HASSELBLAD HC 100mm
H lens series, largest aperture lens
A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC 100mm F2.2.
Table of contents
Gallery
Review
1．Usage
The Hasselblad HC 100mm F2.2 is a large-aperture medium telephoto lens for Hasselblad H-series cameras.
I confirmed that it had an orange dot before purchasing it, so I knew that autofocus (AF) could be used with the X H Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8. When I checked the lens information on the X1DII immediately after purchasing it, the firmware was 18.0.0 and the number of shutter releases was about 8,000. I updated the firmware to 19.1.0 to use AF.
AF speed is about the same as other AF-enabled lenses, and the AF focusing speed is not fast. AF is hesitant, especially in places where there is little difference in contrast. This lens focuses by moving the large, heavy front element, so there are lenses with broken AF motors on the used market, so it is dangerous to overuse the AF motor, and you will be happy if you think of AF as a bonus.
When looking at a subject with little difference in contrast, it is better to switch to manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF) in advance and focus in order to avoid damaging the lens. AF interrupt MF can also be used, but it is unclear whether MF interrupts place a lot of stress on the lens motor. However, if the lens motor and focus ring clutch are not instantly released when MF interrupts, it is thought that there may be a negative effect on the lens motor.
Fortunately, the focus ring is wide and easy to use. When you turn the focus ring, you can feel a rough texture past infinity, which is a bit annoying, but I think of it as a guideline for when you’ve passed infinity. Also, since I changed to the X2D body, I feel that the AF is less hesitant. The focus speed doesn’t increase that much due to the weight of the drive motor and focus adjustment lens, but I’m happy that the focus accuracy has improved.
It also has sufficient resistance to backlight, so there are almost no problems when using it outdoors without a hood.
2．About lens
Because it is an HC series lens, when used with a medium format camera HxD, it covers a sensor size of up to 40.2 x 53.7 (40 x 54) mm, and the focal length is about 67 mm.
The X1D, X1DII, 907X, and X2D can use this lens via the X H Lens Adapter and XH CONVERTER 0.8, and you can also use the x1.7 teleconverter. Close-up photography is also possible using three types of EXTENSION TUBES H (13mm/26mm/52mm), and I have posted examples of photos using the 26mm extension tube H26 in the gallery.
- When using the XH Lens Adapter, the focal length is approximately 80mm, and the maximum aperture is F2.2.
- When using the XH CONVERTER 0.8*, the focal length is 64mm, and the maximum aperture is F1.8.
- When using the XH Lens Adapter* and x1.7 teleconverter, the focal length is 170mm, and the maximum aperture is F3.5.
- When using XH CONVERTER 0.8 and x1.7 teleconverter, focal length is 136mm, maximum aperture is F2.8.
The lens configuration is a simple planar type with 6 elements in 5 groups, with a large lens diameter of 87.5 mm, and the design concept is to cover up the negative aspects of planar. Basically, the large aperture reduces distortion without optically correcting the peripheral areas, and the angle of incidence of light to the sensor can be kept shallow.
The lens alone weighs 780g, and with the converter and camera it weighs about 1.5kg, making it one of the lighter HC lenses.
When using a bright lens with XH CONVERTER 0.8, the maximum aperture can be even brighter at F1.8, so it is worth actively choosing a new lens with an orange dot and a shutter speed of 1/2000.
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.
Specification
| Item | HASSELBLAD HC100 | SUMMICRON-S 100 |
| focal length(mm) | 100 | 100 |
| Maximum aperture | 2.2 | 2 |
| Minimum aperture | 32 | 22 |
| Lens configuration | 5groups 6elements | 5groups 7elements |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Lens length(mm) | 80.5 | 102 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 87.5 | 91 |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 77 | 82 |
| Weight(g) | 780 | 910 |
HC 100mm lens specification
Reference links
- HASSELBLAD HC100mm Official-site
- HASSELBLAD H EXTENSION TUBE Official-site
- Hasselblad Lens Production Year Confirmation Site
Update history
- 2024.8.30
- 2024.03.24
- 2022.03.03
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For Hasselblad HC 100mm f/2.2,
I see your posting on this particular len of AF support as the following.
“ However, there are also lenses without an orange dot that are AF compatible, and many lenses manufactured after 2010 with a lens serial number starting with V have an expanded firmware area and are likely to be AF compatible.”
With a len without orange dot with the serial number is 7DVP12593, and the firmware version is 17.0.0.
Will this len with X1D and XH 0.8 adapter has AF support?
Thank you for your question.I will answer your question.
Unfortunately, I do not believe that the lens is capable of running AF.
The lens should not be able to be updated to the latest firmware 19.1.0 because it meets the following conditions
>After firmware 18.0.0 cannot be applied to lenses with firmware 17.0.0 or earlier due to insufficient write space.
The conditions to support AF are as follows.
Lenses with orange dot > All OK
Lenses without orange dot > Firmware 18.0.0 or later, update to 19.1.0.
V-serial lenses often have firmware 18.0.0 or later, but not always 18.0.0 or later.
As far as I know, there is no case where firmware 17.0.0 could be updated to 19.1.0.
I hope my findings are helpful, for exact answers please contact Hasselblad Support.
Thank you for such quick response. I really appreciate it.
The lens serial number is a way to determine whether AF is possible from the appearance of the lens, but this method of determination is not universal.
Ultimately, it’s the firmware that’s important.
My explanation was a bit roundabout, so I’ve revised it. I appreciate your question.