Medium format - WikiHQ

thumb|upright=1.4|Popular examples of medium format film cameras: [[Hasselblad 500C/M, Yashica Mat 124, Rolleicord IV ]]

Medium format has traditionally referred to a film format in photography and the related cameras and equipment that use film. Nowadays, the term applies to film and digital cameras that record images on media larger than the used in 35 mm photography (though not including 127 film), but smaller than (which is considered large format photography).

In digital photography, medium format refers either to cameras adapted from medium-format film photography uses or to cameras making use of sensors larger than that of a 35 mm film frame. The benefits of using medium-format digital cameras include higher resolution sensors, better low-light capabilities compared to a traditional 35mm DSLR, and a wider dynamic range.

Characteristics

right|thumb|upright=1.4|A size comparison of medium-format film (left) and [[135 film|35 mm film. Medium-format film lacks the sprocket holes of 35 mm film.]]

thumb|alt=A photograph of a space-suited astronaut standing on the moon, with another astronaut taking the picture visible as a reflection on the helmet visor, and with the film perforations showing on the sides of the frame.|[[Buzz Aldrin on the moon, photographed by Neil Armstrong onto double-perforated 70mm film with a Hasselblad camera]]

Medium-format cameras made since the 1950s are generally less automated than smaller cameras made at the same time. For example, autofocus became available in consumer 35 mm cameras in 1977, but did not reach medium format until the late 1990s, and has never been available in a consumer large format camera.

The Leaf Aptus 75S digital back offers 33MP resolution, with a shooting speed of 50 frames a minute. In early 2006 Hasselblad (H2D and H3D) and Phase One (P45) released a 39 megapixel back. In 2008, Phase One announced the P65+, a 60 megapixel back, the highest resolution single-shot digital back at that time (2008). Phase One continues to dominate high end non-interpolated imaging with the largest market share. Sinar continues to provide its primary Digital View Camera system while still supporting the HY6 medium format with a new platform independent eSprit 65 LV digital camera back. On 20 September 2010, Leaf released a 80MP digital back, the Aptus-II 12. The Leaf Aptus-II 12's sensor size of 53.7 mm × 40.3 mm is 92% of the area of a 56 mm × 41.5 mm standard-sized 6 × 4.5 frame, 69% of a 56 mm × 56 mm square-sized 6 × 6 frame, and 45% of the area of a 56 mm × 84 mm 6 × 9 frame.

Introduced in December 2010, the Pentax 645D is a 40 megapixel medium-format DSLR. The camera has a 44×33 mm image sensor and the raw file is in DNG format. It is the first digital version of the company's 645 medium-format camera system and it is compatible with the existing 645 system lenses.

In early 2014, the first Medium format cameras with a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD sensor were introduced by Phase One and Hasselblad. This sensor type gives better image quality mainly in High ISO with a dynamic range of up to 14 f-stops. Phase One and Hasselblad used the same 50MP CMOS sensor made by Sony. Similarly, the Pentax 645Z uses a 51 MP CMOS sensor.

In January 2017, Fujifilm started its GFX series of medium format digital cameras with the introduction of its 50 MP GFX 50S model.

In 2019, Phase One launched its IQ4 series of digital camera backs at 100 MP to 150 MP resolution (included with both the XF IQ4 150MP Camera System (MSRP $51,990) and the XT IQ4 150 MP Camera (MSRP $56,990)), with the 150 MP generating 120.26 x 90.19 cm (47.35" x 35.5") 16-bit color images at 300 dpi.

In 2025, a variety of lower-cost medium-format digital cameras were available in the 50 to 100 MP resolution range. Available 100 MP cameras included the FujiFilm GFX 100 II (MSRP $7,499 without lens, 8K video at 30 p/4K video at 60 p), the FujiFilm GFX 100S (MSRP $5,999 without lens, 4K video at 30 p), the FujiFilm GFX 100S II (MSRP $4,999 without lens, 4K video at 30 p) and the Hasselblad X2D II 100C (MSRP $7,399 including a XCD 75 mm f/3.4 lens; no video capability).

Low-budget medium-format cameras

thumb|upright=1|Baldafix folding camera, one of a large number of old folding cameras which used medium-format film, with a roll of 120 film

While most professional medium-format cameras are expensive, some cheaper plastic imports, such as the Diana and Holga cameras, are gaining in popularity for their creative potential. In the past, these kinds of cameras have been referred to as toy cameras, but now they are considered a real creative alternative to professional medium-format cameras and are sought after for the unique experimental results they can create.

Lower cost medium-format cameras like the Diana F+ and Belair X 6-12 are sold through various outlets, including the Austrian Lomography company. In 2007, Lomography brought the 1960s Diana camera back to the market with the Diana F+ camera, a system camera that allows photographers to experiment with interchangeable lenses, flashes, and film backs. These cameras are characterized by their plastic lenses, light leaks that oddly colorize an image, extreme vignetting, and color saturation. While these elements can be considered as flaws to photographers seeking perfect images, many people enjoy the experimental results. Because of the popularity of the Lomography photographic style, medium-format photography has seen a resurgence with amateur photographers.

Twin-lens reflex cameras (TLRs) and folders without the distortion and light leaks can be purchased on the used market in the same price range. The Chinese Seagull TLR and medium-format cameras from the former Soviet Union such as the Russian Lubitel and somewhat better made Ukrainian Kiev-Arsenal 60 and 88 are also available at moderate prices. These cameras can deliver quality images, although the lenses and camera bodies are not at the level of those from Swedish, German, and Japanese manufacturers. Depending on the condition of the camera, they can produce images ranging from the Lomographic style to images closer to their European and Japanese counterparts. In 2008 Lomography also reintroduced the previously discontinued Lubitel with the Lubitel 166+, a recreation of the original 1946 Lubitel camera with some new features including dual-format capability.

Since 2014, Lomography has been producing its medium format version of the Soviet-original Lomo LC-A camera, the Lomo LC-A 120, as compact option for medium format photographers.

Used folding cameras, TLRs, and box cameras are also an inexpensive option to shoot medium format. Many U.S.-made folders, including most of the mass-produced Kodak folders, use the discontinued 620 film requiring the user to respool 120 films or modify the film spool to fit.

Open source 3D printed cameras

There have been several projects to produce open source 3D printed cameras including K-Pan and Dora Goodman Cameras which produces medium format cameras as well as 35mm and large format compatible cameras. Goodman cameras are compatible with Mamiya press lenses and some Mamiya medium format film backs.

References

External links

DW Photo Manufacturer of the Rolleiflex Hy6 camera
DHW Fototechnik (Old factory site of the digital and analog Rolleiflex medium-format cameras) English and German
Medium-format camera and film Film Photography Guide
Choosing a medium-format camera on Photo.net
Buying classical cameras – medium format by David Silver
The Medium Formats Overview by Roger W. Hicks
Configurations of various cameras – Camera backs – Lens
Is a medium format camera right for you? British journal of photography

Characteristics

Low-budget medium-format cameras

Open source 3D printed cameras

See also

References

External links