HASSELBLAD HC 80mm F2.8

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HASSELBLAD HC 80mm F2.8

Review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 80mm F2.8 with the HASSELBLAD X series camera.

Table of contents

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Gallery

The photo examples are as follows:

  • HASSELBLAD X2D-100C +XH-adapter
  • HASSELBLAD X2D-100C +XH-Converter0.8
  • HASSELBLAD X1DII-50C +XH-adapter
  • HASSELBLAD X1DII-50C +XH-Converter0.8

Review

  1. Overview
  2. Usability
  3. Summary
Before imageAfter image

1．Overview

The Hasselblad HC 80mm F2.8 is a lens with a focal length of 80mm for Hasselblad H-series cameras.

When used with the H-series medium-format cameras, it covers up to 40.2 x 53.7 mm for 645 film and digital sensors, and the focal length is approximately 50 mm in 35 mm format.

For HASSELBLAD X-series cameras, X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D, it is used via either the XH Adapter or the XH CONVERTER 0.8. It can also be used in conjunction with the CONVERTER H x1.7 teleconverter, and close-up photography is possible using three types of EXTENSION TUBES H (13 mm/26 mm/52 mm).

The focal length in 35 mm format equivalent varies depending on the mount adapter used, as follows:

  • When using the XH 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 Adapter and H x1.7, the focal length is approximately 109mm F4.8

When using the mount adapter XH CONVERTER 0.8, this lens is the smallest and lightest of the HC lenses, making it easy to handle. This combination is camera (766g) + XH CONVERTER 0.8 (403g) + lens (475g) = approximately 1.65kg, making it the lightest combination when using an H series lens with an X series camera.

○Accessory compatibility

  • The Extension-Tube-H (H13/H26/H52) can be used to shorten the minimum shooting distance.
  • IBIS works when combined with the XH Adapter on the X2D.
  • IBIS works when combined with the XH CONVERTER 0.8 on the X2D.
  • The CONVERTER H x1.7 teleconverter can be used.
  • The image circle covers up to 645 film size.
  • The HTS 1,5 TILT AND SHIFT ADAPTER can be used for tilt-shift photography.
  • Can be used with LEICA S series cameras by using the Leica genuine mount adapter S-Adapter H.
  • Compatible with the FUJIFILM genuine H MOUNT ADAPTER G.

2．Usability

The Hasselblad HC 80mm is a planar lens, a tradition of Hasselblad, and its depiction is mature and good for the price.

I didn’t do enough research when I bought this lens, and I assumed that I could use autofocus with the X1D, but in the end I couldn’t use it with autofocus.

The reason is that the specifications of the lens I purchased are old, and due to the problem with the lens firmware described below, even when attached to the X2D, X1D (including the 4116 edition), X1DII, and 907X via the genuine Hasselblad mount adapter, X H Lens Adapter, and XH CONVERTER 0.8, it can only be used with manual focus.

The manual focus operation is light, but the focus ring is also fine-tuned, 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, the resolution is clear to the corners and there is no vignetting.

The focus peaking function on 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.

Although autofocus is not available on the X series, it is available when using a Leica S series camera and the S Adapter H, so it is a lens that is often used with Leica S.

After all, autofocus is convenient, so if I have the money, I would like to replace it with a lens that can use autofocus. Around 2023, I saw a used lens that could use autofocus, but since 2024, the opportunities to see used HC80mm are fewer.

Also, at Lemon Co. in Ginza, I saw a modified lens that had a PENTAX 645 A 55mm lens built into the lens barrel of this HC80mm lens. When I tried it out, I decided not to buy it because it had the same old firmware as the lens I own and I could not use autofocus on the X2D.

I think that I should have gotten it now because I would have been able to use autofocus with the Leica S series.
It is a golden rule for hobbyists to buy strange used goods when you see them.

After purchasing the X1D, I purchased this first H series lens along with the X H Lens Adapter a while ago. When I checked the lens information on the X1D, it showed that the shutter had been used about 3,000 times with firmware 10.0.0. I obtained a lens that is not used much as the most standard lens of the H series.

The following problems with previous firmware have been fixed with X2D firmware 3.1.0, released on 2023.12.1, but I will leave the description here.
After updating to X2D firmware 2.0.0, which was released on 2023.6.1, the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) stopped working. IBIS was usable up to X2D firmware 1.1.0, so it seems that this has been fixed in a negative 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 reply. Support responded by telling me to wait for the firmware to be improved. As mentioned above, the problem was solved with a later firmware update.

3．Summary

In conclusion, to sum up the Hasselblad HC 80mm is a compact, semi-standard lens. It is highly versatile because it can be used with the Hasselblad X-series cameras at focal lengths of 64mm and 50mm using two types of adapters.

However, since the lenses I own are old, I don’t use it often because the autofocus function is not available on the Hasselblad X-series cameras. I use this lens mainly with the LEICA S-series cameras, because the autofocus function can be used with the old H-lenses as long as the camera recognizes the lens.

○AF support

Lens firmware 19.1.0 is required to operate autofocus (AF) when mounting HC/HCD series lenses to the X1D, X1DII, X2D, or 907X via a mount adapter (X H Lens Adapter, XH CONVERTER 0.8). There are conditions for applying lens firmware 19.1.0, and lenses with firmware 18.0.0 or later are required. Firmware 19.1.0 cannot be applied to lenses with older firmware 17.0.0 or earlier.

The AF compatibility status for X Series cameras can be summarized as follows:

  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.

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

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

ItemValuenote
focal length(mm)82.3
Maximum aperture2.8
Minimum aperture32
Lens configuration6groups 6elementsGauss-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

Update history

  • 2025.6.13
  • 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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