Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
Yes I like accurate better but sounds like some movement on recompose
Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!
I'm into my second MF system, the first was the Contax 645 and Phase P30+ system; my current system is the Phase DF and P40+ system. I've learned so much about MF digital in these two years since moving from a full frame Canon system, it's hard to pinpoint the primary lessons I've learned. I'm sure there will be more, but here are a few of the biggest lessons learned:
When you buy into a MF system, you are buying into the SYSTEM. Any shortcomings in what has been created for the system will become apparent rather quickly and will turn into a major dissatisfier. You'll likely find stuff that you want that you never dreamed of before. So investing the time to research before you start buying anything is very important. The look/drawing the glass produces is very important. The ability of the software to extract the very best from the image file is also incredibly important.
I've learned that there is a very real difference in the quality of the files produced in MF as compared to other cameras and formats even when using very good technique with very good exposures with smaller formats. I am consistently struck by what I can do with my MF files and what I would never try doing with other files. It is, in my opinion, like night and day.
I've learned that investing in MF equipment has decreased my anxiety about what a client wants me to do with a file. I was constantly anxious when I shot with a full frame 35mm sensor, as I knew the limitations of the file itself. Frankly, I think 35mm equipment is better than the files that it ultimately produces, again, even when I did everything right.
It is important to know exactly what you will be shooting with the gear you acquire, and that the gear you acquire is well-suited for that work. MF gear is capable of helping you produce beautiful images, but it is simply not useful in all circumstances. MF is a wonderful but highly specialized tool.
There's significantly more room for error in MF work than with smaller formats, especially with technique. The quality of the equipment is so good and so unforgiving that it has forced me into becoming a much better photographer with much better technique, and without regular practice, the technique is actually lost, quickly. I have to constantly remind myself to do it all right from start to finish. Depth of field is very short compared to working with smaller sensors, and this can be a big limitation, I have had to focus on learning the distances my lenses like best to give me the look I like best. In many ways, I've had to "unlearn" 35mm photography. MF likes a lot of light. Without a lot of light, you raise the likelihood of technique error due to camera shake. Rest assured, MF will point out mercilessly what you need to improve. The feedback is immediate.
It is imperative to do business with someone you can trust and who will be there when you have questions and problems, which you most certainly will have. It is also important to be a member of a community where you can learn from one another and from others' mistakes and learning. The knowledge being regularly shared on this forum every single day has been simply invaluable to me. People here are incredibly generous with what they have learned. This has allowed me to get up to speed on the systems/equipment way more quickly and efficiently than if I didn't have this community. Frankly, if I didn't have this community, I wouldn't be into MF gear.
It is important to look at the equipment as a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is important to remember that the equipment is being used to make photographs.
Enough rambling. I'm sure there will be more later but this is what comes to mind right now.
I felt this comment from Mark was so on point it warrated repeating. I may not always need the IQ, but it is definitely addictive!- the image quality is intoxicating. The only problem with that is that now I find myself turning into an IQ snob whether I really need the IQ/resolution or not. As a result, I don't use my other cameras unless i need their niche features
Well Guy,Thought this would be a interesting discussion as almost daily we have folks jumping in to the MF world and a lot of us existing users here try and help guide folks along this path. BTW we enjoy a plentiful amount of members that help folks make decisions here and I think it would be nice to hear from new buyers what they have learned from others and how they applied it to there purchases. But also it would be nice to hear after all the decisions are made and you have it in your hands what are your thoughts now. Surprised , relived, excited or going back to 35mm. Okay the floor is open and hopefully we can gain some knowledge from the new users on there thoughts.
Let it rip folks. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
I ran out of breath before I finished reading that one sentence - I think this concept of image size must be contagious...Well, i am not that type of guy where i really need any high end gear or work into photography to go larger, but i love photography so that i never stop myself to go to better or larger gear whatever the need of it, i started with a P&S, didn't spend long time with it at all and rapidly bought a DSLR, after my first DSLR i bought several bodies with lenses ofcourse within 2-3 years ago, and overtime i upgrade or buy new body i feel impressed about the IQ, then everything happened suddenly and i went with MF, not because of this site but because i was hearing a lot that fashion and commercial using medium format, i didn't know what is medium format, then i saw few pics of medium format system on the net [Hasselblad, Mamiya...], then i started to read about it and check some photos, i saw how high resolution of those MF but i was not sure how much difference than 35mm DSLRs, then by sudden again i found a dealer of Hasselblad in my country, simply i went to him, tested i think H3DII-31 first, check the file was really nice and i loved it but it wasn't a good test, later i went to him again, this time i tested H3DII-39 and 120mm lens, not so long until i bought H3DII-39, and i fight to get 120 which i did about 2 weeks ago, started with 80mm and then 28mm, now i rarely use my 35 DSLRs, at the end i found myself to trade-in my H3DII-39 for H4D-60 and got it, the problem is that i brokeup all my money, and spent too much on it or on photography in general but still much less than you and at the end i found myself now that i really don't need anything that many, just because of you i got upgraded and i think i will never stop because of you not because of me, but good that i've got my H4D-60 now and i am one of the first people in my country to get it, so it will hold me for a while and i just wish to get paid one day, otherwise i better stop coming on the net and stop photography before i lose all my money just for fun and addiction.
Thank you for reading my post.I ran out of breath before I finished reading that one sentence - I think this concept of image size must be contagious...
That too, hehe.One of the first things I learned was so much gear so little money ....
Thanks Jack. I've had a total mind-meld with this new camera. Now, I just have to re-shoot every decent picture I've taken in the past 30 years.Hi Bob and welcome to GetDPI! And congrats on your new system too!
Man do you have that right. I want to go back so bad to reshoot a lot of stuff that I did even three years ago with MFThanks Jack. I've had a total mind-meld with this new camera. Now, I just have to re-shoot every decent picture I've taken in the past 30 years.
Bob