Hasselblad First Camera Ever: The ROSS HK-7 – Historic Aerial Camera Beast

2018-07-23
1 min read

Hasselblad , an elite and prestige camera company, just wants to remind us when it all started. Take a look at the first Hasselblad!

ROSS HK-7
The ROSS HK-7

Although Y.M.Cinema Magazine is a news site related to digital cinema world, and less relevant to photography, we have decided to cover this, since Hasselblad also designs and manufactures medium format cameras that also have the abilities to shoot RAW for video purposes.

However, Hasselblad’s products are masterpieces in term of picture quality.

The amazing flagship H6D-400c MS is equipped with 53.4 x 40mm 100MP CMOS sensor that delivers the highest resolution and the most colour accurate medium format images available on the market today.

Take a look of the modern Hasselblad:

H6D-400C MS
The H6D-400C MS

The first Hasselblad: ROSS HK-7

The first ever Hasselblad was made by Victor Hasselblad who was approached by the Swedish government with the task of replicating a recovered German aerial camera during the World War II. That’s how the first Hasselblad was born. This model was given the name ROSS HK-7 .

ROSS HK-7
The ROSS HK-7

As stated by Hasselblad:

In the spring of 1940, Victor organized a group of skilled experts inside the shed of an automobile factory in Gothenburg under the name “Ross Incorporated.” Shortly after, these skilled experts would be considered the first generation of the Hasselblad brand.

From 1941 to 1943, a total of 240 HK-7 units were produced, measuring 31x26x17.6cm and weighing 4.8 kilograms with a 13.5cm (135mm) lens attached. The camera featured a basic set of shutter speeds from 1/150 of a second to 1/400 of a second.

Take a look at this beauty (check out the pictures above for high resolution images).

All images are taken from Hasselblad’s website where you can watch them in full resolution

ROSS HK-7
The ROSS HK-7
ROSS HK-7
The ROSS HK-7

Nowadays, Hasselblad cameras cost around $40,000- $50,000 (!)

I am convinced that Hasselblad cameras are special and truly way over the “regular” manufactures, especially in regarding to image resolution and color accuracy. However, the price tag is also far above other professional camera companies. You can rent them though.

What do you think about Hasselblad cameras? Did you get the privilege to shoot with one? 

Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

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