Zeiss Hass Distagon 40/1.4

We just purchased a Hasselblad and the above-mentioned lens. It is a marvelous

piece of glass, but we can't find anything on the 'Net about it. This is our

first Hass, and we are delighted with the image through the lens, but we would

like to know more about it... tips, tricks, value... so, thanks in advance.

Which version do you have? CF, CFE, CFE IF? Just curious.

By what we can find on the net, the CFE IF is a 40/4. The one we have is a 40/1.4. It's a huge chunk of glass.

Now version question is easy: "It's a huge chunk of glass." means of course C version of Distagon 40 mm f:4.

 

Kerkko K.

Yours is probably <a href=http://www.clubhasselblad.com/hasselblad-zeiss-40-mm-distagon>the older version of 40mm</a>. And it is an f4.0 lens.<p>I can't imagine how big and heavy a 40mm f1.4 is for a Hasselblad. Probably only NASA or DoD can afford that kind of lens.

Aha. Invoice says "40/1.4" Checked the lens, and it says "40 mm" and "1:4". Problem, apparently, solved. Sorry for the confusion... which is all mine.

It's the 104 diameter front lens. Weight, nearly 1 kg.<br>

I will send you a Zeiss data sheet about this lens.<br>

Eot - how many of you are there? :)

 

 

It's a great lens if you have large hands and don't mind its stone weight cast around your neck.

 

The 40mm Zeiss glass is very large and bulky, heavy too making it very difficult to hand-hold still. A filter or two will set you back the cost of an 80mm CF Planar lens, and it will be virtually impossible to mount a Neutral Density grad filter on the front of the lens unless you're prepared for even greater expense.

 

That wouldn't be so limiting if the performance wasn't worse in edge resolution in the corners than a modern Bronica 40mm PS weighing just over a third of its weight. The modern 40mm CFi FLE or the 38mm Biogon are solid performers than the older design of the 40mm C/F type lenses. Maybe it won't matter except at high resolutions. The colours from the older Zeiss T* is still as great.

Wow. I had anticipated having to check in over the next few days to get an answer. Kerkko, you're absolutely right. Kris H., the link that you provided is, indeed, the lens we have. Jean-Louis, merci bien. I am a bit of a spec freak, and this satisfies a hunger. Carrotblog(Miffy)... well, there are two of us, me and the bride... 40th anniversary coming up tomorrow. Hass and lens were an anniversary present.

She is a shooter, I am a... well, I write, but in terms of photography, I am an avid fan. The lens is, indeed, heavy, and the bride is tiny, but since she's mostly concerned with tripod shots, it won't make too much difference. (I am also her dedicated mule, so she doesn't have to carry anything except herself, with pride) <grin>. The edge resolution we hadn't noticed... of course, we've only had the lens for a day.

Does anyone have a fair market value for the lens? It's in perfect condition - 10+, complete with case.

I am indebted to all of you for the help.

I have a 40/1.4 lens, but it's a Nokton, not a Distagon. I wish it were a Distagon.

I guess this lens in perfect condition (if it is a T* version) should be worth around a 1000

USD. I'd suggest just use it without worrying too much about the specs... The thing to

remember, is to avoid getting light sources pointing it, and to shade it when firing the shots.

There is a very big rubber lens shade made for it - quite rare at this point, which helps

limiting the flare. This lens works best for distant objects sharpness wise. Check the long

times - the C lenses often need a CLA of the shutter. Generally, you will get more

information here:

http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/

I bought a huuuggge lens shade for it. It helps a lot.

Hello, I have one, too. The weight is an issue, the size of the front lens is an issue for filters and stuff. Other than that, I think it's a great lens. I use it a lot indoor, and I especially value the absence of distortion. IMHO, the resolution at the edge isn't really an issue. One thing you want to be VERY careful about when shooting buildings or indoor: make sure the camera is abolutely level. Anything less, and all straight lines shoot off in impossible directions. I got mine for 650? (a C T*)with some slight traces of use, but impeccable glass, good shutter speeds. Good luck, André

Thank you to all of you. We are looking forward to learning more from you the future. When we get some work that she approves of putting out into society, we'll look forward to your comments, too.

"the bride is tiny" - At the 40 year anniversary? You're a lucky, lucky man! :-)

Sheldon... Every day for 40 years, I've thought exactly the same thing. Thanks.

Eot,

 

It is a great lens physical dimensions as well as weight and performance.

Carl Zeiss knew very well that this, or any other wide angle lens without floating elements for that matter, is quality limited at close range.

To warn you that you are about to enter this close range area the focusing ring is blocked below 0,95 m.

To focus at closer range you need to depress a small button located in the ring.

 

The best investment for this lens is a shade.

The shade is rare and can be quite expensive.

This lens weighs 1.2 kgs against 0.8 kgs for the later CF FLE.

 

It has one weak point that is the helicoid (thread) for focussing.

This part is a bit underrated and can be damaged by dropping the lens.

A clean and lube is advisable before you start using the lens.

Thanks for the info, Paul. All of the parts, the body, lenses and accessories were checked by the technician at the camera store. They checked things like the light trap on the backs, etc. We are pretty good customers - Digital Canons, i9900 printer, scanners, lenses, etc., so they take pretty good care of us. They gave everything a clean bill of health. I'm looking forward to buying more Hass stuff for the bride.

Eot,

 

That is an excellent idea.

Last time I looked at the stock from KEH they had a shade for the fourty C lens.

The price is uncomfortable but is soon forgotten when you see what the shade can do for this lens.

Paul... thanks. I'll check it out. She was asking if the shade is really all that vital. She has been walking around looking through the lens for about ten or twelve hours since I brought the package home, and she really loves the look of the lens... you know what I mean. As long as she's happy...

With a large front lens, what is larger than this one, a good shade is vital.

In general wide angle lenses benefit the most from a good shade.

Multi coating was applied first on wide angle lenses to improve contrast and eliminate flair.

The shade is a substantial sum but worth every dime.

Eot,<br>

the rubber lens shade for the Distagon 40mm can be found here on Team-Foto, where I bought mine.<br>

<a href="http://logic-base.biz/TeamFoto/Shop/Shop.aspx?ClientID=wf773202146481919683&Shop=1&Type=-2&Param=&Group=&Language=E">Hasselblad lens hood rubber B-104 (4,0/40)</a>. Reference Nr. 301116.<br>

The shade is new. Click on details to see more informations.<br>

Did you receive my 2 mails ?

Jean-Louis,

Yes, I received your emails, and thank you. The Bride says, citing the accumulated experience and advice in this thread, that she wants the rubber lens shade. 129,00 Euros isn't insurmountable, she says, and that, for her, there is nothing too expensive. She is, of course, absolutely right and I will be getting her the lens shade.

Again, thank you all for the responses and the help.

Congratulations on that 40th. It is an achievement these days under any circumstances, and if the involved parties are still speaking to each other, that's even better!