HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm II
Medium format digital compatible, life-size macro lens
A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm typeII (Orange dot).
Table of contents
Gallery
The camera used for the photo was the HASSELBLAD X2D.
Review
1．Overview
The HASSELBLAD HC 120mm F4 Macro II is a 120mm focal length macro lens for Hasselblad H-series cameras.
When used with the H-series medium format cameras, it covers medium format 645 film and digital sensor sizes up to 40.2 x 53.7 mm, with a focal length of approximately 82.5 mm.
This Hasselblad H-series 120mm macro exists in the older I-type and the improved II-type.
When used with Hasselblad X-series digital cameras, X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D, this lens can be used via the XH Adapter or XH CONVERTER 0.8, but in either case autofocus is not available and only manual focus is possible.
- When using the XH Adapter, the focal length is approximately 96mm F4
- When using the H CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length is approximately 76mm F3.5
Like the I-type, this lens is compatible with the teleconverter (CONVERTER H1.7X).
When using a teleconverter, the focal length becomes longer and the minimum shooting distance remains the same, so the lens becomes slightly darker, but the image degradation is minimal and you can take more magnified shots. However, when using the CONVERTER H1.7X, the X2D IBIS and in-body image stabilization are not supported.
The HC 120mm Macro can be used with a teleconverter (CONVERTER H1.7X), and when attached, the focal length is as follows:
- When using the XH Adapter, 163mm F6.3
- When using the H CONVERTER 0.8, 129mm F5
2．Usability
I traded in a Fujinon I-type 120mm macro lens and paid the difference to get the HASSELBLAD HC 120mm F4 Macro II. The shutter unit of this second-hand 2-type lens had been replaced, and it was practically unused, with only 34 shots. The weight and handling of the lens were the same as the I-type.
The reason I got the II-type was to use the xh-converter 0.8, which cannot be used with the I-type, which makes it a macro lens with a focal length of 76mm, expanding the range of use of the lens.
As this is a macro lens that requires a large amount of extension, the lens body is large and heavy. This lens and the HC 35-90 4.5-5.6 zoom lens are almost the same weight.
In terms of operability, the wide focus ring, which has the same shape as the I-type, is suitable for delicate operation during macro photography.
It has a unique lens barrel with rubber knurling that narrows in an arc toward the tip.
The II-type lens does not show double-line bokeh in the blurred background at full aperture, and shows a smooth and beautiful bokeh. Although it is not APO specification, there is no color bleeding.
With the I-type lens, purple fringing was visible through the EVF when the aperture was open depending on the subject, but this is no longer the case with the II-type lens, and you can feel the improvement in performance at full aperture. The purple fringing of the I-type lens is almost unnoticeable when viewed through Phocus, so I don’t think it’s a problem, but I think it is important that the viewfinder is clear. Also, with the I-type lens, there are times when the background feels a little noisy.
When I first took the II-type lens out, I did not check the lens condition properly and used it with the firmware 18.8.7 that came with the purchase, which caused me trouble with shutter errors at aperture values between F3.5 and F6.8. After completing the email to report the problem to Hasselblad Japan, I realized that I had not checked the firmware. When I checked the lens firmware, I found that it was old. I changed it to the latest HC lens firmware 19.1.0 and was able to use it without any problems at any aperture value.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the HASSELBLAD HC 120mm F4 Macro II is a life-size macro lens that has undergone a minor change.
It is said that the difference between the new and old models is slight, and they are almost the same when stopped down. However, there are many things you can’t know until you try it, so I have no regrets about buying it.
○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 cannot be used.
- Image circle covers medium format 645 film size.
○AF compatibility (HC120)
AF of the HC Macro 120mm lens will not work on the X1D, X1DII, X907, or X2D, whether it is a lens with old firmware (v17 or earlier) or extended firmware (v19.1), whether it is type I or type II. AF is possible on the LEICA S Typ007.
○About FUJINON lenses
The HC Macro 120mm lens probably doesn’t exist as I have never seen a Fujinon branded one on the market.
Specification and Competitor
| Lens name | APO MAKRO PLANAR | HC120II | APO MACRO SUMMARIT S |
| Focal length(mm) | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Max aperture | 4 | 4 | 2.5 |
| Min aperture | 32 | 45 | 22 |
| Lens Construction | 8 elements in 5 groups | 9 elements in 9 groups | 9 elements in 7 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.3 | 0.39 | 0.57 |
| Lens length(mm) Mount frange to lens top | 104 | 166 | 128 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 86 | 96 | 91 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 72 | 67 | 72 |
| Weight(g) | 796 | 1410 | 1135 1205(With lens shutter) |
| Release date | 1999 | – |
HC Macro 120mm(I型) レンズ仕様書（英語）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
- 2024.9.14
- 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.
Leave a Reply