Viewfi nders and Focusing Screens 143
For all practical purposes, the area you see in the fi nder is the area recorded in the cam-
era. Focusing screens or masks with the correct area engraved for the various digital sensor
sizes are supplied with the digital backs.
All V system Hasselblad cameras with a gliding mirror system show the recorded image area
from top to bottom with any lens or accessory. Older cameras have vignetting along the upper
edge when extension tubes, bellows, or lenses with focal length lenses longer than 100 mm are
used .This image cut-off is only on the focusing screen, not in the image, so allow for it.
VIEWFINDERS
The Hasselblad eye-level fi nder for the H cameras and the interchangeable viewfi nders in the
V system magnify the image on the screen for accurate focusing. They also shield the screen
from extraneous light for convenient image evaluation even in bright sunlight. Each view-
fi nder has its own advantage, so select the type that appears to be most satisfactory for your
type of photography and for the way you operate the camera. All fi nders are beautifully suited
for handheld photography, both fi lm and digital.
Viewfi nder Magnifi cation
The magnifi cation of Hasselblad viewfi nders varies and is indicated in Table 7-1. Although the
magnifi cation varies, with the standard hood having the highest value, the image in all fi nders
is suffi ciently magnifi ed for precise focusing on the Acute Matte screen. Your choice of fi nder
is therefore best determined by the viewing convenience for your approach to photography.
A higher magnifi cation, however, enlarges the display of viewfi nder information in H system
and 200V system cameras making the fi gures and symbols easier to read. Some photographers
like to add a view magnifi er over the viewfi nder eyepiece to magnify the center portion of the
screen 2. I do not feel that this is really necessary if you use the fi nders properly.
Viewfi nders to Improve Camera Steadiness
Camera motion is reduced when two forces work against each other. With a handheld cam-
era, the two forces are the hands pressing the camera in one direction and the photographer’s
head, with the eye pressed against the viewfi nder, pushing the opposite way (see Figure 1-4
in Chapter 1). A fi rm contact between eye and viewfi nder is necessary and is encouraged by
the rubber eyepieces on the prism fi nders.
The latest viewfi nders have a high eyepoint so you can wear eyeglasses for viewing.
The fi rm contact between eye and eyepiece is, however, somewhat lost as it is diffi cult to
press a fi nder eyepiece as fi rmly toward eyeglasses as you can toward your eye and forehead.
Eyeglasses also leave an open space on the sides where light can enter making the screen
image appear darker than it actually is. For these reasons, and because I do so much handheld
photography, my personal choice is to view without glasses and leave my eyeglasses, which
I need for reading the fi gures on lenses or magazines, on a chain around my neck so I can
simply drop them when I take a picture. Whether to work with or without eyeglasses must
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
