The Perfect Wide Angle? Hasselblad XCD 25V in Practical Test – My Experiences as a Beta Tester

Feb 13.

The Hasselblad XCD 25V is one of the latest wide-angle lenses in the X system, positioned between the compact XCD 28P and the ultra-wide-angle XCD 21. But what makes this lens so special, and how does it compare to the other wide-angle lenses in the Hasselblad lineup? In this article, I will not only discuss the technical details and my practical experiences, but also show you how I created the award-winning shot of the Cabane Tortin with the XCD 25V, for which I won the Architecture Masterprize in 2024.

The Hasselblad wide-angle lineup – Where does the XCD 25V stand?

Hasselblad has significantly expanded its range of wide-angle lenses in recent years. Here is a brief classification of the most important models:

XCD 21mm f/4: The ultra-wide-angle in the Hasselblad lineup with a focal length of approx. 17mm (35mm equivalent). Ideal for extreme perspectives, especially for architectural shots in tight spaces or expansive landscapes.
XCD 25mm f/2.5 (25V): The latest member of the wide-angle series, with a 35mm equivalent of approx. 20mm. It combines a very fast aperture of f/2.5 with excellent sharpness and detail.
XCD 28mm f/4 (28P): Compact and lightweight wide-angle for on the go. It is well suited for street photography or documentation where weight is a factor.
XCD 20-35mm: The most versatile wide-angle zoom in the system. It offers great flexibility in focal length and impresses with its image quality – perfect for photographers looking for a solution for a wide range of wide-angle requirements.

So, what is the advantage of the XCD 25V? In contrast to the XCD 21mm, the slightly longer focal length makes it appear more natural and therefore more versatile – especially for landscape and architectural photography. At the same time, the fast f/2.5 aperture offers more possibilities in poor lighting conditions, such as for night shots or astrophotography.

Build quality and features – My personal highlights

The Hasselblad XCD 25V stands out due to its unique combination of high-quality workmanship, well-thought-out features, and a distinctive lens design. I was particularly impressed by the new V series – both in terms of handling and design.

V-Series Feeling & Appearance: The V series has a very unique look. The beautiful engraving on the lens, the clear lettering, and the minimalist design make it a real eye-catcher. At the same time, the haptics are impressive: the grip is excellent, which makes precise work easier. A major plus for practical use is the uniform filter diameter for all V lenses (38V, 55V, 90V and 25V). This means that the entire line-up can be perfectly combined with each other without having to constantly adjust filters or accessories.

Focus Clutch – Practical and well-conceived: Another highlight is the Focus Clutch, which allows you to quickly and easily switch to manual focus. The set focus is even retained when the camera goes into sleep mode or is switched off. This is a major advantage for time-lapse recordings or composite shoots, where you need a constant focus without having to reset it every time you restart.

Astrophotography – The XCD 25V as King of the Night The combination of the fast f/2.5 aperture and the special lens coating makes the XCD 25V the perfect tool for astrophotography. It delivers clear, pinpoint stars without disturbing distortions or stray light. This also demonstrates the strength of the Hasselblad X2D 100C: thanks to its low noise performance during long exposures and the high level of detail resolution, even the smallest stars can be captured perfectly. I have used the XCD 25V several times for night shots in the mountains, and each time the combination of lens and camera has absolutely convinced me. The open aperture makes focusing in dark environments much easier and ensures razor-sharp results.

Hasselblad X2D, Hasselblad XCD 2.5/25V, 20 seconds, f/8, ISO 100

Practical use – The Hasselblad XCD 25V at the Cabane Tortin

After several test runs, it was clear: The Hasselblad XCD 25V had to come with me on my next tour in the Alps. A perfect opportunity to use the lens under the most demanding conditions and to take full advantage of its strengths in night shots and long exposures.

For the photo series about the Cabane Tortin, we planned a shot right next to the hut, with a view of the galactic center of the Milky Way, which should be visible above the mountain peaks around 03:00. The f/2.5 aperture of the XCD 25V was a decisive advantage here: it enabled precise focusing even in complete darkness and let in enough light to capture the stars clearly and without image noise. The Focus Clutch was another feature that proved to be indispensable – once manually focused, the focus remained constant despite pauses in recording mode and restarts of the camera.

Around 03:00, wrapped up in ski clothing, I made my way to the camera to start shooting. But what I saw there surpassed all expectations: An aurora borealis stretched across the entire horizon behind the lodge – the first of its kind in Switzerland in 25 years! It was barely visible to the naked eye, but on the camera display, the light veils shone in intense orange-magenta tones. We knew that auroras were expected in Germany that night, but we never thought we would see them so far south.

Here, the XCD 25V showed its full strength: Thanks to the special coating of the lens, the stars remained pinpoint and clear even with the aperture wide open – no distortions, no unwanted reflections. The combination with the Hasselblad X2D 100C was perfect. The high level of detail resolution and the low noise during long exposures made it possible to precisely capture even the finest structures of the stars and the aurora. But the night was not over yet. We spontaneously decided to take a night hike across the Tortin Glacier to photograph the lodge from a greater distance. The snow conditions were ideal, and we made rapid progress on a safe path. Two hours later, we returned just as the first rays of sunshine illuminated the mountain peaks. There was still time for a hot coffee, a philosophical conversation, and a moment of reflection in front of the large panoramic window. A final, almost surreal moment of silence before the helicopter brought us back to reality.

This type of shot was not new to me – in my ENLIGHTEN series, which has won many awards, I have worked extensively with night shots of architecture under the starry sky. Some of the images found their way onto magazine covers from Germany to China. But this aurora image was to become one of the most outstanding motifs: A few months later, it was awarded at the Awards of the American Photographic Artists, and at the end of 2024 I was named International Architectural Photographer of the Year with the series at the Architecture Masterprize.

Who is the XCD 25V the right lens for?

The XCD 25V is an excellent lens for anyone looking for a versatile and fast wide-angle lens. It is particularly suitable for:

Architectural photographers who value high detail and natural image effect
Landscape photographers who also work in poor lighting conditions
Travel photographers looking for an all-round wide angle with a compact design and excellent sharpness

Who should consider alternatives?

If you prefer extremely wide perspectives, you should consider the XCD 21mm.
Photographers who need a lot of flexibility in focal length are better off with the XCD 20-35mm Zoom.
For travel and reportage, the lighter XCD 28P is the ideal choice.

The Hasselblad XCD 25V convinced me in practical use. It is one of the most versatile and powerful wide-angle lenses in the Hasselblad system. Its fast aperture, natural image effect and excellent build quality make it a real highlight for discerning photographers.

If you want to learn more about the lens and other premium tools, check out my video on Youtube or visit my workshops at www.albrechtvoss.com/workshops.