A new beginning, V system support from Classic V

[Douglas Fairbank @ Classic V]

Some of the readers in this forum may know that Hasselblad has recently restructured their service worldwide, for European photographers it means consolidation to a service facility in Sweden and sadly for me that meant redundancy. Hasselblad have however recognised the need for 'Dedicated Support Points' in both the UK and Germany in order to ensure a continued fast and effective service.
I am very pleased to continue my involvement with the Hasselblad product as 'Classic V', the 'Dedicated Service Support' in the UK for Hasselblad V system cameras, an independent company endorsed by Hasselblad using all original equipment, spares and data in order to guarantee the quality of service expected by Hasselblad owners.
Many of you know me and I am sure that after the last 38 years of working for Hasselblad UK, I may have already had the pleasure of supporting you and your cameras and I look forward to hearing from you in the future so that I can continue to adapt my service to your needs.
Please visit my temporary website for further information or for the answers to any questions you might have about the new service arrangements. Alternatively you could call me or email me and I will endeavour to reply as soon as possible.

www.classicv.co.uk

[KeithL]

Hi Douglas

Sorry to hear about the redundancy.

Does the consolidation to a service facility in Sweden mean there will be no more service for H and V users in the UK? Will all service requirements now mean the equipment has to go back to Sweden?

Wishing you all the best for the future.

Keith

[Douglas Fairbank @ Classic V]

Excepting the service that I am offering (and I hope I can help you) the answer is yes!

[KeithL]

Douglas, that would be nice, but I'm totally H now.

[meshuggener]

Oh no... You are so helpful, how Hasselblad can do that to you ?! Ask them an intensive swedish lesson and go to Sweden !
Thank you again for all your help !

Dedicated for you, this nice girl i shot last week with my H3DII-39 and 100mm :

[Douglas Fairbank @ Classic V]

Thank you for the kind words but please understand that Hasselblad has been a good employer! I may be unhappy with this decision and believe it to be a mistake but my settlement (by UK standards) has been OK and they have been very supportive of my new business. I will continue to work with Hasselblad as a partner.
I am still a friend to many people in Hasselblad and I hope for the best for the company and it's new products, I am just very sad that I won't be involved with any more developments.
But I am very happy to continue my relationship with the many photographers that I have met and helped and even though my focus is the V system cameras I will be involved with digital photography as much as possible.

I can answer any questions about Classic V but it would be very hard for me to answer questions about Hasselblad's plans.

[meshuggener]

oh ok Doug, I misunderstood some part of your first message. Anyway, long life to your new business ! 

[jeff.grant@pobox.com]

Good luck Douglas, and thanks for all your help. You will be sorely missed around here. I hope that your new venture is a roaring success.

[Douglas Fairbank @ Classic V]

Wait a moment Jeff, you won't miss me I will still be here helping when I can. Digital photography is not just for the H series!

[peterbkk]

Thank you for the kind words but please understand that Hasselblad has been a good employer! I may be unhappy with this decision and believe it to be a mistake but my settlement (by UK standards) has been OK and they have been very supportive of my new business. I will continue to work with Hasselblad as a partner.

Hi Douglas,

I hope that your new working arrangements work out even better than your previous one.

Let me encourage you with a story about my father.  He was a very skilful watchmaker. Old school. But worked as an employee for most of his life.  Just could not push himself to go out on his own.  Then his boss closed the business.  Dad was close to retirement so had little financial pressure.  He put the word out around the industry that he would take on specialist repairs of antique watches.  Well, within a few months, he was having to tell people that he could only take on their work if they didn't mind joining a queue that was stretching up to 6 months and lengthening.  He worked well past his normal retirement age, made plenty of extra cash, and kept himself active and engaged - and repaired some lovely old watches.  But only worked a few hours a day.

Regards
Peter

[Douglas Fairbank @ Classic V]

Sounds perfect!