MichaelErlewine
New Member
I very carefully experimented with the Hasselblad X2D and the XCD 28mm f.4 lens with and without a CPL (Circular Polarizer) and ND (Neutral Density) filters. I used both “Breakthrough Photography” And Kase” filters. In all cases, there was a loss of granularity and micro contrast which is regrettable, but worse and not forgivable there also was a shift in color rendition. The resulting images were not the same Hasselblad Color Science, but I was thrown back into the bull pen of Nikon color fiddling to correct every image. Not happening!
Well, I am not about to fall back into that habit! This was true for every Neutral Density filter and also the CPL (Circular Polarizer) filter.
I have no other explanation other than I am more sensitive to color and can’t stand to look at filtered color… even a little.
And I will ignore for the moment the fact that in order to use filters, especially magnetic filters, I have to mount special magnetic rings (and often step-up rings), and then on those rings, a magnetic UV filter (for outdoor protection of the lens), and whatever ND or CPL combination on top, and finally a magnetic cap. And the XCD hood/shade will not fit around all of that, so I have to use a magnetic outsized hood as well.
I was willing to do all of that until I found the CPL and ND filters were NOT neutral and screwed with the color rendition. That was the final straw, IMO. I am not using any or all of that, but back to using the XCD lenses and shades alone as they came from Hasselblad. Instead, I will pay more attention to the light as I take images, and a great deal more attention to postproduction of images.
I am happy with this approach. And I am happy with not covering my Hasselblad lenses with foreign step-up rings, magnetic rings, filters, hoods, and caps.
And, as explained, I was willing to do all of this until I proved to myself that these filters modified the resulting colors significantly enough that I would not consider using them, ever. Extension tubes are another thing entirely. I will use the new 9mm Hasselblad Extension Tube on certain lenses, as needed and don’t object to the results. It works quite well, and I don’t as a rule use extension tubes.
Well, I am not about to fall back into that habit! This was true for every Neutral Density filter and also the CPL (Circular Polarizer) filter.
I have no other explanation other than I am more sensitive to color and can’t stand to look at filtered color… even a little.
And I will ignore for the moment the fact that in order to use filters, especially magnetic filters, I have to mount special magnetic rings (and often step-up rings), and then on those rings, a magnetic UV filter (for outdoor protection of the lens), and whatever ND or CPL combination on top, and finally a magnetic cap. And the XCD hood/shade will not fit around all of that, so I have to use a magnetic outsized hood as well.
I was willing to do all of that until I found the CPL and ND filters were NOT neutral and screwed with the color rendition. That was the final straw, IMO. I am not using any or all of that, but back to using the XCD lenses and shades alone as they came from Hasselblad. Instead, I will pay more attention to the light as I take images, and a great deal more attention to postproduction of images.
I am happy with this approach. And I am happy with not covering my Hasselblad lenses with foreign step-up rings, magnetic rings, filters, hoods, and caps.
And, as explained, I was willing to do all of this until I proved to myself that these filters modified the resulting colors significantly enough that I would not consider using them, ever. Extension tubes are another thing entirely. I will use the new 9mm Hasselblad Extension Tube on certain lenses, as needed and don’t object to the results. It works quite well, and I don’t as a rule use extension tubes.