Hasselblad 80mm f/2.8 Planar CB T* Lens for Hasselblad 500 Series V System, Black {Bayonet 60}

Hasselblad's 80mm f/2.8 Planar CB T*: the V System standard lens.

The 80mm focal length on Hasselblad's 6x6 medium format frame behaves like a slightly long normal lens, sitting closer to 50mm equivalent in field of view while carrying the natural, undistorted perspective that made the Planar design a studio benchmark. At f/2.8, you get meaningful subject separation for a medium format lens, with the rendering character that Zeiss optical design and T* anti-reflection coating are known for: controlled flare, clean contrast, and smooth midtone gradation that holds up in film and digital scans alike.

The CB designation marks this as the cost-optimized version of the Planar line, built for the Hasselblad 500 Series V System via Bayonet 60 mount. Manual focus is the only mode here, which suits the deliberate, tripod-centered workflows this system was built around. Adapted to mirrorless bodies via Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, or Fuji GFX mounts, this lens finds a second life on modern digital sensors, pairing its optical character with electronic focusing aids.

For the money, this is the entry point into the V System's optical signature without paying for the CF or CFE variants. If you're already shooting a 500C/M, 503CW, or 501CM, this is the logical first lens.

Who It's For

Film photographers working with a Hasselblad 500 Series body will find the 80mm CB a natural starting point: the focal length covers portraiture, product work, and location shooting without requiring a second lens. Studio portrait photographers benefit from the f/2.8 maximum aperture giving usable subject separation on 6x6 film. Mirrorless shooters adapting V glass to Fuji GFX or Sony E bodies get the Zeiss T* coating's contrast and color rendering on a modern sensor. Darkroom-focused photographers who print large from medium format negatives will appreciate the Planar's well-controlled drawing at all apertures.

Key Features

• 80mm Planar CB T* optical design with Zeiss multi-element anti-reflection coating
• f/2.8 maximum aperture for medium format subject separation
• Manual focus for deliberate tripod-centered workflows
• Bayonet 60 mount for Hasselblad 500 Series V System
• Adaptable to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fuji GFX via third-party mounts
• Clean contrast and smooth midtone rendering in film and digital scanning

FAQ

What's the field of view equivalence of this 80mm on medium format?

On the 6x6 frame, 80mm sits at roughly 50mm equivalent in standard 35mm terms, making it a slightly long normal lens with minimal distortion and natural perspective rendering.

Can I use this lens on modern digital cameras?

Yes. Via third-party adapters to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, or Fuji GFX mounts, the optics work on digital sensors with electronic focus aids, though you lose the native mechanical integration of the V System.

What's the difference between CB, CF, and CFE Planar versions?

CB is the cost-optimized variant without the additional optical refinements or mechanical features of CF or CFE versions. The core Planar optics remain the same, but you're trading features for price.

Is this lens autofocus or manual focus?

Manual focus only. The V System was designed around deliberate, handheld or tripod-based composition, not continuous AF workflows.

How does T* coating affect image quality?

Zeiss's multi-element T* anti-reflection coating cuts internal flare, increases contrast, and preserves color saturation across the frame, especially noticeable in high-contrast or backlit scenes.

What Hasselblad bodies does this mount fit?

Any 500 Series V System camera with Bayonet 60 mount: 500C/M, 503CW, 501CM, and similar models from that generation.

Is this a good first lens for a V System camera?

Absolutely. As the entry-level Planar, it delivers the optical signature the system is known for without the premium pricing of CF or CFE variants.