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Swedish medium format manufacturer Hasselblad has introduced its next-generation multi-shot body, building a monster that outputs 400MP images.
Following in the footsteps of the company’s H6D-100c, the H6D-400c MS uses sensor-shift technology to combine up to six exposures into a single monster image measuring 23200 x 17400 pixels. If you work to the principle that 300ppi is ‘”photo-quality”, that means you can create a print of over 77x58in.
The final image from the 6-shot process is a 16-bit TIFF that weighs 2.3GB.
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The camera is aimed at the art digitizing market and other industries that require super-resolution and accurate color.
The H6D-400c MS gathers color information by shifting the sensor by a pixel at a time in a four-by-four grid, and recording four images with the red, green and blue filters over-lapping to produce RGBG at every pixel. The sensor is then returned to the normal position before being shifted half a pixel horizontally and then half a pixel vertically to record extra resolution via these two extra images.
The GIF below shows the whole process from start to finish:
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The system is similar to that used by companies like Olympus and Panasonic, except that these manufacturers use their ‘floating’ 5-axis sensor image stabilization technology to manipulate the sensor into position. Hasselblad’s system uses a machined metal block with a track milled into it that the sensor is shifted along.
This creates a system that’s more rigid, to ensure the sensor movements are absolutely parallel and precise every single time. When not being used in multi-shot mode, the camera acts just like a H6D-100c, so it can be used normally too.
The H6D-400c MS will begin shipping in March, but pre-orders are being accepted immediately. The price of the camera will be $ 47,995 (€39,999 / £36,250 / RMB 319,999 / JPY 5,391,380 excluding VAT). If that’s a little out of your budget, you will be able to rent it directly from Hasselblad for about $ 480 (€400 / £360) per day, with discounts available for longer-term agreements.
For more information visit the Hasselblad website.
Press Release:
Hasselblad Introduces the H6D-400c MS, a 400 Megapixel Multi-Shot Camera
Building on a vast experience of developing exceptional, high-quality single and multi-shot cameras, Hasselblad once again has raised the bar for image quality captured with medium format system.
Multi-Shot capture has become an industry standard in the field of art reproduction and cultural heritage for the documentation of paintings, sculptures, and artwork. As the only professional medium format system to feature multi-shot technology, Hasselblad continues to be the leading choice for institutions, organizations, and museums worldwide to record historic treasures in the highest image quality possible.
With over 10 years of digital imaging expertise, the latest Multi-Shot digital camera combines the H6D’s unrivalled ease of use with a completely new frontier of image quality and detail. This new camera encompasses all of the technological functions of Hasselblad’s H6D single shot camera, and adds to that the resolution and colour fidelity leaps that only Multi-Shot photography can bring to image capture.
With an effective resolution of 400MP via 6 shot image capture, or 100MP resolution in either 4 shot Multi-Shot capture or single shot mode, the Multi-Shot capture requires the sensor and its mount to be moved at a high-precision of 1 or ½ a pixel at a time via a piezo unit. To capture Multi-Shot images the camera must be tethered to a PC or MAC.
In 400MP Multi-Shot mode, 6 images are captured, the first 4 involve moving the sensor by one pixel at a time to achieve real colour data (GRGB- see 4 shot diagrams below), this cycle then returns the sensor to its starting point. A further two exposures are made moving the sensor by ½ a pixel horizontally and then ½ a pixel vertically (see 6 shot diagram on next page). These 6 captures are then merged to give the equivalent of a single 400MP image, delivered as a 2.3GB 16-bit TIFF (23200 x 17400 pixels), for those seeking the utmost in image quality and resolving power.
The H6D-400c MS encompasses all the features and functionality of Hasselblad’s standard single shot cameras:
- USB 3.0 type c connection for tethered shooting, high speed data transfers & 30FPS live view
- Dual media card slots: CFast 2.0 and SD card
- 3.0-inch touch rear display
- Smartphone style user interface
- HD & UHD video
- Modular system with improved back removal process
- Technical camera connectivity (single shot)
- Wi-Fi
- HDMI & Audio I/O
- True Focus II
The H6D-400c MS will begin shipping March 2018 with a MSRP of € 39,999 / $ 47,995 / £ 36,250 / RMB 319,999 / JPY 5,391,380 excl. VAT.
Pre-orders can start to be taken January 16th
The H6D-400c MS will also be available to rent through your local Hasselblad sales representative. The rental fee is approx. €399/day for short term loans, but you can save up to 50% of that cost if you rent for a longer period.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)