras and bodies, but – as I understand it – for now the pairing has to happen at the factory.  I know it's a contentious point for the Hasselblad system, but the payoffs, in terms of control and a shared battery, etc, offset the inconvenience in my mind.  Coming from a Nikon system, the closed/integrated approach is nothing new and offers some distinct advantages in easy and consistent workflow.

I believe it's fair to consider the H3DII and H4D unified cameras – like a Leica S2, Pentax 645D, or Nikon D3X – that happen to offer a detachable back for view camera use or easy sensor cleaning.

I have a little rental experience with Phase One/Mamiya cameras and am looking forward to an official demo in the coming weeks to really compare the two systems in my shooting environment.  Does anyone with a Phase or Mamiya kit take advantage of the interchangeability of backs and cameras?

[MattBeardsley]

Nice review!

Thanks Matt, your review could not have come at a more apt time. I've booked my demo of the H4D-40 and 50 for this week. 

What made you go Blad over Phase?

Awesome, I know you'll love it!  If you haven't already, download Phocus from the Hasselblad Web site (it's a free download).  It takes a little getting used to, but, after being pretty skeptical at first, it has become a Hassy selling point for me.  Also, I'll admit I'm a big time manual-reading nerd, but I'd really recommend reading the H4D manual and the manual for Phocus too.  Hasselblad has given the camera a pretty unique way of working and a couple changes since the H3DII.  I think the camera would be pretty frustrating without learning a few of the shortcuts and custom options.

My 3 favorites: 1) hold "down" for a second or two on the 4-way rocker switch on the digital back to delete an image  2) double tap the shutter release half-press to bring up the digital back's menu and 3) set the the "stop down" button to a one touch WB reading (big time saver for location work)..

[MattBeardsley]

Thanks, guys, for all the comments on the review and Hasselblad.  I've enjoyed getting to know the cameras and – oddly enough – the software too.  I guess I'm a little scarred by software designed by Nikon, Canon, and Pentax...  I think Hassy is on to something, though.  I posted a few thoughts and lots of screen grabs in a new post:

http://mattbeardsleyblog.com/2010/11/01/hasselblad-phocus-workflow-software/

Thanks, all, have a great evening!
Matt

[David Grover / Capture One]

Thanks Matt!

I am very glad you taken the time to explore the software and its features.

A couple of things you might want to look at if you haven't already...

- The Layout tool in the tool bar that let's you save and edit different workspaces in the software.  This can also include different presets in the tools. Additionally you can activate 'Layout Triggers' which means the workspace can automatically change when you connect a camera, connect a CF card or launch the software.

i.e. When you connect a camera Phocus can automatically switch to your 'capture' layout and set the tools accordingly.

- The Adjustment Browser. Here you can save a combination of different tool sets as different images recipes for different looks and styles etc. These can also be leveraged in the Modify tool which you already mentioned.

Also during the improting from CF card process you can apply any of these adjustments saving you time later on. This could even be something simple Ike your chosen level of unsharp masking for default.

Thanks again for inspiring other people!

David. 

[MattBeardsley]

David,

Thank you for taking a look and for adding more details about the software.  It's fun to use and tough to describe in a succinct blog entry!  Also, I'm glad you pointed out some of the software's ability to streamline work flow.  I'll have to spend more time with the adjustment browser...

At the risk of sounding like a giant nerd, I've enjoyed getting to know the software!

Matt

[nicksouth]

Great review Matt

Any advice re my post http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=48160.0.

Cheers
Nick.