Introduction
In the Hasselblad X system, the Hasselblad XCD 2,5/90V lens lives in the sweet spot between intimacy and respect: close enough for character but far enough for grace. This lens is lighter in hand than its predecessor by 11% and genuinely feels like a daily-carry portrait tool, presents significantly faster autofocus and the leaf-shutter magic that lets you tame the noon sun with flash at any speed.
On paper it promises a lot and it mostly delivers in the field, and the output from Hasselblad's famed Hasselblad Natural Colour System (HNCS) makes this an endearing professional photography tool.
- I will refer to the Hasselblad XCD 2,5/90V as the Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V from this point onwards.
- The Hasselblad X-system is available at Hasselblad's first South East Asia showroom at 5 Coleman Street,
#01-02A Excelsior Shopping Centre, Singapore.
tl:dr
The Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V builds on the optically excellent 2017 Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ3.2 lens, taking the performance of an already excellent telephoto option forward through all-round updates where it matters, especially in weight and auto-focus.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
Though Hasselblad did not make a big deal out of it, the Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V comes with an apochromatic design for optimal image quality.
Technicalities
- An 9 elements in 6 groups optical design including one ED element and one specially made large-diameter aspherical element to deliver an apochromatic effect for accurate colour correction.
- 71 mm full-frame equivalent focal length
- ƒ2.5 to ƒ32 aperture range with a minimum focus distance of 0.67 m and maximum magnification of 1:5,8
- Angle of view: 34° diagonal
- Leaf shutter up to1/4000 s; and flash sync at all speeds
- Internal focusing with push-pull focus clutch allowing manual focus.
- Customizable control ring and de-click option
- An upgraded focusing module which adopts a linear stepping motor and a lighter, smaller focusing lens group
- Dimensions of 95mm (L) x 75mm (Ø) and 551 grams
- Filter size of 72mm
Official datasheet is linked here for your reference.
Source: Hasselblad
Handling & Performance
The XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V handles beautifully. The all-metal construction extends across the barrel, focus, and control rings, in fact everything you touch feels deliberate and reassuring. Build quality is superb, carrying that quiet confidence Hasselblad has refined over the years.
The focus ring glides with a satisfying smoothness with the right amount of tension, and the push-pull clutch for manual focus is one of those thoughtful touches I actually use, not just a design flourish, but a feature that makes photographing with the lens more efficient.
Beyond its good looks, the XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V is practical in hand. The depth-of-field scale is clean and easy to read, making zone or pre-focus work a pleasure. Even the subtle "H" texturing — which at first looks like a cosmetic flex, turns out to serve a purpose, giving the barrel just that bit more grip. It's the kind of detail that reminds you someone thought carefully about how this lens would actually be used in the field.
One thing that genuinely does baffle me is that Hasselblad has included a de-click function on the XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V, which is useful for videos but the current Hasselblad X2D and 907X series cameras do not take videos.
The XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V sits very well balanced on the X2D series bodies, where the weight distribution feels just right for long sessions. Mounted on the 907X, it does tip slightly front-heavy, though not to the point of discomfort, more a reminder that this is a lens built with substance.
The updated focusing module is a genuine step forward from the earlier, non-V series primes. Autofocus locks on faster, with less hesitation and of course more reliably, and that improvement is one which every user will feel and appreciate in real-world use.
The XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V lives in the sweet spot between the XCD55 ƒ2.5 and XCD80mm ƒ1.9 improving on the already excellent XCD 90mm ƒ3.2
Sharpness & rendering
The XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V was designed with portraits in mind, and it shows. Wide open at ƒ2.5, sharpness at the center is exceptional, crisp yet never clinical, making this a lens I'm perfectly comfortable shooting wide open.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
Zoomed in of shot above
As expected, there is a touch of vignetting at the corners, but it's subtle, clears up substantially moving to ƒ2.8 and easily cleaned up in post-processing. Stop down to ƒ4, and the frame evens out beautifully, delivering uniform detail from edge to edge without losing that signature medium-format depth.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
Transition zones are smooth and at the usual portrait distances, the XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V provides a separation in subjects that comes with a natural "stand-out" look, and actually very flattering on faces.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
The Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V basically has near zero levels of distortion, and due to the apochromatic nature of the lens design, the lens performs impressively flare-resistance wise, even with backlit subjects.
the Leaf-shutter advantage
A major feature of the XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V is the redesigned leaf shutter, allowing a 1/4000s shutter speed and also taking up less space in the lens. However, I did find that the leaf shutter on this lens was a bit on the loud side, clearly louder than the leaf shutter of the Hasselblad XCD 38mm ƒ2.5 V that I own and use primarily.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
Conclusions
If your craft or joy in photography revolves around portraits, editorial work, or the quiet observation of human stories, the Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V feels like a natural evolution of the X system. It is the "grown-up" lens in the lineup: modern, precise, and quietly confident.
This is not a lens that tries to charm through quirks, deficiencies disguised as character or nostalgia. It doesn't shout for attention. Instead, it rewards intent by giving you consistency and breathtaking beautiful output, especially with Hasselblad's Natural Colour System.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
The new XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V is about 11% lighter, quicker in autofocus, and a stop brighter in real-world transmission than its predecessor, all while offering more refined handling through the addition of the clutch and control ring. If you admired the XCD 90mm ƒ3.2, the updated 90V retains that honesty, now paired with greater speed and flexibility.
Hasselblad XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V on X2D
On the Hasselblad X-camera, this has become the lens I reach for when I want a single piece of glass to carry the day for portraits or mid-telephoto. Lighter, brighter, better and unmistakably built for real work.
Thank you for reading.
Disclaimers:
- All product photos and samples here were photographed by me. I believe any reviewer with pride should produce their own product photos.
2. All images were shot with the Hasselblad X2D and XCD 90mm ƒ2.5V, both on loan from a dear friend.
3. This review is not sponsored.
4. I write as a passion and a hobby, and I appreciate that photography brands are kind enough to respect and work with me.
5. The best way to support me is to share the review, or you can always help support me by contributing to my fees to WordPress for the domain using the Paypal button at the bottom of the page.
