Medium* Format Digital cameras
Jan 21, 2017 11:45:33 #
There are those here who would not own a crop sensor or mirrorless camera because a full frame camera is so far superior.
(I don't subscribe to that notion myself).
But those who feel that way must be thrilled because a larger* sensor digital format is evolving. The Hasselbald (X1D-50C) 53x40 mm, Pentax (645C) 43x33 mm, and Fuji (GFX 50S) 43x33 mm are now available. Quick sell all your full frame gear and buy the largest sensor available? Oh my! What a dilemma!
*Marketing departments are using the term "medium format" but the sensors are not equal in size to medium format film.
(I don't subscribe to that notion myself).
But those who feel that way must be thrilled because a larger* sensor digital format is evolving. The Hasselbald (X1D-50C) 53x40 mm, Pentax (645C) 43x33 mm, and Fuji (GFX 50S) 43x33 mm are now available. Quick sell all your full frame gear and buy the largest sensor available? Oh my! What a dilemma!
*Marketing departments are using the term "medium format" but the sensors are not equal in size to medium format film.
Jan 21, 2017 12:01:21 #
JD750 wrote:
There are those here who would not own a crop sensor or mirrorless camera because a full frame camera is so far superior. (I don't subscribe to that notion myself). Marketing departments are using the term "medium format" but the sensors are not equal in size to medium format film.
I absolutely agree - chasing one's tail over the next 'great' format size is unnecessary and silly! My $0.02 worth.
Jan 21, 2017 12:01:43 #
Lightspeed makes a sensor for 4x5 cameras. A bit pricey, but not really 4x5 inches. My personal preference would be an H6D-100, with three lenses. 50mm, 80mm, 150mm. My first purchase right after I win a lottery.
--Bob
--Bob
JD750 wrote:
There are those here who would not own a crop sens... (show quote)
Jan 21, 2017 12:03:15 #
Ralph, why draw the line at format size? There are those who lust after anything "latest" model of any photographic equipment.
--Bob
--Bob
rjaywallace wrote:
I absolutely agree - chasing one's tail over the next 'great' format size is unnecessary and silly! My $0.02 worth.
Jan 21, 2017 12:04:56 #
I shoot with a full frame and love it, and yes it is much better than a crop sensor, but if medium format is not really medium (according to old definition) format then why bother. I certainly wouldn't sell everything to get a so-called medium format when it isn't really medium format. Medium format once meant 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 or 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 large format was 4 x 5 or larger, maybe the definitions have changed. I would need to take out a loan on my home to get one of those anyway. The quality of full frame is excellent and much better than good enough, I can crop to a quarter of the frame and still get an excellent quality image.
Jan 21, 2017 12:22:32 #
JD750 wrote:
There are those here who would not own a crop sens... (show quote)
What do you mean, they are now available, they are available for more then 20 years now?
Jan 21, 2017 12:25:26 #
Smudgey wrote:
I shoot with a full frame and love it, and yes it ... (show quote)
Who cares if they match exactly the formats, the benefits are in the size of a larger sensor!!!
Jan 21, 2017 12:29:30 #
The new fuji does video, but I haven't seen yet whether it uses the whole sensor or just part of it like the pentax does. Sample shots I have seen of the pentax output seem to blow away the d800 output, even though the sensor is just 1.65 times as large as full frame. If you have the money and inclination, why not? The Fuji or Pentax and a couple of lenses will run you about $10,000 or so. Way less than the Hassy. But I'm still waiting for the D750 to drop down to the $500 range on ebay. I guess it will be a while.
Jan 21, 2017 13:13:53 #
Crop sensor???? What the heck is that?
All sensors are full size, none is cropped. A crop takes place only if you use a lens made for a smaller sensor. A magnification takes place if you do the reverse, using a lens made made for a larger sensor.
Now about sensor size???
Considering what is going on in sensor technology I am not sure if a smaller sensor will still be inferior to a larger one. As to the medium formats, they have advantages in studio that are quickly lost in the wild unless you for static subjects (good luck trying to capture a flying insect with a medium camera...).
All sensors are full size, none is cropped. A crop takes place only if you use a lens made for a smaller sensor. A magnification takes place if you do the reverse, using a lens made made for a larger sensor.
Now about sensor size???
Considering what is going on in sensor technology I am not sure if a smaller sensor will still be inferior to a larger one. As to the medium formats, they have advantages in studio that are quickly lost in the wild unless you for static subjects (good luck trying to capture a flying insect with a medium camera...).
Jan 21, 2017 15:18:14 #
I have crop and full frame cameras and the full frame is definitely better. I can probably pan a flying insect with any size camera. BnH has some Hasselblad's in their used department right now, and my wife may be giving me the go ahead. I have a friend with the 50mp Hasselblad, its awesome.
Jan 21, 2017 15:59:45 #
My perfect sensor size is four thirds. It keeps the equipment small. In my opinion, FF is only necessary for film.
Jan 21, 2017 23:22:24 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Crop sensor???? What the heck is that? br br All... (show quote)
You are correct there is no crop sensor. The term "crop sensor" is a slang term usually interpreted to mean APS-C size.
Yes I agree with you about sensors too. Also each generation of sensors is leaps above the prior generations, following More's law. So a small sensor today will outperform a larger sensor of prior generations.
Jan 22, 2017 06:01:23 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
We use medium format for work; it is not a format that is easy to use for a hobbyist. Things like focussing with only one focus point, the slow frame rates, need for a tripod, the cost of the lenses do not make this a shoot and scoot type of device. It is possible to pick up second hand Hasselblad H series and Phase One bodies for the sort of money that would buy a dslr but whether the buyer can use it like a dslr is very, very unlikely.
The new Hasselblad X series is a device aimed at the larger market; it is unlikely to replace the H series in studio or professional work, and the manufacturers think that is the case. Is it a gimmick - time will tell but it is probably not going to be a device you see often.
The new Hasselblad X series is a device aimed at the larger market; it is unlikely to replace the H series in studio or professional work, and the manufacturers think that is the case. Is it a gimmick - time will tell but it is probably not going to be a device you see often.
Jan 22, 2017 07:00:51 #
JD750 wrote:
There are those here who would not own a crop sens... (show quote)
A hole new set of gear fro those that want a camera store in their house. Time to set up another wall for display and get another counter too. Get ready to fork out another $100,000.
Jan 22, 2017 08:09:01 #
JD750 wrote:
There are those here who would not own a crop sens... (show quote)
You use two good terms, "marketing department" and "medium." The marketing department exists to increase sales. "Medium" is like " large" or "small" - almost meaningless. It would be nice if the terminology made more sense, but I doubt we'll see that. FX is about as standard as you can get. What does the average person think when he hears about a 4/3" or 1" sensor? Even APS-C sensors come in different sizes.
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