318 THE HASSELBLAD MANUAL
Some digital photographers like to use Digital Filters or Red Enhancing fi lters. Such fi lters
apparently block the infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays and seem to enrich the red and orange
colors to brighten up fl at scenes.
The fi lters used in black and white fi lm photography to change gray tones can also
improve the rendition of different colored areas in digital black and white images if black and
white images can be produced in the camera. With Hasselblad, black and white images are
produced in the computer.
White Balance in Digital Photography
If you work exclusively in digital photography, you do not have to read the paragraphs about
the color balance and conversion fi lters as the color rendition in digital photography is con-
trolled by the White Balance control (discussed in detail in Chapter 5).This allows you to
obtain the desired colors when photographing in any light source of known or unknown
color temperature instead of placing fi lters in front of the lens. It should nevertheless be help-
ful to the digital photographer to know something about the color temperature of light.
REASONS FOR USING FILTERS
In fi lm photography there are fi ve basic reasons for using fi lters on the camera: (1) to obtain
correct color rendition or enhance color images in color photography, (2) change gray tones
in black and white, (3) create special effects and moods, (4) to reduce the amount of light
reaching the fi lm, and (5) to protect the lens.
Filters as Lens Protection
Lenses are expensive components in any camera system. It is a good practice to protect the
front element with an optically plain piece of glass such as an UV or haze fi lter. Such fi lters
protect the lens from dust and dirt, reduce the need for cleaning, and if cleaning is necessary, it
is reduced to cleaning the fi lter without touching the lens surfaces. Good quality haze and sky-
light fi lters do not change the colors or gray tones to any noticeable degree. To avoid possible
differences in color, it is best to use identical fi lters made by the same company on all lenses.
Equip each lens with its own fi lter. It is too time-consuming to switch fi lters every time
lenses are changed. Since these fi lters become a permanent part of the lens, they must be of
the very highest quality. A lens shade offers further protection for the lens and prevents snow
or raindrops from falling on the front element of the lens.
Haze and UV Filters
Haze and UV fi lters absorb UV rays without changing colors to a noticeable degree. Besides
protecting the lens, they can be helpful when photographing in places that have large
amounts of UV light, such as at high altitudes. In most modern lenses, however, some lens
elements are made from glass that absorbs UV rays to a greater extent than a UV fi lter. In a
way, such lenses have a built-in UV fi lter. Consequently, haze and UV fi lters have little value
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