Hasselblad Lenses :: My Favorites and Recommendations

Whenever I do a video on the Hasselblad X2D system, I get many questions on lenses. In this video I'm going to answer some of the stuff that tends to come up!
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Lenses in this video
Hasselblad 38V www.bhphotovid...
Hasselblad 28P www.bhphotovid...
Hasselblad 25V www.bhphotovid...
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Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A

[@BlazeFirereign]

It's worth pointing out that the 28P and 45P, while they're both 'P' lenses, are very different. The 45P is a "cousin" of the old XCD lenses. It focuses externally, slowly, and loudly; it has a mechanically coupled focus ring; and it has a 62mm filter thread (and is the only XCD lens with that thread size). The 28P is a "cousin" of the XCD V lineup, built the same way, with a quick internal focus-by-wire mechanism, a 72mm filter thread, and it's the only XCD lens that is officially weather sealed with an IP rating. They're both great lenses and can credibly form a 2-lens kit on their own, but they feel *very* different to use.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Thanks for this run-through. I love the 45P, and the 80 1.9 is spectacular. But one of my favourites so far is an adapted Leica R-mount 80-200. I’m about to get the 35-75, which Hasselblad apparently claims is the best lens they’ve ever made.

[@davesmart3051]

I'd be curious to know what you make of the 35-75. I bought it and returned it. I'll never know whether I got a slightly faulty one, but I found the image quality and the accuracy of focus was noticeably worse than that of the primes.

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@davesmart3051 Interesting. I haven’t used it much, yet. I hope to use it quite a bit in the next month or so.

[@SeanLuc_Photo]

Thanks for the video. I own the X1D version 1, along with the 45P and HC80mm with the adapter. I started shooting square and I find myself shooting all my images in that format. I forgot about the XPan so I will give it a go.

[@altrujillo3566]

Excellent review! A lot to digest but a video that I can come back to for additional reviews. Thanks!!

[@robertshank3442]

I have the 38. Had the 28 on reserve until the 25 came out, which I just received. On reserve for the 90 now.

[@spoken2]

how is it that Ted doesn’t have a million subs ?!? how !

[@1967McQ]

Lloyd Chambers really trashes this system. These are great reviews.

[@thorsteno81]

or just buy a GFX🤣😘

[@ChrisM-yq2pq]

No. Not leaf shutter

[@rf8221]

I've been able to get away with using my old HC lenses with an XH 0,8 converter. Personally I think they're still fantastic with the added benefit of adding 3/4 stop of light, and the converter improves lens performance as well. A downside of course is the size and weight so portability takes a hit. Just recently as of a few months Hasselblad released a firmware update that made all of their HC lenses compatible with the IBIS in my X2D which makes my HC 80mm and HC 100mm night photography kings. If you already own HC lenses you should squeeze more life out of them with the XH 0,8 converter it's an absolute must in my opinion.

[@TheBabyBobot]

Thank you for mentioning that, as I have a lot of HCD lenses and I still use my H5D as I can’t let go of my amazing CCD sensor just yet. However I felt the logical upgrade or addition if you will would be the X2D instead of the H6D-100C because of the IBIS . And now that you have confirmed compatibility I will proceed more confidently. Cheers

[@telemaq76]

just received my 135 with 1.7 teleconverter today. ALmost no test on youtube, but omg what a fantastic lens. , the speed the bokeh the sharpenss are insane . I took some sunrise shots facing the sun, and not a flare, nothing, it s so clean.

[@davesmart3051]

I was considering getting this too, but having only the new V series lenses and the 28P I was concerned about the weight, especially with the converter. Thoughts?

[@janfrosty3392]

Can you tell us Ted as to who and where manufacturers lenses for X2D cameras, to my knowledge Hasselblad never made lenses only camera bodies.

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Thanks for the video. 😊 I'm an old school Hasselblad user from way back. All of the lenses I have for the 500 and 200/2000 series cameras came with specs including degrees of distortion. Do 'Hasselblad' provide that information now? I chose every single lens based on this info, because some I use for close-up, copy work and architecture. Distortion is unacceptable. Just wondering..

[@patrikfager7796]

Hi! This was for me one of the best information you shared to us! I live in Sweden, and have been a Leica, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, OM-System shooter, but I bought a Hasselblad XD1 type 4116, and I keep it forever. Not a fast camera, but it give so much back used the right way! And I can tell you all, that Im proud to use a Hasselblad camera!

[@robertthompson240]

Maybe I'm missing something... I would think that 28mm is better for Street since you capture a wider FOV in tighter street situations. Right? Wrong? Secondly, last I heard you still can't get a Q3 as it's always on backorder. That means to me that it's a highly desirable product..

[@costelloandsilke7321]

Just a shout out for the pre V XCC lenses - built like tanks and also have superb IQ. They don't focus that slowly is on their latest firmware and I actually like their shutter sound.

[@davidjones8070]

Well Ted i received the email on the new limited edition Hasselblad x2d with the 2.5/55v lens...id really like to have your opinion on a second lense to go with this wonderful camera. My genre is portrait (street style and studio flash) with some landscape. I know that i dont use ultrawides much but enjoy tighter more of picking out subject matter. Im super excited now that ive got the ok from my wonderful wife to make such a expensive purchase. I value your opinion greatly so any guidance would be great.

[@norrinRadd026]

Hi Ted. Have you had the opportunity to shoot with the 35 - 75mm F/3.5-4.5 zoom?

[@winedemonium]

Worth pointing out that the 30/3.5 is still in the current catalogue, and because it is part of the older family of lenses (2016), it now comes at an attractive discount used. I mention it because optically its a super lens. I have it (along with the 38V and 55V). The manual clutch and faster, quieter autofocus of the 38 and 55 make them my most used lenses on this system. The 30/3.5 is slower, and the AF is noisier, but its focal length (24mm eq), means its more for considered compositions where speed is less important. Separate note on the road map, the 90V (I'm still waiting for one) seems to top out "versatility" + f/2.5 in my view in terms of longer focal lengths. I think they got that one right. What I'd like to see is a much longer P lens (f/4, or even f/5.6) - say a 150mm (120mm eq) or thereabouts, that keeps the weight down, but offers reach. The current 135mm (+ 1.7x teleconverter) is an f/2.8, and is necessarily large and heavy.

[@Keyboardwarrior42]

Since I see so many Hasselblad videos poping up, I get the feeling there will be a new X2D-2 coming out 🤔

[@Dejan_23Unlimited]

June 2025.

[@yohannsphotographyvideogra9542]

dont you find it ridiculous that you buy a great camera for about 8k and then you have to wait 6 months before you an get a lens ? and now you have a camera without a lens whats the point ???

[@Ashaya]

Not European. Chinese.

[@rocketmanpm]

Funny... but my fave is the 38mm SWC Superwide. Film.

[@paulbenoit249]

In Europe, the waiting time is usually about 1-2 months for the XCD lenses, so long, but still manageable (not as bad as I initially thought). Started with the incredibly versatile 38mm, then just got the 90mm, which is incredible, albeit a bit short (should have waited probably for the next 135mm XCD coming before YE), and the 25mm is on its way. With this trio (although I would wich for a longer focal length for what I do), I believe I will be covered for 90% of what I do (landscape, street photo, portraits essentially), .....and what amazing glass in front of that amazing sensor and associated tech.

[@davidkipperman5218]

Great stuff from Blad as always but availability and the long wait was the reason I did NOT get into this system.

[@BigSlimyBlob]

Yeah. This is my dream system and I could justify the expense... but as the lenses are unobtainable, the X2D is basically an 8,200 USD paperweight. I can't justify THAT. 90V? Took a year for people to get theirs, now very hard to get. 28P? Comes in stock every several months, sells out in minutes. 25V? It'll become available again... in 2025, probably for a few minutes before it's sold out. Yeah, it's a small company. But here's an idea: it might grow a little if they considered revolutionary new business tactics, such as... selling their products. If they're not gonna sell them, we're not gonna buy them.

[@mongoose000]

@@BigSlimyBlob Good things come to those who wait. And yes, one does need patience. I started with the X2D + 55V in March, navigated the learning curve before also acquiring the 90V and the 25V over the past couple of months. The system is so far superior to my previous Sony A7r series, it's like night and day. You can also argue that a company that is manufacturing highly sought after technology in limited bespoke quantities is playing it smart, and that is what is happening here IMO.

[@BigSlimyBlob]

@@mongoose000 In a moment of madness, I tentatively tried getting into the system. Because of the lens availability I opted to be prudent and get the two lenses I really needed before buying the X2D body. Got the first lens without issue. But I had to camp the store for months to get a chance to buy the second. And when I did buy it... they didn't send it to me. They put someone else's tracking number in my order to make it look like it had been fulfilled. And when I asked what was going on, they evaded answering and delayed for two months before they finally canceled my order (after I made it very clear I didn't want a cancellation). Needless to say I'm not going to make a second attempt, and I strongly recommend that no one else does either.

[@bruceinmyheart]

Which company makes the lenses these days?

[@sovietmind]

I have done portraits on 40P and it looks fine

[@אריהרודניק]

Not a word about the prices.....

[@250157andyw]

European companies + Phase One?

[@dianasalahan]

Thank you for your amazing review. Saving up on Hasselblad and educating myself on lenses. Your video is one of the best!

[@croutt74]

Are you noticing moire on shirts when shooting the 90mm 2.5. I am seeing it on the X1D ii 50C paired with the new 90mm 2.5 from 2.5 through f8. Will the X2D handle the moire better? Thanks.

[@adamalthus]

Excellent video. Thank you! The 38v is my EDC lens. 80% of what is shoot is through this superb piece of glass.

[@fathampeak]

Great video, thank you! My specific question is "What is the sharpness like when comparing the 28P with the 25V when closed down to f16-f22"? As a landscape photographer, I would rather carry the lighter lens, but if performance is significantly different when closed down, I'll carry the extra weight of the 25V.

[@erichstocker8358]

When you do reviews of Hasselblad and phase one, who is your target audience. The price of these things and lenses for these is roughly equivalent to what I paid for my first home. So, I can't imagine that among your 841K subscribers there are many who cane afford these things. Don't get me wrong I would love to have one as they are great cameras. However, from youtube I would rather hear about the 'art of photography' than review of gear for the 10%. Oh well! I guess that is where the money on youtube is: equipment reviews. Watch statistics seem to indicate this. I suspect it is because so many people believe expensive equipment will make them better photographers so they achieve the "art of photography"

[@dr.matthiasennenbach3409]

Hello and thank you very much for the helpful lens introduction. Would you help with a question? I use the XCD 21mm for astro and I'm thinking about switching to the 25mm V because of the larger aperture. Does it make sense? Or should the 25mm always be dimmed down a bit, for example to avoid coma? Thanks in advance. Best regards. Matthias

[@marcusnz232]

You kind of got sidetracked into focusing on only the wide end there! How about the middle and tele parts?

[@StrangelyIronic]

Good video, for now I'm happy with my Pentax 645Z and mountain of 645 glass, both vintage and recent, for large format on digital. TBH, my K-1.ii with sensor shift enabled rivals if the scene allows for it... then again, some of my MFT gear rivals it if it's totally still, and I can use hires modes (handheld hires on a tripod makes for easy high quality astro shots on a relative budget, K-1.ii has Astro tracer too). I'm constantly on the lookout for a good used G9.ii, will be interesting to try handheld hires and tripod hires on it compared. I only mention those modes because architecture was mentioned in the video, and that's the primary reason I use it across my cameras. Well, more abandoned architecture with nature reclaiming, but it helps with capturing the fine details either in sharpness or color wise with my MFT, KP, and K-1.ii. I really wish Sigma would release an updated fp L that would support a new line of lenses with leaf shutters. Really I wish it would be closer to an SD Quattro body but cut down for L-mount and with a tilt screen and ibis, but that probably isn't going to happen. If it did, the current specs otherwise in the fp L would make an amazing camera with leaf shutter lenses. I always use eshutter if possible, so only having it wasn't really a drag (don't need flash sync out in the rural towns/villages I shoot in), but Sigma has the ability to make that system that's relatively affordable and high enough resolution to compete with medium format on the low end while being compact.

[@JS-shim]

Do you know if Hasselblad will expand their retail/service centres? Leica have stores and support in nearly every country. Hasselblad is limited.

[@ethanbunch3274]

All I can hear is twelve minutes of Mr Krabs saying "money money money money" Great video in all seriousness!

[@thomasstapel6824]

The 38V and 55V are available right now at the hasselblad store. Thats where I got all my lens - same prices as everyone else. Just put in a stock alert request for the 25V.

[@riswanc]

My go to lens is 28p too, but i dont deny it, on certain occasions, the 38v will be my choice… while have a 55v is useful for portrait session, now im considering a 90v too, though right now im using the 90 3.2 when needed

[@MarcAdesso]

Forgot a lot of the old lenses- 80mm magic, versatile zoom lens

[@Sean040457]

Thank you really helpful in understanding this system.

[@FrancescoCarucci]

Thanks for the great video. Very informative. If you ask what lens you should buy to enter the system, you are not ready to enter the system.

[@astrostl]

Any thoughts on Lloyd Chambers' (diglloyd) evisceration of the V series over focus shift and/or field curvature? Everybody seems to love the lenses but him. Then again, few seem as detail-oriented as him.

[@smith507]

I'll leave a comment here to be notified whenever an answer comes :)

[@rf8221]

Personally I don't think you're photography should be dictated by one person, let alone someone that most no one including myself has heard of. Use the lenses and be happy, your audience will never pixel peep but your self.

[@pedrova8058]

You can't beat physics... People want perfect lenses: f1, but small and light; ridiculously sharp, but with nice bokeh and without losing "character", and all that for little money lol. (I mean, some high-end cinema zoom lenses can do all that, just for a few hundred thousands, but they're not portable like that 28 f4) If you need an absolutely flat field, and maximum sharpness all the way to the edges, there are repro and macro lenses that do that. Photographic lenses are "compromise" solutions, regardless the system (weight, cost, size, rendering in focus, rendering out of focus, reliability, aimed for work in the field or studio etc.)

[@davidmantripp]

Somehow there should be a saying on the lines of “knows the price of everything and the value of nothing” to apply to all these technical self-declared professors like Lloyd Chambers, who appear to buy and use cameras and lenses only to “test” them. I’m more inclined to go with the opinions of experienced, talented photographers who show their work and prioritise it over gear, like Ted.

[@Aci-de8zm]

@@pedrova8058 Completely agree... lens design is unfortunately a compromise to consider the strengths and purpose of each lens, with physics making it hard to tick every box for the consumer. This is why cameras have interchangeable lenses... you choose the right lens for the job at hand.

[@gurugamer8632]

So you prefer the 25mm or 38mm which is the best 2.5 lens ?

[@PiotrPavlov]

I would love to see a similar video on current Leica M portfolio of lenses

[@tmbrwn]

Can I just say it's nice to see a camera review for a high-end brand not inundated with pointless "iS tHiS cAmErA wOrTh iT" comments? Just a real chill look at some nice lenses. Thanks for keeping it chill, Ted.

[@marcusnz232]

No mention of the 55V?

[@1967McQ]

Have you looked at the XCD 35-75? Thinking of this as my first lens when I get my X2D. Thoughts??

[@davesmart3051]

I got one and returned it. I don't know if I maybe got a bad copy, even though it was brand new, but I found the focusing was not as accurate as I wanted and the sharpness was pretty bad compared to the primes.

[@314LA]

Man, yes, the new lenses are normal and light, but they are definitely worse in optical quality than the old optics. The only pluses are weight and focusing speed. The x2d body is great, but the new optics are not medium format professional quality at all. Personally, this really stops me from switching from Leica M

[@davesmart3051]

I'd disagree with you personally. I owned the 45P, the 2,8/65, and the 2,8/135 and find the sharpness and rendering are noticeably better with my current 38V, 55V, and 90V.

[@KillerTacos54]

Fantastic video

[@donshotland2503]

Pre-ordering is a great suggestion.

[@kheankimhong]

❤❤❤❤❤😊😊🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@FrankCastilloPhoto]

can you tell an image quality difference between the 25v and the 28p?

[@nelsonclub7722]

I can - the 28p is a smaller lighter lens and is f4 compared to the heavier longer 25 - the image quality is vastly different - the 28 displays artefacts similar to the 45p whereas the 25p is a proper grown up toy - price difference reflects that - however try getting a 25 - they are out of stock possibly until January 2025

[@FrankCastilloPhoto]

@@nelsonclub7722 thanks so much! I have the 28p but regret not preordering the 25v. Now I regret even more after knowing the image quality is better and won't be back in stock for a while 😭🤣. Thanks so much for the reply

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@FrankCastilloPhoto But like all things - its all about the final image - only you will ever know - !!

[@FrankCastilloPhoto]

@@nelsonclub7722 of course! but if this was not important to me or for my bigger clients I would have just kept using my Sony alpha A7R V camera, which is still decent . I guess if you invest in a Hasselblad image quality is a top concern

[@AndrewBassonZA]

question when it comes to the X2D and lenses, I am looking at portraits and versatility, which hassy lens would you look at ? I am currently looking at something to buy, a camera and lens for studio use for portraits, i mainly shoot black and white

[@nelsonclub7722]

The F2.5 are superior to the older XCD lenses - heres the thing - the old lenses were made in Japan - the new lenses made in China are better - but theres fewer of them and the for the few they have they are extremely difficult to get hold of - - for portraits in a studio the 90mm is king of the hill -but all of them work flawlessly in NITS tests recently the 90mm 2.5 swamped anything ever tested at 3000nts - I am a wedding and studio based photographer and have all of them but really the best lens on an X2D is the XCD 80 1,9 - its just that good

[@AndrewBassonZA]

@@nelsonclub7722 awesome thank you man, I haven't used Hasselblad myself in a very long time, looking to start up my studio again and was wondering about the 90 and 80, from what you mentioned it looks like I will be leaning towards the 80 instead , exited to start back up again and even more so for the X2D, just need to find some one that can import for me all the way out here in south africa, appreciate you taking the time to add your valuable feedback

[@mjlamott]

@@AndrewBassonZA Do keep in mind that the 80 uses the old focus motors and is fairly loud compared to the effectively silent V lenses. It's also a lot slower to focus and less sure-footed than the V lenses are. I have a 38 and 55, along with the 80. Optically, the 80 definitely is a treat, but it's not a perfect experience. If you'll have good light, then the focus speed and noise won't be a big issue, but those puppies hunt in dimmer light or if there's a strong back light.

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@AndrewBassonZA My friend Fred moved from South Africa to here in UK - he was the manager of Clifton Cameras - a big camera store until last month - now he has started out on his own - the only person stopping you from becoming a success is you - take care my friend - UK to SA with greetings

[@Mowikan]

The other elephant in the room besides the long waiting times for lenses, is that you can’t use CaptureOne. I am heavily standardized on C1 and this would be a major change in my work flow. Besides that I love Hasselblad. I started photography on the 6x6 system. Love that 3:4 format of the new sensor.

[@o2mpx]

Almost all reviews are on the V and P lenses; and certain models of the original lenses have been discontinued. However, there’s been feedback on various forums that the new V and P lenses are at best in some models, equal but in most cases inferior in IQ than the original models. Wish someone would do a head to head compare.

[@davesmart3051]

Not sure if this helps, but I used to own the 45P, the 2,8/65, and the 2,8/135 (no teleconverter), and then I sold them and switched to the new 28P, the 38V, the 55V, and the 90V. In my experience, the 90V is the best lens I have ever used; there's nothing as perfect and sharp as the 90V by a country mile, simple as that. With regards to the P lenses, the 45P was a great lens, but I maintain the optical quality of the 28P is higher, and very nearly on a par, in my opinion, with the 38V and the 55V (however, it doesn't hold out as well as them in poor artificial lighting). On the other hand, compared to the 2,8/65 and 2,8/135, the 38V and 55V are a little sharper in the centre at all apertures, and I find the corners are also handled better. I absolutely loved my 2,8/65 and 2,8/135 when I had them, but when zoomed-in to 100%, I look at the level of detail side by side and the difference is noticeable. It's not great, but it's noticeable: whilst I would have no complains with the 2,8/65 and 2,8/135 for all intents and purposes, the 38V and 55V do yield a higher level of sharpness. The 90V is on a league of its own, like I said.

[@o2mpx]

@@davesmart3051 thanks for the perspectives. I have the 28/45p/90/135. Given your comments, might look for a used 90v to replace the original 90(would take a while given how unavailable even new ones have been). But as I recall, the weight difference is very small. I’ll need to keep the 135 and TC for reach.

[@stevenbridgland3727]

There is also the XCD21 too, if we're talking options for wide angle....

[@BigSlimyBlob]

8:25

[@davidmantripp]

I think there’s a good argument for recommending the original 45/3.2 lens as a “starter”. As a near 35mm equivalent it is quite versatile, it’s actually an exceptional lens (needed to be as it was the first for the system) and can be found secondhand at quite ridiculously low prices.

[@zobzob2010]

You talk really, really fast! Average word rate is about 160 wpm. You're in the 200+ range, `way beyond most people's ability to retain what you're saying. Please remember that punctuation - in written and in spoken language - is a courtesy for your audience. I'm a conference interpreter. I work in languages similar enough to English for your super-fast delivery to be just tiring. I wonder what my colleagues in the German, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, etc., booths would do. Probably excise about half of what you say. Please keep in mind: "less is more".

[@BigSlimyBlob]

Pretty nice summary. While the price and lack of security features of the X2D have made me hesitant to buy into it, it's the (un)availability of the lenses that has made it functionally impossible. For many months I truly intended to buy into it, but I thought it'd be silly to buy the body before getting the lenses, and, well... I couldn't get the lenses. They just don't sell them. If they're not gonna sell them, we're not gonna buy them.