Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 60mm

The Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Distagon T 60mm f/3.5* is a wide-angle prime for the Hasselblad V System, sitting between the classic 80mm standard lens and the more pronounced perspective of wider Hasselblad lenses.

On the square 6×6 format, 60mm gives you a noticeably wider view without pushing things into an exaggerated ultra-wide look. That makes it an especially versatile option for landscapes, interiors, architecture, travel and environmental portraits.

Zeiss described the 60mm as an almost universal lens, specifically positioning it as a faster, higher-performing successor to the earlier 60mm f/4 Distagon. Its optical design uses seven elements in seven groups and focuses as close as 0.6 metres.

The T* designation identifies Zeiss's multi-layer anti-reflection coating, while the Hasselblad V design combines manual focusing with an in-lens leaf shutter.

Best for

• 6×6 medium-format photography
• Landscapes
• Architecture
• Interiors
• Environmental portraits
• Travel
• Street and documentary work
• Hasselblad V System photographers
• Collectors
• Photographers wanting something wider than the standard 80mm

What to expect

The 60mm Distagon is wide on the Hasselblad 6×6 format, but not dramatically so. Its 66° diagonal angle of view gives you more room than an 80mm standard lens while retaining a relatively natural perspective.

It focuses down to 0.6m, which also makes it useful when you want to move closer and introduce a little more perspective into the frame.

This is a fully manual-focus lens. The leaf shutter is built into the lens, an important part of the Hasselblad V System and particularly useful when working with flash.

One point I'd keep conservative until we see the physical lens more closely is its exact barrel generation. The 60mm f/3.5 Distagon T* existed in C, CF, CB and CFi forms, all sharing the same basic seven-element/seven-group optical design but differing in shutter, controls, filter fitting and barrel design.

Developing

This lens was designed primarily for Hasselblad V System medium-format film cameras.

Developing therefore depends on the 120 film loaded into the camera. Colour negative film will commonly use C-41 processing, while black and white and slide films require their respective processes.

Hasselblad V lenses can also be used with compatible digital backs and adapted digital systems. When used digitally, no film developing is required.