p.1 #1 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
I suspect that many of you had a series of primes prior to purchasing the 35-100mm zoom. No surprise here, but when shot wide open for portraiture the 90mm provides slightly better sharpness and micro-contrast as well as better ergonomics and the zoom provided more flexibility and marginally better continuous autofocus. These were Manny Ortiz’s conclusion when both XCD lenses were shot wide open. What he didn’t do was evaluate them outside of the fast aperture, portrait distances and the studio. Manny states that the Hasselblad zoom was the second best zoom that he ever used. The Sony 50-150mm GM was the best. It seems that the Sony barely managed mention on these forums. I’m guessing that price, size and weight resulted in few of us purchasing. Anyway, lots of use cases for the zoom and various primes. The 90mm is a wonderful lens with great bokeh.. and the 35-100mm is one big and ergonomically challenging lens. Are you selling your Hasselblad primes?
p.1 #3 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Full-format cameras are rapidly approaching medium-format in sensor quality. Medium-format Hasselblad lenses are also rapidly declining in optical quality (even compared to old XCD lenses). For now, Phase One cameras remain the true medium-format camera in terms of image quality (not resolution).
p.1 #4 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Ne314satel wrote:
Full-format cameras are rapidly approaching medium-format in sensor quality. Medium-format Hasselblad lenses are also rapidly declining in optical quality (even compared to old XCD lenses). For now, Phase One cameras remain the true medium-format camera in terms of image quality (not resolution).
Not sure what is rapid regarding full frame cameras, but we have seen faster sensor readout times, better dynamic range and a slow increase in sensor resolution, but these are all characteristics that involve many tradeoffs. Sensor photosite density is a pretty tough bit of physics to work around and so larger sensors will have some real world resolution advantages and smaller sensors will have faster readout times. The current Hasselblad X2Dii/XCD design favors a smaller/lighter medium format package. Slight optical compromises have entered here, much like in the full frame world, where some optical distortions are addressed through firmware. I sold my A7CR, but still own a number of fine, but small lenses. The same design considerations apply to my small Sony and Sigma lenses that apply to the newer XCD lenses. Lastly, I am greatly drawn to the leaf shutter and will probably retain this bias until there is a high resolution global shutter with any light source sensor. So, there is a market for both full frame and medium format. I think that the risk for both is that Sony is the prime supplier of sensors, with a bit of a nod to Canon, but Sony’s eye is on emerging sensor markets, such as self driving cars and perhaps winning back smartphone sensor business. It will be interesting to see what compromises Leica is willing to make when it goes back to using non-Sony sensors. In short, as you said, everything is improving, but I’m hoping that the camera market can find some sensor/electronics innovation outside of the Sonysphere.
p.1 #5 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
RoamingScott wrote:
I would never pick between a 28-80 and 50-150 for the same job, so how the Sony stacks up is pretty irrelevant.
Agreed.. I was hoping that someone would sing the praises of the 50-150mm GM in that it seems that few have/use this lens. On paper it is an amazing lens.
p.1 #6 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
bwcolor wrote:
Are you selling your Hasselblad primes?
I just did a road trip of a month. I took the 28P, the 38V and the 75P with me. I only used the 28P on one occasion. I normally use the 38V all the time, and that was mostly also the case on this trip, but there were stretches where I ended up continuously swapping between 38V and 75P. Having a 35-100 handy would have been convenient, and it is definitely on my list now whereas it wasn't before the trip. I also took a non-Hasselblad longer lens solution with me which I probably used on 5 occasions. Not a lot, but when you need it you need it. I sincerely hope a 100-200mm or 100-250mm is in the works. I am not selling my primes but I might add the 35-100 to the toolbox.
p.1 #7 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
bwcolor wrote:
Sonysphere.
My thought was that Hasselblad didn't create a professional line of new XCD V-lenses – they were lightweight and convenient, but their optical quality was inferior to the older lenses XCD. Lenses like 80/1.9 or 90/3.2 are already legendary. Unfortunately, there was no comparison with the 90 3/2 or 80/1.9 (and 45p and 65/2.8 too) in this video - those lenses would have killed this zoom.
That's why I really like some Fuji lenses for medium format, but the overall photo quality was better with Hasselblad. With the new XCD V-lenses, I no longer say that. Therefore, the Phase One sensor and excellent optics are a significant leap in quality (and price) from small medium format and full format.
p.1 #8 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Ne314satel wrote:
My thought was that Hasselblad didn't create a professional line of new XCD V-lenses – they were lightweight and convenient, but their optical quality was inferior to the older lenses XCD. Lenses like 80/1.9 or 90/3.2 are already legendary. Unfortunately, there was no comparison with the 90 3/2 or 80/1.9 (and 45p and 65/2.8 too) in this video - those lenses would have killed this zoom.
That's why I really like some Fuji lenses for medium format, but the overall photo quality was better with Hasselblad. With the new XCD V-lenses, I no longer say that. Therefore, the Phase One sensor and excellent optics are a significant leap in quality (and price) from small medium format and full format....Show more →
Hugh Brownstone tested this zoom and he came to the conclusion that on the X2D II it outresolved the APO Summicron-SL 35mm on the SL3.
If you don't mind that is good enought for me...
The P and the V lenses might not be perfect lenses but they are still very very good lenses.
Are you Leica User Forum user? Asking because you sound exactly like David Knoble who endlessly keeps repeating the same bullshit over and over again...
p.1 #9 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Ne314satel wrote:
My thought was that Hasselblad didn't create a professional line of new XCD V-lenses – they were lightweight and convenient, but their optical quality was inferior to the older lenses XCD. Lenses like 80/1.9 or 90/3.2 are already legendary. Unfortunately, there was no comparison with the 90 3/2 or 80/1.9 (and 45p and 65/2.8 too) in this video - those lenses would have killed this zoom.
That's why I really like some Fuji lenses for medium format, but the overall photo quality was better with Hasselblad. With the new XCD V-lenses, I no longer say that. Therefore, the Phase One sensor and excellent optics are a significant leap in quality (and price) from small medium format and full format....Show more →
Not sure how we should define professional, but if I understand you correctly, Hasselblad created heavier & older lenses that are more optically perfect that might best serve the obsessive landscape photographer that would have been and might still be using 8X10 film cameras. They also make more portable lenses that serve those that need to compromise a very slight amount of optical quality that makes their cameras useful for those that might have used the Mamiya 7 (ii), Bronica RF645 shooters of the film era. Personally, I still shoot the Hasselblad, Mamiya, Bronica and Leica cameras. I’ve always preferred a more portable solution. So, high praise for Hasselblad’s lineup. I just hope they don’t lose their way under Chinese ownership and the same wish for Leica post sale.
p.1 #10 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
SlowDriver wrote:
Hugh Brownstone tested this zoom and he came to the conclusion that on the X2D II it outresolved the APO Summicron-SL 35mm on the SL3.
If you don't mind that is good enought for me...
The P and the V lenses might not be perfect lenses but they are still very very good lenses.
Are you Leica User Forum user? Asking because you sound exactly like David Knoble who endlessly keeps repeating the same bullshit over and over again...
Yes, I'm also a member of the Leica forum. But I have a different nickname. Incidentally, if you told me on the street that I was talking nonsense, I could break your jaw. It's strange that people can be so rude on an online forum.
p.1 #11 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Ne314satel wrote:
Yes, I'm also a member of the Leica forum. But I have a different nickname. Incidentally, if you told me on the street that I was talking nonsense, I could break your jaw. It's strange that people can be so rude on an online forum.
In all seriousness, did you personally try V and P lenses? And did you truly find them "inferior"? And if so, what were your use cases?
I have both old and new lenses and I can honestly not make that statement but perhaps my use cases are entirely different.
p.1 #12 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
I recently used the 35-100 for a few days and came away mostly positive on it. It's chunky and Hasselblad should have added rubber to the zoom ring (or made their cute little Hs convex) to improve the handling, but it's a super useful range and the image quality results are fantastic. I've been lukewarm on the 55V since I got it, and it did make me think about ditching that and the 90V to simplify my setup. I decided to cover an event with it on the X2D II, it was a hot day, I had no artificial light, no assistant, just pure run & gun stuff. It kept up well, the camera got quite hot, but never shut off, and the continuous AF was solid. Again, it's no Sony, but it's a smidge stickier than the other 3 primes I own (25V, 55V, and 90V).
p.1 #13 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
I have used the older xcd lenses and currently the V lenses. I have the 38, 55 and 90. Compared to the 80mm 1.9 the 90 V is slightly sharper especially in mid zone and corners but it is very harsh and contrasty. The 55mm is the weakest of the V lenses. The older lenses have a more sublime rendering. The V lenses also have other optical comprises to accommodate the smaller size. I also had the zoom but sold it. The zoom mirrors the characteristics of V lenses and in addition it’s heavy but it’s a personal choice. The resolution and the files are unbeatable though.
Ps. I have the SL apo lenses and the Hasselblad lenses do not even remotely compare to them optically. The X2d out resolves the SL3 even though they have the same pixels, not sure how to explain. No I am not on the Leica forum.
p.1 #14 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
“Ps. I have the SL apo lenses and the Hasselblad lenses do not even remotely compare to them optically. The X2d out resolves the SL3 even though they have the same pixels, not sure how to explain. No I am not on the Leica forum.”
The SL APO lenses are praised by all, but I don’t understand how this lens on a much lower resolution camera can out-resolve the better XCD lenses ( not saying better than SL APO..that statement can’t be proven one way or the other given the mismatched sensors ) on a much higher resolution camera. I understand that the better Hasselblad lenses are also APO, but no marketing claims as we see with Leica.
p.1 #15 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
@RomanMF the Hassy just shines for midday natural light, it's rare to see a camera that renders that kind of light SO accurately. Glad to hear it performed well.
p.1 #16 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
bwcolor wrote:
Agreed.. I was hoping that someone would sing the praises of the 50-150mm GM in that it seems that few have/use this lens. On paper it is an amazing lens.
I have the 50-150, but don't have any Hasselblad equipment to compare it to. I rented it soon after it was released, and then bought the rental.
I shoot it a fair amount and enjoy the images it produces and its flexibility. I consider it to be one of my best zooms.
I'm not the typical shooter that this lens was probably intended for though, so my feedback may not be very relevant.
p.1 #19 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
here we go again...why are we comparing the 35-100 to the 50-150?
apples, meet oranges.
"Hugh Brownstone tested this zoom and he came to the conclusion that on the X2D II it outresolved the APO Summicron-SL 35mm on the SL3."
that information absolutely brings no value to anyone. the two camera and lens combos were built for different use case and target market. why on earth would i lug around a big-ass zoom if my use case calls for a fast 35/2?
also.. Hugh Brownstone? seriously? i wouldn't listen to whatever that guy says...but that's just me.
p.1 #20 · Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm vs 90mm vs Sony 50-150mm GM
Tim:
I love what you do with the 50-150mm. I’ve never traveled with such a heavy/large lens, but your results are impressive. Maybe other ways to capture the flowers, but this lens sure brings the micro-contrast, colors and contrast.
Jun 01, 2026 at 03:24 PM