HASSELBLAD HC 2.8/80

Review of using the HASSELBLAD HC 2.8/80mm with the X1D and X1DII (we think it is also applicable to the 907X).

Table of contents

Gallery
Impression
Specifications
Accessory compatibility
AF support
About FUJINON lens
Reference links

Gallery

Photo by X1DII

Photo by X2D

Impression
This is the first H-series lens that I purchased along with the X H Lens Adapter* some time after I bought my X1D.
Checking the lens information in X1DII, the firmware is 10.0.0 and the shutter count is about 3000 times.
However, due to the old specifications of the lens and the firmware problem described below, the X1D/X1DII/907X can only be used in MF (manual focus) mode.
The focus ring is light in MF operation, but fine adjustments are effective, and I use the EVF of the X1D/X1DII for focusing, relying on the magnified display. The focus peaking is not very reliable as it appears to be in focus almost everywhere when you stop down a little.
AF is still useful, and I would like to replace it with a lens that can use AF if I have enough funds.

I usually use the newly released XH CONVERTER 0.8* as a 50mm lens, which is the smallest of the HC lenses and weighs less than 500g, making it easy to handle.
In the case of the above combination, camera (766g) + XH CONVERTER 0.8* (403g) + lens (475g) = approximately 1.65kg, making it the lightest combination.

Since this is an HC lens, even with the 0.8x converter, the image is well resolved all the way to the corners and there is no peripheral light falloff.
The x1.7 teleconverter can be used with the X1D/X1DII/907X, and when the x1.7 teleconverter is used via the X H Lens Adapter*, the lens can be used as a medium telephoto lens with a focal length of 136mm and maximum aperture of F4.8. The advantage of using the x1.7 teleconverter is that the HC 2.8/80’s The minimum focusing distance of 0.7m can be used at 136mm.

X2D firmware 2.0.0 was released on 2023.6.1, but IBIS no longer works.
It was usable until X2D firmware 1.1.0, so it seems to have been modified.
According to Hasselbladdigitalforum, IBIS will work with firmware 17.0.0.
I asked Hasselblad support to provide firmware 17.0.0, but they ignored my request. Support’s reply was to wait for firmware improvements.

Specifications
The HC 2.8/80 is an 80mm focal length lens for HASSELBLAD H series cameras. When used with the HxD medium format camera, it covers a sensor size of 40.2 x 53.7mm, with a focal length of approximately 55mm.
The lens can be used with the X1D, X1DII, and 907X via the X H Lens Adapter* or XH CONVERTER 0.8*.
When using the X H Lens Adapter, the focal length is approximately 64mm.
When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length is approximately 52.8mm.

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

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.

AF support
For the orange dot lens, AF is available on the X1D/X1DII (907X), but it only works with the latest firmware 19.1.0, so if you have 18.0.0, you need to update the firmware. In fact, when I purchased the camera, the firmware was 18.0.0, so the AF did not work when I tried it. After purchasing the camera, I updated the firmware and was able to get the AF to work.
If you have firmware 17.0.0 or earlier, you cannot update the firmware because the firmware area is not enough for 19.1.0.
The AF speed when used with the X1D/X1DII (and probably the same with the 907X) is not quite as fast as that of a professional SLR, but if you choose a high contrast area, the camera will focus without hesitation, which is easier to use than fast but confusing AF, and is sufficient for my needs.

About FUJINON lens
HC lenses are available under the FUJI film brand (SUPER EBC FUJINON) and can be used with HASSELBLAD HC cameras, but the shutter unit is only available in the 1/800 era (this is not critical) and the lens firmware is old (this is critical). It is not possible to install the firmware (HC lens firmware 19.1) required to use AF (auto focus) with XCD mount cameras (X1D, X1DII, 907X).
Therefore, the AF function cannot be used with XCD mount cameras (X1D, X1DII, 907X) via a mount adapter (X H Lens Adapter, XH CONVERTER 0.8).

HASSELBLAD brand HC lenses are not covered by HASSELBLAD’s repair support and are no longer supported by FUJI FILM, so they cannot be repaired in case of failure.
FUJI brand HC lenses are sold at low prices, but care should be taken when purchasing them.

Since HC lenses are manufactured by FUJIFILM, the FUJIFILM GFX series, which has the same sensor size as the X1D, X1DII, and 907X, also offers a mount adapter (H MOUNT ADAPTER G). This one is exclusively for MF (manual focus), but it can use the lens shutter as well as the mechanical shutter on the camera side.

Reference links

Update