Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/01/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]*Cedric Agie* wrote: >As I said before the same story goes for the many Hasselblad owners among us. >When will we see a decent digital back for our beloved 500 500CM, SWC, ELM etc? >Without having to sell everything for an even more expensive composite body with Fujy lenses? >Again it's IMACON who makes the digital backs for Hasselblad. I hope newcomers will appear soon. >I recently saw a digital back made in China or the US compatible with Hasselblad bodies. >But it is hard to find and still expensive. Again wait and see, technology will improve and prices will go down. Hasselblad has made dedicated digital backs for the V-system cameras since at least 2006 (release of the 503CWD-16), including the the CFV-16, CFV-39 and the latest CFV-50 (50 megapixel 6x4.5 format sensor). I own a CFV-16 v2 back and it works perfectly with my 501CM, 553EXL, 503CXi and 503CW bodies. Yes, I wish it was a full frame 6x6cm square sensor.....but the market for that is so small, I don't think we will ever see one. So unlike Leica which dropped the R series all together, I think Hasselblad deserves some credit for continuing to offer a digital solution for it's legacy V-system owners. I had thought about buying a DMR for my Leica R8, but was concerned about even getting usable batteries for the camera. By contrast, my Hasselblad CFV-16 digital back uses a readily available Sony battery which is used on many Sony video cameras. Phase One and Leaf also make digital backs which can be used on the Hasselblad V-system cameras. I have a friend who is currently using a Leaf Aptus II (22 megapixel, 6x4.5 format) digital back on his 501CM and getting beautiful results. 16-22 megapixel digital backs from Phase One and Leaf can be found on the used market for ~$4,000 now. My friend paid $4,500 for his Leaf Aptus II and it had less than 200 shots on the back.....absolutely perfect condition. Here's shot from my 503CW with the CFV-16II and a 100mm f3.5 CFi lens. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/bensonga/A0000065+Grafitti+Rocks+XXL.jpg.html Gary Benson Eagle River, Alaska