In a relatively short time, Hasselblad H-series cameras have garnered the respect of a growing stable of pro shooters, discriminating photo buffs, well-heeled attorneys and orthodontists alike. Along with the latest in imaging technologies and some of the sharpest, smoothest-operating lenses on the market, the Hasselblad H4D-40 delivers the goods in a package that's relatively light (5.04 lb / 2290 g including lens, prism finder, and battery) feels well balanced in the hand, and is as fluid to use as any 35mm-based DSLR, professional or otherwise.
The "40" in the camera's name represents the number of pixels times a million, which should more than address the most stringent demands of your clients—or your own high standards. Along with impressive levels of resolving power, the H4D's 33.1x44.2mm (7304x5478-pixel) CCD sensor delivers moire free16-bit image files (50MB RAW 3FR / 120MB 8-bit TIFF) containing a dynamic range of up to 12 stops. The native ISO of the H4D is 100, and it can be pumped up to ISO 1600 when necessary.
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You can shoot flat out at about 1.1 frames per second (50 per minute), which is on par with comparable medium-format DSLRs. This also means you can expect to fill a 4-gig SD card with about 75 images in a minute and a half. You also have the option of shooting tethered to a hard drive for longer uninterrupted shooting sessions.
The H4D features a 3", 24-bit LCD from which you can set a number of camera functions as well as play back and/or edit images on the fly. For viewing and composing, Hasselblad H-series cameras offer the option of the HV 90x prism finder, which contains a pop-up flash (G# 12 @ ISO100) for times you need a fast "eye-opener," and the HVM Waist-level finder.
Optically speaking, there's a full, well-rounded stable of Hasselblad HC / HCD lenses that go from an ultra-wide 28mm through 300 mm, including a 120/4 Macro, 2 zooms, a 1.7x teleconverter, extension tubes, and an HTS Tilt-Shift adapter that allows you to toy with the perspective and the plane of focus of your images. Hasselblad HC / HCD lenses feature center shutters with a shutter-speed range of 256 seconds to 1/800th of a second with full sync throughout the entire range.
For photographers who own Hasselblad C-series optics, there's a CF adapter that allows you to continue using these lenses on H-series bodies.
In a bid to wet your whistle, Hasselblad is currently offering the H4D-40 with an HCD 35-90mm wide-to-normal zoom lens in place of the 80mm 'normal' lens for $19,995 (including an HV 90x prism finder and battery), which equals a saving of about $5000 off the usual selling price of the same kit with the 80mm lens.
Additionally, Hasselblad is also offering a 30% discount on a Hasselblad HC / HCD-series lens of your choice when purchased at the same time as an H4D kit with an 80mm lens ($19,995) or an H4D body and prism without the 80mm lens ($17,995).
So if you've been toying with the idea of stepping up to one of the finast imaging machines currently on the market, here's 2 good reasons to take the plunge.
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