AK Loc: Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Hi, just wondering whether many on this site shoot medium format digital as well as cropped and full frame?
Have seen some shots with Fuji GFX50S and their 32-64 lens...wow...sharp compared to 5Diii and series 2 24-70L, another level again?

As you know I am just a novice here downunder.

Cheers, Adrian

donphotog

Adrian -
I'm currently using a Canon 5DIII with assorted "L" lenses and two Fuji X-T2 bodies with Fujinon XF lenses (zoom and prime). In June 2018, I rented the Fuji GFX50S with the 32-64 GX lens to take on a photo ops trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Virginia. Shot these camera bodies (full frame, APS-C and medium format digital) side by side for over a week and, IMHO, and I've been photographing since 1950, I didn't see all that much difference, certainly not enough to justify the even moderate price of the Fuji GFX50S rig. Sure, if you are going to do mural size prints, and by that I mean larger than 30X40, medium format will produce more resolution. Medium format is also technically superior but . . . BTW, I shoot RAW in the Canon and PP in Lightroom 6.1 whereas the Fuji in camera processors, film simulations and built in lens corrections are so good, I shoot jpeg in the Fujis, even the GFX50S. Undoubtedly, the GFX50S is a fabulous camera but so is the 5DIII and X-T2. Just my two cents worth. Be happy with what you're using.

AK Loc: Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Thank you for that. Medium is expensive and the 5Diii is a solid performer.

ken glanzer

How about showing some sample 8x10 comparisons & portions of big prints of both so one can see the difference. I'd like to rent a medium format digital but would like to see the difference, also between jpeg & raw blown up. I keep hearing of it but never see any comparisons!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I shoot FX, along with medium and large format.
--Bob

donphotog

I hear you, Ken. Unfortunately I didn't shoot exactly the same scenes with the different bodies and, even if I had, I seriously doubt you could discern ANY difference between any internet posted jpeg images. That is exactly my point. Sure, with medium format there is superlative resolution much of which goes undetected unless you are going for extreme enlargement. Also, the Canon 5DIII and the Fuji GFX50s are LARGE bodies. Again, IMHO, the Fuji engineers have done a tremendous job of programming the algorithms in the jpegs that are produced by the Fuji X-T2 and the body is quite small and compact. I have very satisfactorily blown the X-T2 files up to 30X40 albeit with some PP of the jpegs in Lightroom. What's that old saying, "The best camera is the one you have in your hands?"

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Which digital large format camera do you have? The LargeSense LS911 perhaps?

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Knowing how expensive digital medium format is, I would be interested in hearing about large format digital photographers and equipment.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Not digital, film. Also, not enough coffee prior to reading the post.
--Bob

Keen

I have done a bit of MF film work in Square, and 6X7 formats. I haven't tried MF Digital yet. I may some day.

AK Loc: Adelaide Hills, South Australia

I have been fortunate enough to twist an arm and have a GFX50S to play with for a day so I thought I may try to prove donphotog’s points as to how much sharper or not to a 5Diii. Not a real scientific method but close enough for me.
So a section of brickwork 1.85m from camera bodies.
Both set to ISO 100
Both set to 50mm
Both set to F4 (Fuji max F4)
Canon Tv 180
Fuji Tv 160
Single shot focus
Both shoot raw 4:3 to make full use of sensor.
Mounted on tripod
Fuji mechanical shutter

Canon 5Diii with 24-70L f2.8 -digital.
Fuji GFX50S with 32-64 f4.0 -digital not film.

Results very very similar for sharpness, as donphotog stated, IMHO Fuji just a fraction sharper.

Surprise to me that 50mm on Fuji has marginally wider field of view (very marginal)
No point in posting jpg on forum but if really interested to see then pm your email and I will share a Dropbox link for you to access with all exif data straight out of cameras.
Now to reset and return Fuji.
Kind regards to all, Adrian

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If super high resolution is what you need then a large format camera is for you. Modern digital cameras are of excellent quality and I cannot comment on digital medium format because I have no experience using them. I did use medium format and large format with film and the resolution was superb only limited by the grain of the film in use.
As has been already mentioned, if you are not going to be making prints beyond 20x30 modern cameras will do a great job. By the way, the Nikon D3 with its 12 Mp. comes to mind.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Why would you consider a medium format set up and then shoot jpeg (8-bit) and throw away half your data?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

But not MF Digital, Bob …

I'm sure many of us still use MF film cameras - easy to get, nowadays … nobody wants them, anymore!!

But MF Digital is so expensive, in comparison. The asking price on that GFX 50S when it was first intro'd - was $6500 b/o … same exact price as the D5. It's come down, now, somewhat - plus, you can now get the GFX 50R for a couple of grand, less - but they're BOTH still - way up there, when you figure in lenses!!!

Kuzano

I use the very sharp Fujifilm GSW690 Film camera with the 65 mm EBC Fuji lens. Negative size is 6X9 Centimeters 58 x 88 mm. Have them drum scanned and then digitally stitch 3 together (which compiles to the equivalent of a 6CM to 17CM or a 6X24CM after the over lap. Can print to 6 feet length, or there about.

Now that's true Medium Format. IMEO, there really is no digital Medium Format.

That Fujifilm GSW690 W/ EBC coated lens can readily be purchased on eBay for from $500 to $1000 (near mint!). It uses readily available 120 roll film in many emulsions. I get my film developed at Fujifilm Professional Labs, through a ten day Walmart "send out only" program at one of two Super Walmarts within 3 - 20 miles of home. Free shipping on Walmart trucks both ways to and from the lab. Fifteen years now, no lost film or images, professional work. Just got my last two rolls 2 months ago. Have never paid over $10 per roll.

Scanning not available there, but send scanning out, then stitch and PP. (The only post processing I have done for some time) Great for panoramic landscapes. The diversity of using both film and digital combined.

A great marriage of the two media and not overly costly.

You may do well to look at some of the posts from those on this thread who still shoot FILM, and to those who combine two great mediums for excellent results. Posts from those like Rmalarz, Camerapapi, Keen and others.

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