HASSELBLAD HC100mm f2.2

H lens series, largest aperture lens

A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 100mm F2.2 with HASSELBLAD X camera.

Table of contents

Gallery

The cameras used for the shoot were HASSELBLAD X1D-50C, X1DII-50C, and X2D-100C.
The cameras were connected with the XH-adapter and XH-Converter0.8.
The following options were used: Extender 26mm, HC-Converter1.7.

Review

1. Overview
   • Accessory compatibility
2. Usability
3. Summary
   • AF support
   • About FUJINON lens

1．Overview

The Hasselblad HC 100mm F2.2 is an HC series lens, so when used with a medium-format HxD camera, it covers sensor sizes up to 40.2 x 53.7 (40 x 54) mm, and the focal length is approximately 67 mm in 35 mm format.

The X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D can use this lens via the XH Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8, and a x1.7 teleconverter can also be used. Close-up photography is also possible using three types of EXTENSION TUBES H (13mm/26mm/52mm), and examples using the 26mm extension tube H26 are posted in the gallery.

• When using the XH Lens Adapter, the focal length is approximately 80mm and the maximum aperture is F2.2.
• When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length is 64mm and the maximum aperture is F1.8.
• When using the XH Lens Adapter and the x1.7 teleconverter, the focal length is 170mm and the maximum aperture is F3.5.
• When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8 and the x1.7 teleconverter, the focal length is 136mm and the maximum aperture is F2.8.

The lens is a simple planar type with 6 lenses in 5 groups, with a large lens diameter of 87.5mm, and the design concept is to cover up the negative aspects of the planar type. Basically, the large diameter reduces distortion without optically correcting the peripheral areas, and the angle of incidence of light on the sensor can be maintained shallow.

The lens alone weighs 780g, and when combined with the converter and camera, it weighs about 1.5kg, making it one of the lighter HC lenses.

・Accessory compatibility

• Converter H 1.7x (x1.7 teleconverter) can be used.
• Extension-Tube-H (H13/H26/H52) can be used.
• HTS 1,5 TILT AND SHIFT ADAPTER can be used.
• Image circle covers up to medium format film size.

2．Usability

The Hasselblad HC 100mm F2.2 is a large-aperture medium telephoto lens for Hasselblad H-series cameras.

When the exposure is slightly under-exposed to make the subject stand out, the sharpness and focus position are accentuated.

This lens is fully compatible with the 100 million pixels of the X2D-100C, and has sufficient resistance to backlight, so there are almost no problems when using it outdoors without a hood.

The AF speed is about the same as other AF-enabled lenses, but the AF focusing speed is not fast. AF is hesitant, especially in places where there is little difference in contrast. This lens focuses by moving the large, heavy front element, so there are lenses with broken AF motors on the used market, so it is dangerous to overuse the AF motor, and it is happy to think of AF as a bonus.

When looking at a subject with little difference in contrast, it is better to switch to manual focus (MF) in advance to avoid damaging the lens. MF can also be used to interrupt AF. However, I try not to use MF interruption too much because it can be stressful on the lens motor.

Fortunately, the focus ring is wide and easy to use. When you turn the focus ring, you feel a rough texture when you pass infinity. I think this is an indication that you have passed infinity while focusing.

Also, since I changed the body to X2D, the AF has become less hesitant.

The focusing speed does not improve much due to the weight of the drive motor and focus adjustment lens, but I am happy that the focusing accuracy has improved.

I confirmed that it had an orange dot before purchasing, so I knew that autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) could be used with the XH Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8. When I checked the lens information on the X1DII immediately after purchasing it, the firmware was 18.0.0 and the number of shutter releases was about 8,000. I updated the firmware to 19.1.0 to use AF.

3．Summary

In conclusion, to sum up the Hasselblad HC 100mm F2.2, it has a large image circle that covers 645 format, and has sufficient resolution and flatness for use with medium format digital sensors.

You can think of the autofocus as just a bonus.

When using with the X Series, if you use the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the maximum aperture increases to F1.8, so it is worth actively choosing the new lens with an orange dot and a shutter speed of 1/2000.

・AF support

There are several conditions to attach HC/HCD series lenses to X1D, X1DII, X2D, and 907X via a mount adapter (X H Lens Adapter, XH CONVERTER 0.8) to drive auto focus (hereinafter referred to as AF).

The most important thing is the lens firmware. If the lens firmware cannot be updated to 19.1.0, AF will not work.

In order to update to lens firmware 19.1.0, the lens must have firmware 18.0.0 or later.

1. All lenses with an orange dot are capable of AF.
   • However, AF does not work on the HC120 and HC120-II. This is a lens limitation imposed by Hasselblad.
2. For non-orange dot lenses, it’s a bit more complicated.
   • If AF is possible
     • Lens with lens firmware 18.0.0 or later.
     • Lenses from 2010 or later with serial numbers starting with V and firmware 18.0.0 or later.
   • When AF is not possible
     • Lens with lens firmware earlier than 17.0.0.
     • Lenses manufactured before 2010 with serial numbers starting with S.
     • Fujinon brand lens.

・About FUJINON lens

There are HC lenses from the Fujifilm brand SUPER EBC FUJINON that can be used with the HASSELBLAD HC camera, but only lenses with a maximum shutter speed of 1/800. Compared to the latest maximum shutter speed of 1/2000, the range of expression is narrower. Also, because the lens firmware is old, it is not possible to apply HC lens firmware 19.1.0, which is required to use autofocus (AF) on XCD mount cameras X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D.

Therefore, AF cannot be used even if it is attached to an XCD mount camera via two types of mount adapters, X H Lens Adapter, and XH CONVERTER 0.8.

Fuji Film brand HC lenses are not covered by Hasselblad’s repair support, and since Fuji Film no longer provides repair support, there is nothing that can be done in the event of a breakdown. Fuji Film brand H lenses are sold cheaply, but you need to be aware of this when purchasing.If it is a Hasselblad brand HC lens, even old lenses can be repaired at Hasselblad for a fee.

Since HC lenses are manufactured by Fujifilm, a mount adapter (H MOUNT ADAPTER G) is also available for the Fujifilm GFX series, which has the same sensor size as the X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D. This is for MF (manual focus) only, but you can use not only the camera’s mechanical shutter but also the lens shutter.

Specification

Item	HASSELBLAD HC100	SUMMICRON-S 100
focal length(mm)	100	100
Maximum aperture	2.2	2
Minimum aperture	32	22
Lens configuration	5groups 6elements	5groups 7elements
Minimum distance(m)	0.9	0.7
Lens length(mm)	80.5	102
Lens max diameter(mm)	87.5	91
Filter diameter(mm)	77	82
Weight(g)	780	910

HC 100mm lens specification

Reference links

• HASSELBLAD HC100mm Official-site
• HASSELBLAD H EXTENSION TUBE Official-site
• Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation Site

Update history

• 2024.8.30
• 2024.03.24
• 2022.03.03

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