Skip to main content

Can’t spend $9K on a high-end camera? ‘Rent a Hasselblad’ is the next-best thing

Hasselblad X1D 50c Review side
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
Hasselblads are often the dream cameras of the photography world, but few can afford the medium-format system. The company, however, is working to make sure the $9,000 price of the medium format mirrorless X1D-50c doesn’t keep photographers from never getting their hands on one with a new rental program. Announced on Thursday, November 16, Rent a Hasselblad allows photographers to borrow the X1D along with a number of different lenses.

“Owning a Hasselblad medium-format camera system is a significant investment even for a successful high-paid photographer,” Hasselblad marketing manager Bronius Rudnickas said in a press release. “Consequently, many professional photographers and enthusiasts haven’t had the opportunity to see what they’re able to create with Hasselblad’s medium format technology. The ‘Rent a Hasselblad’ program is designed to change that and we’re looking forward to seeing what photographers are able to produce having easier access to our photographic tools.”

The Hasselblad rentals allow photographers to reserve a camera for a specific time-frame, then pick up the gear at one of 40 different locations worldwide. Along with making the medium format available for specific photoshoots or travel, the program will also allow photographers considering owning the system to try before they buy. Photographers that decide to purchase the camera system after the rental can use what they already spent on the rental to offset some of the cost of the camera.

Hasselblad says the program has “reasonable” rental fees. The company also plans to expand the program to more pick-up locations around the world in the future. While the plan is the first option to rent cameras directly from the company, some third-party companies, including Lensrentals, allow photographers to rent the X1D.

The X1D is the first (though now not the only) mirrorless camera to spot a medium format sensor, larger than even full frame for even more light-gathering power, resolution and bokeh. The 50 megapixel camera is the highest scoring camera currently inside of the DxO Mark database and while the body alone costs around $9,000, the price is considerably lower than the company’s other medium format digital cameras that hit five-digit prices.

Photographers interested in renting the camera can now reserve the gear online at Hasselblad’s website.

Editors' Recommendations

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
DJI Mini Pro 4 leak appears to reveal the drone’s specs
A retail box apparently showing DJI's upcoming Mini Pro 4 drone.

DJI appears close to unveiling the Mini 4 Pro, the successor to the Mini 3 Pro that launched in May last year.

First, as a reminder, DJI’s smallest and lightest “Pro” drone tips the scales at just 249 grams, a carefully considered move as it’s just 1 gram below the drone weight category that involves having to register it with the authorities. Sure, that’s no great hardship for most folks, but the fewer hoops you have to jump through to get your bird in the sky, the better.

Read more
GoPro unveils its latest action camera, the Hero 12 Black
GoPro's Hero 12 Black action camera.

GoPro: Introducing HERO12 Black | Everything You Need to Know

GoPro is back with the latest iteration of its popular action camera. The new GoPro Hero 12 Black is the kind of solid piece of kit we’ve come to expect from a company that’s been in the game for years. That’s actually created a bit of a problem for GoPro, with many customers happy to hang onto their current model rather than upgrade. So it'll be hoping the latest version will be attractive enough to prompt a wave of purchases among current owners, while at the same time attracting a bunch of first-time buyers, too.

Read more
How to hide photos on your Android phone or tablet
Google Photos

While modern smartphones are quite secure as long as they remain locked with a passcode or biometrics like a fingerprint, by default those features only protect the front door. If someone picks up your phone while it's unlocked, there aren't typically any barriers that will keep them out of exploring everything from your contacts and emails to your photos.

This can be particularly challenging when it comes to photos, since those are the things we like to show off the most from our phones. We've likely all had those moments when we want to show a friend or co-worker a funny cat meme, so we hand over our phone and trust that they won't swipe right and see the photo of the hairy mole that we sent to our doctor that morning.

Read more