22 MPix
 
39 MPix
22 MPix 
39 MPix
User Manual 
Language version:  English
Manual version:  2 / 2006
Camera firmware version:  9.1.2 or later
Digital back firmware version:  166 or later
C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S
Introduction 
4  
6  Film Magazine 
34
4  Viewfinder 
28
8  CFH setup 
 
 
Parts & Components 
 
1  Quick Start 
8  
9  
2  Function Control & Display  14
Grip LCD 
Viewfinder LCD 
3  Camera Body 
Carrying strap 
Rechargeable battery grip − general 
Battery charger 
Charging the battery 
Viewfinder screen 
Accessory connection 
PC-connector 
Base plate 
16
18
23
24
24
24
25
27
27
27
27
Parts & Components 
Attaching and  
removing the viewfinder 
Eyepiece adjustment 
Eye cup
5  Lenses 
Parts & Components 
Attaching a lens 
Removing a lens 
Lens cap 
Filters 
Lens shades 
Shutter and aperture control 
Depth-of-field calculation 
Depth-of-field / visual preview 
Infrared focus settings 
Focus aid 
CF adapter 
 
29
29
29
30
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
32
32
32
32
33
Parts & Components 
LCD panel 
LCD illumination button 
Change up button 
Change down button 
Function selector 
Film plane index 
Darkslide key 
Film tab holder 
Magazine settings lock 
Databus inter face 
Battery 
Attaching and removing 
Magazine settings 
Film loading 
35
35
35
35
35
35
36
36
36
36
36
37
37
38
40
7  General overview of H2D sensor 
unit & CFH back 
The control panel 
System overview 
Menu overview 
Using with a Hasselblad H2 
Using with a Hasselblad H1 
Using with other cameras 
41
43
45
46
48
48
49
50
9 
Initial General Settings and 
Preparation 
52
Setting the menu language 
Storage and shooting modes 
Using compact flash memory cards 
Working with an Imagebank 
Tethered to a computer 
52
53
54
55
56
10 Storage working with media 
and batches 
Batches 
Navigating media and batches 
Creating new batches 
Using Instant Approval Architecture 
Reading and changing approval status 
Browsing by approval status 
Deleting by approval status 
57
57
57
59
60
61
62
62
11  Overview of viewing, deleting 
63
and copying images 
16 General Functions     
99
Power−ON 
Power−Standby 
Power−OFF 
Manual focus 
Manual focus mode 
Autofocus override in manual mode 
Autofocus  
Single Shot 
Continuous 
Autofocus mode 
Drive  
Single 
Continuous 
Profiles 
Making a profile 
Changing a profile name  
100
100
100
 100           
101
101
101
101
102
102
103
103
103
104
104
105
17  Advanced Features 
106
General overview of camera menu 
Self Timer 
Bracketing 
Interval 
Settings 
Custom Options 
Image Info 
Text 
Date & Time 
System status 
Customizable button function list 
18 Flash 
Flash measure 
19 Optional Accessories 
20 Appendix 
107
108
110
112
113
113 
117
118
120
121
122
123
126
127
129
Glossary 
Technical specifications 
Care, digital back /sensor unit 
Equipment care, service and guarantee 
130
134
137
139
Basic image browsing 
Choosing the current batch 
Browsing by approval status 
Zooming in and out 
Zooming in for more detail 
Thumbnail views 
Preview modes 
Battery saver mode 
Full-screen mode 
Overexposure indicator 
Deleting images 
Transferring images 
12  MENU—ISO, White balance, 
Media, Browse 
Menu overview 
Navigating the menu system 
Language  
ISO 
White balance 
Media 
Browse 
13  MENU—Storage 
Delete 
Format 
Copy 
Batch 
Default Approval Level 
14  MENU—Settings 
User Inter face 
Camera 
Miscellaneous 
About 
Default 
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15  Light Metering &                     
Exposure Control  
Metering method 
Exposure method 
Manual exposure mode 
Automatic exposure mode  
AE-L button 
Exposure compensation 
 
93
94
95
95
96
97
98
Welcome to Hasselblad !
These three products represent the forefront of medium format photography 
- both digital and analogue. Their unrivalled position is based on an accumula-
tion of experience spanning more than fifty years. By using Hasselblad equip-
ment you share the decision made by of some of the world’s best and most fa-
mous photographers. Congratulations on a wise choice!
The H system
The H system is the result of the most intensive technical development programme ever un-
dertaken by Hasselblad, the most prestigious medium-format camera manufacturer in the 
world. It presents a list of features coloured by superlatives. What was once considered op-
tional is now integral, built around the three pillars of the Hasselblad reputation: Reliability, 
Versatility and Interchangeability. 
The list of features is long, varied and comprehensive. It includes: automatic focus with instant 
manual override, dot-matrix LCDs, rapid button and control wheel user interface, integral 
grip, integral fill-flash, multi-mode exposure metering, TTL flash control, extremely accurate 
electronic leaf shutter, flash sync at all shutter speeds to 1/800s, eyeline viewfinder with 100% 
view, dot matrix viewfinder LCD, lithium or rechargeable battery options, shutter speeds from 
18 hours to 1/800s, user customization of functions, bracketing, interval timer, rapid access 
user button, flash measure, integral diopter adjustment in viewfinder, zone system capability, 
time-lapse photography, customized profiles and so on.
Film users can take advantage of automatic film speed setting with bar code, instant 120/220 
interchangeability, integral dark slide, independent LCD illumination on magazines, auto-
matic film advance and film wind off, custom imprinting on frame edge including exposure 
data, name, symbols, etc., 
CFH digital back / H2D sensor unit
These latest digital developments provide the photographer with the ability to exploit the 
many possibilities available today to produce professional level files of unrivalled quality 
while experiencing an efficient workflow.
Sensor
The sensor is more than twice the physical size of today’s 35mm sensors. This sensor holds 
more and larger pixels, which guarantees superior image quality and provides moiré free col-
our rendering without gradation break-ups in even the finest lit surfaces. Images have unsur-
passed clarity and sharpness, thanks to the ultra-high pixel resolution. This sensor produces 
4
the largest digital files currently available for professional photog-
raphy, making them ideal for the most demanding, high resolution 
printing applications and give the photographer increased flexibil-
ity and creative control when cropping or enlarging for printing. All 
images are the result of the superior performance of the H System 
camera and lenses and have been fine tuned with Hasselblad’s 
unique Digital APO Correction technique. Hasselblad’s Natural Color 
Solution also gives optimal colour reproduction across all job types. 
Digital APO Correction 
The Hasselblad units capture an extended set of metadata and then 
perform an automated correction for colour aberration effects with 
every shot. This means that your digital captures are automatically 
optimized to provide the finest detail that a given lens can resolve. 
We have named this feature “Digital APO Correction” (DAC), signify-
ing the digital, APO-chromatic correction of the images that takes 
place. Implementation of this feature includes detailed mapping of 
each H system lens, ensuring that each image represents the best 
that your equipment can produce. We are confident that the image 
quality you achieve as a result of the DAC functionality will make you 
- and your customers - look twice. 
Unique Hasselblad Natural Color Solution 
In the past, colour management solutions have imposed limitations 
on professional digital photographers, because of the need to choose 
a specific colour profile to suit a specific job in order to capture vari-
ous skin tones, metals, fabrics, flowers, etc. Hasselblad has helped 
solve this dilemma, with the development of a new, powerful colour 
profile to be used with its FlexColor imaging software. Working with 
the new Hasselblad Natural Color Solution enables you to produce 
outstanding and reliable out-of-the- box colours, with skin tones, 
special product gradations, and other difficult colours reproduced 
easily and effectively. 
We have developed a new Hasselblad raw file format called: 3F RAW 
(3FR) to help implement our new unique colour system. The new 
3F RAW file format is designed to ensure that images captured on 
Hasselblad digital products are quickly, effectively and safely stored 
on the available media (CF card, Imagebank, etc). The file format in-
cludes lossless image compression, which reduces the required stor-
age space by 33%. Combined with the architecture of the Hasselblad 
backs, this allows you to capture up to 35 shots per minute. 
The 3FR file defines the colours in the Hasselblad RGB colour space 
with its out-of-the-box quality, and used in FlexColor it removes both 
the need for experimenting with different colour profiles to get opti-
mal colours and the need for selective colour corrections. 
5
DNG File Format 
For those familiar with Photoshop and the Adobe Camera Raw con-
verter, the 3FR files can be converted directly into Adobe’s raw image 
format DNG (‘Digital NeGative’), bringing this new technology stand-
ard to the professional photographer for the first time. The DNG file 
format enables raw, compressed image files to be opened directly in 
Adobe PhotoShop. This allows photographers to operate quickly and 
efficiently, reducing the “downtime” taken to process image data and 
enabling final images to reach the customer more quickly. Hasselblad 
image files carry a full sets of metadata, including capture conditions, 
keywords and copyright, facilitating work with image asset manage-
ment solutions.
Instant Approval Architecture 
Limitless digital image capture loses some of its potential if the pho-
tographer cannot quickly review and select the best images to present 
to the client. Building on the success of its Audio Exposure Feedback 
technology, Hasselblad has created Instant Approval Architecture 
(IAA), an enhanced set of feedback tools, designed to liberate the pho-
tographer to focus on the shoot rather than the selection process. IAA 
triggers audible and visible signals for each image captured, telling 
the photographer immediately whether the image has a red, amber 
or green light status. The information is recorded both in the file and 
in the file name, providing a quick and easy way to classify and select 
images, in the field or in the lab. This brings automated image classifi-
cation into your digital workflow from the split second of capture. IAA 
is a Hasselblad trademark and Hasselblad has a patent pending on 
the invention. A larger, enhanced OLED display in the new Hasselblad 
products provides a realistic, high quality and perfect contrast image 
view, even in bright sunlight, to allow instant on-site image approval. 
Three modes of operation and storage 
Optimum portability and image storage are critical for the profession-
al photographer. Three modes are offered, namely, integral CF card 
storage, the flexible Firewire drive, or tethered operation with extend-
ed, special capture controls. With these three operating and storage 
options, the photographer is able to select a mode to suit the nature of 
the work at hand, whether in the studio or on location. 
“Instant” user interface 
The digital units are operated via an easy-to-use user interface, utiliz-
ing a series of “instant” one-button-click operations including instant 
capture, instant browse, instant approval, instant zoom, and instant 
image info. 
FlexColor workflow for the specialist commercial photographer 
FlexColor offers an image processing workflow with the highest degree of control for the studio 
photographer. In tethered operation, tools like live video and overlay masking help bring pro-
ductivity to advanced set composition. The newest FlexColor version allows the photographer 
to manipulate colour temperature and compare image details across multiple images for pre-
cise image selection. FlexColor runs natively on both Macintosh and Windows computers and 
is licensed to allow you to provide free copies for all your co-workers and production partners. 
Modular design 
A clean and dust-free sensor is essential and the modular design of the camera allows for easy 
access to and cleaning of the sensor, saving you hours of retouching work later.  
•
The primary goal of all camera development is of course the seamless and unobtrusive pro-
duction of superb images, regardless of situation. These products have abilities and features 
that you may not think you need, yet. Each individual has their own way of working, naturally 
enough, but Hasselblad equipment has tremendous scope for fine-tuning your technique .
Take your time to learn the intricacies and potential of your new equipment. Go at your own 
pace and explore the possibilities when you feel ready for the next step. Results will be good 
from the word go, that’s guaranteed, but when you want to make improvements or work more 
efficiently perhaps, the capabilities are there for you.
The supreme Hasselblad potential is there, it’s up to you to exploit it! 
•
■  Your new Hasselblad camera may have been supplied in kit form or as separate items. There are a number of 
possible combinations depending on factors such as offers, bundles etc. Please ensure that all the items noted 
on the accompanying packing information have been supplied and are correct. 
■  Contact your Hasselblad dealer or distributor immediately if anything is missing or seems faulty in any way, 
quoting the serial numbers and purchase details where appropriate.
■  Please keep purchase details and the warranty in a safe place. 
■  Familiarise yourself with the various parts and components. Leave protective covers on as much as possible 
and avoid touching glass surfaces and inserting fingers into the camera body. Hasselblad equipment has 
a robust construction and is capable of withstanding fairly rough treatment but nevertheless is a precision 
instrument and will serve you longer if treated with respect from the beginning.
■  Finally, please check occasionally on the Hasselblad website — www.hasselblad.com — for any updates re-
garding user instructions, changes, news, or other information. If you have no Internet access, please contact 
your Hasselblad dealer or distributor for the latest information.
6
  Manual information
This manual covers most user aspects of the H2, H2D cameras and CFH digital backs.
The information is loosely divided between the products but quite naturally there is a 
good deal of overlap. For example, the H2D sensor unit and the CFH digital back share 
the identical menu structure and so that aspect appears under the same heading. The 
logos on the first page of each chapter symbolize the content relevance in most cases. 
Where appropriate in the text and for the the sake of simplicity, the H2 and H2D models 
are collectively referred to as H2/D. In addition, the illustrations might show an H2 logo 
instead of a H2D or a film magazine attached instead of a digital back. For the sake of 
simplicity all possible variations and eventualities are therefore not illustrated. 
Regarding the megapixel classification of your particular model; usage is the same. The 
only noticeable difference will be logo appearance, file capture /storage speed, file size/
quality and last but not least picture quality of course!
  Computer system requirements (H2D and CFH only)
Digital files naturally end up on a computer for processing. Image-storage and correction 
requires a certain minimum standard regarding computer capabilities. Large images 
will require a high-performance computer with plenty of memory, advanced graphics 
capabilities and a recent operating system. In most cases, the computer should include 
a FireWire 800/400 connector, which will enable you to load images directly from the 
camera or Imagebank. To load images stored on the removable compact-flash card, 
you could instead use a compact-flash card reader, but FireWire is recommended for 
maximum flexibility.
  Warnings and restrictions (H2D and CFH only)
•  
•  
•  
•  
Keep your H2D/CFH and all other computer equipment away from moisture wherever possible. If it 
becomes wet, disconnect from power and allow it to dry before attempting to operate again.
Always take great care when you remove the sensor back for cleaning—the exposed filter that covers 
the CCD sensor is vulnerable to damage.
Keep all cables connected to or from your camera and computer out of the way where they will not 
be tripped over.
Never cover the ventilation openings on the digital back when it is active.
Please see later section on all general precautions and recommendations.
7
1.   Flash unit hot-shoe
2.   Rubber eyecup
3.   Exposure mode and metering  
  method selector button
4.   Exposure compensation button
5.   Eyepiece adjustment dial
6.   Magazine LCD
7.   Magazine LCD illumination button
8.   Magazine control buttons
9.   Magazine settings lock
10.  AE-L button
11.  Film wind-off button
12.  User button
13.  Rear control wheel
14.  Grip LCD
15.  Support strap lug
16.  Camera control buttons
17.  Magazine databus
18.  Front control wheel
19.  Shutter release button
20.  Battery holder button
21.  Release cord socket
22.  Stop down button
23.  Battery holder retaining lever
24.  Mirror up button
25.  Battery holder
26.  Flash unit
27.  Viewfinder screen
28.  Focus assist light
29.  Mirror
30.  Distance and depth-of-field scales
31.  Focusing ring
32.  Lens shade bayonet
33.  Filter screw thread
34.  Databus connection
35.  Viewfinder release button
36.  Flash unit catch
37.  Viewfinder attachment hook
38.  Viewfinder databus connection
39.  Magazine release button
40.  Flash PC socket
41.  Camera strap lug
42.  Lens release button
43.  Magazine support
44.  Databus connection
45.  Quick coupling tripod plate 
46.  Film tab holder
47.  Magazine darkslide key
48.  Film holder key
49.  Magazine support groove
50.  Databus connection
Parts & Components
(H2 with film magazine)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
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20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
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26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.