Hasselblad HC 300mm f/4.5 (Orange Dot)

The Hasselblad HC 300mm f/4.5 (Orange Dot) is a 300mm telephoto prime with autofocus and the orange dot designation that unlocks full AF support when used with the H-to-X adapter on compatible bodies. It carries a Hasselblad V mount.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 300mm (prime)
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5
• Lens type: Telephoto prime
• Mount: Hasselblad V
• Autofocus: Yes — fast AF reaction suited for sports and wildlife
• Orange Dot designation: Enables AF when paired with the H-to-X adapter on X-series bodies
• Adapter compatibility: Works with the Hasselblad H-to-X Lens Adapter
• System: Compatible with Medium Format H-system bodies
• Use cases: Sports, wildlife, long-reach telephoto work in medium format
• Warranty: Minimum 12 months warranty included

What makes the Hasselblad HC 300mm f/4.5 (Orange Dot) special?

In the HC lens lineup, 300mm is as long as it gets — and the orange dot version is what separates a fully capable telephoto experience from a compromised one. Without the orange dot, shutter speed is capped at 1/800s and autofocus is unavailable when using the H-to-X adapter. With it, you get full AF through the adapter, which makes a significant practical difference when shooting moving subjects — even if this lens, by any measure, is a substantial piece of glass that delivers exceptional reach.

The HC and HCD lens families are the native optics for Hasselblad's H-system, and the 300mm sits at the telephoto extreme of that range. Via the Hasselblad HC Lens Adapter, HC and HCD lenses connect to X-series bodies — meaning a used HC 300mm orange dot gives you a long telephoto option for bodies like the X2D 100C or 907X 50C, with full modern AF features intact. That crossover compatibility is rare and genuinely useful: you're buying into medium format telephoto reach without needing a purpose-built X-system lens.

Compared to non-orange-dot copies of the same lens, the difference is firmware-level — not optical. The glass and autofocus motor are the same; the orange dot is simply a hardware/firmware identifier that newer adapter firmware can recognise to unlock full AF capability. That makes sourcing the orange dot version specifically a practical priority if you plan to use it on an X-series body.

Who is the Hasselblad HC 300mm f/4.5 for?

This lens is for photographers already invested in the Hasselblad H-system or X-system ecosystem who need genuine telephoto reach in medium format. Wildlife photographers appreciate the fast AF reaction and the ability to isolate subjects at distance. Sports photographers working in controlled or semi-controlled environments — motorsport paddocks, equestrian events, stadium sidelines — find the 300mm focal length gives useful compression and subject separation at f/4.5.

It also suits portrait and fashion photographers wanting extreme subject-background separation at distance. At 300mm on a medium format sensor, the rendering character is distinct from anything you'd get on a 35mm system at equivalent focal lengths.

One honest note: this is a large, heavy lens. Handheld shooting for extended periods is demanding, and most users pair it with a monopod or tripod. If weight and size are primary concerns, this is not the lens to underestimate — but if you need the reach in medium format, there's no native HC alternative beyond it.

For those coming from other systems, there's no direct equivalent to adapt easily — HC glass is Hasselblad-specific, and the 300mm sits in a niche that third-party adapters from brands like Fotodiox don't address for Canon or Nikon telephotos into the H-system in the same way. The HC 300mm orange dot is the native, first-party solution for long telephoto work in this ecosystem.

Our inspection of the Hasselblad HC 300mm f/4.5 (Orange Dot)

Every pre-owned HC 300mm on Camera-tweedehands.nl is hand-inspected for optical and mechanical integrity. Here's what we verify:

Orange dot verification: We physically confirm the orange dot marking on the lens barrel. We document this in our inspection report, as this designation is essential for full AF performance with the H-to-X adapter on X-series bodies.

AF motor function: We test autofocus across the full focus range and document AF performance in our inspection report. The HC 300mm's fast AF reaction is one of its key selling points — we flag any hesitation, grinding, or hunting behavior.

Optical condition: We inspect the internal optics against a bright background with the aperture wide open. Any internal haze or fungal growth is noted in our detailed inspection report.

Mount contacts: We inspect the electronic contacts on the mount for corrosion or wear, ensuring reliable communication with bodies and adapters.

All used items on Camera-tweedehands.nl are professionally inspected, individually photographed, and come with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period is shown on the individual variant listing.