At a size of 1.85 inches in depth and weight of only 0.71 pounds, the new $1,099 Hasselblad XCD 4/45P lens enters their XCD lens family of medium-format lenses as the lightest, most compact model available.

The leaf shutter (found in the lens rather than the camera body) will sync from 68 minutes to 1/2000s.

Claiming less audible noise than that of many focal shutters, the leaf shutter as well as autofocus motor have been designed in the XCD 45P for performance that is as quiet as possible.

Despite the diminutive exterior, there are two aspherical elements with nine elements in seven groupings. It has minimum focusing at 13.8 inches from the front of the lens. 

With a 1:5.2 magnification ratio, Hasselblad says that the lens is suitable for food and still life photography. Close to the 35mm focal length standard in equivalence, naturalists and city shooters will look to it for a nearly-wide point-of-view often seen in street reportage and landscape work.

Keep your eyes to the February issue of PDN for our full review of the Hasselblad X System X1D II 50C camera. The Hasselblad XCD 4/45P lens will ship by the end of this month.

Their $4,050 XCD 2,8/135 telephoto lens hit streets early this last year.