Think full-frame DSLRs are too expensive? Check out Hasselblad’s $11,500 HV camera

By Les Shu February 3, 2014

You know how there are cars, and then there are cars? You could technically argue that Toyota and Ferrari make the same thing, from a functionality standpoint, but we all know that they aren’t equal. The same could be said about cameras. All cameras, ultimately, take pictures, but there are models akin to a Ferrari that go beyond their intended purpose – exuding style and luxury, with a price tag to match. One of those camera makers is Hasselblad, which just announced its newest full-frame DSLR, the $11,500 HV.

To professionals, Hasselblad is one of the go-to companies for medium-format cameras, which we have written about from time to time. But it also has a line of insanely expensive digital cameras that are geared toward anyone who can afford, say, that Ferrari. The HV joins the Lunar and Stellar in Hasselblad’s luxury lineup. The HV is made with titanium, high-grade aluminum, and tough PVD-finish frame, yet ergonomic and rugged (and big) like any high-end DSLR.

“This camera is aimed squarely at people who don’t just love taking pictures – but love taking them in real style,” said Hasselblad CEO Ian Rawcliffe. “And the HV doesn’t just look good; it feels good to hold too.”

Of course, as with the Lunar and Stellar, Hasselblad doesn’t mention in its press release or the website that beneath the ritzy exterior is actually the Sony A99 DSLR; everything, from the 24.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor to the SteadyShot image stabilization system, is made by Sony. The camera comes with a Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but will support any Sony A-mount or DT-mount (APS-C, cropped) lens.

We’re not sure who’s ~~insane~~ rich enough to buy these (somebody must, since Hasselblad just came out with a new model) and we can’t imagine a huge production run, which makes them that much more exclusive. For the rest of us, we can get our hands on the original Sony A99 for around $2,800 (body only) ~~– the Toyota in our comparison~~. Yes, that’s still expensive, but a bargain when you park it next to the HV.

(Via Photo District News)

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…

Photography

Pentax’s full-frame camera can shoot steadier long exposures with a new electronic shutter

pentax k 1 firmware 13 pentaxk1

Pentax K-1 users now have the option for a quieter, steadier electronic shutter, thanks to a new firmware update.

Firmware update 1.30 allows users to select the electronic shutter option in the menu over the traditional mechanical shutter. Electronic shutters don’t use any physical parts (instead a burst of energy tells the sensor when to start and stop recording), which means that there aren’t any moving parts within the camera to create shake in long exposures.

Photography

Full-frame fury: Comparing Canon’s 5DS R and Sony’s A7R II

canon 5ds r vs sony a7r ii eos lens cap

There is a debate happening in the camera world: If you had a choice between the Sony A7R Mark II or the Canon EOS 5DS, which would you pick? The online forum discussions can get a bit heated at times, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s all good: The more manufacturers battle for technical supremacy, the better it is for photographers of all levels.

Here’s why the two cameras are generating buzz. The Canon 5DS ($3,699, body only) and its doppelganger, the 5DS R ($3,899, body only but without optical low-pass filter) is, at 50.6 megapixels, the highest-megapixel full-frame DSLR camera you can buy. For anything higher, you’ll have to move up to an expensive medium-format camera or wait until somebody makes a new full-frame sensor. The Sony A7R Mark II’s 42.4MP backside-illuminated full-frame sensor doesn’t break any megapixel records, but this mirrorless camera ($3,299, body only) touts several achievements of its own: it is much smaller, has a completely different internal design, shoots at much higher ISOs (102,400 versus 12,800), and captures 4K videos. But the killer feature may be the A7R II’s ability to autofocus Canon lenses via an adapter.

Photography

Sony strengthens full-frame A7 cameras with new macro and zoom lenses

sony strengthens full frame a7 cameras with new macro and zoom lenses sel35f14z a featured

Sony is committed to its mirrorless cameras, especially now that it’s the leader in this segment (according to Japanese research firm, BCN). The company has mentioned many times its intention to grow the number of full-frame E-mount (FE) lenses, and this week it announced not one, but four new options. With Sony really pushing its full-frame A7-series cameras, having these new additions in the lineup will help bolster its efforts.

First up is the FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS. With its 10x zoom, Sony says the full-frame lens is ideal for portrait, nature, and sports photography, and complements the Alpha A7-series cameras. It’s weather-sealed against dust and moisture, and has built-in optical image stabilization. It’s a good lens for new A7 users looking for a compact longer-zoom lens. This lens will retail for $1,000, and available on March 17.