Hasselblad is showing off a new Wi-Fi enabled version of its H5D-50c camera at Photokina. But don't worry if you've recently splashed out on the original, as the new medium format shooter will be offered to current H5D-50c owners for a €500 (or US$1,000 in the US) upgrade fee, for a limited time. It also boasts a number of additional non Wi-Fi feature enhancements which will be available to all H5D-50c cameras via a firmware upgrade.
The H5D-50c with Wi-Fi is just that, the same 50-megapixel CMOS sensor-packing medium format camera which was released earlier this year, but with an added Wi-Fi module. The update is presumably a response to rival cameras, like the Phase One IQ250 which has wireless abilities built-in, and the Pentax 645Z, which can gain them with the use of a FluCard.
The wireless abilities of the new H5D-50c with Wi-Fi mean it can now connect to the Hasselblad Phocus Mobile software on an iPhone or iPad. This allows direct camera control and image browsing without the need to tether to a computer. Other new features include Live View, with the ability to see and zoom in on a live image on the rear LCD, even when the camera is untethered.
An improved capture rate means the H5D-50c with Wi-Fi can shoot 50 shots per minute and that the longest shutter speed is now 34 minutes. The built-in electronic spirit level can now be used when connected to a computer, and users can also select different display modes whilst the camera is tethered.
All of the additional non-Wi-Fi related features will be available to current H5D-50c owners as a firmware upgrade, due to be released shortly after Photokina.
The H5D-50c with Wi-Fi will to go on sale in November for €21,400 (that's about $27,735). However, current H5D-50c owners will be given the opportunity to upgrade between January and March 2015 for just €500, or $1,000 depending on where you live.
Source: Hasselblad
