HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm type2
Review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm typeII (Orange dot).
Table of contents
- Gallery
- Review
- Specifications
- Accessory compatibility
- AF support
- About FUJINON lens
- Reference links
- Update history
- About Affiliate link
Gallery
Review
The HC Macro 120mm F4 Type 2 is a macro lens with a focal length of 120mm for Hasselblad H series cameras.
There are two types of 120mm macro: the old type 1 and the improved type 2.
When used with medium format cameras H series, it covers sensor size up to 40.2 x 53.7mm, and the focal length is approximately 82.5mm.
This lens can be used with X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D via X H Lens Adapter or XH CONVERTER 0.8. In either case, autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) cannot be used, and only manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF) can be used.
When using the X H Lens Adapter, the focal length will be approximately 96mm.
When using XH CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length will be approximately 76mm (lens firmware 18.0.0 or later required).
I acquired the 2-inch 120mm macro by trading in a Fujinon brand 1-inch 120mm macro and paying the difference in price.
The shutter unit of this second-hand 2-inch lens had been replaced, and it was in almost unused condition with only 34 shots taken. The weight and handling of the lens I received was the same as the 1st type.
The reason I got the 2-inch model was to use the XH-converter 0.8, which cannot be used with the 1-inch model, and as it became a macro lens with a focal length of 76mm, the range of use of the lens was expanded.
The wide focus ring, similar to the 1-inch model, is suitable for delicate operations during macro photography. The shape of the rubber knurling tapering in an arc toward the tip is beautiful.
The first day I took the 2-inch lens out, I didn’t check the lens condition enough, so I ended up using the firmware 18.8.7 at the time of purchase, and had some trouble with shutter errors at F3.5 to F6.8.
After completing the email to Hasselblad Japan to report the problem, I realized that I had not checked the firmware, so I checked the firmware of the lens. As mentioned above, the firmware was not the latest, so after changing to the latest HC lens firmware 19.1.0, I was able to use it at any aperture value without any problems.
With the 1 type, depending on the subject, purple fringing could be seen through the EVF when the aperture was wide open, but with the 2 type, this has disappeared, and you can feel the improvement in performance when the aperture is wide open. I don’t think it’s a problem because the purple fringing on the Type 1 lens becomes almost unnoticeable after going through Phocus, but I think it’s important to have a good view through the viewfinder.
When using the 2-inch XH Lens ADAPTER, the background blur is beautiful when the aperture is wide open, and there are no two lines, giving it a very nice, mellow impression. This depends on the subject and the lighting conditions, so type 1 isn’t necessarily bad, but there were some scenes where type 1 felt a little rough in the background.
I really appreciate that this lens is compatible with a teleconverter (CONVERTER H1.7X), just like the 1-inch lens. If you attach this lens to the XH Lens Adapter with the H1,7X in between, it will become a 6.3/202mm telephoto macro lens with the same minimum focusing distance of 0.39m. As introduced on the converter page, the lens becomes a little darker, but you can take more enlarged shots with less image degradation.
Since it is a macro lens that requires a large amount of extension, the lens body is large and heavy. This lens and the 4.5-5.6/35-90 zoom have almost the same weight.
Specification
| Item | Value | note |
| focal length(mm) | 118.7 | |
| Maximum aperture | 4 | |
| Minimum aperture | 45 | |
| Lens configuration | 9groups 9elements | |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.39 | |
| Lens length(mm) | 166 | |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 96 | |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 67 | |
| Weight(g) | 1410 |
HC Macro 120mm(I型) レンズ仕様書（英語）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 not be used.
- Image circle covers up to medium format film size.
AF support(HC120)
AF (autofocus) does not work on the X1D/X1DII/X907 for the HC Macro 120mm lens, either with the old firmware or with the extended firmware.
About FUJINON lens(HC120)
When using the FUJINON brand HC Macro 120mm with X1D/X1DII/907X and X H Lens Adapter, it can be used without any difference from the HASSELBLAD brand lens.
However, as mentioned in the “Impression” comments, to use the XH CONVERTER 0.8 and HC Macro 120mm, a lens with extended firmware (firmware 19.1 or later) is required.
There is no difference in function between older HASSELBLAD lenses and FUJINON lenses, and it is a matter of how you consider the availability of repair support in case of failure. If you are using the lens as a manual macro lens, choosing the FUJINON brand, which is available at a lower price, is not a bad choice.
Reference links
- HASSELBLAD HC MACRO 120mm official introduction page
- HASSELBLAD H-series Extension Tube official introduction page
- Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation web site
Update history
- 2024.03.22
- 2022.11.09
Affiliate Link
- Some external links are advertisements, and clicking them may generate income for the site administrator. I would appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining my page.
