Steve22

I'm considering buying a medium format digital camera. The 100s creates files that are 100mb, the 645 makes files that are 52mb. My largest prints at home are 13x16, so even with cropping both should work. I have the disk space and the RAM to handle the large file size, so that's not an issue. Affinity says their software can handle the large file size, too.
So, do you think the 50% premium for the 100S is worth it? Is the larger file that much of a difference in terms of detail, quality? Any thoughts on the cameras themselves?
Thanks for your thoughts.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Since your goal is 13 x 16 prints, I would go with the 645. My 2 cents.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Whichever fits in your hands the most comfortably. Heard Fujifilm was coming out with another medium format. A GFX50S Mark II.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

The Fujifilm shoots 10 bit 4K video, the 645Z only shoots 8 bit HD, and the video is very subject to moire because of the absence of the anti-aliasing filter. The Fujifilm video has less moire because of the increased pixels. 4K video can produce 8MP stills as well. If they were the same price or close I would get the Fujifilm. You have to decide if the premium is worth it to you.

2Much Loc: WA

Printed at 13x16, I doubt you could see the difference in resolution between the 100s and a high end full frame camera. And that's assuming a pro level printer that could do the 100s justice. Hard to imagine you'd see a difference in detail with the cameras you're considering at that print size.

Haven't handled a 100s but it looks like it would be more enjoyable to shoot with than the 645z. That might be a reason to see what the new 50s has to offer.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

Will you be happy with the "cheaper" one?

fetzler Loc: North West PA

For video a dedicated cine camera or perhaps even a micro 4/3 camera would be a better choice. But for photos I think both of these would be great.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The difference for me is in the available and cost of lenses and the flopping mirror.

The 645 has a LOT of lenses available - especially used and LONG focal lengths......The vibration of the flopping mirror can become a concern with hand holding longer shutter speeds - also the noise ! ....
..

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

My goodness, I have a 13 X 16 metal print that came out beautifully, hanging on my wall. I took it with a 4MP camera! You don’t need 100MP’s! Just about ANY digital camera will do.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I have a cine camera for video because I couldn't use the 645Z for it. Possibly the Fujifilm would have served both purposes, making the cine camera unnecessary. Another point of comparison is the 645Z is a heavy camera. 3.3 pounds without a lens compared to 2 pounds for the Fujifilm, which is about what a Nikon D800 weighs.

Besperus Loc: Oregon

There are many considerations. Cost of lenses. Availability of accessories. And just the convenience and handling. There is Hasselblad too (too, too expensive). I’ve seen the results from both, used the Pentax,
not the Fuji. Fuji, to me, seems too much like using classic view camera. Heavy tripod, massive carry for lenses and all the other gear. Pentax is compact and was easy to use. Only had three lenses with me. Small back pack and a spare battery.
Video? Don’t do video unless I use a video camera (Canon). I normally use Olympus m4/3 for almost everything I’m paid for. Have fun. My 645 is a Mamiya film camera.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If the largest print you ever make is 13x16 (which is an odd size, by the way), then either of those medium format cameras is massive overkill. I've made excellent 11x14" and 13x19" prints from 6MP cameras (without cropping) and 15MP or higher cameras allow for significant cropping.

If you outsource larger prints at times (it's hard to be sure what you mean in your post), one of the medium format cameras may make sense. I would note that the Fuji camera is a mirrorless, while the Pentax is a more traditional designed medium format, with a big old mirror slapping around inside and simply with digital recording instead of film.

There is only the one Pentax now being offered... the 645Z that costs $5000 for the body alone (50+MP).

There are four Fuji GFX models:
- GFX50R... $3500 body only, compact rangefinder-style design, 50MP.
- GFX50S... $5500 body only, removable electronic viewfinder, 50MP.
- GFX100S... $6000 body only, EVF, 100MP.
- GFX100... $10,000 body only, removable EFV & built-in battery grip, 100MP.

Note that there are 45MP, 50MP and 60MP "full frame" cameras available from Canon, Nikon and Sony.

Whatever model has your attention, you need to look beyond the camera itself to the system behind it. For example, right now Pentax offers 15 lenses for the 645Z. Of course, you can use vintage lenses on it. as well as adapt some lenses from other mounts (such as Hasselblad). Fuji currently offers 26 lenses for their GFX cameras, but they also can use a variety of adapted lenses.

In comparison...
- Sony and others offer 239 full frame capable lenses to fit their mirrorless e-mount (167 autofocus).
- Canon and others offer 49 full frame lenses to fit the relatively new mirrorless RF-mount (26 autofocus)
- Canon and others offer 249 full frame capable lenses to fit their DSLR EF-mount (136 autofocus)
- Nikon and others offer 61 full frame capable lenses to fit the relatively new Z-mount (31 autofocus)
- Nikon and others offer 243 full frame capable lenses to fit their DSLR F-mount (140 autofocus)

Among those lenses, look at the cost of what you want, too. For example...
- The least expensive AF lens for Fuji GFX system is a slightly wide "normal" 40mm f/2.8, on sale right now for $800 after rebate.
- The least expensive AF lens for Pentax 645 system is a slightly tele "normal" 75mm f/2.8 for a little under $700.
- The least expensive AF lenses for full frame Sony e-mount are moderate wide to wide 35mm f/2.8 and 24mm f/2.8 lenses from Tamron, Rokinon and Yongnuo, all around $200.... while Sony themselves offer a $248 50mm f/1.8 "normal" lens.
- Canon offers a $200 50mm f/1.8 normal lens, currently the most affordable autofocus lens for RF-mount.
- For Canon EF-mount autofocus lenses in some focal lengths are available for as little as $80 to $100. Canon themselves offer the EF 50mm f/1.8 for $125.
- Nikon has just introduced a sub-$300 28mm f/2.8 for their Z-mount, while also offering a 24-50mm zoom for $300. Viltrox offers an 85mm f/1.8 for $300, too.
- for Nikon F-mount there are several normal and moderate wide lenses for $100 or less, as well as the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 for $130 and the AF-S 50mm f/1.8 for $169.

In other words, lenses for medium format are considerably more expensive than their counterparts for full frame cameras.

Also be sure to look for any specialized types of lenses you might require such as macro, powerful telephotos, fisheye, tilt-shift, etc. Those may or may not be available in the above systems. You should look at other accessories you will want, too, such as dedicated flash, remote releases, etc.

It's pretty to do these comparisons with the big online retailers such as Adorama and B&H Photo (I looked at the latter for the above prices and lens counts).

There also are numerous online reviews for pretty much all models. For Canon gear I highly recommend The-Digital-Picture.com, where you'll find thorough and helpful info about any camera model or lens (there also is limited info on some other brands and accessories, but the focus there is on Canon and popular brands to fit Canon). You're on your own finding reviews of the other camera systems.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Au contraire!

Actually, the Pentax 645Z is larger and heavier than the Fuji GFX100S, GFX50S and especially the GFX50R.

Body only comparisons (with battery and memory card)...

- 645Z... 6.1Wx 4.6Hx 4.8D"... 1550 grams (54.7 oz. or 3.4 lb.)
- GFX100S... 5.9 x 4.1 x 3.4"... 900 grams (31.7 oz. or 2 lb.)
- GFX50S... 5.8 x 3.7 x 3.6"... 920 grams (32.5 oz or 2 lb.)
- GFX50R... 6.3 x 3.8 x 2.6"... 775 grams (27.4 oz. or 1.7 lb.)

Only the GFX100 with it's built in battery grip and additional controls is a little taller (6.15 x 6.44 x 4.05") than the 645Z. But even that Fuji still manages to be slightly lighter weight at 1400 grams or just over 3 lb.

Can't say about the lenses (too lazy to look them up), but wouldn't be surprised if some of the Fuji lenses were larger than comparable Pentax. That's not uncommon comparing lenses for mirrorless cameras (all the Fuji) against lenses for similar format reflex cameras (such as the 645Z).

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I buy all my cameras and lenses on ebay. I bought the 645Z and the autofocus Pentax FA 55mm f2.8 for $3025 with tax and shipping almost 2 years ago. I believe it had 12,000 shutter actuations and both the camera and lens were in mint condition. For still pics it's the best camera I have owned. The Fugifilm 50 (body only) is about a thousand more than that on ebay, so I didn't see the added value. But the 100S does have added value. It depends on the buyer if it is worth it to them.