Hasselblad launches new lens for portrait photographers

In the world of medium format hybrid, we naturally know Fujifilm with its GFX series and in particular their latest model the GFX 100S IIbut we often forget Hasselblad which launched an extraordinary 100 million pixel camera in 2022, the X2D 100C.

Compact, light, handy

The Hasselblad XCD 3.4/75P lens has a fixed focal length of 75 mm which is equivalent to a 59 mm on a 24×36 mm logic. This type of focal length, a small telephoto lens, is very interesting for reporting and especially for “wide” portraits. The lens belongs to Hasselblad's P range. It is therefore a model that is compact and lightweight, designed for comfortable handheld use in the field. On the scale, the lens weighs less than 400 grams and measures 7.6 cm long and 7.5 cm in diameter. It is therefore particularly well designed to be mounted for example on the X2D. By comparison, it is 24% more compact and lighter than the XCD 2.8/65. The design is minimalist, sober and refined. Additionally, it is protected against dust and splashes through the use of seals.

Image quality and bokeh

The lens has a beautiful maximum aperture of f/3.4 which, combined with the size of the Hasselblad medium format sensor, ensures particularly marked bokeh effects. The lens is based on a complex optical formula consisting of 10 elements divided into 10 groups with the use of 1 aspherical element and 3 low dispersion ED elements. As always, the manufacturer announces exceptional optical performance at all apertures and from the center to the edges of the images on the 100 million pixel sensor.

Autofocus and central shutter

This lens incorporates a central shutter system that functions like a mechanical shutter, but inside the lens. This technology makes it possible to synchronize (mechanically) the body/optics pair with the flash at all speeds up to 1/2000 s. In addition, the lens includes a fast, precise and silent step-by-step autofocus motor. The minimum focus is 55 cm which gives the lens a magnification power of 0.17x. Note that it is possible to add a 9 mm extension ring which reduces the minimum focusing distance to 40 cm and increases the magnification ratio to 0.31x to approach the practice of the macro proxy.

Availability and price

The new Hasselblad 3.4/75P is available for €2,529. The extension ring, for its part, is priced at €339.

First opinion

The arrival of a new Hasselblad lens is always good news for the rare users of the brand. This P series model goes in the direction of simple, fun and freehand practice with X2D, the latest Hasselblad hybrid. It is not the only portrait lens in the range, but its relative versatility with its wide field for reportage and even macro proxy with the use of the extension ring make it an interesting lens for many shooting situations. shots. This fixed focal length perfectly complements the two other fixed focal lengths in the P series, namely the 4/28P and 4/45P.