New Hasselblad XCD 20-35/3.2-4.5

[MGrayson]

There's been some rumors of an imminent release of a wide zoom (20-35/3.2-4.5) for the Hasselblad X system. A picture that looks fairly believable was posted, along with some data. I took the liberty of scaling an image of the XCD 25/2.5 (which weighs 592g) to match the zoom. It looks larger and heavier than the prime, as one would expect. How heavy, how (un)balanced, how expensive, and how it compares to the superb optical quality of the XCD 35-75 zoom remain to be seen (assuming the lens actually exists.)



Matt

 

[Paul2660]

And estimated price @6-7K. US.
Paul

 

[tenmangu81]

Thanks Matt. But it's not for me. I HATE zooms, especially when there are prime lenses in the same focal range.

 

[MGrayson]

Thanks Matt. But it's not for me. I HATE zooms, especially when there are prime lenses in the same focal range.

Oh, I never use zooms if I can avoid it. I carry a camera in my hand as I walk, so weight in the hand is more important than weight in the backpack. The "zoom covers three primes" argument doesn't work on me.

(Exceptions: The Sony 16-35/4, Leica 90-280, and Fuji 100-200 are REALLY good, and I used them happily on their respective systems.)

 

[sjg284]

The only "zoom" I have ever gotten along with was the Leica M 28/35/50 Tri-Elmar.

Similarly I walk with camera on strap/in hand so the marginal increase in size/weight + loss of f-stop/other tradeoffs vs a prime never really adds up for me.

 

[BigBoy]

How many wide angles does Hasselblad need lol

 

[MGrayson]

How many wide angles does Hasselblad need lol

Good question. Here's the distribution of XCD focal lengths on a Log scale. I really wish the 25 were a 24... And the 28 is a bit crowded in there.

 

[AndereObjektiv]

I wouldn't be surprised if the 30 was next to be dropped, after the 21 and 120. Room for a 75-180 too

 

[Ai_Print]

I'd like a re-worked 35-75V lens please, I have had pretty poor luck with the three I have tried.

 

[jng]

Interesting. In the full-frame Canikon world that I left years ago, there's the so-called "Holy Trinity" of workhorse zooms: 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200. Given the allure of the crop medium format for the full-frame crowd (or at least the marketing pitch for this consumer group), I wonder if we're seeing such a strategy playing out here, with a telephoto zoom next on the (imaginary) list.

John

 

[f8orbust]

It's here ...

Hasselblad XCD 3.2-4.5/20-35E Zoom Lens

 

[nazdravanul]

Nice travel lens, no prime killer - look at those MTFs. The resolution is nowhere near the 30mm wide open. Not the same design philosophy as the 35-75. This is a rich dentist holiday lens, from what I can see
And we need the official release to understand what the “E” stands for - new “economy” family of lenses ?

 

[Doppler9000]

Nice travel lens, no prime killer - look at those MTFs. The resolution is nowhere near the 30mm wide open. Not the same design philosophy as the 35-75. This is a rich dentist holiday lens, from what I can see
And we need the official release to understand what the “E” stands for - new “economy” family of lenses ?

If it’s $6,200 USD for the “economy” variant, I wonder what the “premium” will cost?

 

[JeRuFo]

Nice travel lens, no prime killer - look at those MTFs. The resolution is nowhere near the 30mm wide open. Not the same design philosophy as the 35-75. This is a rich dentist holiday lens, from what I can see
And we need the official release to understand what the “E” stands for - new “economy” family of lenses ?

That's a bit harsh, the MTFs look pretty similar to the ones of 21mm and the 28mm at f8. It's a wide zoom, premium manufacturers don't get a free pass on the laws of physics.

 

[peterm1]

That's a bit harsh, the MTFs look pretty similar to the ones of 21mm and the 28mm at f8. It's a wide zoom, premium manufacturers don't get a free pass on the laws of physics.

I was also looking at the MTFs and was wondering how much of a difference there will be in real world results between the new zoom and the 21mm and 28mm (which I own). The 21mm MTF does look a bit better, but I often shoot stopped down to at least F11 so I am not sure I will see much of a difference. I am not an expert in MTF curves though so if anyone has further thoughts on them I'd like to hear them.

I love the wide zoom range though as 80% or more of my shooting is on the 21mm and the 28P. But the $6k price range is pretty painful unless this lens will live on my camera most of the time....

 

[nazdravanul]

Hasselblad Introduces the XCD 3,2-4,5/20-35E Lens, Its First Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens

www.all-about-photo.com

So the mistery unravelled: E stands for excellence. All other XCD non-e lenses are now dead

 

[MGrayson]

Since everyone will want to do this, I'll save you all the trouble. MTF charts. The zoom looks sharp at the wide end, but there's a lot of astigmatism, even at f/8. Well, we'll see what the reviews say.









Matt

 

[MGrayson]

Whoops! Forgot about the XCD 38V...



Matt

 

[Geoff]

That 30mm looks pretty good!

 

[MGrayson]

That 30mm looks pretty good!

It's one of the gems of the X system.