?: Your recommendations for a lower priced Med Format camera

UsherFellig said:

I nabbed an Exc+ original Pentax 645 for $350 the year before last. The buttons are very midcentury and look like Chiclets.

Click to expand...

JimKasson said:

UsherFellig said:

I nabbed an Exc+ original Pentax 645 for $350 the year before last. The buttons are very midcentury and look like Chiclets.

Click to expand...

By chance, I was once Steve Wozniak's seat-mate on a flight from SFO to Las Vegas. Steve told me how much he liked the chiclet keyboard on the then-new IBM PC Junior. I told him that he may be the only one in the whole world who felt that way.

Jim

Click to expand...

ALWZ9 said:

greyhoundrick said:

dbateman said:

Look at used Gfx100 or a Gfx100s. You can find a Gfx100 for around $2000-$3000. That has better build and EVF than a Gfx100s. Then add your focal length. The 35-70mm is cheap and good. The 45-100mm is better.

But get a Fringer pro EF-GF adapter to use your Canon lenses. That will help you in saving for other lenses. If your L lenses are EF-mount mount, if they are Rf mount, than never mind. You will need to buy Fujifilm lenses to get the most out.

Its the same sensor in the Gfx100, Gfx100s, gfx100ii and Gfx100sii. So buy the cheapest. Autofocus has improved though.

Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the information! I will definitely check out those models!

I shoot with Canon R5's and have mostly RF lenses, but I do have some of my old EF lenses that Ive kept. I have a 40mm f2.8, a 24-70 f4 L and a 70-300 f4.5-5.6 L

Thanks for the lens recommendations as well!!

best,

Rick

Click to expand...

hello Rick,

Just over a year ago I went through what is a head of you.I owned plenty of canon EF including 40mm pancake and 70-300 L.Both cover the 33x44 sensor of GFX.

There is a cheap adapter on Ebay, Andoer EF to GFX.it is a rebadged Viltrox.

I have the 100s and GF 32-64(my only native lens).For wide angle the Tamron Gen 2 15-30mm f2.8 works from 18mm.

The Gen 1 Tamron 150-600mm is good too.

Click to expand...

SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany said:

Hi there Rick.

Is it a one or the other sutuation. Can you keep your R5 as well as purchase a 44x33 camera.

greyhoundrick said:

if that would get me into the game where I could produce some nice portraits, landscapes and product shots to compete with my Canon R5 + L Glass kit.

Click to expand...

We've been recently on this MF talk discussing (dissin n cussin lol) IBIS on Gfx bodies.

Is IBIS on R5 important useful to you, if it is then looking for a 44x33 body with IBIS.

Also do you have any preference 3:2 or 4:3. Some prefer one over the other, others are fine with either.

greyhoundrick said:

If both executed properly do you think a landscape image

Click to expand...

If you do minutes long exposure landscapes there's been discussion here on this MF talk the 100MP 44x33 shows up more pixel issues as it were compared to 50MP 44x33, with 50MP 44x33 being the preference for such minutes long landscape exposures.

greyhoundrick said:

I do have some of my old EF lenses that Ive kept. I have a 40mm f2.8, a 24-70 f4 L and a 70-300 f4.5-5.6 L

Click to expand...

Several forumees here on this MF talk utilise Fringer EF adapter with EF mount lenses, your EF lenses you have will be able to utilise with Fringer EF adapter, alongside eg. Sigma Art EF fast lenses ultrawide lenses some forumees here on this MF talk enjoy on 44x33 camera.

Click to expand...

Rich42 said:

Rick,

I agree with all the previous advice you've gotten.

The GFX 100S will give you the most satisfying experience at your budget. Arguably at any budget. You should be able to get one slightly under $3000. Maybe less in the next few months as craziness for the GFX 100RF plays out.

Don't make the mistake of planning to use your EF lenses primarily for the GFX camera. Of course, they (some) will work well. But that's not the point. Yes, there will be some resolution increase. But there will not be enough "difference" in your images with that combo to justify having bought the MF camera. You will still be creating "EF" images on a slightly larger sensor. That's not what an integrated MF system is about. (Fujifilm or Hasselblad)

The real magic in the GFX system comes with the GF lenses. There is no other way to say that. GF lenses are simply in a class of their own. And I don't mean "MF Look." Forget that. there is no such thing. I'm just talking about "user experience" and optical excellence.

If you have any photographic chops, the GF 45/2.8 and the GF 110/2 will make you smile all the time. They are two very different experiences and in their own ways and characteristics, on a GFX 100(x) , they simply outclass anything else.

My GF 45 has no trouble keeping almost any other lens off my GFX 100S. It is almost too good to describe. A used GF 45/2.8 costs about $1000.

A used GFX 100S plus a GF 45 come in at the high end of your budget.

The GF 110/2 is simply a world-class lens. In the company of the best. Optically, build-wise, nothing else in its category comes close. My Zeiss Milvus 135/2 (which is actually an Otus), and which cost as much as the 110, without AF system, comes close. But not equal. That is quite a feat.

GF 110/2 about $2000, used.

Wow Rich! Some incredibly helpful information, insight and expertise there!! Thank you so much and Im sorry it's taken so long to get back with you!!

I do plan on keeping my Canon gear and adding FujiFilm to go along with it.

Looking forward to interacting with you in the future!

Thanks again!!

Rick

Click to expand...

Stan Disbrow said:

Hi,

Go for GFX-100s on the used market and then an adapter for Pentax 645 lenses. Those are all very low priced yet work very well. Just so long as you are good with manual focus for the next few months.

but go for the P645 FA series auto focus ones. An AF adapter for P645 lenses to GF mount is coming second half of this year. And the FA series manually focus just fine.

That is as low a cost you can go and have more resolution from your MF kit than your other gear.

Stan

Click to expand...

nurf said:

..but not sure it would be enough of a difference to the R5 with 50mm and 85mm 1.2.

Dynamic Range is almost the same, yes color depth isn't, some say the XCD 80mm f/1.9 is softer than the RF 85mm, all the inferior AF business and connectivity issues if you don't have an Apple product in the house.

But it could be fun.

Click to expand...

KiloHotelphoto said:

I would recommend renting a body before purchasing.

I used to have a Canon 5dsr and Pentax 645Z and the Pentax did have much better dynamic range but overall I didn't see much of a difference.

Last summer I traded my R5 in on a Fuji GFX 100 II and again the medium format dynamic range was much better and the ability to zoom in and pixel peep was great but when I compared images between the Fuji and my Canon R3 I preferred the R3 shots and the benefits of the Fuji weren't worth running two systems and I traded the Fuji in on a R5 II.

But I am also still looking at getting a Hasselblad 907X with the 100CV back. Not so much for image quality improvements but more for fun and shooting style. I also like the idea of being able to use it with a 500CM film body and lens that I've been wanting to get and try film.

Click to expand...

Dan_168 said:

greyhoundrick said:

Hello everyone!

Ive been a professional photographer for a long time and have never shot with a medium format camera. I do my work these days with full frame bodies and Canon L glass.

Ive always wanted to give digital medium format a try but was precluded from buying a new MF camera due to the costs.

For my first experience with medium format I was wondering if you could recommend any older cameras and lenses that would give me an opportunity to try this format but wont break the bank. My budget would be around $3000-$4000 for a camera and lens and I have no idea if that would get me into the game where I could produce some nice portraits, landscapes and product shots to compete with my Canon R5 + L Glass kit.

Any recommendations for used equipment brands and models would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for your expertise!

best to you,

Rick

Click to expand...

I am late MF adapter and only had my GFX100s for about a year, but I do have experience with some older model as well as the latest 100S II when shooting out with friends, photo club members.

If I can start all over again, I would still do exact same thing as what I have done: keep my FF systems and buy a used GFX100s. each body/system has pros and cons and I am more of a horse for the course kind of guy and don't believe in One-Fits-All solution.

Reason I still will get a 100S is becasue it has the high resolution 100MP sensor, and it has better AF system than the older GFX50 family, as a landscape shooter that's all I would want. i take resolution over AF, the 100S is the entry of the 100MP, why not the older GFX100 which can be found even lower? becasue its horrible ergo, and big so not ideal for hiking backpacking trip where most my landscape is taken, so all I have left is the 100S.

Another reason I would still get the 100S in 2025 is for anything that moves, even I buy the latest MF, it will still never be as fast and tracks as good as a good FF, so i would still put my money on a good FF for this specific application, so I stick with my Z9 and 1DX instead of upgrade to GFX100 II which is the " fastest" MF in the world now but still way way behind Z9/R1 which cost a lot less, and in sport I don't typically need or even want to go thru thousands of 150 MB raw files at the end of the day, so 100MP resolution not only not required but I don't even want that.

The area i am still flip flopping is when shooting portrait, I feel between my GFX100s+ Fuji 110 vs my Z9+ 35 1.2, 85 1.2 and 135 1.8, I almost want to say I prefer my Nikon system, the image quality from the Fuji combo is absolutely fantastic, no question about it, but the overall shooting experience of the Nikon is just day and night better FOR ME, again FOR ME. i seriously don't enjoy shooting with the AF system and overall ergonomics, overall responsiveness of my GFX 100s body, they don't even offer vertical grip for it, ( the one with built in grip the original 100 feels just horrible in my hand) , the image output from my Nikon system is just so so close, and in some area like background isoltion the FF system is even ahaed with my specific set of fast primes, honestly I don't see the " magic" some of the MF shooters claimed, i mean MF image quality is great, no qurstion about it, but not like " it is so good i would never go back to the FF after I got my GFX + 55mm and 110mm " kind of great, I use both systems side by side all the time and more often than not i even slightly favor to the Nikon, trust me, the slow speed and poor eye tracking of the GFX can be really frustrating when you need that, especially when you have another piece of tool that can handle it better right next to you.

WIth all that being said, I think the used GFX100s is still a great choice in 2025 for a MF + FF hybrid shooter.

Click to expand...

FujLiver said:

greyhoundrick said:

Hello everyone!

Ive been a professional photographer for a long time and have never shot with a medium format camera. I do my work these days with full frame bodies and Canon L glass.

Ive always wanted to give digital medium format a try but was precluded from buying a new MF camera due to the costs.

For my first experience with medium format I was wondering if you could recommend any older cameras and lenses that would give me an opportunity to try this format but wont break the bank. My budget would be around $3000-$4000 for a camera and lens and I have no idea if that would get me into the game where I could produce some nice portraits, landscapes and product shots to compete with my Canon R5 + L Glass kit.

Any recommendations for used equipment brands and models would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for your expertise!

best to you,

Rick

Click to expand...

Either Hassleblad x1d 50 ii used or Fuji gfx 50s ii used

In terms of lenses, for hasselblad, a 45mm f3.5 used or fuji a 50mm f3.5mm used

You might still have money for another lens, so I would go for approx 60mm in both

good luck!

Click to expand...

RodandEva said:

I would echo others, the Fuji GFX 100s is a fantastic bargain right now. I recently sold my 100s and 32-64 lens as wanted to try out the hasselblad X2D. I kept the the 45 2.8 and 45-100 f/4 lenses ( both superb) in case I decide to go back to GFX. I wouldn't recommend Hasselblad on a limited budget. I am really enjoying my X2D and 55v, but it is so bloody expensive, -2x's more on average than GFX. Also, there is fairly robust secondary market for GFX gear, would recommend fredmiranda buy/sell forum.

good luck.

Rod

Click to expand...

UsherFellig said:

I nabbed an Exc+ original Pentax 645 for $350 the year before last. The buttons are very midcentury and look like Chiclets.

Click to expand...

Dan_168 said:

I am late MF adapter and only had my GFX100s for about a year, but I do have experience with some older model as well as the latest 100S II when shooting out with friends, photo club members.

If I can start all over again, I would still do exact same thing as what I have done: keep my FF systems and buy a used GFX100s. each body/system has pros and cons and I am more of a horse for the course kind of guy and don't believe in One-Fits-All solution.

Reason I still will get a 100S is becasue it has the high resolution 100MP sensor, and it has better AF system than the older GFX50 family, as a landscape shooter that's all I would want. i take resolution over AF, the 100S is the entry of the 100MP, why not the older GFX100 which can be found even lower? becasue its horrible ergo, and big so not ideal for hiking backpacking trip where most my landscape is taken, so all I have left is the 100S.

Another reason I would still get the 100S in 2025 is for anything that moves, even I buy the latest MF, it will still never be as fast and tracks as good as a good FF, so i would still put my money on a good FF for this specific application, so I stick with my Z9 and 1DX instead of upgrade to GFX100 II which is the " fastest" MF in the world now but still way way behind Z9/R1 which cost a lot less, and in sport I don't typically need or even want to go thru thousands of 150 MB raw files at the end of the day, so 100MP resolution not only not required but I don't even want that.

The area i am still flip flopping is when shooting portrait, I feel between my GFX100s+ Fuji 110 vs my Z9+ 35 1.2, 85 1.2 and 135 1.8, I almost want to say I prefer my Nikon system, the image quality from the Fuji combo is absolutely fantastic, no question about it, but the overall shooting experience of the Nikon is just day and night better FOR ME, again FOR ME. i seriously don't enjoy shooting with the AF system and overall ergonomics, overall responsiveness of my GFX 100s body, they don't even offer vertical grip for it, ( the one with built in grip the original 100 feels just horrible in my hand) , the image output from my Nikon system is just so so close, and in some area like background isoltion the FF system is even ahaed with my specific set of fast primes, honestly I don't see the " magic" some of the MF shooters claimed, i mean MF image quality is great, no qurstion about it, but not like " it is so good i would never go back to the FF after I got my GFX + 55mm and 110mm " kind of great, I use both systems side by side all the time and more often than not i even slightly favor to the Nikon, trust me, the slow speed and poor eye tracking of the GFX can be really frustrating when you need that, especially when you have another piece of tool that can handle it better right next to you.

WIth all that being said, I think the used GFX100s is still a great choice in 2025 for a MF + FF hybrid shooter.

Click to expand...

greyhoundrick said:

Dan, this is so helpful! With portraiture being my bread and butter your comments are invaluable! Thank you as this type of guidance is worth a ton! There are times when I look at some of my portraits with my R5 + RF 85 f1.2 L and say "can it get any better than this?" (not because of me, but because of the eqt.!) Ive been shooting for decades but still have a LOT to learn! Thanks again Dan! Great stuff!!

Click to expand...

greyhoundrick said:

UsherFellig said:

I nabbed an Exc+ original Pentax 645 for $350 the year before last. The buttons are very midcentury and look like Chiclets.

Click to expand...

Thank you!! I didn't even know Pentax made a medium format camera until today! Appreciate your input!!

Click to expand...