ND filter system for full xpan 2 setup

[njrfotografia]

Hi all I am looking for some experienced minds to shed some light on helping me get my hands on the best filter system for all three of my Hasselblad Xpan lenses (30,45 and 90mm), primarily just looking at the 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 strength ND graduated filters for landscape panoramas. I have been recommended the Lee rf75 holder and filters, but am somewhat a novice when it comes to filters and there operation. How is shooting with this rf75 holder and filters, or ND grad filters in general on a rangefinder such as the xpan in particular, how do you successfully shoot and align the filters when you can not see through the lens?* Is there any aligning/alignment techniques for this camera and the differing viewfinders for each lens? Is there a structure*to match the rf75 holder markers with each of the 3 lens different viewfinders? Do any xpan users here use the rf75? Will it work well with all three lenses, even the super wide 30? (I hear it was designed for the xpan)
Also, and very importantly, will this lee rf75 filter work along with having the center filter attached to each lens?
I have ordered some books on the subject but find the info on these forums far better and true. Also, I will be shooting in situations where I will be needed hard grad sets, so along with my personal shooing process and style, I will be needing techniques and filter placement methods that are overly critical and precise. I have been told using grease proof paper at the rear of the camera before loading the film can be helpful but that means a whole roll per shoot, which for a number of factors just does not work out. Look forward to your info
Cheers
Na†han

 

[didjiman]

I have used the rf75 filters (soft grad and color) on all 3 XPan lens without problems. For plain ND to get long exposures, I just use a 72mm circular ND and adapters. For hard grad ND, the RF filter holder has scales, and basically you just have to look at the scene to see where the dividing line is and then look at how the filter fits in front of the lens and adjust (this is assuming you are using a tripod of course).

The center filters are only needed if a) you are shooting wide open, and b) shooting color slides, so you probably won't need it. I have used both set of filters without issues either.

 

[njrfotografia]

Thanks for that, but does the rf75 cover the wide panoramic view of the 30mm, especially as lee dont make a wide angle adaptor for the rf75, and I have heard that standard filter holders cause quite bad fall off used in the 30mm...
I have heard a solution with blu tack is a option but I would rather avoid those techniques.
I mostly shoot with slide colour film, velvia 50 etc
So would the center filter screw on to the front of the lens with the filter holder attached?
Na†han

 

[didjiman]

Thanks for that, but does the rf75 cover the wide panoramic view of the 30mm, especially as lee dont make a wide angle adaptor for the rf75, and I have heard that standard filter holders cause quite bad fall off used in the 30mm...
I have heard a solution with blu tack is a option but I would rather avoid those techniques.
I mostly shoot with slide colour film, velvia 50 etc
So would the center filter screw on to the front of the lens with the filter holder attached?
Na†han

Yes, it works fine with the 30mm, and yes you can continue to use the center filter if you wish. I think then you cannot use more than one filter on the RF75, but it should be fine for your purpose.