How to use H mount digital back on V mount Hasselblad camera?

It sees to me this is a matter of mechanical adaption, right?

Any idea to do this?

Can we DIY that?

Thanks

No, it isn't practical to adapt an H back to V (or vice versa).

While it is theoretically possible to adapt some models of Phase and Leaf from H to V, you would need the parts, and those parts are utterly unobtainable. Phase and Leaf do offer a "mount exchange service" but the wording is misleading: even the companies themselves don't actually switch the mount on the back. Instead, they swap the ENTIRE back, H for V, which is why the option wasn't particularly affordable (made sense for a working pro who paid $35K for P45+ to spend a few thousand more for an exchange if necessary, but silly today for non-pros who might pick up an older used back for under $5K).

The Imacon-branded backs for H (and the later Hasselblad-branded derivations) are much the same, if not worse. H is for H and V is for V, period. You can use these backs separately on specialty field and view cameras, but they won't swap between H and V Hasselblad bodies.

Of course this is highly disappointing to bargain-hunting amateurs today, most of whom want an affordable digital back for the now-affordable (and still amazing) classic Hasselblad V system. Unfortunately there are a lot more potential buyers for cheap V backs than there are sellers: by the time a V back reaches its second owner, it usually stays put. There are a LOT more H backs coming available, as pros migrate away from the H system to newer hi-res smaller formats like Nikon D850, Sony A7RIII and the mirrorless Hasselblad X1D / Fuji GFX50 mini-MF duopoly.

If you need a V back, you'll need to be patient and clever to track down a good deal. Early revised backs like the Phase P25 or equivalent Leaf are the easiest to find at decent prices (Leaf models have the advantage of rotating sensor, allowing full use of the waist level finder). The Hasselblad-branded V backs designed to match the visual elegance of the V body cost more, but arguably the extra money isn't justified. The CCD models have some issues, and the CMOS model is so popular the price seldom dips below $10K, even used. Hasselblad also made the bizarre choice to NOT house the battery inside the back, so in actual use the Hasselblad-brand V backs (with external ugly battery protruding under them) are inelegant and clumsy. They also won't work on a motorized EL model unless you spend yet another $400 for a custom battery bracket (the very definition of "rip-off").

For the foreseeable future, the most available digital system for the Zeiss V lenses is probably going to remain a second-hand complete H body/back like HD3DII-39, etc.coupled with the Hasselblad V lens adapter. There is a wide choice of H body/back options beginning to flood the used market, unlike the V market which has remained static for years. You might also consider a Pentax 645D: these are now the best value in used MF digital. It will take V lenses with an adapter, but you lose the leaf shutter capability and must stop down manually.

No, it isn't practical to adapt an H back to V (or vice versa).

 

While it is theoretically possible to adapt some models of Phase and Leaf from H to V, you would need the parts, and those parts are utterly unobtainable. Phase and Leaf do offer a "mount exchange service" but the wording is misleading: even the companies themselves don't actually switch the mount on the back. Instead, they swap the ENTIRE back, H for V, which is why the option wasn't particularly affordable (made sense for a working pro who paid $35K for P45+ to spend a few thousand more for an exchange if necessary, but silly today for non-pros who might pick up an older used back for under $5K).

 

The Imacon-branded backs for H (and the later Hasselblad-branded derivations) are much the same, if not worse. H is for H and V is for V, period. You can use these backs separately on specialty field and view cameras, but they won't swap between H and V Hasselblad bodies.

 

Of course this is highly disappointing to bargain-hunting amateurs today, most of whom want an affordable digital back for the now-affordable (and still amazing) classic Hasselblad V system. Unfortunately there are a lot more potential buyers for cheap V backs than there are sellers: by the time a V back reaches its second owner, it usually stays put. There are a LOT more H backs coming available, as pros migrate away from the H system to newer hi-res smaller formats like Nikon D850, Sony A7RIII and the mirrorless Hasselblad X1D / Fuji GFX50 mini-MF duopoly.

 

If you need a V back, you'll need to be patient and clever to track down a good deal. Early revised backs like the Phase P25 or equivalent Leaf are the easiest to find at decent prices (Leaf models have the advantage of rotating sensor, allowing full use of the waist level finder). The Hasselblad-branded V backs designed to match the visual elegance of the V body cost more, but arguably the extra money isn't justified. The CCD models have some issues, and the CMOS model is so popular the price seldom dips below $10K, even used. Hasselblad also made the bizarre choice to NOT house the battery inside the back, so in actual use the Hasselblad-brand V backs (with external ugly battery protruding under them) are inelegant and clumsy. They also won't work on a motorized EL model unless you spend yet another $400 for a custom battery bracket (the very definition of "rip-off").

 

For the foreseeable future, the most available digital system for the Zeiss V lenses is probably going to remain a second-hand complete H body/back like HD3DII-39, etc.coupled with the Hasselblad V lens adapter. There is a wide choice of H body/back options beginning to flood the used market, unlike the V market which has remained static for years. You might also consider a Pentax 645D: these are now the best value in used MF digital. It will take V lenses with an adapter, but you lose the leaf shutter capability and must stop down manually.

Hello,

Many thanks for so detailed opinions. Now I understood situations better.