HASSELBLAD HC Macro f4 120mm

Older macro lenses that cannot use XH-Converter 0.8

A review and Photo example of the HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm F4 (FUJINON label).

Gallery

The sample photos were taken with the HASSELBLAD X1D-II and HC-x1.7 converter

The sample photos were taken with the HASSELBLAD X2D

Review

Usage
About lens
Accessory compatibility
AF support
About FUJINON lens

The HC Macro 120mm F4 is a 120mm focal length macro lens for Hasselblad H series cameras, available in type I and improved type II. Here, we will introduce type I. For type II, see this link.

When used with a medium format camera HxD, it covers up to a sensor size of 40.2 x 53.7mm, with a focal length of approximately 82.5mm.
With the X1D/X1DII (907X), this lens can be used with manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF) via the X H Lens Adapter* or XH CONVERTER 0.8*.

Focal length 96mm when using XH Lens Adapter
XH Lens Converter x0.8 cannot be used
- HC Macro 4/120-II (type 2) can be used.

When using HC Macro 120mm with X1D/X1DII/907X and X H Lens Adapter*, there is no difference in lens function between Fujinon brand and Hasselblad brand. It’s a matter of how you think about whether or not it can be repaired in the event of a breakdown, and if you’re going to use it as an MF macro lens, choosing the FUJINON brand, which can be purchased at a lower price, may not be a bad choice.

This is the seventh HC/HCD lens I’ve acquired, and its exterior features a wide focus ring and a narrow opening at the tip of the lens. When I attached the obtained lens to the X1D and checked the lens information, the firmware was 13.0.0 and the number of shutters was approximately 4000. It’s a lens that isn’t used that much.

I knew that the AF of this lens would not work on the X1D I owned at the time, so I bought a lens with the FUJINON label at a low price. But here was another miscalculation. I learned after purchasing that in order to use the HC 120 macro with X2D, X1D, X1DII, and 907X via XH CONVERTER 0.8*, the lens must be equipped with firmware 18.0.0 or later, which is called extended firmware. .

The orange dot II type, which is sure to be equipped with an extended firm lens, costs more than three times as much as the old firm lens (mainly the I type) even when used. The bright 3.2/95mm macro lens was so appealing that I later purchased a 2-inch model.

The difference between type I and type II is that although the basic lens configuration is the same, the lens arrangement and lens thickness are different, and therefore the MTF curve, which is one of the lens performance indicators, is also different.
From the MTF diagram, it appears that type II has improved performance overall, including when the aperture is wide open. An overseas review site stated that the II type has better depiction when the aperture is wide open, but that there is no noticeable difference when stopped down to around F8. I’d like to compare it when I get the Type II.
Although it does not appear when developing, purple fringing can be noticeable on leaves and ceramics when enlarged using the EVF.

I also appreciate that this lens is compatible with teleconverters (CONVERTER H1, 7X). If you attach this lens to the X H Lens Adapter* with the H1,7X in between, it will become a 6.3/202mm telephoto macro lens with the same minimum focusing distance of 0.39m. As introduced on the converter page, the lens becomes a little darker, but you can take more enlarged shots with less image degradation.
Since it is a macro lens that requires a large amount of extension, the lens body is large and heavy. This lens and the 4.5-5.6/35-90 zoom have almost the same weight.

HASSELBLAD HC Macro 120mm I/II lens configuration diagram

Specification

Item	Value	note
focal length(mm)	118.7
Maximum aperture	4
Minimum aperture	45
Lens configuration	9groups 9elements
Minimum distance(m)	0.39
Lens length(mm)	166
Lens max diameter(mm)	96
Filter diameter(mm)	67
Weight(g)	1410

HC Macro 120mm(I型) lens specification

HC Macro 120mm(II型) 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 not be used.
Image circle covers up to medium format film size.

AF support(HC120)

AF (autofocus) does not work on the X1D/X1DII/X907 for the HC Macro 120mm lens, either with the old firmware or with the extended firmware.

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.

Reference links

Update history

2024.04.23:modified article
2022.02.26:firest post

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