Dan's take: This is my Noctilux — everything I wanted from a digital medium format system. It's heavy, and one of the slowest-focussing XCD lenses. But the way it renders at f/1.9 strikes the perfect balance of sharp in focus and dreamy bokeh, and it is my favourite Hasselblad lens.
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It's heavy, and it's one of the slowest focussing XCD lenses, I think the crown there goes to the 120mm Macro. But the way it renders at f/1.9 strikes the perfect balance of sharp in focus and dreamy bokeh, and it is my favourite Hasselblad lens.
This is both my go-to portrait lens and my pretty-picture lens, and lately I've even been using it for some late evening, low summer sun event work. Isolate subjects at a distance, or just shoot into the light for some beautiful hazy flare, it creates beauty that makes me smile.
When the new XCD 90mm f/2.5 was released, my faith did waver. Would it be just as good, just with faster autofocus? Whilst I understand the 90mm is an exceptional lens, I'm so glad I stuck with the 80.
Not to say I haven't been frustrated with this lens. I've pushed it beyond what the AF is really capable of. Dimly lit live music bars with flashing lights, so not only do you need to nail focus on a moving subject and capture the emotion, you need to do it when the light hits. But when it all comes together, you get such a beautiful quality.
For me, this is the pinnacle of the Hasselblad X series lenses, and still it won't be for everyone, owing to its weight and AF performance. But if you can get past that, you'll have something special.
Hasselblad's fastest XCD prime — 63mm equiv at f/1.9 for supreme subject isolation on medium format.
The Hasselblad XCD 80mm f/1.9 was released approximately 2019 as the fastest prime in the Hasselblad XCD lens range, providing f/1.9 at 80mm — approximately 64mm full-frame equivalent on the 44×33mm sensor. Designed for portrait and low-light photography. Hasselblad XCD mount.
f/1.9 maximum aperture. 80mm focal length (approximately 64mm equivalent on 44×33mm sensor). Autofocus. At approximately 820g. Hasselblad XCD mount.
The f/1.9 maximum aperture is the fastest in the XCD system, enabling the shallowest depth of field available in the Hasselblad X-system for portrait and low-light photography. On the 44×33mm sensor, f/1.9 provides depth-of-field equivalent to approximately f/2.4 on full-frame.
On the used market the Hasselblad XCD 80mm f/1.9 is a premium fast portrait prime for Hasselblad X-system cameras. Condition checks: XCD mount contacts and fit, AF response at f/1.9, front element for marks, aperture blade smoothness. Hasselblad XCD mount — X-system only.
Tracking the used Hasselblad XCD 80mm f/1.9 price? Over the past month, the average has fallen 16.2%, from £2589 to around £2169. Depending on age and condition, expect to pay between £2037 and £2460 for a used lens.