The one Hasselblad lens that will always have a special place in my heart is the Hasselblad 110mm f/2 F/FE lens for the 2000/200 series models. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to experiment with a variety of Hasselblad lenses, starting with the classic 80mm f/2.8 and moving through the 100mm, 150mm, 180mm, and even the 250mm. While each of these lenses has its own merits—especially when paired with a short extension tube for tighter portrait shots—none compare to the experience I had when I first explored the 2000FC Hasselblad with the 110mm lens.
Hasselblad 2000FC | Carl Zeiss 110mm Planar f/2 Lens | Fujifilm Acros 100
This combination was a game-changer. The way the 110mm lens captures the scene, combined with the high-speed capabilities of the body, made it an incredible duo to work with. It was a fantastic alternative to the more popular and expensive Contax 645 with the 80mm f/2 lens. The square aspect ratio and slightly larger negative size of the Hasselblad only added to the appeal. At the time, the price of the Contaxt 645 was too expensive, especially with fewer and fewer parts available for repairs on the body. This was the reason why I leaned toward the beloved Hasselblad setup. Eventually, I sold most of my Hasselblad gear but held onto two 110mm Zeiss lenses, as it was the “perfect” lens for the type of work I do.
Hasselblad 2000FC | Carl Zeiss 110mm Planar f/2 Lens | Konica Minolta Pro 400
After owning and shooting with various lenses, the 110mm f/2.0 Planar lens remains unforgettable. It’s truly a “dream” lens, much like Leica’s Noctilux, offering incredible bokeh and unique characteristics. I remember searching for this lens on eBay for quite a while, as it’s not easy to find. There are two versions of the lens: the F and FE models. The F lens is compatible only with focal plane Hasselblad bodies that have a built-in shutter, while the FE version, which is more expensive due to its modern electronics, is designed for FE series Hasselblad bodies like the 203FE.
Hasselblad 2000FC | Carl Zeiss 110mm Planar f/2 Lens | Konica Minolta Pro 400
To get my feet wet within Hasselblad’s focal plane shutter bodies, I acquired the 2000 FC/M camera, which I used for street and portrait photography. Paired with the lens, this combination truly works like a charm. It took some finesse to get used to the narrow depth of field but the overall characteristics separated this lens from the majority of the other medium format lenses in the market.
Hasselblad 203FE | Carl Zeiss 110mm Planar f/2 Lens | Rollei SuperPan 200
Eventually, I decided to fully commit and upgraded to the Hasselblad 203FE. The FE model comes with integrated electronics, which sync perfectly with the camera, offering the added benefit of automatic shooting modes. Optically, it’s identical to the F model, so the image quality and characteristics remain the same. Not for nothing, I enjoyed having both options of the FE model for the added features when I needed them most and the 2000 FC/M model for the simplified moments of shooting a constant but still have the qualities I want to have to capture the scene. As long as they protect the shutter on the 2000FC/M body, there are no other worries with the camera.
Hasselblad 2000FC | Carl Zeiss 110mm Planar f/2 Lens | Konica Minolta Pro 400
If you’re looking to experience what this lens can offer without the added cost of the FE setup, the F model lens paired with a compatible body is an excellent choice. However, keep in mind that the 2000 series bodies feature a sensitive aluminum focal plane shutter, which can be easily damaged. If the shutter gets compromised, the camera becomes unusable, and finding someone to repair it can be challenging.
After many years of using this lens, I eventually had another itch that I had to scratch, which led me to sell all of my Hasselblad F/FE series equipment to something more adventurous and different. This has led me towards customizing a Zeiss 110mm Planar onto a Pentax 67ii body.