Hasselblad 40mm f/4 CF FLE - just got one...

Richard S. (rich815) · May 29, 2013

I just picked up one of these babies. Gorgeous lens. Will start shooting it this morning. Anyone else use this lens? Any example images?

Mark_S · May 29, 2013

Richard

Let us know what you think of the lens. I noticed that Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto rent them, so I was thinking of renting one for a few days before committing to the big $$$!

Dave Swinnard · May 29, 2013

I had the opportunity to borrow one from a colleague a number of years back, just in time for a road trip from Vancouver to southern Utah, Arizona, California and their parks. While not a lens for every shot (or at least how my eye works) it was a spectacular performer for a number of shots taken on that trip. I can immediately call to mind three shots - one in Arches, one on the floor of Death Valley (July), and one in Yosemite in the high country where this lens was the LENS for the shot.

A heavy beast, but these days I find myself thinking more and more about adding one to my small Hasselblad kit. With the right scene, or a bit of searching, you may find yourself growing to love this lens and not even notice it.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · May 29, 2013

Richard,

I saw a museum interior rodin kiss shot with that lens at hasselblad catalog and it blewed my mind. I wish nobody disassembled your lens after factory and someone was crying because of lost corner sharpness at apug gallery.

Sirius Glass · May 29, 2013

No, I use the SWC, but you will enjoy your lens and that is all that is important.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 29, 2013

That's all for your thoughts and good wishes. I shot a roll of Efke 25 and Acros this morning of some oaks, eucalyptus and grasses alongside a creek on my way to work. Will try to develop tonight. Anyone got good times for either in Pyrocat HD?

Richard S. (rich815) · May 29, 2013

Sirius Glass said:
No, I use the SWC, but you will enjoy your lens and that is all that is important.

Considered one of those but after my drop of a small fortune for my Rolleiwide just last year decided instead to get this 40mm when I saw a good price...

Richard S. (rich815) · Jun 1, 2013

Ok, so of the oaks and stream-side session I totally overdeveloped the roll of Efke 25 (though might post some examples later) and have not developed the Acros roll yet. Yesterday on the way home from work I went through the old beaten-up town of Crockett, California and shot a coupoe of rolls (Ilford Pan F and Plus-X) with my 500CM and this lens. Just now scanning results from the Pan F roll. I think I love this lens.

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Sirius Glass · Jun 1, 2013

Nice, as with the SWC there is no barreling nor pincushing, lenticularly correct. But then nothing less would be acceptable for Hassleblads.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jun 1, 2013

Sirius Glass said:
Nice, as with the SWC there is no barreling nor pincushing, lenticularly correct. But then nothing less would be acceptable for Hassleblads.

Thanks.

I understand a newer 40mm with IF that is supposed to be a little sharper but at some compromise of some slight barreling. I am truly amazed though at how well this one did.

johnielvis · Jun 1, 2013

yeah--the 40's are awesome---which, unfortunately, is their problem as well--awsome in size. But, that's what the swc is for--when you need someting smaller and lighter--but slower and no slr viewing. Always a tradeoff. Maybe having both is the solution...

PKM-25 · Feb 10, 2014

I just picked up an EX+ 40mm FLE from KEH via the 10% off sale they are having until the end of the day, pretty much makes nearly everything in line with average ebay sales prices. So now my empire of Hasselblad gear is complete..

So the big question...how does one filter this beast? It was the main reason I held off on getting one, big expensive filters and the fact that everything else I use is BAY60 made this a tough decision. My main filters are ND, red, yellow, R72 for IR and maybe a polarizer. I figure a red or yellow would be a not-so-painful start.

What are my options, thread sizes, etc?

frank · Feb 10, 2014

This is from my first roll with the older T* version:

cjbecker · Feb 10, 2014

I don't have the 40 but I do have the 50 fle and its a performer. I have not learned how to shoot wide lenses yet. Ive shot normal lenses for 10 years with no wide or long lenses in the lineup. I find every time i shoot them I don't get in close enough.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 10, 2014

I have it and use it ;surprising difference to the 50mm.

Sirius Glass · Feb 10, 2014

I use the Biogon 38mm on the Hasselblad 903 SWC instead.

PKM-25 · Feb 10, 2014

........so no replies RE the filters?

cjbecker · Feb 10, 2014

PKM-25 said:
........so no replies RE the filters?

If it were me and I normally used a tripod, I would get a pro shade and run square filters.

Sammelwahn · Feb 11, 2014

PKM-25 said:
What are my options, thread sizes, etc?

This lens needs filter 93. An other possibiliy is the use of a variable lens shade that holds square filters. The newest Hasselblad type Proshade 6093 T takes 100 mm x 100 mm. To fix the hood at the lens, you need a special adapter. But there are similar other lens shades from Hasselblad or other manufacturers.

PS: There is nothing wrong to use this combination handhold, althoug it isn´t very compact.

ac12 · Feb 11, 2014

I like the 40, but the price, size and weight difference compared to the 50, pushed me to the 50.
I like WIDE lenses, so maybe one day I might get a 40 or SWC.

PKM-25 · Feb 11, 2014

What about the use of a 93mm to 95mm step up ring?
There is a lot more of the latter in terms of filter selection...

frank · Feb 11, 2014

Big difference between 50 and 40 for Hasselblad. Like the difference between 28 and 20, for 135 cameras.

PKM-25 · Feb 12, 2014

Alright, I got my 40mm FLE in EX+ condition, it’s like new of course, not a mark to be found, speeds are all on. It’s a really nice lens, quite the engineering piece and not as big and heavy as I was bracing for.

So the front, it unscrews leaving just the small built in shade petals and 85-86mm-ish of threads, obviously allowing for the cap when it is on. The thinner front ring also unscrews revealing what is supposed to be the 93mm filter threads but I took my digital calipers and it measured at 95.4mm?

I have located a Hasselblad 93 to 95mm adapter ring and there are lots of filters out there in this size, not too badly priced either, so I want to go that route. I also poked around my gear closet and I indeed have a 6093T shade, the only adapter ring I could find is the 40746 Proshade adapter, is this correct?

This lens is pretty impressive thus far, but the front end of it is complex, I would like to know what all the options are…

PKM-25 · Feb 13, 2014

I went ahead and ordered the adapter ring, 6093T adapter, 95mm B+W red 25, and a 95mm 720nm IR filter. If for some reason the filters and adapter ring do not work, I can just return them and use 4x4 filters except the IR, likely get a Lee 4x4 Big Stopper after tax time.

I took the shade / filter holder off and set the 40 FLE next to the 50 FLE and man, the 40 is only a little bit bigger than the 50 when it really comes down to it, a pleasant surprise.

Other than finding a screaming deal on a 350mm 5.6 CF, my Hassy kit is super-complete.

Sammelwahn · Feb 13, 2014

PKM-25 said:
the only adapter ring I could find is the 40746 Proshade adapter, is this correct?

Yes, this is correct. And this ring fits in the small ring next to the frontlens. Between this rings you can put a polarisation filter. If you work this way with the Proshade, have a look that everything is "ok", otherwise there´s the possibility, that the shade is vignetting the corners...

Hasselblad 40mm f/4 CF FLE - just got one...

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