HASSELBLAD HCD 28mm F4
Highly versatile wide-angle lens for medium-format digital cameras
A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HCD 28mm F4.
Table of contents
Gallery
Review
1．Usage
The Hasselblad HCD 28 F4 is a lens for H-series cameras. I bought it second-hand, but when I attached it to the camera and checked the shutter count, it was about 7,000 times.
When used with the X1DII and X2D, the autofocus (AF) focusing speed is standard for HC and HCD lenses, and once you get the hang of the AF operation, you can focus at the position you want.
The minimum shooting distance is 35cm throughout the entire range, which is sufficient for close-up shooting, and an extension tube can be used if you want to get even closer.
The lens comes with a nice hood, but it is rarely attached because it is resistant to backlighting without the hood in everyday use.
The lens alone weighs 850g, which is 22mm shorter in lens length and 125g lighter than the HC 3.5/35mm wide-angle lens in the same category, making it very easy to handle when carrying around and taking photos.
I often see used HCD 28mm lenses without an orange dot, but when I couldn’t get a HCD 24mm lens, I found a 28mm lens with an orange dot and bought it. Since I also got the 24mm lens after purchasing the 28mm, I thought I could use the 24mm instead, but the HCD 28 has an open F value of F4 and the HCD 24mm has an open F value of 4.8, so it is about half a stop brighter, and I can use an extension tube for close-up photography. In addition, the focal length of 28mm is less of a strain on the lens design than the 24mm, so I can get good quality images without correction, so I use the 24mm when I want to take a wide shot, and the 28mm when I have space in the shooting location.
I bought the Hasselblad XCD 28P in 2023, so I use this lens less, but I haven’t let it go because it is the widest angle lens I own that can be used with the LEICA S Typ007.
2．About lens
The HCD 28mm F4 is a short-focus lens for Hasselblad H-series cameras, and as the name suggests, it is a wide-angle lens with a focal length of 28mm.
Because it is an HCD lens series, the sensor size is optimized for sensors with a 48 x 36mm sensor size. For larger sensors with a 53.7 x 40.2mm sensor size, the image circle of the lens is insufficient and vignetting occurs at the edges. Lenses with an orange dot have a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000, while lenses without a mark have a shutter speed of 1/800.
This lens can be used with the X1D (4116 edition), X1DII, X2D, and X907 via the XH Lens Adapter or XH CONVERTER 0.8. The focal length in 35mm format will vary depending on the adapter used. When using the XH Lens Adapter, the focal length is 22mm, and when using the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the focal length is 18mm.
When shooting with the XH CONVERTER 0.8, the image circle of the lens is insufficient, resulting in some vignetting at the edges. The dedicated shooting and development software Phocus automatically crops (trims) the edges.
You can also check the full-size image before cropping by selecting [Uncrop] from the image menu in Phocus.
This lens is the widest-angle lens compatible with the Leica genuine mount adapter S-Adapter H, which allows HC/HCD lenses to be used with the Leica S series, and has a focal length equivalent to 22mm in 35mm format. The HCD 24mm can be attached to non-compatible lenses, but only at maximum aperture.
When using the Fujifilm genuine H MOUNT ADAPTER G with the Fujifilm GFX series, H series lenses can be used with a leaf shutter and manual focus.
3．Accessory compatibility
- Some expansion tubes (H13/H26/H13+H26) can be used, but not H52.
- HTS 1,5 TILT AND SHIFT ADAPTER can be used.
- The image circle of the lens does not cover medium format film (41.5 x 56mm).
- Converter 1.7x (x1.7 teleconverter) cannot be used.
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
- The HCD 28mm lens probably doesn’t exist as I have never seen the Fujinon brand on the market.
Specification and Competitor
| Item | HCD 28mm | Elmarit-S 30mm |
| focal length(mm) | 28.9 | 30 |
| Maximum aperture | 4 | 2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | 32 | 22 |
| Lens configuration | 9groups 12elements | 9groups 13elements |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.35 | 0.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 102 | 1280 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 100 | 88 |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 95 | 82 |
| Weight(g) | 850 | 1060 1140(with central shutter) |
HCD 4/28 lens specification PDF
Reference links
- HASSELBLAD HCD 28mm Official introduction page
- HASSELBLAD H-series Extension-Tube-H official introduction page
- Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation web site
Update history
- 2024.8.30
- 2024.03.24
- 2022.04.04
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