Difference between Hasselbad lenses

[zetra]

Please, could somebody tell me what is the difference between Hasselblad lens 40mm F4 CF FLE  and 40/4 Distagon CFE IF T*

[jjlphoto]

You can download the data sheets here and compare:
http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWLds.aspx

The one labeled "IF" is internal focusing, and the double focus ring present in the other version is now gone. The "IF" version is essentially a completely new lens, the highest performing 40mm medium format lens on the market, but at a price. The lowest price for a used on on eBay I saw was in the $4000USD range. There are a few new ones left here and there, but they go for well over $5000.

[carstenw]

You can download the data sheets here and compare:
http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWLds.aspx

The one labeled "IF" is internal focusing, and the double focus ring present in the other version is now gone. The "IF" version is essentially a completely new lens, the highest performing 40mm medium format lens on the market, but at a price. The lowest price for a used on on eBay I saw was in the $4000USD range. There are a few new ones left here and there, but they go for well over $5000.

IIRC, the IF version is reputed to have higher distortion, but is sharper overall. This is probably a design compromise in favour of digital.

[jjlphoto]

IIRC, the IF version is reputed to have higher distortion, but is sharper overall. This is probably a design compromise in favour of digital.

Good point- the distortion charts show the IF version to have about double the amount of distortion. Yuck!