Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E

My first disappointment came not long after buying it. Hasselblad released the X2D II, bringing AF-C and tracking to the newer V and E lenses, all except the 20-35E that is. Remember, E is their top-tier "exceptional" range, and there are currently only two lenses wearing that label: the 20-35E and the 35-100E. Hasselblad confirmed the internal motor won't allow compatibility, so there's no firmware fix coming. If you're buying for autofocus tracking, this is the detail to know before you spend.

The itch itself was real. My widest Hasselblad at the time was the 38V, and after shooting an indoor swimming pool as a stitched panorama, I wanted a proper wide indoor lens.

There's no denying Hasselblad lenses are expensive, and every lens I own needs to earn its place, preferably without overlap. The 20-35E does give you something two primes can't: a continuous 20–35 range in one body, no swapping. But ultimately it couldn't replace the 38V on size, speed or aperture, though I still wanted that wider reach. So I kept the 38V and added the 25V instead. Now I have a walkabout documentary lens and an ultrawide.

The following portraits of my wife were a test of 20mm vs 35mm, hopefully a useful illustration of what the zoom's range looks like in a confined space.

And here's the part that sealed it. A used 38V and 25V, together, cost about the same as a single 20-35E, since both are far easier to find secondhand. The 20-35E rarely surfaces on the used market, so it tends to get bought new at full price. Two lenses, more flexibility, easier to source, for the money of one.

A great lens. Just the wrong lens for me.

The 20-35 can be hard to find used, but you can browse the current Hasselblad XCD lens listings on UsedLens to see what's around.