How good is a $38,000 Camera? Hasselblad H3D-39
When first released back in 2007, this camera cost more than a new Tesla Model 3 car. Today we look at the previously unreachable Hasselblad H3D-39 digital medium format camera. I just picked this camera up for a fraction of the original list price and it must be THE BEST deal of the century in terms of ‘bang for the buck’. (It is also has a CCD sensor so I compare it to my old Leica M9 camera*).
What is a Hasselblad H camera?
First announced in Photokina back in 2002, Hasselblad launched the Hasselblad H series cameras with their Hasselblad H1. These are modular cameras similar to the Hasselblad V series (500 series) classics but with autofocus and more mod cons. Unlike classic Hasselblad which are 6×6 square format the Hasselblad H cameras are closer to a 6×4.5 crop. By this I mean the Hasselblad H film back is a 645 back but the digital backs are a smaller crop of this.
Hasselblad H2 (and H1)
The first two Hasselblad H cameras were the H1 and H2. I own the Hasselblad H2 so check out that full article below which includes sample photos (and a linked Hasselblad H2 YouTube video).
My Hasselblad H3D-31
If you’re a long term follower you may know that I used to own a Hasselblad H3D-31 camera with its 31MP digital back (plus 6×4.5 film back) back in 2016. Amazing camera that I used with both a digital back (31MP) and 645 Hasselblad film back.
Sadly its life was cut short after the camera was water damaged during a photoshoot in Poland. I replaced the Hasselblad H3D-31 with the Hasselblad H2 and since that time I have only shot with a film back on my Hasselblad H2.
Buying a Hasselblad H3D-39
As a photography YouTuber I’ve always been very inquisitive and am always looking for that new (different*) camera to take my work up to the next level. Blog Insiders and regulars will know that I normally shoot with Leica cameras (especially for digital), hence the blog name. I love the feel of Leica cameras and they do all I ask. Me suddenly buying a Hasselblad H3D-39 was unplanned but maybe I can explain it.
A new Leica won’t improve my images
I’m very familiar with the Leica camera ecosystem and have shot with all popular models, Leica M, Leica SL, Leica Q and Leica CL. I’ve used the latest Leica SL3, Leica M11-P, Leica Q3 and Leica Monochrom cameras. They are all lovely no doubt but the new cameras don’t improve my images compared to my existing older Leica cameras that I regularly use. If I want to drastically improve my model photography images I had to look beyond Leica full frame cameras.
Is film the answer?
Shooting film is fantastic for female portraits and I enjoy using 35mm Leica cameras, Nikon SLR, medium format film such as Hasselblad’s and even large format film with my 4×5 Linhof (and others).
If I wasn’t working every day making YouTube videos or teaching photography workshops, film would be an ideal solution for my need to capture creative portraits. Sadly as I get more known from YouTube and the likes, my free time decreases so film is no longer viable as the only solution.
*Note, I am still shooting film but currently I don’t have time to develop or print it.
The need for digital
Digital is just much easier and faster as a creator and YouTuber. I can share photos taken within a few hours of a photoshoot if I want (and quicker if I used the Leica App and my mobile). So if I’m stuck with digital as my main medium I need a camera system to complement (not replace) my existing digital Leica cameras.
Full frame digital isn’t enough
I looked at all the popular options for digital full frame cameras (well the ones I would be willing to use) and quickly scrapped that idea. Leica is already king for full frame digital for me so I will need to look at something else. Something bigger.
Medium format digital options
My second favourite brand for digital after Leica is Hasselblad. I’ve reviewed the Hasselblad X2D and loved the experience so that was the obvious choice. I didn’t want 100MP so I also considered the older Hasselblad X1D and X1DII.
If you’re on the market for medium format digital you also have Fuji GFX cameras with 50MP and 100MP sensors. The sensors in the Fuji GFX and Hasselblad cameras are the same. Both systems use Sony CMOS sensors.
Leaf shutter lens cameras
To compliment my existing Leica digital cameras I wanted a digital camera with leaf shutter lenses so I can shoot with flash in daylight. My old Hasselblad H3D-31 gave me 1/800 max and Leica Q cameras can sync flash up to 1/2000. Hasselblad X2D cameras also offers 1/2000 max flash sync speed. These fast max flash sync speeds let you get much more creative when it comes to flash photography and you don’t need high speed sync so you get more power from your flash units.
Digital Hasselblad cameras
The more I read up on the Hasselblad X series cameras the more I realised I didn’t need all the modern features (and the price tag). I was searching the web for Hasselblad and accidentally saw a listing on MBP for a used Hasselblad H3D-39. No lens, and something else missing so it was discounted to a price so low that I had to buy it immediately. I was in a fortunate position that the H2 kit I already own covered any gaps in the H3D-39 listing.
Cheap plus I already have the lenses
As I own the Hasselblad H2 I have a spare battery, spare charger, 6×4.5 Hasselblad H film back, Hasselblad HC 80mm f2.8 kit lens and a Hasselblad CF adapter so I can mount all my Hasselblad V series lenses to a H body.
Buying the low price Hasselblad H3D-39 gave me a digital back again plus spare body and prism if my H2 ever died. This gives me a perfect body backup solution for when I want to shoot only the 645 film back and I can play with the 39MP CCD digital back too.
Medium format big CCD Kodak sensor
Unlike all my Leica digital cameras that have CMOS sensors the Hasselblad H3D-39 comes with a huge Kodak CCD sensor. This sensor is bigger than all the Hasselblad X series cameras, the Fuji GFX camera and the Pentax 645 digital cameras.
Yes it is only 39MP vs 100MP of the X2D but sensor size is much more important than megapixels when it comes to creative shallow DOF. My Hasselblad H3D-39 is like my old Leica M9 on steroids and will make me shoot differently.
Leica M9 on steroids
As a former Leica M9 M9 user I often reminisce about how great the M9 CCD colours were. I wrote about hating the Leica M240 files and trying to return the camera in a previous post.
Time is a great healer and I learnt to love the CMOS sensor files (once I add my MrLeica presets to the RAW files). It’s not just the Kodak CCD sensor that is similar. Here is a list comparing the Leica M9 to the Hasselblad H3D-39.
Hasselblad H3D-39 vs Leica M9
Both cameras have the following features –
- Kodak CCD sensor
- Therefore great colours and nice rendering
- And poor high ISO performance
- Small low res LCD screen
- Louder than modern cameras
- Slower than modern cameras
- Some kind of magic charm
Comparing the Leica M9 vs Hasselblad H3D-39
PhaseOne XF vs Hasselblad H3D-39
If you want an even bigger CCD sensor look at the PhaseOne XF with the IQ180 digital back. In this video I interview a PhaseOne + Leica M9 owner (Patreon) and show both cameras side by side together with the Leica M9.
Kodak CCD colours
Here are a few sample photos showing colour files from the Hasselblad H39-39. View my Leica M9 article to compare to the Leica CCD camera colours.
Hasselblad CCD Lightroom Presets
If you’ve read this article you’ll know I’m completely lost without Lightroom presets when it comes to editing. I developed a MrLeica Hasselblad CCD preset pack containing 5 presets (2x black and white plus 3x colour). All the Hasselblad H3D-39 images in this article were edited with these presets. I’ve now listed the preset pack as available to download here if you’re interested.
Hasselblad H3D-39 spec overview
There will be better sources for a full Hasselblad H3D-39 spec sheet so I’ve just cover some of the basics –
- Medium format 49mm x 36mm Kodak CCD sensor
- 39MP digital back (4:3 aspect ratio)
- ISO 50-400 (200 max for me*)
- Shutter speeds 32 seconds – 1/800
- Leaf shutter autofocus Hasselblad HC lenses (by Fujinon*)
- Modular design – body, lens, viewfinder, film + digital backs
- Weight – 2175g / 76.7oz
- RAW capture only (no JPEG)
- Compact Flash “CF” card (Not SD cards)
- 2.2″ fixed LCD screen on digital back
- 100% viewfinder coverage
- 0.7 frames a second
- No weather sealing
- No image stabilisation
- No mod cons
Best digital camera for portraits?
If you are a model photographer or portrait photographer like me what is the best digital camera for portraits? I’m sure if you asked 10 different photographers you’d get 10 different answers as we all shoot differently but here is my 2p worth.
With full frame cameras (you can use any brand, I prefer Leica), by using a fast aperture lens it will help let you achieve this pleasing shallow depth of field look for portraits. Those classic blurry background shots. I often use fast 50mm lenses on the Leica cameras.
Less editing
As someone that specialises in female portraits I often love to use a shallow depth of field. With the right camera and lens you can have the eyes sharp but the skin slightly soft so I rarely need to edit. This is really important for my workflow (regardless of the lens and aperture) that I don’t need to fix skin in post.
Smart use of light also helps avoid the need to edit skin. (I’m not great at editing so I need to be able to get clean shots in camera and finish them with a MrLeica preset added in Lightroom).
For full transparency, I’m only human and don’t always achieve this. It will depend on the light on the day of your shoot (and the model of course). The next eBook I plan to write will be everything you need to know about portrait lighting (what works best for me).
Full frame just can’t compete
If you already use full frame and a fast lens yet want something more special then you need to look at bigger sensors. In simple terms, medium format digital gives a unique look where the areas in focus are very sharp (perhaps like using f4 on full frame) yet the depth is shallow (soft) like you shot the photo at f1.0. Put these two characteristics together and you have a winning combination.
Hasselblad H3D-39 portraits
All of the Hasselblad H3D-39 portraits were captured in RAW then MrLeica preset added in Lightroom (as mentioned above).
Leica M9 portraits (as a comparison)
To give you something to compare the Hasselblad H3D-39 portraits to, here are a series of Leica M9 portraits that I shot around 10 years ago. Comment below you thoughts, favourites!
Best lens for Hasselblad H3D-39?
Lenses designed for these Hasselblad H cameras are called Hasselblad HC lenses. Check eBay and MBP for deals (there is a money off MBP code on the gear tab). I made a video on my favourite Hasselblad HC lenses, see below.
For studio work I love the HC 120mm f4 macro lens (and it let’s me get closer if I want to). The Hasselblad HC 80 f2.8 kit lens is the best for my overseas shoot as it’s the smallest and lightest. For bokeh and low light the Hasselblad HC 100mm f2.2 is a must have.
Hasselblad HC 100mm f2.2 – Bought again
After my Hasselblad H3D-31 died I sold my Hasselblad HC 100mm f2.2 lens and a few others to simplify my kit. With the 645 film back on the Hasselblad H2 I can shoot film at ISO 800 or 1600 no issue and have enough light with the HC 80mm f2.8 kit lens.
After picking up the Hasselblad H3D-39 with a base ISO of 50 I soon realised a needed a faster lens again. It was like my Leica M9 days all over again where I had to buy the Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.0 lens for low light weddings. (f1.4 lenses were not bright enough).
Most of the photos shared in the portrait section above were shot with the Hasselblad HC 100mm f2.2 lens and I really enjoyed it for film on the Hasselblad H2 in the past. Below are a few film photos to show the bokeh rendering better.
The Hasselblad HC 100mm f2.2 will be my lens of choice for most of my Hasselblad H3D-39 photos, especially in low light situations during the winter months.
Word of warning – It’s not all good news!
So far in this article I think I’ve only covered the up side of the Hasselblad H3D-39 camera. It can’t be all good news surely?
Problems with Hasselblad H3D-39
So what are the problems with these now old Hasselblad H3D-39 (and similar) digital cameras. Let’s make a list to make it easier (As a reference point, let’s compare to a modern digital camera with a CMOS sensor. Say my Leica SL for example).
- Maximum useable high ISO of 200 (I try to use ISO 50-100 max)
- Big camera-lens combo, need a larger bag
- Heavier camera kit if planning to fly and have weight restrictions
- Often the need to also pack lighting equipment (Lights, stands, mods)
- Noisy shutter – Not for church weddings!
- Small low res LCD screen (without touchscreen display feature)
- Legacy CF card storage (not the common SD cards we use now)
- Limited or no support from Hasselblad (Seems to depend on region)
- Slow frames per second (It’s like shooting a MF film camera)
- Big 39MP files (Slow down my Mac when using Adobe Lightroom)
- Complete lack of “mod cons” (You can’t transfer images via an App!)
There are probably more negatives too that I forgot too but as you can see the age of this camera shows. The main drawbacks for me are the size and the need for more light in a practical sense but the upside far outweighs the negatives. Let’s finish with the benefits.
Benefits of a Hasselblad H3D-39
To recap the full article, here are the reason why I love the Hasselblad H3D-39. Note, most of these benefits will be similar for the full range of Hasselblad H cameras. Perhaps I will cover the different Hasselblad H models in a follow up article. Subscribe so not to miss that!
- Kodak CCD sensor (I’m in the “CCD is cooler than CMOS camp”!)
- 39MP (I always said I didn’t need more MP but it can be nice for editing + any cropping)
- 1/800 max flash sync speed (with HC lenses)(I love this for strobe work)
- Base ISO 50 (The same as my Leica SL. Love this for fast lenses on bright days)
- Film back + digital back options (Not many systems let you shoot both mediums)
- Modular design (Easy to change out lenses, backs and even viewfinders
- Professional quality (It may be old but it’s pro level equipment and a joy to use)
- Satisfying recoil (The opposite of a near silent Leica M10-P, you feel your shots!)
- Head turner (When used in public this camera turns heads for sure – good or bad)
- Huge sensor dimensions (It gives a true medium format depth vs smaller sensors)
- Hasselblad HC autofocus lenses (Great optics and can use one handed vs manual focus)
The end of my Leica journey?
If I love the Hasselblad H3D-39 so much is this the end of my long and happy Leica journey? Not at all. I will use the Hasselblad H3D-39 for many of my model photoshoots but sometimes the conditions will suit a small CMOS sensor Leica camera better. For all non-photoshoot images I will still use my Leica cameras. I have zero interest in using the Hasselblad for high res landscape photos, travel photos or street.
Complement each other
Leica are great at being small and stealthy so I will continue to enjoy them as I always have. The Hasselblad H3D-39 will allow me to continue to push forward with my portrait work and has inspired me to get back into flash photography. (For the last few years I’ve been using mostly LED lights plus available light). Both camera systems (and lighting systems) have their strengths hence I need to write another eBook. Talking of books..
First impressions + H3D-39 photoshoot on YouTube
Mamiya 645 vs Hasselblad H cameras
Would you love to photograph models?
If you are a regular reader you may know that I spend most of my time either teaching 1:1 photography workshops or making YouTube videos. Not every photographer has the capacity to book onto one of my MrLeica workshops so I wanted to put all my model photography/ portrait photography knowledge into an eBook that everyone has access to.
My new eBook is ready to launch!
If you’ve always wanted to photograph models but don’t know where to start or are merely looking to refine your portrait skills, you will love my new eBook. It’s been over 3 years in the making and shares over a decade of learning across 50 easy to read chapters.
My complete Model Photography Handbook (Photoshoot A-Z Guide) gives you a fast, easy and fun framework with checklists, questions answered and advice from models.
Sign up to my Patreon (you can follow for free) and/ or Follow the blog to receive early access and benefit from the early birds discounted price. (The new book is due to be launched in the coming days).
Matt, well-reasoned and technically sound. Your folks did not raise a fool.
I understand the draw of HB. I got sucked in when comparing the X2D + lens (XCD 55V) to the M11 + lens (the 50 whatever Leitz was pushing on the M11) and compared what I got for the money. The IBIS is really good, the IQ and color has Leitz beat hands down. The tones and gradations amaze me and it shoots skin with detail but still kindness; magic.
I still love my M9, especially with a nice Sonnar on it. But when I want a camera that will get the most pictures most often and most good ones I read for the X2D. And those Sonnars cover all of the X2D sensor. A lot of your glass would hang off the front of the X2D well, too. You understand I am speaking as a rank amateur and cannot understand the game anywhere as well as you do. But for my simple mind the X2D is simply the best.
Good luck with your new HB. I know it will be a moneymaker for you. I can see you are doing well, the models are getting classier with each passing year. So lots of luck and continued great success.
Thanks Sandy! Very kind of you. Yes if I get a chance to revisit the X2D (or similar) I will and I’ll put a video together for YouTube. It sounds like it works perfectly for your needs! Have a great day. Matt
Back in the days when we used to have a commercial studio we had a couple of these. Very good quality when they actually work. Tethering is a lotto, many times the camera loses connection to the back, so you have to pull battery etc. Not something you can do on a packed commercial shoot schedule. Then the firewire port fell off, so we shipped it to Hasselblad for repair. They charged 800 euros (about 10 years go), and then couple of months later the thing was off again. Yes, very goo quality, but not worth the anxiety for me. And I can say for a fact that none of our clients could tell the difference between the hassy and the canon 1ds we also used. But then if it’s cheap enough and for personal amusement, why the hell not.
Thanks for sharing your experience (and sorry it was not all good). Yes I think electronics back then were not great so I’ve never tethered this one or my old H3D-31. I know for commercial work you’d need to like Peter Coulson does with his Hassy H6D (I think he uses). Love the images though and yes I have backup cameras so it’s all good. Cheers
photos with m9 – you shot with fast optics. Hassel doesn’t have this. For street M or SL are still the best. For portraits, your Hassel has a great matrix. but this is only visible on larger paper. the most important thing is to be in harmony with yourself. good luck!
Thanks Oleg! Yes photos with both cameras included fast lenses. 50mm f1 on FF and 100mm f2.2 on MF. 100% M win for street. Yes Hassy is nice for portraits (and with film back too!) I hope to find time to do some printing this winter so I need good film negs. Thanks Matt
Hi Matt – long time fan of your work – and totally agree about the different looks of the older ccd medium format bodies – I’ve heard it described as drawing with a different type of crayon and that seems to fit well lol – I miss my H3d-31 and phase one p45 – someday I’ll pick them up again but for now keep shooting your awesome stuff and always a pleasure!
Thanks Rich! Yes they definitely have some magic sauce thing going on which I love (and the prices are great too!) I’m using mine currently in the US during workshops so new images to follow. Matt
Great report!
Wow, the cameras are very cheap. eBay has them from $1,800 – $4,000 or so. Didn’t bother to read the specs, just curious.
Matt,
I have followed and liked your work for many years. But you are reaching a new level with the ‘Blad.
I too have one of these, and the 100 2.2 which I have primarily used tethered in the studio. It does work exceptionally well for that. But you make me realize I need to use it more.
As you note it’s nice to be able to use a $30,000 camera for about 10% of its fairly recent cost.
Thanks Ashton, very kind and yes I feel the Hassy has helped me step up my game. (I’ll be honest I’m not sure how much is the camera and how much is from it making me light portraits vs. available light but today I used the same lights with the SL and the Hassy so we’ll see.
Hi Matt,
I’m really glad there’s still a few people out there still making good use of this wonderful cameras. I’d really love to get myself one of the CCD backs for my 500C/M since I often do have to do commercial work that doesn’t allow for processing and scanning film unfortunately. The only thing scaring me a bit is the ISO limitation of course. But as far as i can recall it, I’ve heard that those Kodak CCD sensors do provide a whole lot of information even when underexposed. So I keep asking ymself if there is a difference in using the back at ISO 400 e.g. and using it at ISO 100 and increasing image brightness by two stops in post? Shadow detail will be lost for sure, but to what degree? Could you probably upload some sample images (or RAW-files) targeting this question?
Thanks you quite a lot and greetings from Austria,
Philipp
Hi Philipp, thanks. Yes older sensors are not great in low light. If you saw the H3D-39 video I confirm that I use the camera at ISO 200 max and and 50-100 99% of the time. I don’t use 400. You do need more light for these older cameras. Cheers Matt
The H39 is a real special beast , I have two of them along with the H5 50 C wifi, 90% of the time Im in the studio. The wifi is awesome for shooting freehand and having a large ipad to hand hold then a laptop is really nice and quick. The H5 has served me well the last 9 years since new, The H39 about a year ago and the second H39 body just recently .
The price is just to dam tempting on some with the used H stuff. But now the issue is Hasselblad is very limited to repair on H stuff and now the prices are getting to the point its cheaper to buy used and run them out then go for a major fix. I have a 1dx mark 11 and the Canon 5ds . All have a place, but there is no comparison to medium format when it comes to pure file comparison, and the 39 is a very special file. Its huge and if you want to pixel peep then noise may come into play , but black and white it has a special tri x vibe in the higher iso for me, i love it. Besides the true focus factor of the H5 and the higher iso , the 39 is still an outstanding platform. I use Phocus daily and love it, its simple quick and made for your Hasselblad files processing to tiffs. I have next to zero issues, fire wire straight in or though a firewire to thunderbolt on the laptop firewire on the imac, all seemless and no power drain when tethered. Takes for ever to kill a battery. The 39 is a tad slower as the files are big. The batteries last for every when tethered and great in the field . Your just not buying the h39 for speed, but the focus is quick, and has a good bite. and in manual with the focus confirm feature its really nice , i actually use this feature alot. For my portraits and fashion its perfect beast. All the camera systems now are great, I do find most people have way more camera then they need or there work is not needing such monster files . 39-50 meg is a monster for anyone , hell the amount of work i do in my full time commercial side and campaigns on the 1dx 11 and 1ds bodies over the years i have had are more then enough for almost anyone now. But that being said I have shot a ton on medium format its my go too. I have owned both phase one and contax combinations before the hasselblad, but now the last 8 years on the Hasselblad. I have never looked back or regretted it. But I also make a daily living with them. If you can find a used one at a great price then your going to love it . Just be careful you do not get upside down, as i mentioned earlier the H is very limited in service now and the market for most H is still whacky, meaning overpriced from ebay r’s . But there are deals, and lens are cheap for them. The perks and biggest factor for me with Hasselblad’s , the design , the feel in the hand , form and comfort way out way the weight and a tripod for larger lens yes but the file of course is where its at. The look of medium format, killer, the viewfinder is like no other. massive and bright. I love the optical viewfinders its just such a real connection for me , but that is personnel. When you have a file on the screen , and a client standing beside you , medium format is king when it all comes together, but like everything Art direction, lighting composition all still matter and no file size camera will save you on that . If anything I think it screams it out more you suck! lol ….. Buying used is awesome so much amazing gear at a fraction of the cost. Scary to think two H39’s with 80mms in the day would set you back $64,000 US! Now maybe $4500 for both. On a side note the few services I did have to do to my H5 , Hasselblad was excellent to deal with, But now my sensor is having issues and the cost to get a new one is not practical. Not that Hasselblad should be cheap , but basically my sensor has to be made, so the cost for this is not worth it. Will be more then buying another used H5 . So be careful when buying….. Hope this helps , if you want medium format and do not need all the state of the art bells and whistles it can be a very rewarding system. And once you start seeing the files you understand the chatter about CCD files are still special in there own way.
Thanks for commenting and it’s great to hear you enjoy these awesome cameras too.As the say, the price is too good to not have one and they blow my Leicas away in a head to head contest. I like that I can shoot film with them too. Cheers
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