Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dear Eyes: I can't figure the niche that Hasselblad is after with the XPAN. No Zeiss lenses, made in Japan, not Sweden, no autofocus and no interchangeable backs. I appears to me that their marketing aim is the Contax G series. Being a Hasselblad user for many years I am shocked that they would compromise. When I pick up a Contax I can't get excited because it does not carry the Contax tradition of high quality craftmanship. I love Hasselblads but I am skeptical about this new issue. Hopefully they have researched and their aim is sharp. A failure in a first entry into another format would not be good for Hasselblad as there is concern about quality under new ownership. Leica is not building the same quality equipment that they used to as discussed in LUGERS frequently. However, I will probably put my name on the list for one of the first ones that hit my dealer. Happy shooting, BOB In a message dated 98-07-22 18:17:37 EDT, you write: << I think that it's a pretty good move for Hasselblad. These days, they are being squeezed more and more into a specialty niche by Mamyia. The problem is that there is a very limited market availible for medium format, so 35mm seems like a good place to move to. I also think that they have already separated themselvs from the rest of the pack by offering an actual panoramic feature. I for one am drooling already. >>