Hasselblad a5d User manual

for A5D Aerial
USER MANUAL

2
INTRODUCTION

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A5D User Manual
Medium format photography is about professionalism. Camera
systems have to be professional, handling has to be professional
and captures have to be professional in quality.
Hasselblad knows it and delivers it; professionals know that too. The
Hasselblad series of cameras consists of building new developments on
the shoulders of the previous generation. In this way all the previous work-
experience based and branch-demanding features are automatically included.
So, just when you think things can’t get much better, they do. And the A5D is
that model - all the good things from before and then some!
The A5D heralds a step up that is noticeably greater than before. There are
changes and many are ‘from the ground up’. The A5D provides a reliable
connection to the eeting environment of digital imaging technology so when
the wind changes direction, the A5D remains as the safeguarding companion
to provide support.
Today’s aerial photography is more demanding than ever and Hasselblad
continues to rise to the occasion, introducing more and more advanced
products and applications for this exciting segment. This is especially true
of the Hasselblad A5D, the latest evolution of Hasselblad aerial cameras
designed for these special applications.
The new camera has been developed to deliver the image quality and
reliability required by our surveying and mapping customers. Listening to their
feedback we have developed a camera to encompass these needs and much
more.
Hasselblad’s best kept secret is knowing that every link in the chain that
leads to the page in the magazine has to reach a certain standard; it is
that simple. That’s why Hasselblad spends so much time and energy into
checking those almost endless behind-the-scenes details and standards
because we understand this simple concept. There is no magical formula
to Hasselblad’s success other than an understanding of what is required to
produce the best results available in the world today, and an acceptance that
there are no short cuts in this process. Hasselblad does its best to produce
the best; there is no other way to achieve the Hasselblad star quality.

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A5D User Manual
WARNINGS, RESTRICTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• Keep the A5D away from moisture wherever possible. If your camera
becomes wet, disconnect from power and allow it to dry before attempting
to operate again.
• Always take great care when you remove the sensor unit for cleaning
as the exposed sensor protective lter is vulnerable to damage.
• Keep all cables connected to or from your camera out of the way where
they will not be tripped over.
• 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.
• Become familiar with the various parts and components. Leave protective
covers on as much as possible and avoid touching glass surfaces and
inserting ngers into the camera body. Hasselblad cameras have a robust
construction and are capable of withstanding fairly rough treatment but
nevertheless are precision instruments and will serve you longer if treated
with respect from the beginning.
FIRMWARE UPDATES
If you have registered your camera you should automatically receive e-mail
informing you of the latest developments. Otherwise you are advised to make
regular checks regarding rmware updates to the camera body, the sensor
unit and the viewnder.
The aim is to ensure you have the latest rmware updates for camera
body, sensor unit and viewnder, which naturally ensures the optimum
in performance. When updating you should also study the accompanying
‘Release Notes’ or ‘Read Me’ les where you will nd details about
improvements, developments and changes.
Register your camera for regular news about the latest
developments, updates, news, tips, and much else!
– www.hasselblad.com –

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A5D User Manual
 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 2
Warnings & restrictions .....................................................................................................................................4
 GENERAL OVERVIEW
Parts & components..........................................................................................................................................7
 GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................................................ 8
Mounting the lens ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Attaching the lens shield ...................................................................................................................................9
Attaching the adapter plate.............................................................................................................................. 10
Power connection............................................................................................................................................ 10
Synchronous connections ................................................................................................................................ 10
Firewire & link to Phocus or SDK based application............................................................................................ 10
Saving images to a CompactFlash card............................................................................................................. 10
 CAMERA MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................................................... 11
Cleaning sensor unit & IR glass........................................................................................................................12
 TECHNICAL APPENDIX ....................................................................................................................... 13
A5D specifications .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Lemo connector signal information............................................................................................................ 14 - 16
Electrical timings...................................................................................................................................... 17 - 18
CONTENTS

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GENERAL OVERVIEW

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A5D User Manual
PARTS AND COMPONENTS – OVERVIEW
Lens mount locking boltCompactFlash card cover
Mounting pointLens shield Firewire socket
Digital capture unit
Lens release button
Menu button
P1 button
Menu navigation button
Zoom button
DC Power connector
Control connector A
Control connector B
P2 button
Display button
Ready light

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GETTING STARTED

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A5D User Manual
GETTING STARTED
MOUNTING THE LENS
The A5D lens mount contains a locking mechanism that securely holds
the lens in place with an even pressure all around the barrel.
Locate the lens mount locking bolt.
Before mounting a lens
ensure the metal collar
is in position and the
joint is aligned with the
location lug.
To mount a lens, locate the red dot on the rear lens mount and ensure
it is facing upwards. Offer up the lens into the camera body and rotate
clockwise until a click is heard.
1
3
2
To detach the lens,
press the lens release
button on the side of
the camera and turn the
lens anti-clockwise.
Insert the supplied Allen key into the bolt and rotate clockwise half a
turn to engage the lens mount lock.
4
ATTACHING THE LENS SHIELD
There are three lens shields
available depending on the lens in
use. To mount the shield for the
50, 80 or 100mm lens, simply
offer up the shield to the outer
lens mount and rotate the shield
clockwise until the shield locks.
NB: Do not overtighten as damage
to the lens mount may occur
To mount the shield for the 35mm
lens it is rst necessary to mount
the adaptor ring to the existing outer
lens mount. This adaptor ring is held
in place with 4 screws.
Once this has been mounted, you
can attach the lens and then mount
the shield and secure it with a turn
in the clockwise direction.

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A5D User Manual
ATTACHING THE ADAPTER PLATE (P1)
To attach the A5D camera unit to an existing OEM camera mount
point you will need the adaptor plate (P1). This plate is attached
to the camera body with 4 bolts. You must ensure that the plate is
correctly oriented – please see the image below and align the plate
correctly.
Secure the plate with the 4 supplied bolts, ensuring that you tighten
them one turn at a time to provide even pressure. Once the plate is
secure you can mount the lens. Attach the lens shield and the unit is
now ready to mount in the camera pod using the existing P1 bolt layout.
POWER CONNECTION
The A5D camera unit is equipped with three connectors. The connector
furthest away (left hand side of the camera and coloured grey) is the DC
power connector. The unit requires a power source of 12-30 VDC to operate.
This will normally be supplied via the aircraft power system.
SYNCHRONOUS CONNECTIONS
The remaining two connectors are used to synchronise additional
daisy chained camera units so that all exposures take place within 20
microseconds of each other. The centre connector is the signal input and
the right hand connector is the signal output for the next unit.
SAVING IMAGES TO A COMPACTFLASH CARD
If you do not wish to transfer the captured images to a remote computer, the
CompactFlash card slot is available to allow in camera storage up to 128GB
(UDMA7 compatible cards).
FIREWIRE & LINK TO PHOCUS OR SDK BASED APPLICATION
Located on the left hand side of the camera you will nd the Firewire socket.
Using the supplied cable ensures the connection will be securely locked.
Once the connector is locked in place and the other end of the cable
attached to your computer system, the camera should show as connected
and camera controls should be congurable via Hasselblad Phocus software
or your own application designed from the SDK.
1
2
DC power connector
NB: Correct voltage AND polarity must be
applied to the power connection or
damage to the camera will occur
MOUNTING THE LENS