BJL wrote, "Has no-one else noticed that Hasselblad has apparently announced a new king-of-the-hill model (for resolution and sensor size) in the most amazingly understated way, an emailed price list:
FrançoisTT quote, "H3DII-60 - (Dalsa 40,2x53,7 / 60,1Mp) : 22.995 €HT (Q1/2009)"
And at king-of-the-hill affordability for that sensor size, too!
If this is for real, it sounds like the same "Full Frame 645 format" sensor as in the Phase One P65+ back --- making the talk of Phase One having an exclusive on that sensor, and of it being a Phase One-Dalsa collaboration seem a bit of an "exaggeration".
P.S. I just found official confirmation for this news:
http://www.hasselblad.se/news/hasselblad-a...directions.aspx"
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Looks like Hasselblad is attempting to flex some muscle and lay waste to Phase One, Leaf, and Sinar profit margins, and especially newcomer Leica with its new S2.
A very interesting strategy on Hasselblad's part to make a "poison pen" announcement of their upcoming 60MP sensor (Q1/2009) at a price point of around $33,724.33 USD (direct conversion of Euros to USD) undercutting the potential volume of sales of Phase One's P65+ first to market "645 MFDB" (Q4/ 2008) and its initial price point of approx $39,413.00 USD.
And that the Hasselblad price will include the HD3II camera and 80mm lens as well as the 60MP Back!
There is a very serious marketing battle in progress!
Will Phase One respond and adjust their pricing structure to be more competitive?
Is the Leica S2 product announcement providing fuel to Hasselblad's price reduction too? And will Leica have to adjust their "stratospheric" pricing on their new S-System camera and lenses before they even get out of the gate?
Will Nikon join in this crazy fray with their rumored MX product? And what of Canon?
Folks, don't turn that dial; stay tuned for the next exciting episode!
Joe Bossuyt