Last updated on 2026-04-01
A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 50-110mm F3.5-4.5 with the HASSELBLAD X series camera.
Table of contents
Gallery
The photo examples are as follows:
- HASSELBLAD X2D-100C +XH-adapter
- HASSELBLAD X2D-100C +XH-Converter0.8
- HASSELBLAD X1DII-50C +XH-Converter0.8
Review
1．Overview
The HASSELBLAD HC 50-110mm F3.5-4.5 is a zoom lens for Hasselblad H series cameras.
It is a 2x zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 50mm to 110mm, and of the two rotating rings, the focus ring is at the front of the lens and the zoom ring is at the back. When zooming or adjusting the focal length, the lens length changes slightly.
As you can imagine from its chunky appearance, this lens is heavy, like a block of glass, weighing 1.65kg alone. This is the second heaviest lens after the HC 300mm.
For HASSELBLAD X series cameras, X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D, it is used via either the XH Adapter or the XH CONVERTER 0.8. Close-up photography is also possible using the three types of EXTENSION TUBES H (13mm/26mm/52mm).
The focal length in 35mm format varies depending on the mount adapter used, as follows:
- When using the XH Lens Adapter, the focal length is 40mm to 88mm.
- When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length is 32mm to 70mm.
○Accessory compatibility
- <Good>
- Extension-Tube-H (H13/H26/H52) can be used.
- IBIS works when combined with XH Adapter for X2D.
- IBIS works when combined with XH CONVERTER 0.8 for X2D.
- Can be used with LEICA S series cameras using Leica genuine mount adapter S-Adapter H.
- Image circle covers medium format film (41.5 x 56mm).
- Compatible with FUJIFILM’s genuine H MOUNT ADAPTER G.
- <NG>
- Converter 1.7x (x1.7 teleconverter) cannot be used.
- Let’s take tilt-shift shots! HTS 1,5 TILT AND SHIFT ADAPTER cannot be used.
2．Usability
The maximum aperture of the HASSELBLAD HC 50-110mm F3.5-4.5 is F3.5 at the wide-angle end, the same as the HC 50mm prime lens, and F4.5 at the telephoto end of 110mm, making it a relatively bright lens, but it is very heavy and difficult to carry around.
The image is amazingly distortion-free, which is hard to believe for a zoom lens, and it embodies the idea that the size of the lens is what matters. With a focal length of twice the normal length and a reduced zoom ratio, it is true that the image quality is comparable to that of a prime lens. If you can tolerate the weight, it is very convenient to be able to cover the equivalent of three lenses, 50/80/100mm.
The lens I own has an old 1/800 shutter, but the low, subdued shutter sound is pleasant.
Only when using the X1DII and XH CONVERTER 0.8 in combination, a lens recognition error sometimes occurs, but I can ignore the error and continue shooting, so I use it as is. I can use it without such errors with X2D. Even when using XH CONVERTER 0.8, there is no vignetting at the periphery, and it has a sufficient image circle for medium format film.
Both the focus ring and zoom ring are wide enough that you can change the focal length smoothly even with manual focus, and it is easy to grasp the focus peak when viewed through the EVF, so there is no problem with focusing.
From my experience using HCD35-90, if it is autofocus, you can concentrate only on changing the focal length of the zoom lens, so I would like to have an autofocus version, but this lens with an orange dot is never seen used, and it is said that the lens I currently own costs about 300,000 yen to modify, so I have not requested a modification.
The lens I own is an old lens without an orange dot, the maximum lens shutter speed is 1/800, and I confirmed that the firmware (10.0.0) does not allow autofocus with the XH Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8 before purchasing it. There is no problem at all with using manual focus with the Hasselblad X series, including the shutter drive.
However, what I didn’t expect was that the lens would not be recognized when attached to a Leica S series camera via a genuine Leica S-H adapter. If the lens was recognized, it should have been usable with autofocus, so I don’t know what’s wrong with it, but it’s unfortunate. The lens I own that has this problem is the HC 210mm, which is also not recognized by the Leica S series.
The lens diameter is 100mm, and it is an intimidating lens that looks out of place when carried around town, and people who see it for the first time seem to be confused. So I stopped carrying it around town. I use it as a convenient zoom lens when taking pictures outdoors.
According to the official guide, if the lens is stored horizontally for a long time, the center of the lens will shift, so it is recommended to store the lens with the tip facing up. In the case of used products, it is not known how it was used, so it is better to check the operation of the zoom ring and focus ring and avoid those that are stiff.
This was the last HC/HCD lens I purchased, and although it was used, it was in good condition with 1254 shutter releases.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the HASSELBLAD HC 50-110mm F3.5-4.5, it is a bright and versatile zoom lens, but it is large and heavy, so there are limited places to take it. The focal length of 50mm is equivalent to a prime lens, and the 100mm is a little slower than a prime lens, but it is a useful lens when you consider the hassle of switching between two lenses to take pictures.
When using this lens with manual focus, I really feel that autofocus is more convenient for zoom lenses.
○AF support
The autofocus capabilities of HASSELBLAD X-series cameras are as follows:
| Orange Dot Lens – Firmware 19.1.0 | Standard lens, firmware version 19.1.0 | Standard lens | ||||
| Mount Adapter | XH−Adapter | XH-Converter-x0.8 | XH−Adapter | XH-Converter-x0.8 | XH−Adapter | XH-Converter-x0.8 |
| AutoFocus | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | × | × |
To mount HC/HCD series lenses on a Hasselblad X series camera via a mount adapter (XH Adapter, XH CONVERTER 0.8) and enable autofocus, the lens firmware must be version 19.1.0. Furthermore, applying firmware 19.1.0 requires a lens with firmware version 18.0.0 or later. In other words, lenses with firmware version 17.0.0 or earlier cannot have firmware 19.1.0 applied.
- Orange Dot Lenses
- Lenses with an orange mark, commonly known as “orange dot” lenses, have firmware version 18.0.0 or later. Autofocus will function after updating to firmware version 19.1.0.
- Standard Lenses
- AF-enabled Lenses
- If the lens firmware is 18.0.0 or later, AF will function after updating to firmware version 19.1.0.
- Non-Orange Dot Lenses: Some lenses manufactured after 2010 with serial numbers starting with “V” have firmware version 18.0.0 or later.
- Non-AF Lenses
- Lenses with firmware version 17.0.0 or earlier
- Lenses with serial numbers starting with “S” (manufactured between 2000 and 2009)
- AF-enabled Lenses
There are exceptions to the above, and new firmware may be installed when the focus unit is replaced during lens repair.
The most reliable way to determine whether AF can be used with Hasselblad X series lenses is not just to determine from the serial number, but to attach the lens to a camera and check the actual lens firmware.
○About FUJINON lens
Regarding cameras that can use H lenses, there was a medium format film camera called the FUJIFILM GX series, sold by Fujifilm, which used 645 film and was equivalent to the HASSELBLAD H1. There were also lenses sold under the Fujifilm brand, specifically the SUPER EBC FUJINON name.
While there are two brands, SUPER EBC FUJINON and HASSELBLAD, both are compatible with HASSELBLAD H-series cameras. The SUPER EBC FUJINON lenses have a maximum shutter speed of 1/800, equivalent to the standard HASSELBLAD H-series lenses.
Furthermore, due to the outdated lens firmware, it is not possible to apply the HC lens firmware 19.1.0 required for autofocus (AF) on XCD mount cameras such as the X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D.
Therefore, even when mounted on an XCD mount camera via two types of mount adapters, the X H Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8, AF cannot be used.
Fujifilm-branded HC lenses are not covered by Hasselblad’s repair support, and Fujifilm has discontinued repair services for them, meaning there’s nothing you can do if they break down. Fujifilm-branded H lenses are sold at a low price, but you need to be aware of this before purchasing. Hasselblad-branded HC lenses, even older ones, can be repaired by Hasselblad for a fee.
Since HC lenses are manufactured by Fujifilm, a mount adapter (H MOUNT ADAPTER G) is available for the Fujifilm GFX series, which uses the same sensor size as the X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D.
This adapter allows manual focus only, and the camera can use both the leaf shutter and the camera’s mechanical shutter.
Specification
| Item | Value | note |
| focal length(mm) | 50 to 110 | |
| Maximum aperture | 3.5 to 4.5 | |
| Minimum aperture | 32 | |
| Lens configuration | 14elements in 9groups | |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.7 | |
| Lens length(mm) | 152 | |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 103 | |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 95 | |
| Weight(g) | 1650 |
HC 3.5-4.5/50-110 lens Specification
Reference links
- Hasselblad HC 50-110mm official page
- HASSELBLAD H series extension tube official page
- Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation Site
Update history
- 2025.6.14
- 2024.10.8
- 2024.03.31:modified article
- 2022.06.29:firest post
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