Yellow square on HC lenses: changes other than firmware?

[Max Auberon]

Hi all, just a quick one.

It's my understanding that Hasselblad HC/HCD lenses come in two variants. Some with the yellow square on the barrel, and some without.



According to all the forums, this mark was added to all lenses manufactured since the beginning of the Hasselblad X-system era, indicating that the updated firmware on these lenses allows for use of autofocus when mounted on an X-System body via an adaptor.

I've seen hearsay on other forums, older threads, suggesting that there may have been other changes to these lenses. Even going so far as to suggest that the optical formulas had been improved.

This seems unlikely to me, as the 50mm and 120mm lenses had a complete redesign, marked and separately marketed as the 'II's. Surely Hasselblad would keenly advertise the fact of any more substantial updates to the other lenses?

But I'd just like to make sure, before putting any more money down on these lenses, that the only reason someone would spend additional money on the yellow square variants, is if they wanted to employ their auto-focus abilities on an X body.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks,

Max.

[sog1927]

The newer lenses also have a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec (rather than 1/800), which may or may not be important to you.

[Max Auberon]

The newer lenses also have a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec (rather than 1/800), which may or may not be important to you.

Of course, thanks for reply.

I'm on an H3D though, wouldn't be able to use the faster shutter anyway.

[SylvainB]

Hello Max,

Orange square lenses have a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec, to reach 1/2000 you need a H6D body.
No change on optical formulas compared to lenses without orange square.
They are fully compatible with X cameras, due to latest firmwares, and so have AF on X cameras

The only changes impacting optical performances since the first H lenses are :
HC 150 -> HC 150N (with or without orange square)
HC 120 -> HC 120 II (with or without orange square)
HC 50 -> HC 50 II (with or without orange square)

This is my understanding, if I made some mistakes somebody will probably correct my message 

[Max Auberon]

Hello Max,

Orange square lenses have a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec, to reach 1/2000 you need a H6D body.
No change on optical formulas compared to lenses without orange square.
They are fully compatible with X cameras, due to latest firmwares, and so have AF on X cameras

The only changes impacting optical performances since the first H lenses are :
HC 150 -> HC 150N (with or without orange square)
HC 120 -> HC 120 II (with or without orange square)
HC 50 -> HC 50 II (with or without orange square)

This is my understanding, if I made some mistakes somebody will probably correct my message 

Hi Sylvain, thanks for your reply, I can rest easy knowing I have no need for the yellow square!

Am keen on getting the 50MM II one day. wonderful lens.

[docholliday]

Hello Max,

Orange square lenses have a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec, to reach 1/2000 you need a H6D body.
No change on optical formulas compared to lenses without orange square.
They are fully compatible with X cameras, due to latest firmwares, and so have AF on X cameras

The only changes impacting optical performances since the first H lenses are :
HC 150 -> HC 150N (with or without orange square)
HC 120 -> HC 120 II (with or without orange square)
HC 50 -> HC 50 II (with or without orange square)

This is my understanding, if I made some mistakes somebody will probably correct my message 

You are correct that the H5 can use orange dot lenses up to 1/1000 (1/2 stop improvement). The H6 works with the lens, still at 1/1000, but the sensor does it's own thing to make it 1/2000 effective. Hasselblad, at one time, published a paper that explains the requirement for the H6D sensor to get 1/2000.

The other difference is that the OD lenses have newer firmwares (and EEPROMs) that allow for firmware upgrading directly from the camera body and usage on the X system. Older lenses could only be upgraded by sending to Hasselblad.

As far as lenses go, the HC120 and HC50 version II lenses are optically superior with the HC50II OD being considered one of the finest lenses made. The HC120 is pretty damn good by itself, but the II is even better, mostly in having no CA.

However, the 150 vs 150N is not an optical change. It's simply a change in materials used for the N, being more "environmentally friendly". I've never seen a difference in the images from the 150 vs 150N as the original was a pretty good lens to begin with.

[ashdown]

Yes, the shutter unit is completely redesigned in the orange dot lenses. It is faster and also more hardwearing. Hasselblad have rated it at a million shutter cycles in some of their publicity. It also clearly marks the lens as made since 2017.

The 1/2000th shutter speed is available on H6 and when adapted to X mount bodies. Otherwise they go to 1/1000th rather than the 1/800th of the older lenses.

[JCM-Photos]

Here the true and much more complicated story.

orange dot H lenses don't have a much faster native shutter speed of their leaf shutter up to 1/2000s
They are able to use the hybrid exposure modus (electronic and mechanic) of the H6 to expose at and beyond the leaf shutter speed up to 1/2000s (up to 1/4000s for A6 body and his special lenses).

That's also the reason why the electronically aperture value corrected shutter speeds in "true exposure" modus, no more work between 1/1000s ans 1/2000s.

Orange dot lenses have also an improved AF control that' also compatible with the X system AF. (HC 120 I and II excluded)
Only the very latest HC FW 19.1 gives full X system compatibility such as AF use with
optical H to X converter.

To be able to run on the H6 hybrid modus orange dot lenses have a bigger internal chip that can work FW 18 and greater. That's why non orange dot lenses can not be upgraded with the newer FW versions.

There are also different optical series for H lenses HC covering 645 format and HCD with a slightly narrower field of view for the smaller H sensors.

There are also Mark II optical versions for some that are really sharper than the older ones.