Several websites published Q&A sessions and interviews with Hasselblad's executives about the new X1D medium format mirrorless camera (see announcement, additional info, pre-orders). Here are few quotes - the first set is from WEX Photographic:
Q. Is this camera designed by or in collaboration with Fuji?
A. We have a fantastic relationship with Fuji, but this product has been completely designed, conceptualised and manufactured here in Sweden and assembled in Japan by Nittoh. Fuji has absolutely nothing to do with itCorrection: Only the new lenses are assembled by Nittoh, not the cameras - they are assembled in Gothenburg, Sweden. Therefore the Made in Sweden mark on the camera.
Q. Why is the price so low compared to other medium-format bodies?
A. The H camera is a modular concept, an established system that is for users that want to continually upgrade. Being mirrorless there is a price difference but we haven’t cut costs. We would like to reach more peopleQ. Who is this camera aimed at?
A. It’s aimed at existing customers. But at the same time, we see the advanced amateurs as well as professionals who may want to upgrade to medium format coming to this cameraQ. How good are the new lenses?
A. These new XCD lenses have the same performance level as all of the H lenses, they are spectacularQ. Anything for later in the year?
A. There’s more to come, but this is a milestone and a new path. But there will be more surprises at Photokina
Read the whole article at WEX Photographic.
The next interview with CEO Perry Oosting is from Amateurphotographer:
Q. We wondered whether Hasselblad would perhaps make a digital camera that could be adapted to accept XPan lenses
A. There is sometimes a lot of romance about the past and we respect the past and take our inspiration from it, but we need to prepare for the future. We get a lot of requests to make a 6x6cm [digital] model, but financially it doesn’t make any sense because we have to develop a 6×6 sensor. I’m not so sure that many of those people who asked would pay the necessary price point, having looked at the economic models behind it. So, if you develop a product you need to say, OK, we have a foundation, which is the new electronic platform we created [for the H6D]. That foundation can lead to additional products. Of course, the X1D uses completely different parts: the PC board is a different size with some different functionalities, and there are different ways of taking pictures. The higher ISO is also key. The X1D is a portable camera – that was the thought process. We would love to do 6×6 sensors, though.Q. Do you hope to encroach on the market of companies such as Leica?
A. I think those dealers are interesting for us because they have the knowledge, the staff and the customers for that price segment.Q. I see that the camera is assembled in Sweden, yet some of the components are made outside?
A. Yes, but the whole mechanical design is done by us in Sweden. We then looked at sourcing the parts. The shutter is made completely in-house as we see that as a key element we own, as well as the user-interface design. But, of course, we don’t make the display, we source the display and we test the display. But the board behind the display and the UI are absolutely by us.
Dpreview also published their interview with Hasselblad's product manager Ove Bengtson, here are few interesting quotes:
We really do want phase detection but we'll have to wait for the sensor manufacturer.
It is still early days for this camera but when it comes to market it will have touch AF.
Right now... we have no zooms on the roadmap.
Hasselblad has also been answering many question on their Facebook page.
