You may be aware that earlier this year, I visited the headquarters of two companies in the camera and drone spaces: this was of course part of a greater plan. I’ve also been a little quiet on the picture-making front because behind the scenes, there’s been a lot of work going on that’s much closer to my previous profession in nature: operations and corporate strategy. I’ve recently returned from Gothenburg with a new business card and a tag to open the doors of a place I’d only imagined not so long ago. In short: I’ve been appointed the new Chief of Strategy for Hasselblad. What does this mean in practical terms – for the site, for my own work, and more importantly, for Hasselblad? I’ll attempt to answer those after the jump, along with my rationale behind accepting the offer.
Quick update: I’ve been seriously overwhelmed by the amount of positivity and support in the last couple of hours. Thank you all so much!
Firstly: the site continues pretty much as-is. I will continue to write and post (though obviously, my personal reviews will continue to be limited, as there would be a serious conflict of interest if otherwise) and most importantly – make images. The frequency of my postings is likely to decrease slightly, though we are in the process of finalizing some arrangements that will see a new (and very well known) contributor joining mingthein.com in the next couple of months. And yes: other reviews will be back. I already receive so much feedback and traffic regarding cameras, desires, wants, thoughts on Hasselblad etc. that it makes logical sense to both continue being the receptacle for that, but with a big difference: I will now be in a position to do something proactive with it.
I announced at the end of last year that I would be curtailing teaching activities and workshops in order to spend more time at home; that’s true as my position is both part time and can be performed for the most part remotely via email and over the phone. This is a nice bridge to keep things interesting. Commercial work continues, though I now have the luxury to be a little more discerning and only take the most interesting jobs. Variety is still the key to keeping yourself creatively motivated and able to apply insights from other situations; plus it’s important I stay in sync with the industry. I still have new bags in the works – yes, the smaller mirrorless bag and a few other surprises – which will be announced in the coming months; we’re currently in the final stages of prototyping.
For Hasselblad, things are a little different. My role is a very broad-based one: ostensibly, it’s about ensuring the correct customer experience that’s in line with the brand and the kind of expectations one has when spending several orders of magnitude on anything past ‘sufficient’. Where can we innovate with product offerings, and how do we create emotional design that’s both functional and just downright beautiful? Yes: this means I will in my new role have some influence over the product roadmap, and no, I obviously can’t say what’s coming up or comment on rumors. But sufficient to say that we will have something very, very interesting coming later this year.
The final question left to answer is why: I think this is perhaps the simplest of them all. 15 years ago – a digital camera of any kind was a dream to me. Ten years ago, medium format digital was not just a dream, but the kind of thing on par with being myopic and selected for an astronaut program. To be part of the Hasselblad team and have the chance to shape the future of one of the most significant names in photography, at a time when they are an unwritten book of possibilities – who could possibly say no? In the meantime: you know how to get hold of me, but for Hasselblad-related thoughts/ enquiries/ comments/ suggestions/ where to buy etc., please use my new (official) email address. MT
And now that that’s all done – have you watched the H6D-100c Thaipusam video yet?
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Ming Thein | Photographer 
Splendid news – a highly appropriate position which builds on your variegated experience and which neatly and constructively complements your other work. Congratulations and best wishes.
Thanks John!
congratz, Ming, well done
Thanks Richard!
Congratulations – I hope everything goes well. It does seem like an ideal combination of skills from your old life and new.
Thank you!
Dear Ming, my sincere congratulations for your nomination. Now that you are part of the HaBla company, things might change how to look at certain things. But I am confident that both you and HaBla did a win-win move. Wishing you all the best in the new responsibilities, while being waiting for my X1D 4416 that hopefully will arrive soon with some stock of batteries for the X1D in Germany!
John (future ex-Leica shooter)
Thank you! I know back orders are being filled at speed, but there are still some to go: thanks for your continued patience 🙂
That’s great news for Hasselblad! Congrats Ming.
and I dream of a 6×6 sensor, large photosites, shooting video in the aspect ratio of your choosing, a beautiful, large and revolutionary OVF (thanks Hasselblad) as well as a remote EVF (thanks DJI)… and partner-up with Zeiss again 🙂
We dream of the same thing, but Sony has us by the danglies in sensor-supply… 😦
Congratulations. It makes so much sense for all parties…
Thanks!
Well done!….hope that your objective analysis of shooting and other matters photographic will continue, and not be influenced by the attachment to a specific brand…..Hassy has a long and proud history, so hope it can develop and prosper in this competitive market…
Regards, Ian Moore (from east coast UK)
Thanks Ian. The creative part doesn’t change, regardless of whatever brand you use 🙂
Congratulations…..they are in a stronger position than ever now!
I hope so!
Director of strategy, did I get that right? That title hopefully comes with the requisite corner office, secretary, company car et al…
Congratulations Ming, well deserved and the brand will only be better for it!
Thanks, but actually no – I got a company X1D though 🙂
;-); So you’ll have to hand it back when you leave, and they’ll check the click count, signs of use, dents, dings, and send you a bill?
No, that’s a rental car 😛
Ha ha!
Now you won’t have to wait anymore to wait for the 100c successor 😉
Hope you’ll find yourself reliably happy and fulfilled with your new gig so this would be a sustainable effort.
Haha – well, I still have to wait, but I’ll get priority 😛
Congratulations Ming! And to Hasselblad to have you!
Thank you!
Ming, this is absolutely wonderful news. My congratulations are sure to be swallowed by the clamour, but they are here.
I am crossing my fingers that your new position will have enough clout to create some really positive outcomes with Hasselblad. They made a great decision with you, let’s hope they implement yours.
All support appreciated – and the more the merrier, precisely because the more clout that gives me internally, too 🙂
Wonderful news!! As always, wish you all the best! Will be an interesting time for you and also will be great to see how things unfold.
Thank you!
Congratulations, both to you and Hasselblad!
So.. when are you moving to Sweden? 😀 (even if Göteborg is on the “wrong coast” 🙂 ).
Haha, for a week every couple of months 😉
Congrats, Ming, well deserved: If you bring your view on photography that is enriching us so much to Hasselblad they can only benefit, and thus we all. Marcus
Thanks Marcus!
Well done, Ming! It sounds like a position that you will enjoy and for which your skills are (uniquely, possibly) suited.
I suspect the rest of us will get some benefit from this move, too. No doubt Hasselblad will do much better with your advice… And, with luck, whatever compeition is left in the DSLR market will nudge CANIKON ahead, too. Assuming, of course, they take any more notice of competitors than they do of their customers.
Thanks Peter – actually, I’m hoping those guys will continue to leave us alone…we are, after all, a tiny bit player in the camera market 😉
Congratulations to you and to Hasselblad! They couldn’t have made a better choice.
Thanks!
Ming … it’s great news for HB they have found YOU. Congrats. Enjoy the ride. Be our strong advocate.
Absolutely – customer and images first!
Wow, congrats!
Thank you!
Huge congratulations. Wishing you great success.
Thanks Paul!
Congratulations! Recently I sensed your column was reaching some kind of turning point. And, since I did not have a Hasselblad, I tended to read it less. In my own world of photography, I tried and returned the Pentax K3, K1, A7R, A7RII, A7S, and the Fuji GFX, finally ending up (to my surprise) with the Hasselblad X1D, with which I am happy with, but there still are some problems, of course. But with you onboard and hopefully with Hasselblad listening to you, I can be sure the things I worry about fixing in the X1D will at least get real attention.
Will you have an open area (like this blog) for us to leave comments and be able to see and respond to other photographer’s comments?
Thanks! Now you see what prompted my complete switch last year… 😉
That said, I plan to reinstitute coverage of other cameras – just not by me, because that would represent a clear conflict of interest.
Open comment area: this isn’t really the forum for it (a full blown forum model is not something I have the capacity to support), however I’ll always remain reachable and welcome input.
Congratulations.
Really a great move for Hasselblad to have someone with the technical skill and artistry that you have, and the ability to rationally evaluate equipment and articulate your ideas so well.
Best of luck!
Alan.
Thanks Alan!
Congratulations MT. I am proud a pro photographer from Malaysia appointed as the new Chief of Strategy for Hasselblad. Hope we can see new Hasselbad Dslr’s in future. Wishing you much success.
Thank you!
Congratulations to you and Hasselblad.
Thanks!
Hi Ming, firstly congratulations on the new role, and the exciting possibilities and challenges that it brings. I am looking forward to seeing the insights and analysis that you bring flowing through into Hasselblad products and services.
With regard to Hasselblad an observation – the H and X series are something for photographers to aspire too, but it is a big step up from 35mm both in shot discipline and cost. I have observed the route that you took to medium format, where you started with V Series film, moved to V digital back, and then stepped up to H via the Pentax 645Z (X is also a choice now) as you got more comfortable with medium format, and the results you were getting.
If I was to move to medium format I would probably follow a very similar route starting with Hasselblad V series film, as it minimises the risks, allows for the initial learning curve and allows a progressive ‘buy-in’ to the system. Plus I would get to play with those delicious V series Zeiss lenses 🙂
There are a huge number of V system cameras and lenses available second hand at reasonable cost that allow this choice. What is less easy to obtain is the older (less costly) V series digital backs. Jumping straight up to the 50MP back is probably too big an initial step on this path.
If Hasselblad’s long term objective is grow market share and loyal customers, getting customers into the system to start with would seem a reasonable first objective. Can I suggest that having available a less costly, lower MP (20-30MP range) V-series back, with the latest Hasselblad firmware and OS could assist with this process.
My very best wishes with this exciting new phase of your journey.
Ross
Thanks Ross!
I’d love to have a fat pixel back too – better yet if 54×54 square – but unfortunately, have to work around the available sensors – or go custom. This drives the cost up significantly and defeats the aim of accessibility…
Shot discipline wasn’t so much the problem for me as commercial justification – that said, my first CFV-39 cost about the same as the 645Z and later CFV-50c – it’s not til you get to the H that things start to get really painful. Fortunately, there’s also now the X1D in the middle, plus a lot of factory refurbished H5D-50cs in the CPO program 🙂
Ming. We had countless blasts on workshops and private tours together. I see now the timing was perfect as I wouldn’t possibly be realistic anymore after the later developments. But thanks pal. It was a great learning process and a time I will never forget.
I wish you all good luck for your future endeavors.
Typo as usual: ** as it wouldn’t ** …
Likewise – I’ve always enjoyed shooting with you because of your enthusiasm for the image (and love of a good cigar!) – I am sure there will be a next time 🙂
Congratulations! This sounds like a great move.
Thanks!
Excellent for all involved! Being more than a little self-centered, I do hope you’ll have the time, energy, and interest to continue thinking and writing about the aesthetics and techniques of photography. Those subjects are brand-independent.
It’s in the plan – the site continues, of course. And what else would I write about? 🙂
Congratulations…this must be a special challenge for you! Hasselblad can be happy too! 😉 All the best,
Thanks – yes, but a very exciting one…
Awesome! Good for you Ming thats really cool news! I wish you the best in this new endeavor!
Hi Ming,
I’ve been following your website and admiring your work for a number of years.
I admired your guts to jump out of the traditional career path to follow your dreams. Funny that you have now came full circle back to the corporate world, albeit in your favourite industry. Very very well done sir.
Just wanted to congratulate you and Hasselblad.
Wish you all the best in your new gig.
Regards
Paulo
Yes, ironic to say the least – but in hindsight, I suppose both bits of the path were necessary!
best camera news I’ve heard in a long time. a camera enthusiast that knows how to conjure an image from a camera as well express himself is now steering the future of a classic camera company. hopeful and encouraged! good luck, stay true to the art and format of still photography!
Not sure about steering, but I’ll be shouting directions rather loudly from the back seat 🙂
back seat drivers have their way in the end. good luck!
Or they get ejected 😛
Ming this is great news! It’s hugely encouraging and inspirational for us all. All the best to you and your family as you embark on this next phase of your career. Hasselblad may have just gained at least one more potential customer in the near future thanks to their latest hire!
Thank you!
Well, Ming, I can *certainly* congratulate Hasselblad.
And I *do* hope they will go on remembering how to listen,
so that I can keep congratulating you, Ming!
🙂 🙂
I hope so too – I can only try 🙂
Congratulations Fantastic news 😉 good on you!!!
Thanks!
Good afternoon Ming. I have not read any of the other comments, so as not to bias myself, but hiring you is the most intelligent decision Hasselblad has made in the last 25 years, in my opinion.
The reasons are obvious: a working photographer with a broad understanding of haptics and ergonomics is now feeding directly into one of the most important camera manufacturers in the world. Hasselblad’s the the Importance in the camera industry has nothing to do with sales volumes.
There is an opportunity here to influence design and function profoundly and to have an impact on the direction of camera evolution for at least the next 10 to 15 year window. Congratulations.
Thanks Kit!
Congrats, Ming! I still have your old E-M5 Mk I… it’s been fun watching your progress in the world of photography 🙂
Thanks Steven!
Many blessings on this adventure. We all hope this portends good things for both you and for Hasselblad, and the photographic community. May this be the dawning of a new day, with a golden hour that inspires.
Thank you!
Congratulations and very well deserved! Hasselblad made a very wise strategic move. Inspires a lot of confidence in what may lay ahead for Hasselblad and the medium format industry. Best of luck!
Thanks!
Congrats! Good for Hasselblad and the photography community! And well deserved!
Thank you!
Congratulations Ming! It’s nice to know that Hasselblad’s new Chief Strategist is one in touch with what matters to photographers and one who is so accessible to the community.
Thanks!
Congratulations Ming! I hope that you can help Hasselblad continue to successfully navigate the uncertainties in the industry and emerge a better and more in-touch photography company! I’m looking forward to seeing the flow on effects for how Hasselblad does business, and how it’ll impact the wider industry.
Thanks Christian!
Contgratulations, Ming Thein. I fear your new responsibilities will make maintaining your prolific posting more difficult. But it has to be very exciting have the opportunity to shape the tools of our obession. There’s nothing like watching a new piece of gear take shape with one’s own input being relevant.
Don’t worry – there’s a plan in place 🙂
That’s fantastic news Ming Thein! So happy for you and feel finally a camera company has recognised how much your finger is on the pulse of the industry needs from a user perspective and are capitalizing on it. Best wishes for your new role!
Thanks Ceasar – now time to turn that into the right hardware for you all 🙂
“Cancel all sleep.” Ha, I am kidding; I like seem funny. Fabulous and they are very lucky. … That’s all I’ll say. Good to keep it quick for you. That’s hot news.
Already done, long ago – I’ve doubled my regular coffee order 🙂
too bad you didn’t join one of the more affordable brands like Fuji or Nikon. then I could have eventually benefitted from your work and inputs too… 🙂
good luck anyways!
They didn’t want me 🙂
Congratulations, Ming.
Thanks Michael!
Congratulations Ming! I am very happy for you. – Eric
Thanks Eric!
Congratulations, that´s a big win for Hasselblad. A step in the right direction for the company to make it future-proof. Staying in touch with photographers has always been the best business-plan for a Photo-Company, and hiring you is a step ahead to this.
And the best news is, you will continue this blog.
I wondered why the gave you a Hasselblad at your last visit, so this explains everything.
Have fun in your new job and help Hasselblad to find the right way in this difficult business.
Thanks – it is officially a long term loan, like a company car… 😉
Congratulations Ming! Integrity and thoughtfulness always pay off to those who value it. Well done.
Thanks Jared!
Well, it’s rare in my experience to see a manufacturer of consumer goods go so far outside the box and hire someone to develop product strategy who has that rare blend of aesthetic judgment, commercial sensibilities, and real, on the ground experience using the products. What a serendipitous hire by Hasselblad and what an exciting opportunity for you. This holds great promise for those of us who are literally and figuratively invested in the X1D and other Hasselblad products. It also provides very reassuring evidence as to the the positive direction in which DJI wants to take Hasselblad. When the news about DJI first broke, there was much discussion about how the sky was probably falling. Your blog entry was a calm, reflective, well balanced rejoinder to the hysteria.
Having read your comments about the X1D and the forthcoming new lenses, I know that you “get it” about what the X1D should be. While there are limits to what can be accomplished with the current sensor through firmware upgrades, there are a number of important pieces that can be added through firmware upgrades. The basic ingredients of an extraordinary camera system are there. I am sure you have your own list of what to add, but another resource is hasselbladdigitalforum.com. Let me mention my own list:
1. Live histograms, preferably from raw data.
2. Overexposure blinkies.
3. Image playback in the EVF.
4. Depth of field information and the ability to use a menu command to set the hyperfocal setting for the selected aperture.
5. Exposure bracketing.
6. The ability to turn off AF connected to the shutter button, as depressing the AF/MF button to call up the AF point grid often causes an inadvertent change to AF from MF.
7. In magnified live view, you should be able to back button AF without magnified live view being lost.
Congratulations to you and Hasselblad.
Thanks!
To your notes: the team is aware of all of those, and working on them – many of which will come in the next FW update (#2 is already present in my early beta, for example). #6 already exists: switch to MF and the back button works as AF-ON.
I’m taken aback at the positivity your appointment has made.
Congratulations!
Honestly – me too! Couldn’t have asked for more. 🙂
A hearty congratulations to you, Ming! Sounds like a fascinating challenge for you, and a very good thing for Hasselblad.
My only $.02 for Hasselblad is that they could really improve their game in the area of communication to existing and potential customers. Following the big splash announcement of the X1D — which excited a lot of people, including me — the airwaves have been very quiet on the status of production and causes of very significant delays.
I wish you the very best at this new and exciting adventure.
Thanks Bill – noted on your feedback, and one of the things I’ve highlighted as urgent priority…
Congratulations Ming, I think that your new job is something very good for you and for Hasseblad. I wish you success.
Thanks Jorge!
WOW!!!! A very smart decision by Hasselblad. Congratulations!!! I’ve been quietly watching and reading your blogs for some time now. I initially started saving for a Hasselblad, but with thats gone on recently, I wasn’t certain that I wanted to buy into Hasselblad. But with you there I feel much more confident. Goodbye fuji gfx!! My humble suggestion would be to get get Hasselblad to continue to push the envelope with their true focus technology for medium format, fix that noticeable delay in the shutter of the x1d, and continue to push the focus software forward with more innovation, that will make it a formidable contender with capture one. Either I’m so happy for you, and I’m now looking forward to joining the Hasselblad family in the future. Lets give fuji, Phase and Leica a run for it. 🙂
Thanks Charles – not sure if you’ve used the latest X1D FW, but lag is significantly less than early demo versions (and shot to shot lag is negligible if you shoot RAW only. 🙂
Congratulations! I’m old enough to remember that Hasselblad in the 70’s was the camera very few non-professionals would ever own or even need to own, but they still drooled over it. It’s had some ups and downs along the way but what a marvelous opportunity to be the right person at the right time to, as you said: “… have the chance to shape the future of one of the most significant names in photography, at a time when they are an unwritten book of possibilities …”.
…it’s time to get back to that – but hopefully have a few more people drool over Hasselblads of their own 🙂
Congratulations! It’s good to have an artist and a pro help shape the future of a great company and an industry.
Thank you!
Hi Ming, congratulations! This is wonderful news. I’ve been following your blog for years and have a huge respect for your hard work and creativity. Your approach is a perfect fit for Hasselblad, exciting times ahead! Best, Ben
Thanks Ben!
Well done Ming. It could not happen to a more deserving and appropriate guy. You won’t remember but I met you in Hong Kong at your exhibition where you graciously let me have a try of your Leica Q. We all move on in life at some point and when we do we hope it’s for the better – which in this case it is for you. I hope that the site continues in much the same vain but I will miss your expert gear reviews. I do have one request for you in your role – make the brand more accessible. I would love to own the new XD1 but the price for me is out of reach
Thanks John! Comments noted 🙂
Finally, someone listened. Your article on mirrorless failings (https://blog.mingthein.com/2015/11/03/how-to-design-mirrorless-right/) is still frustratingly relevant. I’m honestly excited, and I hope other manufacturers take notice. Cheers to you, and to Hasselblad.
We’re getting there: and yes, I hope next time I won’t have to write it again 🙂
Ming, congratulations! Hasselblad made an excellent move! I was leaning towards Fujifilm GFX but now that I know you are with Hasseblad, I will probably hold my decision because now I can expect something better from Hasselblad. Frankly, I was not convinced with the current version of X1D. I think I will enjoy Nikon D810 in the meantime!
Thanks – how do you think we could improve the X1D?
Make it eat Leica’s lunch 🙂
First of all, I would like to see overall improvement in responsiveness such as shorter EVF blackout time. I also wish to have better EVF (preferrably changed to OLED with higher refreshing rate) and LCD display (3.2 inch with higher megapixel), more focus points, and tiltable back screen.
Blackout time: if set to RAW only, it’s much faster. EVF: that is a physical change that will have to go into a future iteration; ditto LCD panel. Focus points: we already have 35 covering almost the whole sensor, and touch to focus will come in a future firmware update – anything more becomes slow to select. A tiltable back screen was omitted from this design to keep it as small as possible.
Congratulations! You deserve! Hopefully see your vision can be implemented.
I merely advise; vision has to be seen by everybody 🙂
Congratulations, Ming! Does this move mean you aren’t available to help Nikon also?? 🤓
Many years ago, I was told by them “we don’t work with anybody who isn’t Japanese or Caucasian”…
WOW! Will humans ever learn?
Such wonderful news! Hasselblad is wise or lucky or both! Congratulations!
Thanks John!
Congrats, Ming. Put the focus back onto color quality at Hassy. It was a shame to see them trade base ISO CCD color fidelity just for CMOS live view and high ISO performance. People can buy those things much cheaper in a 5DSR or D820 if they want them. It’s CCD that they can’t get from Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Leica anymore.
The focus is and has always been there; each sensor is individually calibrated and mapped. CMOS just requires a different workflow than CCD because the native tonal response isn’t the same; always expose to the right and bring it down afterwards in post – you’ll get the tonality you’ve been missing. I’ve shot with both the CCD and CMOS backs, and honestly, there’s no comparison. CMOS is so much better under a much wider shooting envelope, it isn’t funny…that said, there are still certified refurbished H5-60 54×40 CCDs available 🙂
Then the camera should have an automatic option to expose to the right. It can judge much better through software how much to overexpose before blowing out highlights than one can manually with the eye. If exposing to the right is the right way to shoot digital, why has no camera manufacturer built this into the system? I have yet to receive an answer on this…
I asked the same question during one of the technical meetings. The answer is this: how does the camera know if the 0.5% or 1% (or however many percent) overexposed area in the scene is important to the composition (for example, a face) or not (for example, the sun?). In short: it can’t, and this is why the best meters are basically average + a bit to ‘guess’ at ETTR…
So happy for you, the photographic world., and Hasselblad. A world class photographer on the inside – got to be a good thing.
I hope so 🙂
I feel proud for you 🙂 I have read your blog for a few years now and although the Hasselblad range is far beyond my wildest dreams I can still relate to your journey. Well done Ming I look forward to your progress.
Thanks Dimitri. I have a solution coverage-wise on the site that’s going to bring things back into better accessibility 🙂
This is absolutely brilliant. Brilliant for Hasselblad, Brilliant for you and brilliant for us because I was worried for the brand losing focus with the changes with DJi. This is evidence and proof of life in the best possible way. It’s wonderful to see someone who really cares make it.
Thanks Paul – not sure about the making it part, but yes, I believe the changes under the hood are all going to be positive – else I wouldn’t have joined 🙂
Wonderful news Ming! A great move for both sides. Something to really get your teeth into. Well done!
Thanks Linden!
Congrats Ming! All the best.
Thanks!
It sounds like it could be a match made in heaven. Thanks for the update. I’m looking forward to the rollout of the mirrorless bag. I’ve been loving my five years with Olympus OM-D such that I don’t see myself changing that anytime soon. And as for other formats, the only gear that interests me for future reference is the Hasselblad. That will happen if and when my freelance work can justify the expansion. In the meantime, I enjoy your articles very much and am very pleased you will continue to use this space for giving to the craft your very valuable and pithy perspectives supplemented with photographs I find both inspiring and instructive.
Thanks Jeffrey – I’ve been using the second prototype for the mirrorless bag with the X1D, and barring a few small changes – we’re nearly ready to go…
Ming well deserved and a welcome addition to the Hasselblad family. Good luck Ming in all of your endeavors.
Thanks Henry!
Congrats!!!! This is perfect and well-deserved position. In a year or so I’ll be able to say “I knew him when. . . . “
Haha, nothing’s changed – same old me 🙂
Wow, Ming. Excellent news. And a smart move on the part of Hasselblad – congrats.
Thanks!
Good luck for your new position. I’m a little bit sorry that you will be biased toward the H brand (anyway one could guess reading your recent posts) but, hey! That’s life. All the best.
Thanks. Well, I had to be convinced before making a huge investment into the switch last year…
Well done! I think Hasselblad have made a very intelligent and astute decision, you are perfect for them. From everything you’ve written recently, it seems that Hasselblad are a fantastic company.
The ship is turning around – I want to be on it 🙂
Ming, your interest in and talent for extremely high quality photography, your technical knowledge, your vast social skills and ability to listen, and your boundless energy seem to make you the ideal person for this job. All the best sir, and congratulations!
Thanks Gary!
Ming, the best of everything in your excellent new venture! Wishing you three impossible challenges done before breakfast and your desktop clear in time for your finger on the shutter release by golden hour.
Congratulations Ming! Exciting opportunity.
Thanks Arthur! Hope you’re well.
Awesome! Congrats…I feel like I have someone working for me at Hasselblad now. Just got my H6D-100c and loving it! Looking forward to seeing what is coming and have your voice shape the future…loving my bag by the way
Thank you!
Ming, the best of everything in this outstanding venture. Hope you get to tackle three impossible jobs every day before breakfast! You know, stretch yourself a little! :^)
Only three? 😉
Congratulations Ming! My XD-1 is supposed to be arriving at B&H any day now, so I should take possession of it shortly. I already have the lenses and now that you’re going to be able to drive the direction of Hasselblad and the X1-D, I’m super glad I’ve been waiting all these months for it. My Dad had a 1000F and introduced me to medium format film with it. He’s long gone, but I’m sure he would have loved to play with the X1-D.
This is awesome news for us, amateurs and Hasselblad fans.
Best,
René
Enjoy the camera – let me know if you have any issues.
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. Great news.
Thanks Mark!
Congrats Ming! Definitely well deserved. This is great for the industry in general and Hassy in particular.
Thanks!
Right on
This is very exciting for you — did you approach them, or them you ??
Both and neither, I guess- a case of right place, right time, asking the right questions…
Congratulations, Ming. A new challenge for you to make life a little more interesting! And if I have understood correctly, you get to spend more time with your family, something you have always said you wanted to do. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you as it progresses.
Thanks Terry, that’s the plan 🙂
Congrats Ming!
When did you last wear a tie/suit? 😁
A long time ago, and I don’t intend to start again 🙂
Congratulations! Will stay tuned.
Thanks!
Congratulations Ming. Very well deserved and a fantastic position!
Thanks Rod!
Congratulations Ming. A well deserved opportunity for you, and sounds like a fantastic position!
Lots of challenges, but very exciting!
Congratulations, I wish you all the best! This can only be good news for both Hassy and camera industry in general. Somebody needs to show the way forward, the traditional big players seem a bit lost.
Thanks Mikko!
Congratulations and good luck, Ming and Hasselblad! This partnership looks very promising!
Thanks Andre!
Ming, let me be the first to congratulate you and Hasselblad! Your professionalism, dedication, reputation and work ethic paved the way to this fantastic opportunity. We’ll deserved!
Cheers,
Richard P.
Thanks Richard!
Congratulations Ming! Great job! i think you are perfect for the job.
BTW I cancelled my XD1 order recently and ordered a GFX because of the EVF lag issue on the XD1 and their lack of product marketing responses. See my review https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/hasselblad-x1d-review/
If you think things will turn around, I am open to holding my order with Fujifilm. I suspect you know exactly what they need to do to not lose the market to Fuji. I loved the picture quality on the XD1.
Thanks. Read your feedback – some things are off, and I suspect you tried an early preproduction model (which is what all of the demos are, because production cameras are all being used to fill back orders). Some things are undergoing FW fixes, and some are simply impossible with MF (high FPS, for instance) because of underlying sensor restrictions or data quantities (that sensor was designed in 2013, released in 2014 and never meant to be primarily for live view).
Understand your points and I agree. But specifically, during 2fps XD1 should be able to keep its EVF open, otherwise your are clicking in the dark. That would be great to confirm, as well as delivery of the zoom lens. Anyway, good luck and don’t let your blog slip!
That’s impossible as the sensor has to shut off to readout the signal to record the image – this process takes 300ms and is the ‘rolling shutter’ time which is a physical property of the sensor design…
Yes of course, but it certainly is shutdown much longer. Should be on par with gfx shutdown i would suppose.
I would imagine that’s of least importance since you just turn it off and put it away; you don’t need to wait for it to do your next action?
I am not making myself clear. When you press the shutter button to make two photos, my experience with the camera is that the second shot is taken, whilst the evf is shut down .Hence I cannot see nor focus the second shot. Try it and you will see
Ah, understood. If you switch to RAW only, this problem goes away. It’s a limitation of the processor – the big companies have custom image processing chips that do nothing else; we have a general purpose processor that does everything (ASIC vs FPJ). Making a JPEG requires the processor to switch functions from display to output; the processor itself is limited in power to manage battery life, and this is one of the tradeoffs. We are aware of the issue and working on a solution, but it will require a separate processor to resolve completely.
Ah! I never tried this! I believe I always had RAW/jpg settings on! This will make me reconsider my GFX order then! And the fact they are working on a work around…. excellent! Tell Hassy you deserve a raise and promotion!
The camera is set up that way by default. In RAW only mode, I timed mine at about 0.5s between shots, and it always returns to LV before shooting again. Actual shutter lag is minimal.
Very good. Will try it and see!
Let me know if you’ve got any other issues 🙂
Congratulations on your new position, earned, no doubt because of your high standards, intellectual honesty, and exceptional vocabulary! :0)
Haha, and here I thought photography might have had something to do with it…
Fantastic news and congrats!
Well earned.
Thanks!
Congratulations! A great move, both for Hasselblad and you. Wishing you much success.
Thank you!
All the best Ming
Thanks!
See? You so deserve this!
Let’s hope I can live up to the expectations! 🙂
Of course you can. You are professional, and an amazing photographer. And very technical. They are lucky to have you.
Overconfidence has lead to more than one failure in the past 🙂