Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V Autofocus Lens for X-System {72}

Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V: wide-angle medium format with leaf shutter

At 38mm on a 44x33mm medium format sensor, this lens gives you a 30mm full-frame equivalent angle of view, wide enough to work a room or a landscape without going so wide that geometry becomes a problem. The f/2.5 maximum aperture is genuinely useful on medium format, where the larger sensor produces noticeably shallower depth of field than the same aperture on full frame. Three aspherical elements across a 10-element, 9-group design keep distortion and chromatic aberration under control at those wide apertures.

The internal stepper motor AF is quick and accurate, and switching between AF and MF is a push-pull action on the focus ring, no button hunting. The minimum focus distance of 30cm means you can move in close on food, products, or tabletop subjects and still work the lens hard. The built-in leaf shutter syncs with flash at any speed up to 1/2000s, which makes it a practical tool in bright ambient light where you need fill flash or a wide aperture outdoors.

At 350g and 68mm long, this is a compact optic for the format. The included aperture ring and physical distance and depth-of-field scales make manual control fast and tactile. On the X2D 100C or X1D II, you're feeding a sensor with extreme resolution demands, and the optical design holds up to that scrutiny.

Who It's For

Documentary and street photographers shooting the X System will find the 30mm equivalent field of view gives them room to include context around a subject, and the fast f/2.5 aperture handles mixed or low light without flash. Landscape photographers working at narrower apertures get Hasselblad's eight-point starburst effect from point light sources, plus the sharpness needed to feed a 100MP sensor. Food and product photographers benefit from the 30cm minimum focus distance for tight table-level work. Location portrait shooters who need flash outdoors can sync at any shutter speed up to 1/2000s, making daylight fill practical without ND filters.

Key Features

• 38mm focal length on 44x33mm medium format sensor
• f/2.5 maximum aperture with three aspherical elements
• Stepper motor AF with push-pull AF/MF toggle on focus ring
• 30cm minimum focus distance for close tabletop work
• Leaf shutter syncs flash at all speeds up to 1/2000s
• 72mm filter thread, 350g weight, supplied lens hood included

FAQ

What's the field of view on the X2D 100C or X1D II?

At 38mm, it's a 30mm full-frame equivalent - wide enough for environmental portraits, interiors, and landscapes without the geometric distortion of ultra-wide optics.

Can you use this lens for close-up work?

Yes. The 30cm minimum focus distance lets you shoot food, products, and tabletop subjects while maintaining the f/2.5 aperture and medium format resolution.

How does the autofocus perform?

The stepper motor is fast and accurate, especially paired with the PDAF system on X2D/X1D bodies. Push-pull the focus ring to toggle between AF and MF - no button menus.

Does the leaf shutter limit flash sync?

No. The leaf shutter syncs with flash at any speed up to 1/2000s, making fill flash practical in bright daylight or when you need a wide aperture outdoors.

Will this lens resolve the 100MP sensor on the X2D 100C?

Yes. The optical design - 10 elements, 9 groups, three aspherical elements - was built to hold up to that resolution demand.

What starburst effect does this lens produce?

The eight-blade leaf shutter creates a clean eight-point starburst on bright light sources when stopped down.

How compact is this compared to other medium format wide lenses?

At 350g and 68mm long, it's compact for the format and holds a lens hood, making it pocket-friendly on location.