Hasselblad XCD 65mm f/2.8 Lens

I really like this lens... 65MM on medium format is close to a 50 on a full frame camera. I am taking this along with me on a trip to Spain this weekend.. my first trip with this lens in my bag.

his will be one of four Hasselblad XCD lens reviews I do today so a little background. I have been a lifelong user of Hasselblad gear since early in my career in the 80's. I still own a comprehensive V system and now a medium sized X system and continue to use them in my work. I own 5 Hasselblad XCD lenses, the 28P, 45P, 65mm 2.8 and now the new 38mm 2.5V and 55mm 2.5V lenses. I bought the XCD 65mm 2.8 from in April of 2023 as a bit longer lens than my 45P for use as a landscape and aerial lens with the X2D. I use Hasselblad cameras strictly for exacting work in landscapes and architecture. I use other systems like my Nikon Z and Leica M for reportage, portraits and events. So when it comes to my expectations of Hasselblad lenses, it is not at all about bokeh, rendering or character. It is all about color, contrast, resolution and absolute sharpness across the image area.Despite its size, weight and louder shutter, the 65mm 2.8 is the king of image quality in this range of focal lengths from Hasselblad. Its sharpness out resolves even the X2D's 102MP sensor so it has room to grow so to speak. Even at 2.8 it shows very even sharpness across the image area with only slight softening in the corners, a must have in landscapes and aerials. By 5.6 it is eye watering sharp. This lens has the best image quality out of the 5 XCD lenses I own and is not, I repeat *not* at all exceeded by the new 55mm F2.5V lens. It's a lot of lens to tote around for a normal FOV 2.8 prime, but it is worth its weight in the photos it affords.

Great image quality. very good focusing. But noticeably much heavier than the new 90 2.5 V Will use this for street photography. glad that I just bought it.

I owned several lenses during my time with the X1DII and this was my favorite. The angle of view suited my style of shooting, the f2.8 was adequate, the fit and finish of the lens were world class, and the image quality was unbeatable. Much to my surprise I also found that I enjoyed the clean feel of the lens with no aperture rings or other protrusions.

Comparable to a 50 in a Full Frame 35 camera, this is the first lens I reach for almost every day... beautifully engineered, it is a state of the art.