Hasselblad Introduces Second XCD Zoom Lens

2024.09.10

The Hasselblad XCD system got a major expansion today in the form of a new wide-angle zoom lens. This is the second zoom lens for the mount, complementing perfectly the existing Hasselblad XCD 35-75mm F/3.5-4.5 with a new Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F/3.2-4.5E. Together these lenses cover a 20-75mm focal-range without any gaps, making it the most suitable Medium-Format system for travel photography.

The new Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F/3.2-4.5E is a variable aperture optical zoom lens that captures an angle-of-view from 76-108°. the equivalent to a 16-28mm lens for Full-Frame cameras. To keep the size and weight of this lens relatively light, the maximum aperture dims down when zoomed in. It can still render a mid-depth focus-range, similar to a F/2.8-3.5 Full-Frame lens. The field-of-view captured is extremely wide and highly suitable for architecture, monuments, interior and landscape photography.

This XCD lens is built to the same premium standard as other modern Hasselblad lenses. Its optics are designed to resolve at least 100 megapixels with high consistency from corner-to-corner. The mechanics of this lens are internal to stay the same size at all focal-lengths. They even managed to make the barrel just wide enough to accommodate a 77mm screw-on filter. For landscape photography, it is common to use an ND filter which many ultra-wide lenses do not accept. There is no provision for a lens hood, as any would block the field-of-view.

A minimum focus distance of 32cm gives this lens a maximum magnification of 0.15X, slightly more than other ultra-wide zoom lenses. The lens itself measures 12cm long and 8cm in diameter. It weighs 805g. For a Medium Format system, this is considered small and light. More importantly this lenses can replace four exiting ones from the current lineup: a 21mm F/4, a 25mm F/2.5V, a 28mm F/4P and a 30mm F/3.5. These lenses together weigh 2 kg, saving ½ the weight and ¾ of the bulk.

• Lens