Medium Format Digital Cameras
Medium cameras initially were used solely with 120 film, and the popularity never deceased with medium format after digital cameras were introduced because of the supreme image quality and not actually being too much heavier than a digital camera. Of course the film was an added cost as well as the actual camera being rather pricey, but for a lot of photographers the price was well wroth it for the outcome.
The popularity of this size then inspired camera makers to produce digital backs for the medium format cameras. This mimics the size of the film. The images aren't the exact size however, perhaps in future years camera developers will find a way to truly mimic this but for now the size of the image from a digital medium format back is slightly smaller. While there is no set size for the image from a digital medium format camera as it varies from each manufacturer, the outcome is better that of a full frame DSLR.
Why use a digital medium format camera?;
Hasselblad H5D-40
The hasselblad camera is pricey number, starting at almost £4k without a lens, in used condition. This camera doesn't use the Capture One software, but Phocus which is Hasselblad's own tethering and editing software.
Key Specs;
This as always depends on what you're shooting. The Mamiya with the digital back allows for a faster shot, with limits of 1/4000 compared to 1/800, so perhaps when shooting people this is preferable as they tend to move even unintentionally. For still life, the Hasselblad is a great contender especially for longer shots.
The flash being able to sync at any shutter speed on the Hasselblad also gives it a huge advantage because it doesn't restrict the user as much.
It must also be noted that the Hasselblad cannot be taken off property by students of the university and so you're rather restricted to the studio for this camera, whereas the Mamiya has many options in terms of subject.
I don't believe there can be an overall 'winner' because it completely depends on what you're looking to take photographs of.
https://www.adorama.com/alc/faq-what-is-a-medium-format-camera
https://store.hasselblad.com/products/h5d-40-without-lens?from=accessories
The popularity of this size then inspired camera makers to produce digital backs for the medium format cameras. This mimics the size of the film. The images aren't the exact size however, perhaps in future years camera developers will find a way to truly mimic this but for now the size of the image from a digital medium format back is slightly smaller. While there is no set size for the image from a digital medium format camera as it varies from each manufacturer, the outcome is better that of a full frame DSLR.
Why use a digital medium format camera?;
- Higher quality than a normal digital camera; better for larger prints (think advertising) due to the larger sensor size.
- Near perfect colour reproductions
- Can switch out the back of the camera to suit your image (image size) - more versatility (sensor cannot be switched out though)
- May spend less on film in the long run
- End up with a digital file; no scanning needed which can get expensive
- Shallower depth of field than DSLRs; you can achieve a lot of depth
- "Medium format cameras have the unique capability to combine the features of a wide angle lens and a long lens all in one device. While it allows you to get a wider field of view, you also get the background compression and shallow depth of field that you would get with a long lens."
Mamiya 645AF
The mamiya 645AF is the mamiya camera we have at university. We use it with a PhaseOne P30+ digital back.
This camera uses the CaptureOne software when tethered to a computer which is a little like Adobe Lightroom in the way that you can edit the images as you go along, however some people prefer to have an untouched image and just edit everything using the Adobe programmes such as Photoshop because it offers more opportunities. This is the way that I feel about the images.
Key Specs;
- fastest shutter speed = 1/4000 of a second
- slowest shutter speed = 30secs
- shutter synchronises for flash at 1/125 second
- 31.6 mega pixels
- iso 100-1600
Hasselblad H5D-40
The hasselblad camera is pricey number, starting at almost £4k without a lens, in used condition. This camera doesn't use the Capture One software, but Phocus which is Hasselblad's own tethering and editing software.
Key Specs;
- True Focus allows for the user to focus on one point of the image and move the camera slightly to get the right framing and for the focus to lock on that object still even if the camera moves a bit. Usually with moving the camera a little forwards or backwards this would cause the image to go slightly out of focus.
- 40 megapixels
- iso 100-1600
- fastest shutter speed = 1/800
- slowest shutter speed = 256 seconds
- Flash sync speed: flash can be used at all shutter speeds.
Which one to use?
This as always depends on what you're shooting. The Mamiya with the digital back allows for a faster shot, with limits of 1/4000 compared to 1/800, so perhaps when shooting people this is preferable as they tend to move even unintentionally. For still life, the Hasselblad is a great contender especially for longer shots.
The flash being able to sync at any shutter speed on the Hasselblad also gives it a huge advantage because it doesn't restrict the user as much.
It must also be noted that the Hasselblad cannot be taken off property by students of the university and so you're rather restricted to the studio for this camera, whereas the Mamiya has many options in terms of subject.
I don't believe there can be an overall 'winner' because it completely depends on what you're looking to take photographs of.
https://www.adorama.com/alc/faq-what-is-a-medium-format-camera
https://store.hasselblad.com/products/h5d-40-without-lens?from=accessories
Comments
Post a Comment