Hasselblad H3DII-31
The medium format camera that brought studio-grade digital capture out into the field.
Overview
The Hasselblad H3DII-31 weighs 2290 grams. It is the fourth generation of the Hasselblad H-system body, an autofocus digital medium format camera. Unlike the V-system cameras before it, it was designed from the ground up as a digital camera - not a film camera with a digital back bolted on.
The sensor is a 33.1 x 44.2mm CCD delivering 31 megapixels (6496×4872 pixels) with 16-bit color depth. That is significantly larger than full-frame 35mm, which is the point. The H3DII-31 was positioned for demanding shooters who wanted higher quality than 35mm systems could provide. The larger sensor gives smoother tonal transitions, better depth of field control, and the medium format "look" that 35mm can't replicate.
The H3DII-31 followed the H1D, H2D, and H3D in the H-system D lineup, and by this generation Hasselblad had committed fully to digital. Starting with the H3D model, H-System D cameras no longer support film backs, and the digital back has a specialized mount that cannot be replaced outside of a service center. That was a bold move. It told the market that film compatibility was no longer a priority. Photographers still working in both worlds found it a dealbreaker. Those ready to commit to digital got a camera engineered without compromise.
Key Features
33.1 x 44.2mm CCD Sensor with 16-Bit Color
At 33.1 x 44.2mm, the sensor is substantially larger than a full-frame 35mm sensor, and with 16-bit color depth it produces files with a wide tonal range. The H3DII series was rated at 12-13 EV of dynamic range, according to a statement from David Grover. That gives real headroom in high-contrast scenes. The Bayer-type photosensor with anti-moiré filter was manufactured by Kodak, and the camera includes an integrated CCD cooling sink for lower noise, which helps on long exposures or in warm environments. The sensor's 48-bit output holds up to serious post-processing.
HC and HCD Lens Compatibility
The H3DII-31 uses the Hasselblad H mount, which is also compatible with Fuji GX645AF lenses. The camera accepts the HC and HCD series lenses, which have a centered light exit design and a central shutter built into the lens. The kit typically included the 80mm f/2.8 HC autofocus normal lens. The camera's "Ultra-Focus" system provides integral optimization of digital lens performance. The camera communicates with the lens to correct for the optical characteristics of digital capture, which gives sharper results than a lens designed purely for film.
Dual Shutter System
The H3DII-31 offers a focal plane shutter (1/4000 to 32 seconds) and, with a CS (Central Shutter) lens, an in-lens central shutter (1/500 to 32 seconds). The shutter speed range for the H3DII 31/50 is 1/800 to 32 seconds. Use the focal plane shutter for fast action work, or the central shutter for flash photography where you need higher sync speeds. Flash sync goes up to 1/800 second, well ahead of the 1/125 or 1/250 sync speeds common on 35mm DSLRs. For studio shooters using strobes in bright conditions, that is a big advantage.
3.0" TFT LCD Display with Instant Approval Architecture
The 3.0-inch color TFT LCD display has 230,000 pixels, which was respectable for the era. The more important feature is the "Instant Approval Architecture," Hasselblad's system for quickly reviewing, rating, and sorting images in the field. The interface includes direct ISO/WB control, so sensitivity and white balance can be adjusted without going into menus. The camera offers manual, auto, and preset white balance options, and the improved menu system was noted as more intuitive than previous generations.
Continuous Shooting and Storage
Shooting DNG, the H3DII-31 manages 1.5 frames per second with a burst of 8 frames. That's not sports photography territory, but it is respectable for medium format. The camera records RAW and TIFF files to Compact Flash (Type I) cards, and can record DNG to CF and JPG to SD at the same time. That gives working photographers instant JPEGs for preview while keeping full RAW files for final processing.
Design and Ergonomics
The H3DII-31 is a system camera, consisting of the body, a lens with built-in central shutter, an optical viewfinder (the HVD90x is included in the kit), and the digital back. The body follows digital SLR design traditions, with controls spread across the chassis, a built-in flash, and support for external viewfinders. The kit also includes a battery grip, which helps balance the camera with larger lenses.
The viewfinder is a mirror-type TTL design with 0.86× magnification and diopter adjustment from -3.0 to +1.0. For architectural work, the camera can be equipped with the HTS 1.5 shift/tilt adapter, developed specially for this system, and a waist-level viewfinder with magnification (HVM). With fast autofocus it works as a reportage camera, and with the shift/tilt adapter and waist-level finder it works as an architectural camera.
Exposure control covers program mode with exposure pair shift, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual. Exposure bracketing covers ±2 EV in 1/3 stop increments. The camera runs on a Li-Ion 1850 mAh battery. Robert White's pre-owned listing mentions two original Hasselblad 7.2V 1850 mAh batteries included, which is handy, since a full day of shooting calls for a spare.
Historical Context
The H3DII-31 arrived at a pivotal moment for medium format digital. Shortly after its announcement, Mamiya and Hasselblad - the only two medium format manufacturers to have weathered the digital revolution - both announced offerings in the neighborhood of $10,000: the Mamiya DM22 and this Hasselblad H3DII-31. That pricing was remarkable for medium format digital, which had previously been the province of six-figure studio backs. Hasselblad was targeting the serious DSLR shooter looking to step up, and ManualsLib positions the H3DII-31 as "an ideal entry point into high-end digital photography."
The camera follows the H1D, H2D, and H3D in the H-system D lineup. The H3DII series was listed in Hasselblad's generation table with 39/50/60 MP variants, though the 31 MP model reviewed here was the entry point. The naming convention breaks down as: H for portable (V for studio), the generation number, D for digital, a restyling number if present, and the resolution in megapixels after the dash.
MPB's marketing noted that by "focusing solely on digital camera architecture, Hasselblad is able to offer photographers the full benefits of professional medium-format digital cameras as well as the ease of use of the best 35mm DSLRs." The H3DII-31 was designed to handle like a high-end 35mm DSLR while delivering medium format image quality. The improved custom controls, faster autofocus performance, higher ISO sensitivity, and more intuitive menu system all point that way.
Collectibility & Market
The H3DII-31 has settled into the used market, with pre-owned listings at MPB, Robert White, and other dealers. Robert White's listing notes that the camera received a sensor clean and firmware update from Stu Culley, formerly of Hasselblad Service. Since the digital back cannot be replaced outside of a service center, buying from a dealer who has serviced the camera is worth considering.
For collectors, the H3DII-31 marks the point where Hasselblad committed fully to digital and walked away from film compatibility in the H system. Working photographers still use it; one featured photographer on YouTube, Oleg Igorin, used the H3DII-31 for many of his presented photos. The 12-13 EV dynamic range and 16-bit color depth keep the image quality competitive even by modern standards, and the 1/800 second flash sync remains useful for studio work. The body color is gray, and the camera measures 153×131×213 mm.
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