100MP camera back on the way from Hasselblad will bring new life to old 500CM film and 907X mirrorless bodies
(Image credit: James Artaius)
Hasselblad, still the gold standard in premium photography to many people, has registered a new 100MP medium format camera back.
It's not often that Hasselblad is the subject of camera rumors, but word has leaked online that the Hasselblad CFV 100C has been registered overseas – which would replace the almost five-year-old CFV II 50C back that sits at the heart of the Hasselblad 907X 50C package.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a camera back is part of the traditional modular camera setup still supported by the Hasselblad V System. In days of old, a film back would be attached to a medium format film camera; this has now been replaced by a digital camera back, containing a medium format image sensor.
So, while the Hasselblad X1D II 50C was a conventional mirrorless camera with an integrated sensor and body, the 907X 50C featured a modular "camera" (the 907X itself, which was essentially an interface between the back and the new X System mirrorless lenses) and a separate back (the CFV II 50C) containing the same sensor as the X1D II. The back can also attach to old film cameras, to bring iconic bodies like the Hasselblad 500CM back to life.
To help visualize, here's an animation showing each component of the 907X setup:
Since then, the company has since released the mighty Hasselblad X2D 100C – a 100MP medium format marvel. So the development of a Hasselblad CFV 100C camera back (containing the same 100MP sensor) comes as little surprise, again enabling you to update your 907X, 500CM or any other modular body.
The news was reported by Photo Rumors, noting that the camera back has been registered in Asia.
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The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.