What are the advantages of medium format cameras

medium format cameras

As we all know, medium format cameras have a very wide range of uses in the field of commercial photography, and the price of medium format has always been in the hundreds of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. The set of Fuji’s medium-format mirrorless camera GFX 50SII is only 29,500 USD, making medium-format cameras no longer out of reach, and the price is even lower than that of some full-frame cameras. However, many photography enthusiasts and friends still have some doubts about the Fuji GFX series medium format cameras. How does this camera actually perform? Today, we will work with photographers, from landscape photography to portrait photography, to give you a comprehensive interpretation of the Fuji GFX 50S II, a medium format camera.

Fuji GFX 50SII

·Medium format brings better picture quality performance

  In the photography circle, there is a popular saying that “the bottom level crushes people to death”. To put it bluntly, “the sensor size is large, and the picture quality is better”, and the core advantage of medium format cameras is picture quality, which is why medium format cameras will become the first choice for commercial photography.

  The Fuji GFX 50SII uses a medium-format CMOS sensor with a size of 43.8mm x 32.9mm, with a pixel of 51.4 million, and can take photos with a maximum resolution of 8256 × 6192. Therefore, it not only has the characteristics of high image quality, but also has the characteristics of high resolution.

Fuji GFX50s II medium format sensor and full frame sensor size comparison

  From the size comparison diagram of the sensor above, it can be clearly seen that the size of the Fuji GFX 50SII medium-format sensor (43.8mm x 32.9mm) is much larger than that of today’s full-frame camera sensor size (36mm x 24mm). The advantages of large-size sensors not only make it easier to achieve high pixels, but also have the characteristics of low noise floor and better latitude, so photos will have better image quality performance in terms of color expression and color level. In addition, due to the larger sensor size of the medium-format camera, the large-aperture lens can create a better background blurring effect, which is also one of the incomparable advantages of the full-frame camera.

Focal Length: 45mm Aperture: f/9 ISO Sensitivity: 400

Exposure Time: 1/250 Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Manual

(The red frame is the screenshot area)

Enlarge the screenshot area

  From this architectural scene sample, it can be seen that the photos taken by the Fuji GFX 50SII camera not only have excellent colors and layers, but after zooming in the photos, the details of the photos are very rich, and the sharpness of the pictures is also excellent, especially the sharpness of the edges of details. The performance is remarkable and enhances the viewing of the overall picture.

Focal Length: 80mm Aperture: f/4.5 ISO Sensitivity: 100

Exposure Time: 1/100 Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Auto

(The red frame is the screenshot area)

Enlarge the screenshot area

  In addition to architectural scenery, the Fuji GFX 50SII also performs well in portrait photography. The above portrait photo not only restores the skin color accurately, but also expresses the details and levels of the model makeup very well. After enlarging the photo, you can clearly see the skin quality of the model, the details of the makeup and accessories, etc. It can be said that every detail has been achieved. Portrait makeup shooting is also one of the shooting topics that can best experience the advantages of medium format cameras. save with NordicTrack Discount Code NHS

  • Focal length: 80mm Aperture: f/4.5 ISO sensitivity: 100
  • Exposure time: 1/100 Exposure compensation: 0EV White balance: Auto
  • Focal Length: 80mm Aperture: f/4.5 ISO Sensitivity: 100
  • Exposure Time: 1/100s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Auto
  • Focal length: 45mm Aperture: f/8 ISO sensitivity: 160
  • Exposure time: 1/250 Exposure compensation: 0EV White balance: Manual
  • Focal Length: 45mm Aperture: f/4 ISO Sensitivity: 320
  • Exposure Time: 1/250 Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Manual

  In addition to image quality details, the color of Fuji cameras has always had a very good reputation among photographers. Even without post-adjustment, the photos taken directly by the Fuji GFX 50SII have very realistic color reproduction performance, so users can shoot with the Fuji GFX 50SII with more confidence. And no matter what the ambient light is, the color performance of the straight-out photos of the Fuji GFX 50SII can always be accurately restored, consistent with the environment seen by the naked eye.

·Medium format has better latitude and stronger noise control performance

  In addition to the outstanding image quality and detail, the GFX 50SII as a medium format camera has another advantage, which is latitude.

  In our daily shooting, we often shoot in some large light ratio environments, such as backlit environments or environments with large color contrast. When shooting in such an environment, the usual operation is to reduce the exposure and shoot to ensure that the details of the picture are captured. The shooting environment with a large light ratio is a test of how the camera’s latitude performs.

Four-stop underexposed portrait photo (left) and deep post-processing accurately exposed portrait photo (right)

  For example, in the portrait makeup photo above, when shooting, the flash trigger channel was changed due to inadvertent touch, so that the flash was not triggered when the shutter was pressed, resulting in serious underexposure. But the model in this photo is in good condition, so after in-depth post-adjustment, not only the original face of the photo is restored, but the skin color and makeup color level of the portrait itself are perfectly preserved, and the post-processed photo does not produce additional noise. The whole photo gives a very comfortable look. This also reflects one of the other major advantages of the medium-format sensor. Not only is the photo latitude outstanding, but the noise floor control is also excellent, which is unmatched by full-frame cameras. Travelodge discount code

Focal Length: 80mm Aperture: f/4 ISO Sensitivity: 1000

Exposure Time: 1/100s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: AF : 45mm Aperture: f/4 ISO Sensitivity: 3200 Exposure Time: 15s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance : Manual

  Another major performance of excellent noise control is that when shooting in a dark light environment, the Fuji GFX 50SII also has excellent control of high-sensitivity picture noise. From the actual shooting point of view, whether it is a landscape photo or a low-light portrait photo, the Fuji GFX 50SII maintains high-quality image quality. At the same time, the control of noise is very good. Even if the sensitivity is increased to ISO 1000 or above, the image of the Fuji GFX 50SII is still very good. It’s clean and doesn’t add noise even in post-processing, underscoring the strengths of the Fuji GFX 50SII as a medium format camera.

6.5-speed anti-shake, completely get rid of the tripod

  The stereotype that traditional medium format cameras must be mounted on a tripod and used in the studio is completely broken with the Fuji GFX 50SII. The Fuji GFX 50SII has a five-axis image stabilization capability with a maximum compensation effect of 6.5 stops, and its image stabilization capability even exceeds that of many professional full-frame cameras. With the assistance of 6.5-level anti-shake, now the Fuji GFX 50SII can shoot hand-held in any scene, and there is no need to worry about the impact of slight jitter on the picture.

  • Focal Length: 80mm Aperture: f/4.5 ISO Sensitivity: 1600
  • Exposure Time: 1/80s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Auto
  • Focal Length: 80mm Aperture: f/3.2 ISO Sensitivity: 1000
  • Exposure Time: 1/100s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Auto
  • Focal Length: 45mm Aperture: f/4 ISO Sensitivity: 400
  • Exposure Time: 10s Exposure Compensation: 0EV White Balance: Manual

  In addition, the body weight of Fuji GFX 50SII is only 900 grams (including battery and memory card), which is a very obvious advantage in medium format cameras. Even when we used the Fuji GFX 50SII for long shots, it didn’t bother us with the weight.

Fuji GFX 50SII

  In short, the Fuji GFX 50SII is a medium-format mirrorless camera with excellent image quality and stable performance, and it also gives us a new understanding of medium-format cameras. The most important thing is that the Fuji GFX 50SII kit is only priced at 29,500 USD. At a price that is cheaper than some full-frame cameras, you can experience the charm of medium-format cameras. Why not do it. What’s more, the control of Fuji GFX 50SII is not complicated, you can control it with a little understanding, plus the image quality experience of medium format, for photographers, Fuji GFX 50SII is definitely the most worthwhile camera when you upgrade your photographic equipment.