Hasselblad: The Icon of Medium Format Photography

If you are a photography enthusiast, you have probably heard of Hasselblad, the Swedish manufacturer of digital medium format cameras and lenses. Hasselblad cameras are renowned for their iconic design, uncompromising image quality, and high performance. But how much do you know about the history and achievements of this legendary brand? In this blog post, we will explore the origins, innovations, and inspirations of Hasselblad, and why it is considered the ultimate choice for professional and passionate photographers.

The Origins of Hasselblad

Hasselblad was founded in 1841 by Fritz Victor Hasselblad, a merchant who imported photographic equipment from Europe to Sweden. His son, Arvid Viktor Hasselblad, inherited the business and became interested in photography himself. He established a photographic studio in Gothenburg, and later opened a factory to produce his own cameras and accessories.

However, it was Arvid’s son, Victor Hasselblad, who would make the most significant impact on the history of photography. Victor was a visionary and an inventor, who had a passion for nature and wildlife photography. He was also a patriot, who wanted to contribute to the Swedish defense industry during World War II. In 1941, he was asked by the Swedish government to reverse-engineer a German aerial camera that had been captured by the Allies. Victor accepted the challenge, but instead of copying the camera, he decided to improve it and create his own design. He assembled a team of engineers and craftsmen, and worked tirelessly to develop a new camera system that was compact, lightweight, and versatile. He named it the HK-7, and it was the first Hasselblad camera to use a reflex mirror and interchangeable lenses.

The HK-7 was a success, and Victor realized that his camera system had great potential for civilian use as well. He continued to refine his design, and in 1948, he launched the Hasselblad 1600F, the world’s first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera for medium format film. The 1600F was a revolutionary product, that offered unprecedented flexibility and image quality for professional photographers. It had a modular design, that allowed the user to change the lens, the film magazine, the viewfinder, and the focusing screen. It also had a focal plane shutter, that enabled fast shutter speeds and flash synchronization. The 1600F was followed by the 1000F in 1952, which improved the reliability and durability of the camera.

The Innovations of Hasselblad

Hasselblad continued to innovate and improve its camera system, and introduced several models that became milestones in the history of photography. In 1957, Hasselblad launched the 500C, which replaced the focal plane shutter with a leaf shutter in each lens. This increased the flash synchronization speed, reduced the vibration and noise, and simplified the operation of the camera. The 500C also introduced the iconic Hasselblad logo, designed by Karl-Erik Forsberg, and the distinctive “Hasselblad sound”, created by the shutter and the mirror mechanism.

The 500C was the camera that made Hasselblad famous worldwide, and earned it the reputation of being the best camera in the world. It was used by many renowned photographers, such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Ansel Adams, and Helmut Newton, who praised its performance, reliability, and aesthetics. It was also the camera that went to the moon, and captured the first images of the lunar surface and the human footprint. In 1962, NASA selected Hasselblad as the official camera supplier for its space missions, and modified the 500C to withstand the harsh conditions of outer space. The Hasselblad 500EL, a motorized version of the 500C, was the camera that accompanied Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, and made history as the first camera on the moon.

Hasselblad also expanded its product range, and introduced new models for different formats and applications. In 1964, Hasselblad launched the Super Wide C, a camera with a fixed 38mm lens and a 6×6 cm format, that offered a wide-angle view without distortion. In 1976, Hasselblad launched the 2000FC, a camera with a focal plane shutter that could reach speeds up to 1/2000 second. In 1984, Hasselblad launched the 200 series, a camera system that combined the advantages of both the leaf shutter and the focal plane shutter, and offered automatic exposure and metering. In 1991, Hasselblad launched the XPan, a camera that could switch between 35mm and panoramic formats, and offered a unique perspective for landscape and street photography.

The Inspirations of Hasselblad

Hasselblad has always been a source of inspiration for photographers, who have used its cameras to create stunning images and tell compelling stories. Hasselblad has also been inspired by the photographers who have used its products, and has celebrated their achievements and contributions to the art and science of photography. In 1971, Hasselblad established the Hasselblad Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports research and education in photography, and awards the prestigious Hasselblad Award, the most important international prize in photography. In 2003, Hasselblad launched the Hasselblad Masters, a biennial competition that recognizes the best photographers in the world, and showcases their work in a book and an exhibition. In 2016, Hasselblad launched the Hasselblad Heroines, a platform that highlights the achievements and challenges of female photographers, and promotes diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Hasselblad has also been inspired by the changing needs and expectations of the photographers, and has adapted to the digital era with innovation and excellence. In 2002, Hasselblad launched the H System, a new camera system that was designed for digital photography, and offered a seamless integration of the camera body, the lens, and the digital back. The H System also introduced new features, such as autofocus, zoom lenses, and True Focus, a technology that compensates for the focus shift when recomposing the image. The H System has evolved over the years, and has incorporated new sensors, processors, and software, that have improved the speed, resolution, and dynamic range of the camera. The latest model, the H6D, offers a 100-megapixel sensor, a 4K video mode, a dual card slot, a touch screen, and a USB-C and Wi-Fi connectivity.

In 2016, Hasselblad launched the X System, a new camera system that was designed for portability and simplicity, and offered a compact and lightweight solution for medium format photography. The X System also introduced a new lens range, the XCD, which features a central shutter, a leaf spring mechanism, and an integrated autofocus motor. The X System has expanded its product line, and has introduced new models, such as the X1D II 50C, which offers a faster and smoother operation, a larger and brighter display, and a higher resolution electronic viewfinder, and the X2D 100C, which offers a 100-megapixel sensor, a 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a built-in SSD, and a colour top display.

The Future of Hasselblad

Hasselblad is a brand that has a rich and illustrious history, but also a bright and promising future. Hasselblad is a brand that has always been at the forefront of innovation, but also faithful to its heritage and values. Hasselblad is a brand that has always been driven by passion, but also committed to excellence and quality. Hasselblad is a brand that has always been inspired by photographers, but also inspiring photographers. Hasselblad is a brand that has always been the icon of medium format photography, but also the leader of medium format photography.