Hasselblad 55mm f/2.5V Lens | The Modern Zeiss 80mm f/2.8

The Hasselblad 907X is a modern classic and pairing it with the 55mm f/2.5V lens has given me the closest experience and photographs to my beloved 500cm + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 Planar lens that I've ever had on digital.
907X & CFV 100C: geni.us/y4IWjV6
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0:00 Intro & Disclosures
1:22 Comparing to the Zeiss 80mm f/2.8
2:00 Usability, Features, & Design
4:16 Size, Weight, & Balance
5:08 Autofocus & Shutter
6:22 Thanks for Subscribing!
7:00 Versus the Fujifilm 55/1.7
8:55 Autofocus Performance & Usage
10:00 Manual Focus Performance & Usage
11:00 Image Samples
12:33 Conclusions & Recommendations
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps to support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this.

[@mjlamott]

I picked up the 38V first and was shocked how much it changed how the system felt compared to the 45P and 80 1.9, mainly due to the autofocus speed, surefootedness and sound. It actually feels like a camera system made this century. Getting the 55V wasn't something I planned on, but I liked the 38 so much that I snagged a 55 when they got restocked at B&H.

[@jklphoto]

1:42 Bravo Benj! For those of us who shot true medium format for years, this truly is APS-M. Great to see the flying V logo, paying homage to Victor. Before the 645 H System was invented, their cameras were simply known as the 500 Series.

[@lackoliver55]

Those lens are a design delight. The little H logos that also add grip texture. The focus clutch with hyperfocal distance markers. Truly commendable what those Swedes are doing here.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

907X is such a great looking camera of itself and the photos it takes.

[@jacobh5817]

I’m using this lens together with its 90mm sibling in the studio for fashion and beauty shoots. Never had an issue with AF. The IQ is insanely good. Gorgeous system. I wasn’t too impressed with the original X1D, but these new cameras and the new lenses are fantastic. When looking at the price, also take into account that every lens comes with a leaf shutter and it syncs up to 1/2000th. I think the 90mm can even sync up to 1/4000th…

[@PaulB-gl1ix]

Great review! I bought the 38 as my first lens for the 907X CFV100C and I’ve been blown away by the images from that combo. Just amazing. I’ve been impatiently waiting for the 90 which seems impossible to obtain….. so, just bought the 55. Can’t wait!!! Your review was very helpful.

[@HeyThisIsAndrew]

What up Benj your videos are so damn good!

[@rf8221]

I own the X2D and my workaround has been to use H series lenses I used with my H1 body. I have the HC 35mm, 80mm, 100mm, 50-110mm adapted with the XH CONVERTER 0,8. They still work brilliantly albeit manual focus only, the 100mm followed closely with the 80mm makes the most beautiful portraits with the "creamiest" bokeh I have seen. Not many people use that combo so it doesn't get much exposure on the socials. Best $700 I spent on an adapter for a camera.

[@benjhaisch]

I’ve been really considering grabbing a 100mm and that XH converter!

[@rf8221]

@@benjhaisch yeah just be aware that the 100mm AF mechanism fails, which is not a problem considering that you won’t be able to any ways. Focus peaking with the orange color gives the best success rate for me. Also look out for the adapter on BH used. They get a little cumbersome but once you see the results it fantastic. The adapter essentially turns the 100mm into f1.8 and the 80mm into an f2.2 in case you already didn’t know.

[@JuanRhodes]

I love the 55V. Just received the 38V today. Will order the 90V once they become available. The 55V lenses complement the X system in a way the previous XCD lenses just didn't. I also have the 907X 50C and the design cues throughout the system are seamless. It's a joy to use.

[@romankampa6212]

Really nice combo and review. Would love to use this system on my v-series cameras. How is the 80 2.8 performing in this „frankenstein-system“? Are you doing/einjoying this mix-system? 😅 thank you in regard for sharing your experiences!!!

[@WILMORENO]

I'm a big fan that they're releasing faster lens options. I just wish they kept the sun stars of their older xcd lenses. Maybe they'll release a new zoom, that'll be hard for me to ignore. Curious if you have a preference on image quality between the 100mp fujis against hasselblad.

[@pablogacitua]

Great video! Regarding image quality, are they really different and which one do you prefer, the Fujinon GF55mm f1.7 or this Hassy XCD55mm f2.5V? Thx!

[@benjhaisch]

Both are great for sure. I wasn’t able to do a direct 1:1 comparison though so it’d be hard to really give any definitive answer there. I wouldn’t be worried about IQ at all on either though for my use cases.

[@pjono77]

I have the 38mm v on my X2D and it’s fantastic. The detail blows my mind every time I look at my images.

[@alextsayun]

Have 55v and xcd 65 and the last one is way superb in image quality than 55v, but if we are talking about weight, size and a quiet focus, yes 55 is the best option.

[@benjhaisch]

Innnnnteresting. In what way is the 65 superior?

[@alextsayun]

@@benjhaisch Optically, the 65 is hard to beat. Think of it as being like a 50mm APO Summicron. You can easily use it for all type of work, especially landscape. I am surprised by the MTF curves on paper of the 55V when compared with those of the 65. V lenses are not as sharp as most of the older lenses, the sharpness falloff of the 65mm is much smoother and therefore more pleasing if shoot wide open (the sharpness falloff, off the 55V is somehow rough, noticeable different to the older XCD lenses) Other than that both lenses are great.

[@6rimR3ap3r]

Imagine they called those sensors macro four-thirds ;-)

[@benjhaisch]

hahahahahaha

[@kilohotel6750]

This is the setup I'm looking at after spending weeks looking at Fuji 100s and the 907X 50C. Now I just need to figure out how to pay for it, maybe Hasselblad will trade me for my Canon RF 600 F4.

[@j5daniel182]

Not sure if I remember it correctly , but didn’t test rhe 55 1.7 on the 50s instead of the new GfX100ii ?

[@benjhaisch]

I tested it on the 100II

[@j5daniel182]

@@benjhaisch ouch. My friend managed to get me from Japan. Haven’t tested it on my 100s. Was a gonna buy the Hassy 907x and 55 combo like a month ago. But the one stock the store here in SG had was spoilt after we unsealed it to test. The LCD was dead. Lol. That made me go on a GFX lens rampage with the 80 1.7 and then the 55 1.7 😂.

[@lelandfitz1762]

Are apetures on large format cameras differnt than on full frame? Likew, is 2.8 something like 2 on full frame?

[@benjhaisch]

Apertures are still the same but the apparent DOV in comparison to 35mm does appear to be more shallow on larger sensors, yes.

[@lelandfitz1762]

@@benjhaisch Thx!

[@KarloXRamos]

can you do a video review on the 28mm?

[@benjhaisch]

I have one in the works

[@PeterbFree]

Sounds like a fax machine 😮 How many people don’t even know what that is?? 😂

[@KnightlyHouse]

Benj makes flare a countable noun and as an english teacher im not triggered lol

[@benjhaisch]

Hahahaha

[@rafibenatar2519]

Agree but super expensive too that lens 😅

[@benjhaisch]

if it was more affordable I'd own one already, but it's definitely something I'm willing to save for.

[@rafibenatar2519]

Likewise 🙌👍🏻

[@dumralp]

looking at MTF it seems everything else but very sharp at f2.5. Am I too critical? Of course it is impossible to check this on your youtube video. You might argue sharpness is not everything, but then again if shar-ness is not everything why get a 100MP camera?

[@benjhaisch]

It’s still incredibly sharp at 2.5 even at 100mp in my experience.

[@JuanRhodes]

I've shot a lot of portraits with it. The 55V on the X2D is almost TOO sharp. I shot with the XCD 65 as well, and wouldn't pick it over the 55V overall. MTF charts don't always tell the whole story.