5 Things We Didn¡¯t Know About Hasselblad, The Camera Giant Collaborating With OnePlus

Do you all remember those old cameras that you had to wind before taking a picture?

We, proud 90s kids, have grown up watching film cameras transition into digital and video cameras, to then abandoning it all for the phone cameras.

Through the generations, the world of photography has seen technological advancements at every step and there are very few companies that managed to stay strong through the last 80 years while making sure that they were always a step ahead when it came to technological advancements.

One such company is Hasselblad. Started by Victor Hasselblad in 1940, this Swedish company has gone from creating a camera to aid the Swedish Air Force to now, entering the world of mobile photography.

But, before we go into the details. Here are a few things that everyone must know about one of the oldest imaging companies:

1. It All Began With The Air-force:

Hasselblad

Before creating cameras, Victor Hasselblad owned a photography studio. The first official Hasselblad camera, the HK7 was created as a modified replica of the German aerial surveillance equipment found in the country.

2. A Journey Through Space:

Hasselblad

When you think about humans in outer space, the first thing that comes to mind is the Apollo 11 moon landing and the picture that Edwin ¡°Buzz¡± Aldrin took in 1969. But, did you ever wonder what camera was able to work in the extreme atmospheric conditions on the moon? Well, it was a Hasselblad camera.

A silver Hasselblad Data Camera (HDC) with R¨¦seau plate, fitted with a Zeiss Biogon 60mm ?/5.6 lens, was chosen to document the lunar surface and was attached to astronaut Armstrong's chest. A second black Hasselblad Electric Camera (HEC) with a Zeiss Planar 80mm ?/2,8 lens was used to shoot from inside the Eagle lunar module. The HDC was able to take those iconic pictures under extreme conditions without any problems. Isn¡¯t that mind-blowing?

3. Capturing Iconic Moments:

Hasselblad

There have been many iconic moments in the entertainment industry throughout the years and while a Hasselblad camera was not used to capture all of them, it was there from some iconic ones! Every memorable picture taken by award-winning British photographer Gered Mankowitz was captured using a Hasselblad camera. He captured some of the most memorable pictures that defined rock music especially those of The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.

4. Another Big First In Photography:

Hasselblad

In 2016, Hasselblad took innovation to next level and gave us one of the first digital compact cameras that was mirrorless. The X1D with its compact build, lowlight shooting capabilities, full flash sync, 16-bit colour definition, and dynamic range of up to 14 stops, has helped photographers push their limits in all fields especially that of fine art, documentary & street.

5. A Collaboration Like Never Before:

OnePlus

After 81 super-successful years in the world of photography, Hasselblad is now entering the arena of mobile photography with OnePlus. The tech company announced a three-year partnership with Hasselblad to co-develop the next generation of smartphone camera systems for future OnePlus flagship devices.

The two companies have already worked together to provide a revamped camera system in the upcoming OnePlus 9 series. The partnership will continuously develop over the next three years, starting with software improvements including colour tuning and sensor calibration, and extending to more dimensions in the future with Hasselblad Camera for Mobile.

The new Hasselblad Pro Mode will bring the brand's class-leading sensor calibration to a smartphone for the first time, resulting in incredibly accurate and natural colour for a solid foundation for post-editing. This is a collaboration that will be loved by professional photographers and everyday users alike.

The OnePlus 9 series is all set to launch in a global launch event that will be streamed online on March 23. So, set your reminders because this is a launch that will be the beginning of an epic collaboration!