I’ve spent over 15 years in this industry, starting on the floor of a print shop where color accuracy wasn’t a preference, it was the job. So when I hear about a workflow change that promises better color fidelity, I pay attention. The historic rivalry between Phase One (Capture One’s parent company for years) and Hasselblad meant that photographers who loved Hasselblad hardware and Capture One software had to live with a clunky, compromised workflow. You’d process in Hasselblad’s Phocus, export a TIFF, and lose a massive amount of raw editing latitude. It was a painful choice between the best sensor and the best raw processor.

So, What Exactly Did They Announce in 2026?

The announcement from Capture One and Hasselblad is straightforward. As of Capture One desktop version 16.8.3 and mobile version 3.3.4, you can now directly import and edit .3FR RAW files from three specific 100-megapixel Hasselblad cameras:

• Hasselblad X2D II 100C
• Hasselblad X2D 100C
• Hasselblad CFV 100C digital back

This isn’t just basic file compatibility. Capture One has created dedicated color profiles for each model, which is the most critical piece of the puzzle. Without a profile that accurately interprets the data from that 16-bit BSI CMOS sensor, you’re just guessing. They’ve also included lens correction profiles for all 19 Hasselblad XCD lenses, handling distortion and aberrations automatically.

The Compromise: Tethering is Still an IOU

Here’s the catch. While you can edit your files, you can’t yet shoot directly from your Hasselblad into Capture One. Tethered capture is promised for “later in 2026,” but for a huge number of commercial, product, and portrait photographers, this is a non-starter.

In a professional studio environment, tethering isn’t a luxury. It’s the core of the workflow. It’s how you check focus, lighting, and composition on a large, color-calibrated screen in real-time with the client and art director looking over your shoulder. It’s how you apply basic edits on the fly to give them a vision of the final shot. Without it, you’re back to shooting on a card, running it over to the computer, and breaking the creative flow.

So while this news is fantastic for landscape, travel, or documentary shooters using these cameras, the studio crowd is still waiting for the most important feature. “Planned” doesn’t mean delivered.

Why This Matters More Than Just a Software Update

This move signals a major shift. Since Capture One became an independent company in 2020, it’s been free to pursue partnerships beyond old rivalries. For years, keeping Hasselblad out was a competitive move by Phase One. Now, Capture One is aiming to be the truly universal pro-grade raw editor, a Swiss Army knife for photographers regardless of their camera brand. It’s a smart business decision.

For Hasselblad, it opens their ecosystem to a massive user base that simply refused to leave Capture One’s superior layer-based editing, color tools, and session management. And yes, Hasselblad has confirmed its own software, Phocus, will continue development. But let’s be blunt: Phocus has always been known for one thing—its world-class color rendering. Its workflow and asset management tools have never come close to Capture One’s.

Now, we supposedly get the best of both worlds: Hasselblad’s legendary color science, interpreted through Capture One’s powerful engine. The real test will be seeing if Capture One’s new profiles truly nail the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution. I’m skeptical but hopeful.

Technical Specifications

The three supported models are built around the same phenomenal sensor. Here’s how they break down.

My Verdict

• A Liberation for Field Shooters. For anyone shooting Hasselblad medium format in the field—landscapes, architecture, travel—this is an unqualified win. The workflow is finally streamlined. No more TIFFs, no more compromises.
• Not a Revolution (Yet). Until rock-solid tethering arrives, this is not the full solution studio professionals were hoping for. The core of a high-volume commercial workflow is still missing.
• Color is Everything. The success of this entire partnership hinges on one thing: how well Capture One’s color profiles replicate the look of Hasselblad’s own software. If they get it right, this will be huge. If they miss, photographers will stick with the old, painful workflow to protect their colors.

Photo by Yunshuo Qu on Unsplash.