HASSELBLAD HC 2.8 / 80

Review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 2.8/80mm.

Table of contents

Gallery

  • Sample photos taken with the X1DII
  • Sample photos taken with the X2D

Review

The Hasselblad HC 80mm F2.8 is an 80mm focal length lens for Hasselblad H series cameras.
Since it is an HC series, when used with medium format cameras HxD series, it covers sensor size up to 40.2 x 53.7mm, and the focal length multiplied by the sensor magnification is 55mm.

X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D are used via either X H Lens Adapter or XH CONVERTER 0.8. It is also possible to use the CONVERTER H x1.7 teleconverter (hereinafter referred to as H x1.7).

  • Focal length approximately 64mm F2.8 when using X H Lens Adapter
  • Focal length 52.8mm F2 when using XH CONVERTER 0.8
  • When using X H Lens Adapter and H x1.7, focal length approximately 109mm F4.8
  • The focal length is the equivalent focal length when using a 44x33mm sensor.

This lens was my first H series lens, which I purchased along with the X H Lens Adapter* some time after purchasing the X1D. When I checked the lens information on the X1D, the firmware was 10.0.0 and the number of shutters was approximately 3000. It is not used much as the most standard lens in the H series.
I didn’t do enough research and bought this lens assuming that the X1D would be able to use autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF), but the specifications of the lens I purchased were outdated, and due to the firmware issue described below, this lens was not compatible with the X2D, X1D (4116 editon). ), X1DII, or 907X via the X H Lens Adapter or XH CONVERTER 0.8, it can only be used with manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF). AF didn’t work.

As for the MF operation, the focus ring is light, but fine adjustment is effective, and I rely on the camera’s EVF magnification display for focusing. Since it is an HC lens, even when using a 0.8x converter, the image is clearly resolved to the corners and there is no vignetting.

The focus peaking feature installed in the X1D series is not very reliable, as if you stop down a little, it will highlight almost all areas as if they are in focus. After all, AF is convenient, so if I have the funds, I would like to replace it with a lens that can use AF.

I usually use the newly released XH CONVERTER 0.8* to operate it as a 50mm lens. It is the smallest of the HC lenses, weighing less than 500g, and has the advantage of being easy to handle.
In the case of the above combination, camera (766g) + XH CONVERTER 0.8(403g) + lens (475g) = approximately 1.65kg, which is the lightest combination for those who use H series lenses.

With X2D firmware 3.1.0 released on 2023.12.1, the following defects in the past firmware have been resolved.
When X2D firmware 2.0.0 was released and updated on June 1, 2023, in-body image stabilization (IBIS) stopped working. IBIS could be used up to X2D firmware 1.1.0, so it seems like it has been fixed in a bad direction.
According to a post on the Hasselblad Digital Forum, IBIS will work with firmware 17.0.0, so I asked Hasselblad support to provide firmware 17.0.0, but there was no response, and the support answer was that the firmware had been improved. I was told to wait.

X2D +HC80mm
X1DII +HC80mm

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

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 and X2D, 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,907X and X2D 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

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.

Reference links

Update history

  • 2024.03.25:modified article
  • 2023.06.07:Add X2D farmware2.0.0
  • 2022.01.09:firest post

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