Historic Hasselblad cameras: A legacy of quality

Hasselblad is a name that has stood for the highest quality in photography not just for decades, but for more than a century. The traditional Swedish company has revolutionized the industry with its cameras. The brand inspires both amateurs and professional photographers. With a history dating back to the 1800s, Hasselblad has built up a unique reputation - not only on earth, but also in space. In this article, we explore Hasselblad's fascinating history and the legacy of its cameras.

The origins of Hasselblad

The history of Hasselblad begins with the Swedish photographer Arvid Viktor Hasselblad and his father. The latter founded the company in 1841 as an import-export business in Gothenburg. Arvid Viktor entered into a close partnership with George Eastman in 1888. The latter was the founder of Kodak. This partnership enabled Hasselblad to import Kodak products and distribute them in Sweden. It laid the foundation for the subsequent founding of Hasselblad Fotografiska AB in 1908, and the company quickly established itself as a leading supplier of photographic equipment.

Remarkably, her father was still running the business at the time. And he was skeptical as to whether the family business should really sell its own cameras. He didn't think the company could make much money with it, but at least you could take photos for free, he is said to have sighed and given in to his son's insistence.

Arvid's grandson, Victor Hasselblad, who was born in 1906, then led the company into a new era. Even at a young age, Victor showed a remarkable passion for photography and a desire to develop and improve existing technologies. After being sent to Dresden by his father to educate himself on the theory of optics and the camera industry in general, he returned with a wealth of knowledge and ideas - ready to develop the next generation of cameras.

The breakthrough with the HK-7

The Second World War provided Victor Hasselblad with an unexpected (and sad) opportunity to prove his expertise. In 1940, a German aerial surveillance camera was recovered on Swedish soil, and the Swedish Air Force turned to Victor. Victor was asked to analyze the find and reproduce it in series for the Swedes. Instead of copying the original, however, Victor said: "Not one like this, but a better one." The result was the Hasselblad HK-7, a camera with 7 × 9 cm film and a Zeiss Biotessar lens. It was not possible without German accessories.

This was followed by a boom during the war: between 1941 and 1945, Hasselblad produced a total of 342 camera models in collaboration with the Swedish military. This collaboration was crucial for the company, but Victor had bigger plans: he wanted to create a camera for civilian use that was portable and easy to handle. He saw working for the military as a necessity. But he actually wanted to share the joy and possibilities of modern cameras with everyone. Now he could finally get started.

The famous 6×6 medium format camera

The next big step in Hasselblad's history came in 1948 with the introduction of the Hasselblad 1600F. This was the company's first medium format camera to use the familiar 6×6 format. It set a whole new set of standards in photography: modular construction, interchangeable lenses and film backs made it a tool that offered both flexibility and the highest image quality.

The Hasselblad 1600F was the beginning of a long line of camera models that were appreciated by both professional and amateur photographers. In the 1950s and 1960s, Hasselblad became the preferred brand of many renowned representatives of the trade. This was especially true for portrait and landscape photography.

Hasselblad and NASA: one small step for a Swedish camera, one giant leap for mankind...

Probably the most famous partnership Hasselblad has entered into in its long history was with NASA. Hasselblad cameras were used on all manned Apollo missions - including the first moon landing in 1969 - and the images taken by the astronauts with the specially modified Hasselblad cameras are among the most famous photographs in human history.

NASA's decision to use Hasselblad was based on the unsurpassed image quality and reliability of the cameras. For the Apollo missions, the cameras were specially adapted to remain functional under extreme conditions in space. This cooperation cemented Hasselblad's reputation as a manufacturer of top-class cameras.

It also showed that the company was not afraid to take risks and had complete confidence in its own models. After all, it was not as if an Apollo rocket had much room for spare parts or even replacement cameras. The devices had to work or the company's own reputation would have suffered massively. However, the confidence in the quality of their own work paid off.

The transition to the digital era

With the introduction of digital technologies in photography, Hasselblad, like many other traditional camera manufacturers, was faced with the challenge of adapting to the new reality. The answer was the Hasselblad H-series, which from 2002 took digital medium format photography to an unprecedented level. These cameras offered unprecedented image quality and were aimed at photographers looking for the highest resolution and color accuracy. Hasselblad was the first to realize that the digital age offered a much greater specialization of camera models than before.

Although the production of analog cameras was discontinued in 2013, Hasselblad remained a force to be reckoned with in the world of medium format cameras. The company's digital models continue to set standards in photography today, particularly in the fields of fashion, advertising and art photography.

Conclusion: Hasselblad's actual camera legacy remains unchanged

Hasselblad's history is a tale of constant progress and continuous adaptation to the changing needs of the times. From the skeptical father at the turn of the century, to the construction of the first military surveillance cameras, to the digital medium format models of today, Hasselblad has always strived for perfection. This philosophy has not only earned the company a legendary reputation, but has also meant that its cameras are still regarded as the reference for excellent image quality.

Overall, Hasselblad has proven that technological innovation and a deep understanding of photographers' needs are the keys to a lasting legacy. When you hold a Hasselblad camera in your hands, you immediately feel the quality and precision that has characterized this company for so long. You can just feel that special something in a Hasselblad camera. This was the case yesterday, this is the case today. And it will be the same tomorrow!

Discover the perfect equipment for your Hasselblad camera in the Oberwerth Shop. In addition to handmade camera bags made of high-quality leather, we also offer half cases, practical photo backpacks and elegant camera straps that not only offer stylish protection, but also maximum comfort and functionality. Whether you want to transport your camera safely or access the accessories you need on the go, we have everything you need to make your photography experience even better. Take a look around and find the perfect products for your equipment!