Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 Evaluate: It’s Good and It Higher Be

Most photographers most likely don’t suppose Hasselblad makes zoom lenses. In a sea of primes, the corporate makes the general-purpose 35-75mm lens and even the older H-mount system solely has a pair. However Hasselblad has lastly branched out into the wide-angle realm with a brand new 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 zoom lens. It is extremely good — and it higher be with this asking value.

Maybe the rationale Hasselblad has prevented making zoom lenses is due to its dedication to premium optics. Zooms are handy however they typically include optical compromises.

Historically, Hasselblad has made glorious lenses that ship among the highest high quality outcomes they usually could have held off till now as a result of it needed to retain a sure normal of picture high quality. So can the brand new 20-35mm lens uphold the stringent necessities put upon it? For the $5,930 value that it prices to get one, I definitely hope so.

This newest lens holds the XCD moniker but it surely has a further “E” designation which Hasselblad claims stands for “unique.” It might additionally stand for costly, exorbitant, govt even, however no less than with regards to construct high quality it might stand for glorious.

Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 Evaluate: How It Handles

Like most of its lenses, the Hasselblad 20-35mm could be very effectively constructed. I really like the sturdy however light-weight steel housing and the “H” sample that makes up the rubber grips on the lens. At solely 28.4 ounces (805 grams) the lens is straightforward to hold round. The guide focus ring and zoom equipment flip easily and the lens is sealed effectively towards the weather.

Nonetheless, I do have some points with the lens. There are not any further controls or buttons on the lens. Notably absent is any type of guide focus management, whether or not it’s a swap or push/pull clutch. An extra management ring would even be good to be used as an aperture ring or as an publicity dial.

I’d additionally prefer to see Hasselblad change its total lens hood design. The skinny steel development seems very svelte however it’s straightforward to bend and warp and it by no means clips in place properly however typically mounts tilted or goes proper previous the mounting lugs. The 77mm filter ring on the entrance is handy and customary however I discover that even a skinny filter will present up within the corners of the picture when shot at 20mm and I would like that it’s extra usable, even when we would wish 82mm filters as an alternative.

The autofocusing motors are of a stepping design and are typically easy however considerably sluggish. That is fairly typical although when Hasselblad lenses and the our bodies themselves usually are not significantly quick at focusing both. I discovered the focusing velocity sufficient for the sort of panorama or studio work that may sometimes be executed with this lens however for live performance or avenue pictures you simply should be just a little affected person with it.

Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 Evaluate: How It Handles

So with regards to optical high quality will we get what we paid for? We’ve had some fairly sunny days this summer season and flare take a look at alternatives abound so let’s check out efficiency on sunny days. The Hasselblad coatings do an ideal job of retaining distinction whereas pointed in the direction of brilliant gentle sources and there’s virtually no ghosting when capturing at wider apertures.

There will probably be some ghosting when stopped down but it surely’s pretty minor and most visible points I had had been associated to sensor reflections and never flare points. Sunstars are additionally not dangerous with a reasonably dramatic look to them and solely just a little little bit of blurriness on the factors.

The 20-35mm is able to some shallow depth of area pictures with its comparatively quick aperture vary and the look of the bokeh is beautiful. Specular highlights are freed from any cat’s eye impact and there are not any onion rings or main cleaning soap bubble look. Closed down, the highlights look good and spherical and when the lens designers put a whole lot of effort into the look of the bokeh it interprets into smooth backgrounds and easy transitions.

The 20-35mm is able to focusing fairly shut at 0.32 meters (12.59 inches) and you may definitely get shallow DOF at this distance. The lens close-focuses finest at 35mm and might ship pretty tight-looking pictures however it’s not a macro lens by any stretch. I didn’t discover any points with chromatic aberrations or LoCA both.

That is additionally a really sharp lens, totally able to maximizing the 100-megapixel sensors that Hasselblad makes use of. At each 20mm and 35mm the facilities of the photographs are fairly sharp and really contrasty on the widest apertures. There’s a very slight enchancment in resolving energy for those who cease the lens down so I might advocate this for panorama work for instance, however any person will discover the lens sharp it doesn’t matter what aperture is used.

Nook sharpness is sweet too with softness solely displaying on the excessive corners extensive open. Stopping down eliminates any minor vignetting and tightens up the corners much more so. This lens could have no points with taking detailed panorama pictures with good flatness and even focus to the corners.

Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 Evaluate: A Close to Good Lens

The 20-35mm appears to be a near-perfect lens but it surely comes with a heavy price — actually. Many potential consumers will balk on the value however there’s one other approach to have a look at it: contemplating how good the 20-35mm is optically, it might cowl a variety of no less than three prime lenses and nonetheless present comparable picture high quality. The lens is pretty quick, too, and I feel many customers will discover it sufficient for low-light occasion capturing and even the occasional astrophotography shot.

When you haven’t but invested closely in just a few wide-angle prime lenses the 20-35mm may very well be simply the lens you should cowl a variety of focal lengths. Its glorious optical efficiency coupled with a reasonably compact physique design might make a whole lot of sense for somebody capturing landscapes on the go or as a helpful avenue and journey lens. It’s costly for positive but it surely may simply make a ton of sense for somebody who loves their wide-angle pictures.

Are There Options?

Seeing as how Hasselblad doesn’t make many zooms the one actual choice is just a few primes to cowl it. The Hasselblad 25mm and 38mm are very brilliant with the f/2.5 aperture and will cowl what the zoom covers with extra gentle. The 2 primes would run dearer than the one zoom priced at $5,930, nonetheless.

Ought to You Purchase It?

Sure. It’s good to see Hasselblad lastly devoting vitality into some handy zooms and the optical efficiency isn’t forcing any critical compromises on you.