[0.9 lb] I really like this lens... 65MM on medium format is close to a 50 on a full frame camera. I am taking this along with me on a trip to Spain this weekend.. my first trip with this lens in my bag.

[0.9 lb] This lens is incredibly sharp. Much more so than the 45p in my opinion. There is nothing more I can ask of this thing. The f2.8 is very appreciated!

[0.9 lb] This is the right size and fits well.

[14 x 7.1 x 7"] This is my second lens for the X1D II. The 65mm is sharper and easier to autofocus than the 45P. I love the 45P for the way it captures some of the environment with the subject but I usually need to manually zoom focus to be sure the subject is sharp. With this 65mm lens, I get great results using autofocus as long as the subject is well lit. This faster f2.8 lens helps to isolate the subject from the background. It is super sharp even wide open too.

A bit noisier while focusing and heavier than the 45P but well worth it with the beautiful images it produces. I am still amazed at the beautiful colors this camera system produces and the consistency between lenses. This one is a gem!

[14 x 7.1 x 7"] Amazing sharpness and clarity make this lens a favorite for me.

[0.9 lb] For my travel use I am very partial to 50mm lenses for FF. Therefore this is my choice for MF.

Build quality is works class, as are the optics. Operation is as expected. Unless they figure out how to make a smaller, lighter 50 this will be my choice.

[14 x 7.1 x 7"] It’s a great lens for everything and every day use. Shap, relatively fast and compact.

[14 x 7.1 x 7"] A lot of bokeh at 65mm, but one of the lightest ones in the Orion set (besides the 32mm). Lighter than 40mm

[14 x 7.1 x 7"] This is my second lens after the 45P and I haven't gone back to it since. Although it is slightly heavier/bulkier than the 45, the extra weight is definitely good trade off for this incredibly sharp lens. I'm still holding on to the wide angle because I'm sure there will be a time when I'll need it but this lens truly does cover all the bases day to day.
The lens hood that is included is very high quality as well, made of metal so it has some extra protection when it's on backwards.

[0.9 lb] his will be one of four Hasselblad XCD lens reviews I do today so a little background. I have been a lifelong user of Hasselblad gear since early in my career in the 80’s. I still own a comprehensive V system and now a medium sized X system and continue to use them in my work. 

I own 5 Hasselblad XCD lenses, the 28P, 45P, 65mm 2.8 and now the new 38mm 2.5V and 55mm 2.5V lenses. 

I bought the XCD 65mm 2.8 from B&H in April of 2023 as a bit longer lens than my 45P for use as a landscape and aerial lens with the X2D. I use Hasselblad cameras strictly for exacting work in landscapes and architecture. I use other systems like my Nikon Z and Leica M for reportage, portraits and events. So when it comes to my expectations of Hasselblad lenses, it is not at all about bokeh, rendering or character. It is all about color, contrast, resolution and absolute sharpness across the image area.

Despite its size, weight and louder shutter, the 65mm 2.8 is the king of image quality in this range of focal lengths from Hasselblad. Its sharpness out resolves even the X2D’s 102MP sensor so it has room to “grow” so to speak. Even at 2.8 it shows very even sharpness across the image area with only slight softening in the corners, a must have in landscapes and aerials. By 5.6 it is eye watering sharp. This lens has the best image quality out of the 5 XCD lenses I own and is not, I repeat *not* at all exceeded by the new 55mm F2.5V lens. 

It’s a lot of lens to tote around for a “normal” FOV 2.8 prime, but it is worth its weight in the photos it affords.