Zeiss's classic Sonnar portrait lens for Hasselblad V — a medium format legend for portraiture.
The Zeiss 150mm f/4 Sonnar is one of the iconic lenses for the Hasselblad V system (500 series). On the 6x6 medium format, 150mm provides approximately a 83mm equivalent perspective — the classic portrait focal length. The Sonnar optical design has been revered for over 80 years, and this implementation is considered one of the finest portrait lenses in medium format history.
Optical performance is excellent with a distinctive Sonnar character. Sharpness is very good from f/4 and outstanding stopped down. The Sonnar design produces a smooth, three-dimensional rendering with beautiful tonal transitions. Bokeh is creamy and refined. On 6x6 medium format, f/4 provides meaningful depth of field separation for portraits with a quality no 35mm format can match.
Hasselblad V mount with built-in Synchro-Compur leaf shutter enabling flash sync at all speeds. Filter thread is Bayonet 60 (B60), the Hasselblad standard. Weight is approximately 560 grams. Build quality is outstanding — Zeiss optical precision combined with Hasselblad's mechanical engineering. Manual focus with a smooth, precise helicoid.
Available on the used market at moderate prices for Hasselblad glass. Check for smooth shutter operation across all speeds — the leaf shutter is the most critical mechanical component. Inspect for fungus and haze. A cornerstone of any Hasselblad V system kit. The built-in leaf shutter makes it invaluable for studio and location flash work.