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Lenses - views & experiences sought

G

googaliser

Member
After roughly a month of ownership and a few thousand frames I am starting to form views - and seek other peoples - on H lenses. Keen to hear your experiences and recommendations.

My comments below are in the context of:
H3DII-50
I'm new to MF
Minimal studio work thus far
Lenses marked * I bought secondhand - minimal use

50-110* Very disappointed - slow & very poor sharpness IMO. Selling.
100 Fantastic - super sharp - keeper
28 Fantastic quality - although needs more work in PS for large panos - some unusual but consistent non-linear effects that need correcting
35* Haven't used - been focussed on the 28 - may sell - not sure if needed in addition to the 28mm
80* Trying at present - no view yet
120Macro* Like, seems reasonably sharp - bit quirky - like the bokeh

Keen to hear what other views there are out there on the above - and other lenses you strongly recommend - not just HC.

My work is generally - Portraiture, Nature - macro, Landscapes, Reportage - sharpness and bokeh are more important than versatility

I'm loooking to avoid another costly and frustrating waste of time that the 50-110 resulted in !

Regards
 
Hi,

I'm having the 28 and 80 at the moment. The 28 is a definite keeper and
the same is true for the 80, it is more than just a "kit lens".

Next on my list is the 100 for portraiture. I will most likely not buy the 35
or 50mm, maybe the 120 and 210 some day.

Last week i got the chance to test the CF Adapter with my CFi50 and CF150
Zeiss lenses for the V system. The results are quite good. If you like I can
stage some raw files for ftp download (no exciting shots though, just test
shots from my photo dealer backyard).
I will buy the adapter since i have some Zeiss V-System glas.

Best Regards,
Ralf
 
googaliser said:
After roughly a month of ownership and a few thousand frames I am starting to form views - and seek other peoples - on H lenses. Keen to hear your experiences and recommendations.

My comments below are in the context of:
H3DII-50
I'm new to MF
Minimal studio work thus far
Lenses marked * I bought secondhand - minimal use

50-110* Very disappointed - slow & very poor sharpness IMO. Selling.
100 Fantastic - super sharp - keeper
28 Fantastic quality - although needs more work in PS for large panos - some unusual but consistent non-linear effects that need correcting
35* Haven't used - been focussed on the 28 - may sell - not sure if needed in addition to the 28mm
80* Trying at present - no view yet
120Macro* Like, seems reasonably sharp - bit quirky - like the bokeh

Keen to hear what other views there are out there on the above - and other lenses you strongly recommend - not just HC.

My work is generally - Portraiture, Nature - macro, Landscapes, Reportage - sharpness and bokeh are more important than versatility

I'm loooking to avoid another costly and frustrating waste of time that the 50-110 resulted in !

Regards
Click to expand...

It may be that you have a very poor copy of the 50-110 zoom, or it was mistreated by the previous owner or something ... that lens has quite a reputation amongst some pretty picky people as being better than the 50 prime @ 50mm. I do not own it as it's too big for my applications, but have seen it used for many commercial shots and it produced razor sharp results through out the zoom range. There were some issues with earliy additions of the 50-100. One other thing to check is whether the screws holding the lens mount to the lens body are black or silver. If silver, then the firmware for the lens needs to be updated by the factory.

The 35 mm is a bit unsung ... I tested it against my Zeiss 40/4 CFE and the H/C 35 was sharper in the corners and about the same in the center. But consider this: it will be the widest lens available IF you upgrade to the coming 60 meg back which is supposed to be a larger sensor than the 50. The 28 is a crop frame lens made for the 31, 39 and 50 meg backs.

The 100/2.2 is a must have for this system ... my most used lens.

The 300/4.5 is stellar ... IQ close to my old Contax 350/4 ... and that is saying something.

My big interest now is the new zoom which covers the most used focal lengths in my work. Supposed to be very good ... we'll see.
 
Thank you for your replies. Ralf - thanks for the offer - I may take you up on some downloads once I identify some legacy H lenses that surpass the modern ones I use. I will start researching this and revert.

Fotogratz - I checked the screws - they are black. I am aware of the widespread use of this lens - so was also surprised at the results I got. I will revisit this weekend under test conditions. I often hear the comparisson between the short-end of the 50-110 and the 50mm made - but I don't have a view on how sharp the 50mm prime is - so I am cautious about relying on that.
The only zoom that has outperformed a prime in my experience is the Nikon 14-24mm versus the 14mm prime.

AKTkunst - I can only talk about my experience - and was disappointed. In reviewing the images - a number may have been boarderline with respect to shutter speed - but I was struggling to get the DOF I needed - and we were on a powerboat for the shoot..... May have been the wrong lens - but it was my first outing and seemed to cover all bases. I will revisit under controlled conditions before condemning to Ebay. I just question how useful it is away from controlled lighting - assuming it has the quality everyone suggests.

Keen to hear further views on the 300/4.5. I may ditch Nikon altogether so need something for the ocassional supertele shot.

Rgds
 
Very interesting reviews. I have every HC(D) lens except the new zoom and HTS. I have used all of them since 2005. I have made nearly 40,000 exposures on film and digital using H2s and H3DII39s.

I cannot praise them enough, perhaps with very slight exception the 50mm - but very slight.

I purchased the 100mm and 50-110 zoom used; both are fantastic lenses.

My favorite lens: 35mm.

Nearly all of my images online (www.jecxz.com) were made using HC(D) lenses (there are some pre-2005 which were created using Canon L lenses and a few panoramic by a FUJI 617).

My Latest Works section is all digital, most other images are film.

Regarding the 300mm - take a look at:

http://www.jecxz.com?photograph=virginia_silos_by_derek_jecxz.jpg

Kind regards,
Derek Jecxz
www.jecxz.com
 
HC(D) lenses

i have the 28mm,35mm, 50mm, (had) 80mm,100mm, 120mm, 210mm, 300 and use them on the H3DII-50. my personal verdict is:

28mm: super (with DAC). scharp and contrasty
35mm: i did not like it on my H1-P45 combo (no DAC), but not so bad on the H3DII-50. i was going to sell it, but will hold off to see how it goes on the H3DII-60. let me just mention that it had a problem (soft on the left image side) but was fixed by hasselblad. they sent measured MTF curves with the lens after the repair and they looked quite good.
50mm: i do like it. my copy is certainly sharp.
80mm: nothing special ut not bad either. sold, did not get much use.
100mm: excellent!
1200mm: excellent. supersharp, super contrast, akward handling though (slow AF drives me crazy)
210mm: excellent
300mm: heavy but wonderful!

i tried two copies of the 50-110mm, found both of them pretty bad at the long end and worse than the prime 50mm. heavy, bulky....no go.
now i have ordered the 35-90 HCD, waiting....
let me say that i have quite some experience with rodenstocks and schneiders on alpa (with P45 and A75). of course they generally beat the hasselblads, but not by really much. i did prints of hasselblad H3DII 50 files of 150cm x 100cm and they are absoluely indistinguishable from alpa+P45 prints of the same size (sometimes better due to the pixel advantage). for me it boils down to a question of convenience (AF, viewfinder.....) versus weight. i have not tried the Hassy 50 MP DB on the alpa yet though...
peter

Derek Jecxz said:
Very interesting reviews. I have every HC(D) lens except the new zoom and HTS. I have used all of them since 2005. I have made nearly 40,000 exposures on film and digital using H2s and H3DII39s.

I cannot praise them enough, perhaps with very slight exception the 50mm - but very slight.

I purchased the 100mm and 50-110 zoom used; both are fantastic lenses.

My favorite lens: 35mm.

Nearly all of my images online (www.jecxz.com) were made using HC(D) lenses (there are some pre-2005 which were created using Canon L lenses and a few panoramic by a FUJI 617).

My Latest Works section is all digital, most other images are film.

Regarding the 300mm - take a look at:

http://www.jecxz.com?photograph=virginia_silos_by_derek_jecxz.jpg

Kind regards,
Derek Jecxz
www.jecxz.com
Click to expand...
 
googaliser said:
50-110* Very disappointed - slow & very poor sharpness IMO. Selling.
Click to expand...

Hi,

This is very surprising. I do not own that lens but you are the first one I encounter with a negative feedback about it. Yes maybe you got a defective sample or the lens is not appropriate for that digital back?

I guess this lens is well appreciated by fashion photographers. For example, Patrick Demarchelier uses it with a H2 body & Phase One 45 digital back... So, I do not think he would use that lens if it was a poor performer.
 
Googaliser: thank you for this interesting assessment.

Like others, however, I am surprised about your experience with the HC 50-110mm zoom lens. I am using it together with the HC 80mm lens and it is a truly excellent lens in most respects (apart from size and weight). I have only found it to be prone to reflections with oblique sun rays.
 
Update

Hi Pascal, and others,
Given the almost universal pushback to my 50-110 appraisal (by those much more experienced than I in these matters) - I decided to put it through its paces at a family event (so no pressure).
Having shot a 16bg card - I must confess that optically it really does appear to be a very fine zoom (although slightly soft) - and want to correct the impression I may of given earlier over my doubts in this regard.
The issue for me is more to do with its speed and ergonomics. I am trying hard to find a place for this lens in my bag - and find that consistently I will grab the 100 and a 28. Horses for courses I guess - my style of photography is quite flexible re. focal length - so aperture and ergonomics matter more to me. My original issues with the zoom were to do with not being able to get a fast enough shutter speed outdoors and handheld. I messed-up some great shots that the 100 would have got without blinking. I find I am still relying on my trusty old D3 to capture anything low-light or moving. The H's optimal range handheld outside of a studio is narrower than my interests.


Rgds
 
googaliser said:
50-110* Very disappointed - slow & very poor sharpness IMO. Selling.
120Macro* Like, seems reasonably sharp - bit quirky - like the bokeh
Click to expand...

Don't know what you mean about the 50-110. Mine is superb and I use it most of the time. Again with the 120 macro..what do you mean by "quirky"? I love this lens and use it a lot. In fact, my 35mm Nikon digital kit is really beginning to feel like the step-child.

I have absolutely no problems with any on my Hasselblad lenses..and I'm just trying to decide if I "need" the 28mm. Come on Hasselblad..repeat that 25% lens discount offer again and I will certainly bash the plastic one more time!

Regards

David
 
Hello Googalizer:
I am using the HC 50-110mm as "standard" lens on the H1 body, which is used with film backs only. So far, I have not been disappointed. I do agree that the lens is large and heavy, and thus needs lots of light to work best if one wants to avoid using slow shutter speeds. I have only been disappointed with its tendency to reflections under certain conditions, and using it under low light conditions wide-open. I tend to stick the lens permanently on the H1 body and consider the HC 80mm as a backup in case of lower light conditions or when weight/size does matter. Personally I find changing lenses all the time rather cumbersome, which is why the zoom is a good compromise solution to me. Its AF speed has never been an issue to me.
Could it be that the HC 50-110mm is more challenging to be used with a digital back (more critical focus)? I have certainly noticed this in relation to my Rolleiflex 6008 AF and PhaseOne digital back. Digital is less forgiving.
 
HC lenses

IMO

I have the HCD28, and it's top value for cropped frame.
I bougt the HCD 35-90 recently, and I gave my HC35. I think HCD35-90@35mm can replace the fixed focal. Then I put aside my CF adapter and the 50 and 60mm Zeiss lenses away. Despite the weight, I made the 35-90 my standard lens for landscape shots.
80mm kit lens is excellent value for me.
From the Zeiss lenses, I still regard the 180mm as one of my best lenses. 150mm and 250mm are just fine.

Steven
 
Follow-up

Thank you for all feedback - I have learned a lot. I may have been more guarded in my appraisal of the 50-110 if I knew the passion I was going to stir-up ! Anyway - experience is a very personal thing - and I have voted with my feet and sold the 50-110. My departing impressions were much more positive than when I started this thread. Your feedback made me retest my hypothesis - and I can confirm that it is indeed a fine lens - quite an amazing achievement for a zoom. In fact the last shoot I did - it really shone. If I'm honest - I may have to reconsider my decision at some point - or see what else comes out. The ergonomics were the real killer for me though (and the speed).
I guess I am just a fast prime person - and have no issue swapping lenses frequently in the field. I LOVE the 100mm.... but feel inspired to try out some of the other lenses you all recommend.

Rgds
 
Analogue escaperoute

Still I photograph analogue with my 503cw + cx and having recently purchased the H3D2-39 with the 28 HCD + HC 80 mm.

Now, I have been doing some searching, and there is no way I am going to be able to afford the price of the HC120 + HC210 in the near future.

But I have the 50 CF Distagon, 120 CFE Planar, 150 CF Sonar and last 180 CF Sonar

Since I really would like to keep these for my analogue photography, I wonder if purchasing the CF Lens adapter for the H-system, will I still have performance of the lenses, or have the H lenses outperformed the old CF lenses by far ?

And how is the adapter to work with - is it a pain in the neck, what about extra cables - there is 2, right ?

With the adapter, I could both combine HC with CF lenses, and have a pretty good focal span - and still be able to work the old chromehorse 503.

But should I go for the adapter or wait untill I have the money for the HC120 + 210
 
Hi,

I was in the same situation with a H3DII-31 and the 28 and 80 mm H lenses.

I recently bought the CF adapter since i have some CFE Zeiss glas for my
503CW.

I would say the handling is ok, there is one cable from the CF Adapter that
needs to be attached to the Zeiss lens sync port. That's it. What is a little
bit annoying is that you can't attach the CF Adapter while the camera is
on the tripod mount, have to remove it before attaching the adapter.
(and then one doesn't have enough hands to take care of all the parts ;-) )

On the positive side, you get light metering (at least with the CFE lenses)
and focus control.

As far as IQ is concerned, no worries here, the CFE 40, CFI 50 perform
very well, the CF 150 is a little soft (as is with the 500 series)

If you're uncertain, ask your local Hassi Dealer to provide an adapter
over the weekend. My dealer was so generous to rent his demo adapter
to me to take on a two week trip (without any rental fees).

Best Regards,
Ralf
 
I just got the HC 120 macro and love it. I don't understand that quirky comment as I think the images, so far, are impeccable. Frankly, I shot Leica for 13 years - and shot their R 100 f2.8 macro which by all accounts is one of the best/sharpest 35mm lenses ever made. But nothing can compete with MF and this macro. I am very happy with it.

http://www.gdwhalen.com
 
The Macro

Its a really fantastic lens isn't it ?! The quirky comment was purely to do with the handling and focus. Its a big lens that often needs to be manouvered into tight spaces. Micro adjustments to such a large rig can be challenging. I'm getting used to it though and it really does reward on the IQ front.
 
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