The belt changes hands again: Hasselblad is adding another, wider lens to its mirrorless X system, the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E Lens, which bests May’s release of XCD 25mm f/2.5 V lens and introduces a wide-angle zoom into the lineup. While not as bright or compact as its prime lens older brother, the versatility of the ultra-wide to wide angle of view combined with the premium optical design make it an excellent choice for walk-around urban photography, architectural and interior subjects, and landscape photography.
Built to complement the X System and 907X mirrorless cameras, the lens was designed to bring a 16-27mm full-frame equivalent field of view to a 100MP sensor while also satisfying its high-resolution demands. To that end, it features three aspherical elements and four extra-low dispersion elements for edge-to-edge clarity, sharpness, and color fidelity. Additionally, the f/3.2 maximum aperture is still fast enough to deliver subject separation and quality bokeh when used at the wide end of the zoom range.
Like many of the other XCD lenses, the 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E lens has a leaf shutter that supports shooting at up to 1/2000 sec with flash sync available at all speeds. It also boasts 1’ minimum close-focusing distance. The internal focusing mechanism means it maintains the same 4.6” length at all points in the zoom range, while the stepping motor and focusing drive mechanism deliver fast, accurate, and quiet results, especially when paired with the phase-detection autofocus technology of the Hasselblad medium format cameras.
The lens weighs a solid 1.8 lb, with a handsome metal body that features the Hasselblad logo engraved on both the focus and zoom rings. It is not weather-sealed, however, and the company recommends avoiding use in inclement weather.
The XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E lens is yet another compelling lens for the wide-angle shooters in Hasselblad’s X System cameras. It’s an ideal ultra-wide option for photographers favoring both versatility and a huge field of view for their architectural, interior, and landscape photography. For more information about the new lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all of your comments and questions.
