[LFLee]

unlikely.....
I guess technology advances have made large sensor cost to drop?
or just bad economy?

Source: Hasselblad cameras price reduction | Photo Rumors

"The makers of the world's most advanced camera system have announced plans to cut the cost of ownership on a number of models - including a massive 22.9% off the entry-point H4D-31 (with 35-90mm lens) and 20.59% off the company's 'ultimate photography tool', the 60 megapixel H4D-60 camera.

Under the revised pricing structure the H4D-31 (incl. 35-90mm lens) has been reduced by 3,565 euros to 11,995 euros. The H4D-60 cost is down 6,200 euros to 23,900 euros."

[eddie1960]

Part of it most definitely is in reduced sensor cost, Part of it is likely the Nikon D800 which is a real threat in many ways to the entry level (not so much the higher models)
Partly it may be the economy, and certainly the 645D success caused a portion of it (phase adjusted their entry system a long while back to get close - but with about half the MP)

[eddie1960]

just looked the H4D-31 with 80mm is 13995 locally, so just a little more than the 645D with 55 but less mp. the H4D-40 with the 80 is 20995 so a lot more than the Pentax sill

[Tanzer]

With the D800 adding to the FF bandwagon, maybe Pentax should leapfrog all that and consider a cheaper 645D-lite version. Everyone keeps talking about a FF Pentax replacement/upgrade to the K-5. The only reason to stop at FF is the existence of full-frame lenses, of which Pentax doesn't really have very many in production anyhow. Just my $.02.

[DSims]

Whether it's fair for people to make the comparison or not, I think the Nikon D800E has much more to do with it than the 645D.

[Anvh]

The D800 is a very different camera compared to MF DSLR's i doubt that has anything to do with it.

[eddie1960]

The D800 is a very different camera compared to MF DSLR's i doubt that has anything to do with it.

it does for the entry where some people may have thought about stretching to MF, and settled for the D800

So a bigger impact at the pentax end, but the D800 will likely be a superlative studio camera and that is hassy territory

[DSims]

The D800 is a very different camera compared to MF DSLR's i doubt that has anything to do with it.

I know MF is quite different from the D800 and D800E, and I'm very outspoken about that fact. But given the great price disparity, I think it's very relevant in people's minds, and rightly so. The manufacturers need to consider people's perceptions, while also educating them about the facts. And one of the facts is that while MF is clearly better in many ways, it's not superior in every way, so many people will not be willing to pay the difference.

Nevertheless, I hate the oft-heard implications that the D800 or D800E are nearly equivalent to MF, when they're clearly not.


The problem is that if MF manufacturers don't survive in the long run, then quality standards will have been lowered - for everyone.

[eddie1960]

I agree, BUT for many are they good enough??? that is the real question. Many things that are shot in studio for clients a K5 is more than good enough, but from an image standpoint perhaps you need a D800 or a Hassy
Perception plays a big role

[DSims]

I agree, BUT for many are they good enough??? that is the real question. Many things that are shot in studio for clients a K5 is more than good enough, but from an image standpoint perhaps you need a D800 or a Hassy

Yes, at a recent Hassy promo day in LA they had a studio model setup and invited us to bring our own cameras as well. Honestly, the shots from my K-5 (with the FA43, I believe) came out quite nice. So much so that when I look at the prints I made from the K-5 I keep thinking they were taken with the H4D, until I remember I used both cameras there. The point is that with good glass either one can give a very nice result.

[eddie1960]

Yes, at a recent Hassy promo day in LA they had a studio model setup and invited us to bring our own cameras as well. Honestly, the shots from my K-5 (with the FA43, I believe) came out quite nice. So much so that when I look at the prints I made from the K-5 I keep thinking they were taken with the H4D, until I remember I used both cameras there. The point is that with good glass either one can give a very nice result.

It was a much clearer decision in film days that is for certain

[Anvh]

Thats what i mean with different, a Land Rover or a Porsche are both good cars, non is better then the other in general but they both are different.

The D800 is certainly a good studio camera and so is the 645D but they both give you another experience in results and use, non is better but they are different.

Also D800 wont hurt the 645D market, 645D 3 times the price and if someone is consider buying one because they want a MF camera they won't consider D800 as a replacement.
If you want a Porsche, you won't buy a Land rover because it's cheaper right?

Compact cameras also give you good quality these days, more then most of us need, would you consider replacing your Pentax K5 for one?

[tuco]

Hasselblad needs to find a way to make their digital backs for their film cameras way more affordable. They should be economical and a gateway drug to their H4D system. Instead, they make it a either-or decision with their high price. And I suspect it stays high priced because they don't sell in any significant volume at that price.

Or maybe the strategy is, look, you can spend about the same and get a full-featured digital camera instead of a feature-lacking digital back for that old thing you got.

[Medium FormatPro]

Prices going down on the Hasselblads for a number of reasons...


Existing sensor prices going down.

Release of new backs imminent; both film and digital.

There's likely to be a Hasselblad H5 well within a year; or perhaps even this year

[Pål Jensen]

The reason is that they don't sell....