Hasselblad goes big with new wide-angle zoom

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In the world of medium format hybrids, we naturally know Fujifilm with its GFX series, but we often forget Hasselblad which launched an extraordinary 100 million pixel body in 2022, the X2D 100C.

A new range of EXCLUSIVE lenses

The new XCD 3.2-4.5/20-35E zoom inaugurates a new series at Hasselblad. We find the E at the end of its reference for “Exclusive”, the top of the range offered by the manufacturer. It is a 20-35 mm wide-angle oriented zoom which is therefore equivalent to a 16-27 mm (on a 24×36 mm comparison logic). This focal length range is therefore particularly suited to landscape, reporting and architectural photography. The manufacturer even insists on its ability to also produce incredible portraits. The lens is based on a complex optical formula composed of 16 lenses divided into 12 groups with the use of 3 aspherical lenses and 4 low dispersion ED lenses. The manufacturer announces exceptional optical performance at all focal lengths on the 100 million pixels so much so that one could imagine replacing a whole series of fixed focal lengths with this single zoom.

Variable apertures and no optical stabilization

It is not a constant aperture zoom and it does not offer ultra-bright maximum apertures. At most, you can work at f/3.2 at 20 mm and f/4.5 at 35 mm. Despite this, the bokeh and depth of field effects are there, amplified by the size of the camera's sensor and the use of a 12-blade diaphragm. It is not stabilized and you will have to rely on the performance of the sensor stabilization built into the camera to produce sharp images handheld in low light conditions.

Autofocus and central shutter and high-speed flash sync

This lens incorporates a central shutter system that works like a mechanical shutter, but inside the lens. This technology allows the camera/lens couple to be synchronized (mechanically) with the flash at all speeds up to 1/2000 s. In addition, the lens incorporates a fast, precise and silent step-by-step autofocus motor. The minimum focus is 32 cm, which gives the lens a magnification power of 0.15x.

In terms of ergonomics, we find the basics: a manual focus ring and a zoom ring. The lens, which has a constant-size design, measures just under 12 cm long, about 8 cm in diameter and weighs nearly 800 grams.

Availability and price

The new Hasselblad XCD 3.2-4.5/20-35E is priced at €6,729. For comparison, if there must be a comparison, Fujifilm's GFX wide-angle zoom, the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR (less bright, but with a constant aperture) is priced at €2,799.

Note that Hasselblad also announced a wide-angle fixed focal length a few months ago, a 25mm F2.5 offered at the sum of €4,199. Finally, for €2,530 more, you can also take advantage of a 21mm equivalent and a 30mm.

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