Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5 Lens

So, this is a great lens. But... the first copy I got was not sharp. I don't blame for this -- in fact, replacing this for another lens was quite easy and the new lens is excellent. Great sharpness corner to corner. Wide open is a bit softer than closed down 1-2 stops, but even wide open the sharpness is excellent.

Very happy with image quality. Distortion is well controlled with LR lens correction. A joy to use. This is what stays on my X2D. Expensive, but they all are excepting the 45mm p. Well built.

I purchased this lens along with the X1D body, so it is the lens I was using as I got to know and love the X1D. The purchase was from a Canadian store so I'm not listed as a verified purchaser. With the exchange rate it simply wasn't worth it despite 's excellent pricing, but I digress. This lens is absolutely stunning. Crystal sharp and amazing performance in every regard. I use it for landscape and astro, and especially for medium wide angle shots of storm fronts and lightning, which it simply eats up. Other XCD lenses, with the exception of the stunning 21, do not seem to be in the same class as this incredible piece of glass, both in terms of image quality and general quality of build and performance. I also own the 65 and 90. Despite the wide field of view the images stitch extremely well in PTGui so it is a great option for multirow panos. If I had to choose only one XCD lens it would be a tough call between the 21 and the 30, but I'd select the 30.

This is a great focal length for this medium format sensor. It's a 24mm full frame equivalent and just superb for interiors, landscapes and street photography. I've used it for each of those applications and have been super happy. I was considering the 21mm Ultra-Wide because I do some commercial interior work (furniture/showrooms), but do not regret having chosen the 30mm. I recognize now that it would be unusual for me to need that specialized lens. The performance of the lens is awesome... super sharp... beautiful Hasselblad color rendition as always... and it gives photos that presence indicative of medium format and Hasselblad images in particular. I also have the XCD 80mm f1.9 and I really love that lens also. In comparison this lens is so light weight..! Very maneuverable and quick (focusing speed is decent for the format, but don't expect DSLR type speed there). Focus control in AF is very good and I've only missed auto-focus a couple times (2-3% of the time..?), and the problem with Hasselblad's system for focusing (contrast based?) is a slight bummer, but maybe future cameras will incorporate upgraded control. I use this lens with the 907x camera and the most recent CFV II 50c and the control grip. Great, well balanced setup.

When I first purchased the X1D, the only lens I had was the 45mm which I used extensively. As the X1D has matured, it seems so has the glass. The 30mm feels much more substantial and sturdy than the 45mm (as does the 90mm). It's slightly larger than the 45 but quite a bit heavier. It balances very nicely on the body... better than the 45 or the 90. Optically it's quite nice in the real world. If you shoot scales and targets, you'll see a little bit of barrel distortion and some light falloff. It barely warrants correction unless you're shooting architectural stuff. The focus ring is smooth as butter and doesn't slip at all. This is the lens that lives on my X1D unless there's a special case, until the 21mm comes out, of course.

The introduction of the Hasselblad X1D and the initial 3 lens lineup, is a game changer for medium format photography. The 30mm XCD (24mm in 35mm DSLR equivalent) is the widest lens in the current lineup. It's diminutive in Medium Format terms. But a bit bulkier than the 45mm and 90mm lenses. The lens balances well with the X1D body. Images are very sharp across the frame. Minimal vignetting. The lens is also compatible with Hasselblad's free Phocus 3 software. That means when an image is loaded into focus from the X1D, all the lens corrections, CA, Vignetting, color shifts, will be automatically performed by Phocus. This is a great wide angle lens, with great IQ. i'm looking forward to Hasselblad's next release for the X1D. A telephoto would be nice.

I've been using the Hasselblad X system for about a year, starting out with the 45mm and 90mm lenses. Later I expanded to included the opposite ends of the spectrum, the 21mm super wide angle and the 135mm telephoto (and 1.7 extender). One of the Hasselblad seminars indicated this lens is one of the finest in their product line. I has great performance for city scape / architecture photography. The details captured are phenomenal. I've used the lens on both the X1D II and 907x cameras.

I've been using the Hasselblad X system for about a year, starting out with the 45mm and 90mm lenses. Later I expanded to included the opposite ends of the spectrum, the 21mm super wide angle and the 135mm telephoto (and 1.7 extender). One of the Hasselblad seminars indicated this lens is one of the finest in their product line. I has great performance for city scape / architecture photography. The details captured are phenomenal. I've used the lens on both the X1D II and 907x cameras.

So, this is a great lens. But... the first copy I got was not sharp. -- in fact, replacing this for another lens was quite easy and the new lens is excellent. Great sharpness corner to corner. Wide open is a bit softer than closed down 1-2 stops, but even wide open the sharpness is excellent.