HC100 H5 and X1DII

[ALAIN]

Hello,
I would keep buying a 2.2 HC100 for my "H5D-60" and "X1DII (which I'm looking for used)".
I believe that :
- you absolutely need a version with an orange square to have auto-focus with the X1DII
- the correct ref would be 3026100
but I'm not quite sure...
A few experiments with this lens, with H but also with X1D, would help me decide.
Please tell me what you can think of this lens and what exact reference provides autofocus on the X1DII.
Best regards from France.
Alain

[JCM-Photos]

All orange dot lenses are OK for AF, finding an AF compatible non orange dot lens, will be tricky.

The key is : can the H lens FW be updated to V 18.0.0 and later ? when yes it's AF compatible.

So when buying an H lens for an X camera, always ask for the FW version of the H lens

H lenses are huge and klunky compared to X lenses, and are less sharp on edges as X lenses.

H100 has a softer rendering than X80

Best results with H100 on X are obtained with the 0,8x converter, not with the adapter

[Conner999]

All eligible (e.g not the 120MII) orange square lenses will AF on the X___. SOME late-model versions are ok as well because they have the RAM capacity to support firmware version 18 or later.   

The vast majority of non-orange-square lenses do not have the memory capacity to take firmware v18 and are manual focus only. Same optical formulas, just not enough RAM.

Do note the HC 100, while liked by portrait shooters, is soft wide open and prone to CA. It's also infamous for it's AF becoming/getting inaccurate or failing completely due to a small plastic gear in the system cracking (thus losing precision) or breaking completely. 

[Photon42]

All orange dot lenses are OK for AF, finding an AF compatible non orange dot lens, will be tricky.

The key is : can the H lens FW be updated to V 18.0.0 and later ? when yes it's AF compatible.

So when buying an H lens for an X camera, always ask for the FW version of the H lens

H lenses are huge and klunky compared to X lenses, and are less sharp on edges as X lenses.

H100 has a softer rendering than X80

Best results with H100 on X are obtained with the 0,8x converter, not with the adapter

Good advice. I like my HC100 Orange Dot on the X Cameras. Image quality improves with the converter, but also makes the combo heavier. If you enjoy manual focusing, the HC lenses are a quite a nice experience.

[ALAIN]

Thank you very much for these opinions and experiences.
An HC80 would perhaps be wiser in case...?

[JCM-Photos]

Don't forget that in the Hasselblad world you always have the choice between 2 very different Phocus RAW Engines and it's reversible.

Engine V1 gives nice soft rendering for portraits, clarity doesn't increase local contrast and gives a nice hallo around highlights

Engine V3 gives super crisp more modern rendering, clarity works on local contrast without hallo

So combined with a HC100 with adapter or with converter, you benefit  from 4 different rendering types with the same lens.

Also the adapter or converter are both compatible with the same removable  lens collar having a nice balance on tripod. (lens collar also compatible with the XCD 135 extender and the V system adapter).

[Conner999]

I had the 80 and 100 as part of my H5 kit purchase and eventually kept the 80 only. It's sharper wide open, focus is 100% reliable, I like the rendering and it has far less CA. The 100 has its merits, but sometimes legend can eclipse reality - at least in my case it did.

The 80 is also a LOT cheaper 2nd hand.

Thank you very much for these opinions and experiences.
An HC80 would perhaps be wiser in case...?

[SrMi]

Peter Coulson like using HC100 on his X1D:

https://youtu.be/1QlbW9OMZCk?t=99

[ALAIN]

Don't forget that in the Hasselblad world you always have the choice between 2 very different Phocus RAW Engines and it's reversible.

Engine V1 gives nice soft rendering for portraits, clarity doesn't increase local contrast and gives a nice hallo around highlights

Engine V3 gives super crisp more modern rendering, clarity works on local contrast without hallo

So combined with a HC100 with adapter or with converter, you benefit  from 4 different rendering types with the same lens.

Also the adapter or converter are both compatible with the same removable  lens collar having a nice balance on tripod. (lens collar also compatible with the XCD 135 extender and the V system adapter).

Thank you for all your advice. I'm starting to get more interested in the 80 (plus it's much more common in second hand).
I don't know these 2 RAW engines in phocus. Would you be so kind as to tell me where to find this option?

[tenmangu81]

I don't know these 2 RAW engines in phocus. Would you be so kind as to tell me where to find this option?

You'll find this option in the exposure tool.

[JCM-Photos]

Peter Coulson like using HC100 on his X1D:

https://youtu.be/1QlbW9OMZCk?t=99

I know Peter well (I met him 3 times on shootings)
He hates crisp sharpness for his style of photography. he even sold his 100c back from the H6, and only shoots with the 50c back and the X1D2.
Recently he also added old Leica and Zeiss vintage lenses on his Leica SL2

[ALAIN]

I think about my painting reproduction needs. In principle, I use an old HC120 (macro) which gives very good results. On the other hand, I am a little embarrassed by the space needed for large formats. I am therefore looking for a shorter lens, but which would have the same colorimetric qualities, sharpness, and very important also: such good flatness of fields...
I wonder between the HC80 and the HC100 (on my H5D-60 or my X1DII)...

[Dicky]

Hi Alain 

Just to throw-in a 'wild-card' suggestion ...
How about using a V system Carl Zeiss Planar CF100 lens + adapter on your Hasselblad H system body + 60MP Dalsa sensor digital-back?
http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/pdf/lds/CF100.pdf

Can imagine .... if your looking for distortion free images?
The legendary Carl Zeiss Planar CF100 would be a first choice for any film-shoots using an A12 back ...
Can only wonder how it perform with digital-capture for large size painting-reproduction?

Best wishes

[Conner999]

If looking for shorter but flat field, the best would be the HC 50mm MkII (disclaimer: one for sale here). It's considered one of the best in the line and has a very flat field vs. the 80 or 100 at 5.6-8.

It will also take the Macro Converter that was designed for it that does a stunning job when focused close - BUT it may result in too close a focusing range for you.

I think about my painting reproduction needs. In principle, I use an old HC120 (macro) which gives very good results. On the other hand, I am a little embarrassed by the space needed for large formats. I am therefore looking for a shorter lens, but which would have the same colorimetric qualities, sharpness, and very important also: such good flatness of fields...
I wonder between the HC80 and the HC100 (on my H5D-60 or my X1DII)...

[ALAIN]

Thank you very much for all. I look for the HC50II