Should I go to medium format?
May 7, 2019 18:04:37 #
I have been thinking about this for a while. I shoot mostly landscape and structures. I moved from D810 to D850 last year. I wonder if going from 45 to say, 50 mp on a larger sensor would noticeably improve IQ. My skill level is pretty good. I get sharp images, well exposed and print large with good results. I saw this DxO report on Fb. ( https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fphotorumors.com%2F2019%2F05%2F07%2Fpanasonic-lumix-dc-s1r-camera-tested-at-dxomark%2F&h=AT1trvFNxNiuWRPk6kWM-RcqvwXXB-fNJiwdAbXC7uDik_OuED5JXYq0ezP-NJod0a-fqVvNFFTgtVkIenTTke0beMQvzaDV26iZLX3iexLXI_PYqisNQeNPGRDFLkU&s=1 ). I am surprised to see the results and that the the only medium format in this test is only slightly better. I just sold an extra car and so the gas attack is working. Do any of the medium format shooters here have a view?
May 7, 2019 18:33:43 #
To the naked eye, you wont notice any difference. For landscape shooting, you can't beat the D850.
May 7, 2019 19:11:57 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
If you want the absolute best in image quality (at least short of a view camera), want to make very large prints, and money is no object, nor is the size and weight of medium format equipment a problem, then it might be worth at least considering and researching the change. I would suggest looking at other reports/reviews than DXO (although I think they are very good if what they do is fully understood). Then if possible rent a medium format camera and lens(s) that appeal and compare directly with the results of the same images in your D850. This will be a very costly change and I would suggest doing everything possible to be certain it is the right one for you. Just my opinion. I have also considered such a change, having used both medium format and a 4X5 view camera in the film era for landscapes but money is a big problem at this stage of life so it isn't possible for me now.
May 7, 2019 19:28:50 #
John Howard wrote:
I have been thinking about this for a while. I sho... (show quote)
No experience to offer, but I recently looked at how cameras compared for dynamic range. Not surprising that the medium formats were at the top of the list. But your camera was right up there in the top tier as well.
Camera/Dynamic Range/Low Light ISO/Low Light EV
Phase One IQ4 150MP 13.11 22524 12.82
Phase One IQ3 100MP 13.06 12800 12.00
Hasselblad H6D-100c 12.89 8565 11.42
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 12.22 4991 10.64
Hasselblad H6D-50c 12.01 6400 11.00
Hasselblad X1D-50c 11.98 9058 11.50
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R 11.94 4522 10.50
Phase One IQ250 11.92 6400 11.00
FujiFilm GFX 50S 11.90 6241 10.96
FujiFilm GFX 50R 11.86 6218 10.96
Pentax 645Z 11.77 5157 10.69
Sony ILCE-7R 11.71 4108 10.36
Sony ILCE-7RM3 11.65 5787 10.85
Nikon D850 11.63 4115 10.36
May 7, 2019 19:41:45 #
John Howard wrote:
I have been thinking about this for a while. I sho... (show quote)
Well, if you are going to go medium format, why muck around with a med format toy like the Panasonic. You might as well go BIG - mortgage the house while your at it and get a Phase One IQ4 150MP. At $52,000, it will cure your gas. I doubt it will help with the wounds and broken bones that you will suffer after your significant other finds out what you did.
Brings back a memory of a film clip involving a hold up involving an Australian, a knife and a REAL KNIFE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnww12a6W8o
May 7, 2019 21:12:26 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
bleirer wrote:
No experience to offer, but I recently looked at ... (show quote)
Could you please give us a link or source name for the above. Very interesting, thanks.
May 7, 2019 21:29:15 #
`
Really, given that you've felt need to ask,
the clear answer is no. It's a lotta sheckels
for a less than earth shaking difference. If
you needed every last increment of IQ on
a cost-no-barrier budget, you would not be
asking and you would definitely be in the
market for a 44x55mm. 33x44mm is NOT
worth even a small dent in the budget, as
"FF" already provides 24x36mm plus many
useful preformace options not available in
the 33x44 range.
Really, given that you've felt need to ask,
the clear answer is no. It's a lotta sheckels
for a less than earth shaking difference. If
you needed every last increment of IQ on
a cost-no-barrier budget, you would not be
asking and you would definitely be in the
market for a 44x55mm. 33x44mm is NOT
worth even a small dent in the budget, as
"FF" already provides 24x36mm plus many
useful preformace options not available in
the 33x44 range.
May 7, 2019 21:47:02 #
Wanderer2 wrote:
Could you please give us a link or source name for the above. Very interesting, thanks.
http://photonstophotos.net
May 7, 2019 22:16:18 #
With medium format, you might be struggling to achieve a deep depth of field for your landscape photos. You would be using a longer focal length lens to have the same field of view as with your full frame camera. That longer focal length lens will produce a shallower depth of field (if you remain standing in the same spot). I would stick with your D850. Spend the money on really good glass.
May 7, 2019 23:02:02 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
Stick with the D850.
Get very good glass. I didn't say expensive.
Zoom in, focus stack, maybe a dozen slices.
Move the camera @ 1/3 frame horizontal, do the focus stack again.
Time passes. Done? Pano these guys together.
Oohs and aahs happen.
Or just send me the 850 and the outmoded lenses, and invest in that Panasonic. Win win!
Get very good glass. I didn't say expensive.
Zoom in, focus stack, maybe a dozen slices.
Move the camera @ 1/3 frame horizontal, do the focus stack again.
Time passes. Done? Pano these guys together.
Oohs and aahs happen.
Or just send me the 850 and the outmoded lenses, and invest in that Panasonic. Win win!
May 8, 2019 02:23:42 #
MF WILL give better IQ....but will it be ENOUGH better to justify the cost....for a non-professional? Probably not. Only you can say, though. How many wall, or even just billboard, sized prints will you be making over the next few years? If none, then how big an IQ difference do you expect to see in the print sizes you will be making? Get the biggest, best, most costly, gear that you can REASONABLY AFFORD. How reasonably affordable-for you-IS MF gear? Only YOU can say. In your situation (what little I seem to know of it so far, from what little you have said) I would stick with used Full Frame gear at most.
May 8, 2019 05:16:44 #
Why chase this "image quality" detail-sharpness thing?
There is ALWAYS something better/bigger/newer out there to spend money on.
How about working on making better images through some other means like using better light...or finding better stuff to stand in front of?
There is ALWAYS something better/bigger/newer out there to spend money on.
How about working on making better images through some other means like using better light...or finding better stuff to stand in front of?
May 8, 2019 05:43:22 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
John Howard wrote:
I have been thinking about this for a while. I sho... (show quote)
I have found that even cropping with the D850, my images appear sharper. I feel the D850 improves any lens I put on it. The largest prints I do are 20X30 and with the D850 they are extremely sharp. How much are you willing to spend to get slightly if any improvement in quality? That, my friend, is your decision, not ours.
May 8, 2019 07:59:13 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
Gene51 wrote:
Well, if you are going to go medium format, why mu... (show quote)
I know that clip. Loved it then, love it now.
May 8, 2019 08:00:01 #
Keep the D850 and invest in a good pano-head system that will guide you to perfect photo-stitching images. Shooting highest res, overlapping frames can give you sensor-to-image ratios equivalent to shooting with a 4x5 sensor. And, if the resulting 1gb final file size is still too small for you, you can always get AI Gigapixel by Topaz, and bump your resolution to a 6gb file, so you can print barn-size photos at 300 dpi. This will all be cheaper than going to a larger format.
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