Hasselblad C and CF lenses

I just purchased a new 501CM kit and am interested in adding to my lense line up. There seems to be a considerable difference in cost between the C and CF lenses. Other than CF being newer, what are the differences in quality, picture taking, etc.

 

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Chris Doyle aripres@aol.com

All CF lenses are T* meaning they are multicoated. Later C lenses are also T* (T* being the designation for Zeiss multicoated). Earlier C lens are not T* lens. The T* lenses have a greater resistance to flare than non T* lenses due to the multicoating.

 

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C lenses have a self-timer built into the lens (the V setting, I think). They also have a different filter size than the CF lenses. Most CF lens have a Bay 60 filter mount (this makes its possible for you to use the same filters and accssories on these lenses).The C80 lens that comes with the 501 is really a CF lenses without a few of the bells and whistles that are incorporated into CF lenses --i.e. the 80 C has no EV interlock, the depth of field labeling is not in color, and there is no F setting for use with Hasselblad F series cameras).

 

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I can not speak to the actual performances differences between C and CF lens. I think the difference between T* and non T* lens would matter more than whether the lens was a C or CF. The prices for used C lenses, however, are generally much less than for used CF lenses, which reflects the age difference between these lens. I believe that Hasselblad stopped making the C lens in the very early eighties and replaced such lens with the CF series.

 

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Hope this helps.

The important difference is that CF lenses have a setting that opens the lens shutter for use on Hasselblad's focal plane shutter bodies, such as the 2000FC; the C lenses don't have this setting. Note that the lens that comes with the 501CM kit is a C lens, not CF.

 

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Other than the coating issue that Paul mentions, the lenses are equivalent optically. Buy C lenses unless you plan to get a focal plane body sometime in the future.

One thing the others forgot to mention is that ALL Hasselblad lenses are coated, even the chrome C's. However, the T* lenses are multi-coated for better color rendition and flare control.

I own a black,80mm C T* lens, but i've used my bosses 150mm chrome C and it gives great results! In another couple of months i'll be investing $1100 in a chrome 50mm wide angle. So unless you're rich save your money and buy C's (black if you can afford them, but chromes will do just fine).

Remember, Ansel Adams never owned a T* lens and his Hassy pictures came out great (he used his hat as a lens shade alot)!

'C' lenses can be used with a 2000-series body. Either set the lens to 'B' and use the camera focal-plane shutter or set the camera focal-plane shutter to 'B' and use the Compur leaf shutter. Either way works. It's great having the flexibility afforded by both of these choices.

 

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The 'CF' lenses are, admittedly, EASIER to use on an FP Hassie, of course.

 

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Marc

Marc- Yep, you're right. To Kirk- I have a chrome 50 f/4 non-T* lens and it's great. Go for it!

I use the C lenses all the time. My 80mm is a T* and the 150 and 50 are not T*. I see absolutely no difference in the photos. I use the lenses for my wedding photography work and occassionally for portraits. In my opinion, the C lenses are great either in the T* or non-T* version.

CF lenses are simpler to bracket with, as the aperture and shutter speed rings are not coupled in the manner of the C lenses.

 

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It's also much easier to get a 1/3 stop setting on a CF lens, which can be very important when shooting chromes destined for Cibachrome (Ilfochrome) prints.

If you buy a C-lens to save money, it better be in good shape or you loose. Most CF-lenses (depending of treatment of course) are ready to go, because they're newer and have the improved shutter, while many C-lenses needs a tune up (and then works fine...). That cost's. If you're planning to use filters it doesn't take many filters to add up to a significant sum of money, so maybe either 50 mm filter mounts © or 60 mm (CF) on all your lenses is the most economical way to go. The newest CF 50 and 40 mm also have floating lens elements for better close ups.

When I was in Germany in the early 1980's I was able to talk to the Zeiss folks about T* coating. I was told that every Zeiss Hasselblad lens made since 1972/3 was T* coated even thout they didn't mark them as such. I've had 2 250mm C chrome lenses that were identical to the T* versions.

 

It seems that the T* marking was a response to Pentax's SMC hype in the 70's on their 6x7 & 35mm lines.

 

In fact you can find 80mm T* CHROME lenses that bear this out.

 

Tony

I own the C lenses 80 black T* and the 150 chrome. Both lenses are very sharp and provide very fine black and white photographs. The shutter on the 150 has on occasion failed to open. I have learned by the sound if this occures. When I had a repair rep from Hasselblad look at it at a camera store his tests resulted in the fastest and slowests shutter speeds being off but consistently. He recomemded a lens rebuild at about $250-$300. I have continued to use the lens as is and it seems to be working fine. Even the shutter failing to open has not occured in a while. The 80 lens tested to be in perfect condition. When you look at the price of the new line of Hasselblad lenses unless money is no problem, or you are making a real profit with your photography I would recomend purchasing the older C lenses.

Since I no longer do photography for money after 18 years in the business I plan on keeping my C lenses for my personal black and white work.

All the chrome lenses are no longer serviced by Hasselblad UK. If you buy one you're taking a chance. It should be very very cheap. It is possible however, that independant repairers may still have spares.

Mike