Hasselblad RAW files finally work directly in Capture One

Sunday 5 July 2026, 16:32 by Elja Trum | 901 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

I honestly didn't even realise this wasn't possible yet, but from now on you can import Hasselblad RAW files from three cameras directly into Capture One.

I've been shooting with a Hasselblad camera for about six months, but I use Lightroom Classic to manage and edit my photos. You can already open Hasselblad RAW files there.

For Capture One users, things were different. Until now, they couldn't process original Hasselblad RAW files directly in the program. This first required an intermediate step using Hasselblad's own Phocus software or conversion to another file format.

With the arrival of Capture One 16.8.3, that has finally changed. Hasselblad and Capture One have entered into an official partnership, meaning the original 16-bit .3FR files can now be imported, organised and edited directly in Capture One.

Three Hasselblad cameras for now

At launch, support applies to three recent 100-megapixel models:

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

Older cameras, such as the X1D and X1D II, aren't mentioned for now. So this addition doesn't mean that Capture One can now automatically handle every digital Hasselblad model.

The support is also available in Capture One Mobile 3.3.4. This means the files can be processed not just on a desktop computer, but on mobile devices too.

Colour and lens profiles

Capture One hasn't simply added support that allows the program to open the files. Specific colour profiles have been developed for each of the three cameras. These should ensure that Hasselblad's distinctive colour rendering is also properly preserved in Capture One.

The update also includes profiles for all nineteen Hasselblad XCD lenses. This allows Capture One to automatically correct issues such as vignetting, distortion and chromatic aberration.

That's important, because the colour rendering is a key reason why many photographers choose Hasselblad. A general RAW conversion that loses some of that character would therefore be far less appealing.

Tethered shooting coming later

The ability to control a Hasselblad camera directly from Capture One isn't included in this update yet. Support for tethered shooting is scheduled for later in 2026. For studio, fashion and commercial photographers, this will probably be an important next step.

Capture One is widely used in these sectors because of its extensive options for tethered shooting, collaborating with clients and viewing images directly on a large screen.

Why did it take so long?

The fact that Capture One didn't support Hasselblad for so long was notable. After all, both brands are clearly focused on professional photographers.

The historical competition between Hasselblad and Phase One probably played a part. Capture One was originally part of Phase One, but has operated as an independent company since 2020.

Capture One itself doesn't want to go into this history in detail and says it mainly listened to photographers' long-standing requests for Hasselblad support.

The addition of Capture One support doesn't mean that Hasselblad is stopping with Phocus, by the way. According to Hasselblad, its own software will continue to exist and be developed further.

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