posted 06-03-2013 10:53 PM               

Swedish camera maker Hasselblad has long been associated with NASA's space exploration program. Neil Armstrong captured the first photos of the lunar surface using a specially modified V-series medium format camera, and earlier Mercury astronauts captured photos using a modified version of the venerable Hasselblad 500C.

The company's first foray into small-format digital photography is intended to honor that tradition. The Lunar, first shown at Photokina last year, is a luxury version of the excellent Sony Alpha NEX-7$1,069.99 at 42nd Street Photo. It adds a deep handgrip, knurled control dials, and premium materials. You can opt for black leather, brown Tuscan leather, carbon fiber, mahogany, or olive wood grips.

The premium design doesn't come cheap. You can currently buy an NEX-7 for around $1,100. The Lunar is on sale for just under $7,000, which is quite a premium.