37 Facts About Hasselblad

Victor Hasselblad AB is a Swedish manufacturer of medium format cameras, photographic equipment and image scanners based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Hasselblad originally became known for its classic analog medium-format cameras that used a waist-level viewfinder.

In 2016, Hasselblad introduced the world's first digital compact mirrorless medium-format camera, the X1D-50c, changing the portability of medium-format photography.

The founder's son, Arvid Viktor Hasselblad, was interested in photography and started the photographic division of the company.

In 1877, Arvid Hasselblad commissioned the construction of Hasselblad's long-time headquarters building, in use until 2002.

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In 1888, Hasselblad became the sole Swedish distributor of Eastman's products.

In 1942, Karl Erik Hasselblad died and Victor took control of the family business.

Hasselblad took their two products to the 1954 photokina trade show in Germany, and word began to spread.

In 1966, with the increasing success of the camera division, Hasselblad exited the photographic supply and retailing industry, selling Hasselblad Fotografiska AB to Kodak.

In 1976, Victor Hasselblad sold Hasselblad AB to a Swedish investment company, Safvean AB.

In 1985 Hasselblad established the subsidiary, Hasselblad Electronic Imaging AB, to focus on digital imaging and transmission systems.

In 1996, Hasselblad was sold, with the new owners being UBS, Cinven, and the Hasselblad management.

In 1998, Hasselblad began selling the XPan, a camera designed and made in Japan by Fujifilm.

Several different models of Hasselblad cameras were taken into space, all specially modified for the task.

Hasselblad cameras were selected by NASA because of their interchangeable lenses and magazines.

Name "V System" was not created until the development of the "H System"; with a new system premiering, Hasselblad needed a designation to differentiate the older product line.

The Hasselblad V-System evolved out of Victor Hasselblad's desire to develop a small camera with fast lenses and shutters, that was as easily hand-holdable as a Leica, but with a larger film format.

Hasselblad launched the H System at photokina in September 2002.

Hasselblad initially invited both PhaseOne and Kodak to develop digital backs for the H-System.

Identical to the H1, but sold bundled with a Hasselblad-branded Imacon 22Mp iXpress back which coupled with a 40GB Image Bank allowed shooting of up to 850 images in one session.

Hasselblad started to look at ways that image quality and functionality could be enhanced even more through better integration.

Hasselblad sells an additional adapter to mount HCD lenses onto XCD lens mounts while retaining autofocus capabilities.

Hasselblad announced a zoom lens with an focal length range of 35 to 75mm.

In June 2016, Hasselblad announced the X1D-50c, the first of a new line of medium format mirrorless cameras.

Hasselblad announced the X1D II 50c in June 2019, an upgraded variant of the original camera with the exact same sensor but faster electronics and a lower price point.

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Hasselblad launches the 100 megapixel X2D 100C in September 2022, with better AF, IBIS, a revised design and three new X system lenses.

When Hasselblad merged with Imacon in 2004, it acquired Imacon's existing range of Flextight scanners.

In 2006, Hasselblad launched two additional Flextight models, the X1 and the X5.

Hasselblad produces its own advanced image processing software called Phocus.

In 2010, Hasselblad announced that future Windows versions of Phocus will not provide raw file support for 3rd-party cameras.

In June 2019, Hasselblad announced the new Phocus Mobile 2, enabling a more portable workflow via USB-C and Wi-Fi connection for the traveling photographer.

In 2012 Hasselblad began marketing redesigned versions of Sony digital cameras.

At the 2012 photokina trade show in Germany, Hasselblad announced it would release a new mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera using the Sony E-mount.

On 23 July 2013 Hasselblad announced the Stellar, a "luxury" compact digital camera based on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100.

Unlike Leica in a similar partnership with Panasonic, Hasselblad did not make claims of reprogrammed image processing.

Hasselblad used the same marketing strategy, selling the OEM cameras under their brand at the prices two or three times higher than those of the original Sony cameras.

Hasselblad published the Hasselblad Forum until 2007, and it was replaced by the new large-format journal, Victor.