Centre filter for a Hasselblad 30/5,6 (Xpan)

Jesper · Dec 8, 2014

It seems that I've just won an auction for a 30/5.6 for my Xpan but it comes without a centre filter. Since I shoot B/W (and nothing but B/W) I hope I can correct this in the darkroom but if need one, does anybody know if there is someplace selling Xpan accessories or at least a filter that would work?

tocalosh · Dec 8, 2014

I got mine from an eBay seller in Hong Kong. They cost a lot! I think i paid about £200! But the 30mm was cheap, if I was to sell them together now I would make a profit. Keep an eye on eBay, they come up every now and then.

Richard Man · Dec 8, 2014

You don't need it for B&W. Heck, I don't even use it for slides and they are fine. Dark edges are cool anyway.

Jesper · Dec 8, 2014

Thanks for the advice.I will start out without filter (need to save up before buying one anyway) and keep a lookout on ebay if I need one.

NB23 · Dec 8, 2014

Believe me, for the 30mm lens you need a center filter! Absolutely noooo question about it, even if you're shooting BW.
For the 45 and 90, I agree, you don't need one but I still use one.

Last year when I was looking for one on ebay there were a few fairly cheap ones. The fuji versions are cheaper (xpans and lenses) so I'd search for a fuji center filter.

Richard Man · Dec 8, 2014

I have been shooting an XPan since 2007. I used to own 2 XPan II Whatever.

NB23 · Dec 8, 2014

Ok so you've been shooting images with some heavy vigneting since 2007 and you are personally happy with it. I would however be careful in recomending it to other people.

I print my xpan negatives on a regular basis and what always leaves me in awe is the homogeneous exposure across the frame. Fine panoramic images need to be so.

Richard Man · Dec 8, 2014

I have 6 52" wide XPan prints on my wall right now. Fine, you use the center filter. We get it. The OP can just try it and see what he prefers.

Richard Man · Dec 8, 2014

I even shoot 6x17 (and 4x5 and Leica...) Stop down a couple stops and center filters is rarely needed ever. In any case, just shoot a couple rolls and see whether you like it or not. Simple as that.

NB23 · Dec 9, 2014

didjiman said:
I have 6 52" wide XPan prints on my wall right now. Fine, you use the center filter. We get it. The OP can just try it and see what he prefers.

If I have Seven 51.1" wide xpan prints on my wall, does this somehow make me sound more serious?

Richard Man · Dec 9, 2014

NB23, you win, you are correct. Please I do not care.

Jesper · Dec 9, 2014

It is not a question of one way that is right and one that is wrong. I sometinmes use light falloff as part of an image and at other times I don't want it at all. For financial reasons (I had not planned on buying this lens at all but it was cheap) I will have to test it without filter and I will take it from there. Some vignetting can be fixed with a little dodging and maybe it is enough or maybe not. One of the reasons for my post was to find out if there are more center filters that can be used apart from Fuji and Haselblad. There are a bunch of them out there and maybe one of them is cheap, plentiful and close enough (I'm dreaming, I know).
Hopefully I will get the lens at the end of the week and then I'll see.

Richard Man · Dec 9, 2014

Jesper, I don't know what you paid, but if you got it for less than $2400 and it's in good shape, that would be a really good price, and no, there is no other center filter that fits. I love my 30mm.

Richard Man · Dec 9, 2014

I think because of the rarity, center filters are often super expensive. Some of the LF lens center filter costs as much as the XPan 30mm LENS!

Jesper · Dec 9, 2014

I bought it at a large national camera auction that auctions twice yearly here in Sweden and the total price, including commision and postage will be about $1250 but it is lens only and no filter or viewfinder. The latter I can build but the filter is a bit harder to make at home.
Really looking forward to testing it.

Richard Man · Dec 9, 2014

OMG, that is a BARGAIN! For finder, even though I have XPan finder, I much prefer to use the Zeiss 15mm finder. The clarity is something to behold. I have also used Leica finders and the Zeiss one beats it by a mile. If you have limited budget, get the Voigtlander 15mm finder.

You will have to mark off the bottom (I use a red marker) and watch the vertical edges slightly, but after a roll or two, you will know how it behaves.

If you ever want to sell that 30mm, let me know. I can also use a spare

Sirius Glass · Dec 9, 2014

The light falloff is a part of the optics physics. it is 1/cos4(angle off the lens center axis). So the further the angle off the center axis the greater the falloff. This becomes a factor in wide angle lens.

Centre filter for a Hasselblad 30/5,6 (Xpan)

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency