“Discover Hasselblad’s 2024 Magic: A Playful Camera and Three Stellar Lenses Await!”

Hasselblad has been unusually active this year, unveiling a “new” camera along with three new XCD lenses. The esteemed Swedish camera maker remains committed to fostering still photography and the art of capturing images, which we fully support.

The Hasselblad 907X CFV 100C: A Vintage-Style Camera With Remarkable Image Quality

Let’s clarify one thing upfront: the Hasselblad 907X CFV 100C isn’t technically a brand-new camera on its own. Nonetheless, the entire ensemble is new this year.

The 907X camera body was originally introduced in 2019 alongside the CFV II 50C digital back, which features the same 50-megapixel sensor found in the Hasselblad X1D 50C and X1D II 50C interchangeable lens medium-format cameras released in 2017 and 2017, respectively. Therefore, that portion of the 907X CFV 100C kit isn’t new or altered for 2024.

The real innovation lies in the CFV 100C digital back, which brings significant transformation to Hasselblad’s vintage-inspired camera setup. This new digital back incorporates the same 100-megapixel sensor as Hasselblad’s exceptional X2D 100C camera, and in fact, it shares the same basic sensor with Fujifilm’s GFX100-series cameras. However, it’s important to mention that Hasselblad conducts its own engineering and adjustment on the sensor, influencing the overall appearance of the images. Unlike Fujifilm, Hasselblad concentrates solely on still photography — no video functionality here.

Speaking of the X2D 100C, Hasselblad also introduced a tundra-inspired brownish-green variant of the camera this year. The “Earth Explorer” edition does not alter the company’s overall rating for the year, but it’s noteworthy.

The combination of the 907X and CFV 100C offers a nostalgic photography encounter. With additional accessories, photographers can utilize a waist-level viewfinder or even a technical field camera setup. Remarkably, photographers can even attach the new digital back to Hasselblad 500 and 200 series film camera bodies from decades past. In numerous respects, the 907X CFV 100C system honors the history of photography, long before digital photography ever entered an engineer’s vision. This vintage essence and mindful process is the main reason why I selected the camera as one of my preferred pieces of equipment for 2024. The camera operates at a slower pace and isn’t suited for any specific photography style, yet using it is such a joy, as Hasselblad values photography as an art and recognizes that taking pictures should be a tactile and enjoyable experience.

Three New Lenses, All Exceptional

The Hasselblad XCD 25mm f/2.5 V, the initial offering of three lenses released in 2024, came out in May and introduced a rapid option to the already diverse wide-angle selection in Hasselblad’s X System. As the widest V-series XCD lens, Hasselblad engineered its new 20mm-equivalent lens for urban landscapes, natural vistas, and astrophotography.

Given its price point of $3,700, the lens should perform well, and thankfully, it does — outstandingly, in fact. “The adaptability and bright aperture make this an excellent option for the Hasselblad system,” notes Chris Niccolls. For enthusiasts of wide-angle photography, this ranks among the top offerings from Hasselblad.lenses offered, if not among the very finest in medium-format on the whole.

The affection for wide-angle did not end there. A few months later, Hasselblad revealed the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E, its inaugural ultra-wide-angle zoom lens. Providing a 35mm-equivalent focal length range from 16-27mm, the lens also marked the beginning of a new collection for Hasselblad, the “E” series. The “E” signifies “Exclusive,” assuring the highest optical performance to date. It could also imply costly, as the lens is a staggering $5,929. That is exceptionally pricey.

As Chris Niccolls notes in PetaPixel‘s evaluation, the lens is nearly impeccable. It could replace a collection of wide-angle prime lenses, simplifying the justification for the cost, but nearly $6,000 is a substantial sum to invest.

However, Hasselblad was not finished. In November, the company introduced the XCD 75mm f/3.4 P, a surprisingly lightweight standard prime lens. With an equivalent focal length slightly below 60mm and a fairly quick f/3.4 aperture, the lens is capable of much: portraits, street photography, and documentary projects.

It’s an excellent lens for portrait photography, and it is conveniently compact and user-friendly. There are quicker alternatives in Hasselblad’s range, but many photographers are willing to make some compromises on aperture in exchange for a more budget-friendly and lighter lens.

Evaluating Hasselblad in 2024

By conventional metrics, a relatively new camera alongside three new lenses wouldn’t qualify as a bustling year. Nevertheless, for Hasselblad, 2024 proved to be quite fruitful. The previous year, Hasselblad launched merely one new item, the XCD 28mm f/4 P lens. 2022 resembled 2024 significantly: Three lenses and a camera. In 2021? Nothing at all. 2020 brought only the X1D II 50C.

Hasselblad had a notably productive and commendable 2024, easily earning a high rating.

Grade: A-

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Image credits: Featured image crafted using an asset licensed through Depositphotos.