User's Manual

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In very simple terms, a digital back holds a light sensitive sensor in place at the film
plane. The electronic signals from the sensor are then processed and stored as a
digital file.
As an electronic colour image is made up of three components − red, green and
blue which combine to form a so-called RGB image − the sensor’s task is to convert
a multi spectrum light image into three digital files (red, green and blue) for combi-
nation later on.
The H2D and CFH use a CCD (Charged Couple Device) type sensor that has millions
of light sensitive areas on its surface each of which creates a pixel.
Each pixel in the sensor is filtered to create the three separate red, green and blue
files. Software then processes these electronic files as a package into a Hasselblad
3FR file which in turn is processed in FlexColor to produce Hasselblad 3F files or vari-
ous other formats such as RAW, TIFF, JPEG etc.
The three components of the image file are later recombined on the computer
screen to produce the familiar full colour image.
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The captured image can be temporarily stored internally with a CF card, on a
Hasselblad Imagebank or the hard disk on a computer via FlexColor. When using
the camera tethered in a studio you can control all the digital aspects of camera
operation from a computer using FlexColor. See the separate FlexColor manual for
further details.
As the H2D and CFH are purely electronic devices, attention to power supply is vital.
When working untethered it is therefore important to plan either battery loading or
battery replacement to ensure continued workflow.
Likewise, image storage is limited, particularly when using flash cards and appro-
priate steps should also be taken when planning a shoot.
External storage is accomplished by FireWire connection to a separate hard disk or
a computer.
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When attaching and removing the back, pay particular attention to the image sen-
sor area. The sensor itself is covered and therefore protected by the glass IR filter but
take great care when handling. If you need to clean the filter, see later section for
specific details. When storing separated from the camera, always ensure you have
replaced the protective cover.
If you scratch or mark the filter in any way, it will show up on every shot.
Replacements are expensive so treat the glass surface with at least as much care as
you would a lens.
The sensor itself is not accessible for any kind of cleaning or maintenance by a user.
Do not attempt any such action as you will almost certainly damage it irreparably.
As is the case with all electronic devices pay extra care when working in damp en-
vironments and avoid damp conditions for storage.