CSB 5858
Member
This recent thread about Hasselblad 50mm lenses brought out an important point - some lens versions are much better optically than others. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154034
What is your experience with different Hasselblad versions of the same focal length?
Are the newer lens versions always better optically?
Are some older lens versions just as good as the new ones? I'm planning my lens outfit and don't want to pay extra for a newer lens if its not going to give me better results.
What is your experience with different Hasselblad versions of the same focal length?
Are the newer lens versions always better optically?
Are some older lens versions just as good as the new ones? I'm planning my lens outfit and don't want to pay extra for a newer lens if its not going to give me better results.
SaveKodak
Well-known
The newest versions of the wides are the best, especially the FLE version of the 50mm, however anything CF and up is very very good.
The 80 basically didn't change after CF. The CB is supposedly slightly worse but no-one has every claimed to be able to tell the difference.
For the tele's, the CF and up is all pretty much as good as it gets, save for some of the more exotic focal lengths.
The FE lenses for focal plane bodies offer even bigger advantages. The 50/2.8 and 110/2 are in a class of their own.
Everyone ignores the 60 distagon but it's one of their best, and I'd take a 60/100 combo over an 80 any day of the week.
The 80 basically didn't change after CF. The CB is supposedly slightly worse but no-one has every claimed to be able to tell the difference.
For the tele's, the CF and up is all pretty much as good as it gets, save for some of the more exotic focal lengths.
The FE lenses for focal plane bodies offer even bigger advantages. The 50/2.8 and 110/2 are in a class of their own.
Everyone ignores the 60 distagon but it's one of their best, and I'd take a 60/100 combo over an 80 any day of the week.
mfogiel
Veteran
"C" lenses are sought after by someone who claims, that they have lower contrast, and so are rendering B&W better. - I cannot confirm that, but otherwise they will suffer from all the "old age" problems, like stiff focusing, lower flare resistance and above all, the issue with aging shutter springs. These lenses are all silver. Then there are the "C T*" lenses, which have better coatings, but the same mechanical issues. Both these types have coupled shutter/aperture levers (EV values) and are somewhat a PITA yo operate fast, but have a self timer, which could be handy at times.
Then you have the CF lenses, which are newer, have prontor shutters that age much better than the compur shutters of the older ones, have independent f stop and shutter setting rings ( but which you can couple by pressing a tab), and while the older lenses mainly use BAY 50 or series 7 filter sizes, these use BAY 60 filters except for the very wide and very long end. Then there are the CFI/CFE lenses, that are the latest batch, with updated coatings and better internal coatings, that should reduce flare. These often use BAY 70 filters. The CB line, comprising the 60, 80 and 160mm are the "cheap" lenses, but optically are the same ( 160mm is a Tessar - separate design) - the only drawback is that I believe you cannot use them on F Hasselblad bodies, like all C, CF or CFE versions. Then there is an orphan 80 "C", which I think is in reality a CF lens, that came in a bundle with the 501 C/M. A separate line are the F and FE lenses - without the central shutter and usable only on the F series bodies. These lenses, apart from the 80mm, are all different designs, 50/2.8, 110/2, 150/2.8, 250/4 and 350/4 - designed to be faster than the C series (thanks to absence of central shutter).
The design of 80/2.8 C only changed at the very beginning, and then the optical scheme remained the same throughout the years. The 100/3.5, 150/4 and 180/4 have never been updated. The 40 has been updated 3 or 4 times, with the latest CFI IF version being the last Hasselblad V lens design made ( on purpose for the first digital backs), the 50 has been updated to CF and then FLE version, the 60 started as 60/4 I believe, then has been updated to 3.5, the 120 macro has been updated from 5.6 to 4.0, the 250 has had the Superachromat version, the 350 and 500 have also been updated. Ah. I forgot about the latest run of Hasselblad ZV lenses, which if I'm not mistaken, were mainly a marketing gimmick destined to sell out the last lenses left at the factory. A useful place to make comparisons between versions is here: http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_de/service/download_center.html
I have never used the latest CFI/CFE versions, but have settled on the CF version instead, which in my opinion is the best bang for the buck, while still being serviceable without problems. If you are starting out, I would recommend to stick to the CF line, and think if you really need a 50mm, because a great combination to begin with would be a 60mm and a 100.
Then you have the CF lenses, which are newer, have prontor shutters that age much better than the compur shutters of the older ones, have independent f stop and shutter setting rings ( but which you can couple by pressing a tab), and while the older lenses mainly use BAY 50 or series 7 filter sizes, these use BAY 60 filters except for the very wide and very long end. Then there are the CFI/CFE lenses, that are the latest batch, with updated coatings and better internal coatings, that should reduce flare. These often use BAY 70 filters. The CB line, comprising the 60, 80 and 160mm are the "cheap" lenses, but optically are the same ( 160mm is a Tessar - separate design) - the only drawback is that I believe you cannot use them on F Hasselblad bodies, like all C, CF or CFE versions. Then there is an orphan 80 "C", which I think is in reality a CF lens, that came in a bundle with the 501 C/M. A separate line are the F and FE lenses - without the central shutter and usable only on the F series bodies. These lenses, apart from the 80mm, are all different designs, 50/2.8, 110/2, 150/2.8, 250/4 and 350/4 - designed to be faster than the C series (thanks to absence of central shutter).
The design of 80/2.8 C only changed at the very beginning, and then the optical scheme remained the same throughout the years. The 100/3.5, 150/4 and 180/4 have never been updated. The 40 has been updated 3 or 4 times, with the latest CFI IF version being the last Hasselblad V lens design made ( on purpose for the first digital backs), the 50 has been updated to CF and then FLE version, the 60 started as 60/4 I believe, then has been updated to 3.5, the 120 macro has been updated from 5.6 to 4.0, the 250 has had the Superachromat version, the 350 and 500 have also been updated. Ah. I forgot about the latest run of Hasselblad ZV lenses, which if I'm not mistaken, were mainly a marketing gimmick destined to sell out the last lenses left at the factory. A useful place to make comparisons between versions is here: http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_de/service/download_center.html
I have never used the latest CFI/CFE versions, but have settled on the CF version instead, which in my opinion is the best bang for the buck, while still being serviceable without problems. If you are starting out, I would recommend to stick to the CF line, and think if you really need a 50mm, because a great combination to begin with would be a 60mm and a 100.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
The CFi 50 has a larger image circle ( thanks to less physical vignetting B70 vs B60 ) so is a better option if going for the PC-Mutar or Flex-Body.
The CB/CFi/CFE lenses have lighter focus - not that much subject tracking is possible with a WLF.
I can't really see any difference in internal reflections between my 80C ( 501c kit ) and 80CFE but the B60 ring is improved - i.e. the hood does not rattle.
The CB/CFi/CFE lenses have lighter focus - not that much subject tracking is possible with a WLF.
I can't really see any difference in internal reflections between my 80C ( 501c kit ) and 80CFE but the B60 ring is improved - i.e. the hood does not rattle.