The Hasselblad XPan uniquely distinguishes itself by shooting both standard 35mm and a dramatic 24x65mm panoramic format on a single roll of film, without cropping. This innovative design offers an unparalleled wide format perspective, making it a favorite among photographers seeking distinctive cinematic imagery as it is great for storytelling through pictures.
With this camera came 3 lenses, one of the less talked about lenses is the 90mm f/4. It is available for both the Xpan and Fuji TX-1, although in different colours, they are identical.
This lens is less discussed and commonly less used, but it is a powerful telephoto lens that is great to own next to the 45mm f/4 lens and can be great for portraiture.
Top image shot on the 90mm Hasselblad XPan lens vs 45mm lens
Understanding the Panoramic wide Format and the compression.
A 90mm lens on 35mm film acts like a telephoto lens, but when you switch the camera to the panoramic mode, the 90mm lens in width is not equal to 90mm anymore, it is actually a wider lens. This specific optic becomes more or less a 50mm lens in width. However, the compression will be the same as a 90mm lens. Next to this mind boggling fact, there are three other things to understand.
Field of view compressions
This telephoto compression creates a unique feel to the images. The hardest part is that this is not visible in the range finder, therefore sometimes it is hard to predict how the background will eventually look. What is included and excluded from the foreground and background can become a bit of a guess. For this reason the images that I take with the 90mm are often a greater surprise than the ones with the 45mm.
The illustration of the field of view
When looking through the range finder, the box that highlights what will be included in the photo changes. This occurs via the interchangeable lenses in the rangefinder. Indicating a clear difference in the field of view that is included in the images.
Optical Performance and Image Characteristics of the XPan lens
Each lens of the Hasselblad XPan and Fuji tx-1 are of extreme high quality. There is no chromatic aberration and very little obvious deformation, a quality not consistently shared by the 30mm f/5.6 lens.. The 90mm is perhaps the sharpest of all. The way the lens renders colours and contrast is sublime. Details remain tack sharp even when used wide open. Unlike the 45mm, there is almost no vignetting present on photos shot wide open. The 90mm exhibits virtually zero distortion, a characteristic often more readily achieved with longer focal lengths.
When used wide open the bokeh is soft and almost feels dreamy. The separation between the subject and the background is particularly noticeable despite its f/4 maximum aperture. While the f/4 might seem limiting for low light photography, its unique compression makes it perfectly suited for the task. If the lens allowed f/2.8 then it would be too likely you would miss every shot due to the extreme shallow depth of field for manual focusing.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 on the Hasselblad XPan
The Hasselblad 90mm XPan portrait lens
When I first acquired my XPan, I was drawn to the 90mm lens, primarily for portraiture. It has proven to be the ultimate portrait lens for both the Hasselblad XPan and Fujifilm TX-1.As described above, the compression is great and the depth of field allows the subject to be easily separated from the foreground and background.
When the lens is used wide open, more light is captured and can obviously be very helpful in lower light situations. However, when used at minimal distance for focussing, the f/4 can be too shallow and therefore I recommend using an aperture of at least f/8 at this distance. Even at this aperture the bokeh will be dreamy. I always recommend getting close when shooting portraits and in those situations it provides enough separation even at f/11.
Compositionally the lens might be more tricky, because there is a lot of negative space. However, it can be used in your advantage when you want to use the space in your advantage to deliberately evoke a certain thought or emotion. Place the subject in the dead centre or on 1/3 from the left or right. Don't forget to shoot up or down to accentuate certain emotions with the subject when necessary.
Shot on Kodak Kortra 160 with the Hasselblad XPan
Details, each photo tells a story
Beyond its obvious use for portraiture, the unique compression of the Hasselblad XPan 90mm lens truly sets it apart. Obviously portraiture is a broad term and can imply more than close ups of people and it is perfectly suitable for all these purposes. I love to use it in different settings especially when trying to tell a story. This lens can remove distractions from the environment, making the subject stand out properly. I have used it in street photography, landscapes and more.
Its longer focal length allows you to capture candid moments from a distance. With the 45mm you will need to be up close to be able to take a photograph of someone and sometimes it is not candid anymore. The 90mm f/4 means you can be a bit more distant and then combined with the separation, the subject can be isolated from distractions, making it a perfect lens for storytelling. Whilst with the 45mm most likely everything will be in focus and can be used for more overview photos.
The Hasselblad XPan 90mm f/4 is the type of lens that allows you to experiment a little bit more. Go for close ups, get abstract, focus on a detail, use shallow depth of field or none at all. It is a great lens to have in your arsenal that allows you to think outside of the box and combined with other photographs it can be excellent for storytelling.
Shot on Kodak Kortra 160 with the Hasselblad XPan
Practical Considerations and Accessories
The Hasselblad XPan 45mm f/4 and the Hasselblad XPan 90mm f/4 lenses were designed to be together. From use to accessories, it all conveys a single product family. They look identical, whilst the telephoto lens is slightly longer. This means the lens caps, the hood and the container are all identical or interchangeable. Meaning when bringing both lenses, you will only need one lens hood, because they both fit the same one.
While I am not 100% confident, research suggests the 90mm lens was never originally sold with a lens hood. Caps are sometimes sold separately, often paired with the 45mm, though I have personally never seen the 90mm sold with its own lens hood.
Next to the lens hood the other practical thing to keep in mind is the length of the lens. It is longer than the 45mm and even though it can still be considered short, the lens when attached to the body makes the whole camera feel differently. The camera with the 45mm lens attached is a perfect combo for daily use, whilst with the 90mm it feels too large. Don’t get me wrong, it remains a remarkably compact camera for its capabilities.
Left is the Hasselblad XPan 45mm and right 90mm lens
Expanding Your XPan Horizons
The 90mm f/4 lens for the Hasselblad XPan or Fujifilm TX-1 is far more than a secondary option. Its unique combination of compression and panoramic width spark creativity that go well beyond conventional portraiture. Its not only meant for framing a subject, you’re isolating emotion, detail, and story within a sweeping format. That contradiction, close up that allows intimacy, in combination with the width which implies space and expansiveness, is where the 90mm thrives.
Technically, the lens is a powerhouse. It renders with clarity, sharpness, and color depth that hold up even wide open. Compression gives your images dimension, while the smooth bokeh and lack of distortion make it perfect for powerful compositions. Whether you're pulling in distant moments on the street or crafting a tightly framed portrait that breathes with negative space, this lens delivers.
Yes, it’s less commonly used and shifts the balance of the camera. But those quirks are part of its charm. They force you to slow down, to look more closely, and to approach your compositions with intentionality.
So if you’ve overlooked this lens or hesitated to carry it, let this be a push to reconsider. Take it out, experiment, and embrace the surprises it brings. Whether you use it for portraits, street scenes, or abstract storytelling, it will reward you with images that linger.
Have you tried the 90mm on your XPan or TX-1? Share your thoughts in the comments or sign up for the newsletter to get more behind-the-scenes insights on analogue gear and storytelling with film.
