Steve22 wrote:
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.
I'm considering buying a medium format digital cam... (
show quote)
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.