HASSELBLAD HC 80mm F2.8
Review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 80mm F2.8
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photos taken with the X1DII
- Sample photos taken with the X2D
Review
1．Usage
The Hasselblad HC 80mm is the first H series lens I bought along with the X H Lens Adapter a while after I bought the X1D. When I checked the lens information on the X1D, I found that it had been used about 3,000 times with firmware 10.0.0. I got a lens that is not used much as the most standard lens of the H series.
The focus ring is light to operate in MF, but fine adjustments are possible, and I rely on the camera’s EVF magnification display to focus. Because it is an HC lens, even when using a 0.8x converter, it has good resolution to the corners and there is no vignetting.
The focus peaking function installed in the X series is not very reliable because it highlights almost all areas as if they are in focus when you narrow the aperture a little. The focus position magnification function of the EVF allows you to focus most accurately.
However, I did not do enough research before purchasing this lens, and I assumed that I could use autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) with the X1D, but in the end I was unable to use it with AF.
The reason is that the specifications of the lens I purchased are old, and due to a firmware issue described below, even if it is attached to the X2D, X1D (including 4116 edition), X1DII, or 907X via the Hasselblad genuine mount adapter, X H Lens Adapter, or XH CONVERTER 0.8, it can only be used in manual focus (MF).
AF is not available on the X series, but AF can be used when using the Leica S and the S Adapter H, so it is a lens that I often use with the Leica S. After all, AF is convenient, so if I have the funds, I would like to replace it with a lens that can use AF. Around 2023, I saw a used lens that could use AF, but since 2024, the opportunities to see used HC80mm are becoming fewer.
At Lemon Co. in Ginza, I saw a modified lens that incorporated a PENTAX 645 A 55mm lens into the lens barrel of this lens. When I tried it out, I found that the lens barrel had the same old firmware as this lens, so I couldn’t use AF with X2D, so I decided not to buy it, but I think I should have been able to use AF with a Leica S, so now I think I should have gotten it. I think it’s a golden rule for hobbyists to buy strange used items if you see them.
X2D firmware 3.1.0, released on 2023.12.1, has fixed the following problems with previous firmware, but I will leave the description here.
X2D firmware 2.0.0 was released on 2023.6.1, and after updating, the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) stopped working. IBIS was usable up to X2D firmware 1.1.0, so it seems that it has been fixed in a bad direction.
According to a post on the Hasselblad Digital Forum, IBIS works with firmware 17.0.0, so I asked Hasselblad support to provide firmware 17.0.0, but there was no response, and support’s response was to wait for the firmware to be improved. As mentioned above, this issue was resolved with a subsequent firmware update.
2．About lens
The Hasselblad HC 80mm F2.8 is a lens with a focal length of 80mm for Hasselblad H-series cameras.
Because it is an HC series lens, when used with a medium-format HxD-series camera, it covers sensor sizes up to 40.2 x 53.7mm, and the focal length multiplied by the sensor magnification is 55mm.
The X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D are used via either the X H Lens Adapter* or the XH CONVERTER 0.8*. It is also possible to use it in conjunction with the CONVERTER H x1.7 teleconverter (hereinafter referred to as H x1.7).
- When using the XH Lens Adapter*, the focal length is approximately 64mm F2.8
- When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8*, the focal length is 52.8mm F2
- When using the XH Lens Adapter* and H x1.7, the focal length is approximately 109mm F4.8
- The focal length is the converted focal length when using a 44x33mm sensor
When using the original mount adapter, XH CONVERTER 0.8, this lens is the smallest and lightest of the HC lenses, making it easy to handle. This combination weighs approximately 1.65kg (camera (766g) + XH CONVERTER 0.8* (403g) + lens (475g), making it the lightest combination when using an H series lens with an X series camera.
3．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.
4．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.
- 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.
- 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.
- If AF is possible
5．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.
Specifications
| Item | Value | note |
| focal length(mm) | 82.3 | |
| Maximum aperture | 2.8 | |
| Minimum aperture | 32 | |
| Lens configuration | 6groups 6elements | Gauss-type |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.7 | |
| Lens length(mm) | 70 | |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 84 | |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 67 | |
| Weight(g) | 475 |
HC 80mm lens specification
Reference links
- HASSELBLAD HC80mm official introduction page
- HASSELBLAD H-series Extension Tube official introduction page
- Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation web site
Update history
- 2024.9.7
- 2024.03.25:modified article
- 2023.06.07:Add X2D farmware2.0.0
- 2022.01.09:firest post
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