First test PRICE: £2149
HASSELBLAD.COM
Hasselblad XCD 3,4/75P The latest addition to Hasselblad’s portable series is small and light, but does it carry weight in the medium format sector?
smaller, lighter and, crucially, more affordable than their counterparts in the V (for versatile) and E (for exclusive) series. The XCD 3,4/75P is the latest addition to this growing collection. The question is, does it live up to Hasselblad’s formidable reputation, or does the reduction in cost and weight correlate with lower quality? The lens is being marketed primarily as a portrait lens, but with a full-frame equivalent focal length of 59mm, it’s good for much more than that. It’s a capable street shooter and would also be useful for landscapes, especially when making the most of that huge medium format resolution. Mine was paired with the 100-megapixel X2D 100C mirrorless, and the combination made for a relatively portable package. It has a similar minimalist design to the XCD 4/28P; a solid metal case, attractive orange details and nothing but a focus ring for external controls. This minimalist look is pleasing, but I’m a fan of the aperture ring, so would have liked to see that control included. Aside from that, it’s so far, so good for the 75P.
TESTED BY PETE TOWNSHEND
HASSELBLAD’S REPUTATION FOR top-drawer photography equipment is both a blessing and a curse for the brand. It brings with it the pressure not just to perform, but, even more importantly, to stay premium. In a market sector that’s only getting more competitive, this balance is becoming harder to maintain. That’s where the P (for portable) series comes in. These lenses are SPECS › In the box Lens, lens hood, front and rear lens caps, protective pouch › Construction Ten elements in ten groups › Special elements One aspherical and three ED › Full-frame equivalent focal length 59mm › Aperture F/3.4-32 › Minimum focus 55cm › Maximum magnification 0.17x › Filter diameter 72mm › Dimensions (dxl) 75x76mm › Weight 398g › Contact hasselblad.com
READY TO GO A lens hood and plush leather pouch are included in the box
While it follows the 28P in looks, the 75P doesn’t feature the same 1/4000sec built-in leaf shutter – instead using the 1/2000sec version. Nevertheless, it’s still a leaf shutter, so you get the inherent benefit of flash sync at all speeds. The lens’ maximum aperture of f/3.4 is the widest in the P series, but does leave a little to be desired. When it comes to bokeh, Hasselblad claims that what the 75P lacks in aperture it makes up for in focal length, able to achieve similar bokeh effects to the XCD 2,8/65. That’s all very well – and I thought the bokeh looked quite lovely – but
it doesn’t compensate for a lack of speed in low light; occasionally an issue in dimmer conditions. For example, I took the lens out to the local woods with the family on a foggy day. This played well with the portability factor – the lens was great in hand – but it did struggle to freeze moving subjects in the restricted light under the canopy. Having said that, though, when you put this lens to work in good light it’s a real pleasure. Image quality is superb, with great sharpness across the frame, only reducing slightly on the edges at the narrowest apertures. Any concerns that this portable lens couldn’t complement the 100- megapixel sensor in the X2D 100C should be forgotten. The same is true for chromatic aberration, which was negligible, while distortion was minimal and easily fixed in post. I also found the autofocus to be a great performer. It was fast, quiet and accurate, only let down at times by the camera. We can only hope that all this investment in a portable lens line eventually precedes a new camera that’s better equipped to handle fast- moving, reactive genres.
CLEAR CUT AF on the 75P is reliable, with limitations tied to the camera body
All in all, the XCD 3,4/75P is a great lens. Yes, I could have done with a bit more maximum aperture, but in medium format at this size and price, something’s got to give. Considering this lens’ potential applications, I’ll take the hit on speed over quality.
Verdict Hasselblad has trodden the balance well with the XCD 3,4/75P. It is small, light and cheap enough to hold its own against stiff competition in the medium format sector while still upholding Hasselblad’s reputation for exceptional quality. PROS Image quality, portability, build quality, leaf shutter and (relative) affordability CONS Maximum aperture, no control ring, occasionally let down by camera capabilities
44 Photography News | Issue 121
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