Medium Format Photography

So you’re wondering if high megapixel counts actually matter or whether the hype is blown out of proportion. Well, here are three simple scenarios when it may be worth the extra investment.

There was a time, not so long ago, when medium format digital photography existed in an entirely separate universe from the rest of the camera market. It was a universe populated by wealthy commercial photographers and the occasional landscape obsessive who had saved for years to afford a system that promised marginally better image quality than what everyone else was using. Not anymore.

Medium format keeps pulling you back when prints start getting big and your files need to hold together under picky edits, and that is the exact lane where the Hasselblad X2D 100C starts to look less like a luxury and more like a tool with a point. If you have ever looked at a finished print and felt the color and shadow transitions were just slightly brittle, this video is aimed straight at that frustration.

Design that pulls a film-era shooting posture into a modern body changes how you work from the first frame. If you chase detail and prefer to slow down, this camera forces intention at the point of capture without the usual digital shortcuts.

There's a Hasselblad 500C/M sitting in a pawn shop somewhere, priced at a few hundred dollars, gathering dust between the guitars and the jewelry cases. Thirty years ago, that camera was a professional's most prized tool—the key to a serious career. By today's standards, it would have cost several thousand dollars when new. Ten years ago, it was an expensive paperweight. Today, it's becoming desirable again, but for entirely different reasons. Medium format photography died and came back to life, and the story of how that happened reveals something essential about what we value in an image and why craft sometimes matters more than convenience.

Medium format cameras reveal depth and texture in a way smaller sensors can’t touch. That’s the kind of look most photographers chase when they want their portraits to feel dimensional instead of flat. It’s not about sharpness alone. It’s about how focus rolls away from the subject into blur, and how that shift shapes mood.

Two cameras with very different ambitions are compared head to head: the Fujifilm GFX100RF and the Fujifilm X100VI. You’ll see whether extreme resolution and a bigger sensor change your results when you actually walk around and shoot.

The Fujifilm GFX100RF challenges the way you think about medium format. A camera like this doesn’t simply compete with interchangeable lens systems. It pushes you to consider portability, design, and shooting style in ways that matter when you’re out in the field.

Car photography often comes down to balance: placing a strong subject in a compelling setting. A lens that can handle both the environment and the vehicle in front of it can save you from swapping glass constantly and missing the shot.

The Hasselblad 907X and CFV 100C medium format mirrorless camera is one of the most unique systems you’ll come across. It takes the retro waist-level shooting style of film cameras and pairs it with modern digital features, all while packing in a massive 100-megapixel sensor. The combination creates a slower, more deliberate shooting process that can change how you approach your work.

For portraits on medium format, you may not always want absolute sharpness. There are times when you want softness, glow, and character in your images, and certain lenses can give you that mood in ways others cannot. The choice of lens affects not just the look of your photos but also the way you approach shooting.

GFX versus X series isn’t a spec-sheet feud. It’s a question about your back, your budget, and how you move during a 10-hour wedding while still wanting that medium format look. The video takes that tension head-on with real wedding use, not desk-bound theory.

How can a pure photo camera still evolve in 2025? While many manufacturers push for new video features, photography itself has felt like it hit a technological plateau. Real innovations have been rare. So what should a new version of the Hasselblad X2D, already one of the best cameras in the world, actually bring to the table?

Fujifilm has officially announced the GFX Eterna 55, a new medium format cinema camera built on the company’s GFX system, alongside a new zoom lens, the GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR. Both products are expected to ship in October 2025, with the camera priced at $16,499.95 and the lens at $5,999.95.

The Fujifilm GFX 100S II medium format mirrorless camera promises towering detail and smooth 16-bit color, but real trips expose practical trade-offs in weight, autofocus, and file size. If you want cleaner files and smarter handling without getting tripped up by workflow slowdowns or softer video, this breakdown shows where it helps you and where it might hold you back.

Matching medium format files against today’s best full frame options isn’t just a technical exercise. It can reveal exactly where the differences show up and when they don’t matter at all. In certain lighting situations, the gap between these formats shrinks, and in others, it’s clear why some people pay more for that larger sensor. 

These 10 exceptional medium format cameras represent the absolute pinnacle of analog photography technology, where legendary manufacturers pushed engineering boundaries to create tools worthy of the world's most demanding photographers. From the whisper-quiet precision of legendary rangefinders to the modular perfection of Swedish engineering icons, these cameras deliver image quality and shooting experiences that justify their premium pricing through decades of proven professional performance.

Medium format photography offers image quality that makes even the best full frame cameras look ordinary, and 2025 presents the perfect opportunity to dive into this magnificent world without emptying your savings account. Whether you're seeking the dreamy bokeh of 6x7 negatives or the tack-sharp detail that only larger film frames can deliver, these ten exceptional cameras prove that professional-quality medium format film photography remains accessible to dedicated enthusiasts willing to embrace the analog experience.

Medium format cameras promise superior image quality over full frame, but the real question isn't whether they're better. It's when you can actually see that difference with your own eyes.

“Are you worth $5,000, little Fuji?” That’s the very first question asked in this video that reviews how the new Fujifilm GFX100RF medium format camera holds up in real-world use. The answer? Maybe for some people.

Shooting with medium format cameras isn't simply about image quality; it's about altering your entire approach to photography. Making the jump from full frame or crop sensor cameras to medium format is a significant step, one that changes not just the look, but the feel of your work.

Early adopters of the Fujifilm GFX system, many of whom migrated from Canon and Nikon, have long awaited a native tilt-shift solution to meet their professional needs.

Medium format cameras offer an elevated experience for those who want more detail and depth in their images, yet they’ve traditionally been seen as impractical or overly expensive. Fujifilm's GFX100S II challenges this idea by bringing impressive quality in a compact, user-friendly format, but lenses are still pricey. What if you could adapt more affordable full frame options?

Are squares better? Come with me as we throw a fork in the photographic microwave and investigate why you shouldn't underestimate the 1:1 image format.

Photographers often get caught up in the technical details of their gear, especially when it comes to sensor size. The debate around whether bigger is always better can lead to hefty investments in medium format cameras, but are they really worth the cost? Understanding what these larger sensors offer—and whether the benefits justify the price—can help you make a smarter decision without breaking the bank.

Medium format cameras offer something that’s hard to match with other systems: incredible detail. If you’ve ever wondered how different medium format is compared to full frame, you’re not alone. Many people are curious whether the larger sensor is worth the extra cost or if they really need it for their style of photography.

If you're into landscape and portrait photography, finding the right camera for your needs can make all the difference. While fast-action shooting and convenience matter in many situations, there’s also something to be said for slowing down, being intentional, and capturing the perfect shot. The Hasselblad X2D might just be the camera to help you do that.

With the current advancement of imaging technology in digital photography, the significance of format has evolved dramatically to a point where it no longer matters as much compared to the early film days. However, due to physical hardware limitations, it is still essential for us as photographers to recognize that the decision on selecting the imaging format should always align with our creative intent to help achieve the desired result.

Vintage digital medium format cameras are finally starting to drop below $1,000, opening up a new world of opportunities for enthusiasts who’ve always been intrigued by these massive sensors but put off by the price. But are these older systems actually worth the investment, or are they just expensive paperweights?

Hasselblad has introduced its first ultra-wide angle zoom lens for the XCD series, the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E. This new lens expands the XCD system, offering photographers the flexibility to capture a variety of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture, with a broad field of view. It features a focal length range of 20-35mm, equivalent to 16-27mm in full frame, making it one of the widest zoom options available in the medium format market. The lens promises high optical performance, quick focusing, and versatility in a wide range of lighting conditions.

Medium format photography is often out of reach for many, but the Hasselblad X2D is a tempting option for those ready to make the leap. Its sleek design and advanced features bring a new level of performance to high-end photography setups.

The Hasselblad X2D 100C isn’t your average camera. It’s designed for those who prioritize image quality above all else, and if that sounds like you, this camera might just be what you’re looking for.

The 645 film format is sometimes overlooked, but it offers a practical middle ground between 35mm and 6x7 medium format. You get more shots per roll of 120 film and maintain high resolution, making it ideal for various photography adventures.

Across the vast millennia of human existence, the total solar eclipse remains the most spectacular and celebrated of astronomical phenomena. As the blue sky dimmed, I suddenly decided to shoot the 2024 solar eclipse on black and white film using my trusty Hasselblad 500 C/M.

Medium format cameras offer unique advantages, but are they worth the investment? The photographer took the Fujifilm GFX 100 II to Iceland to see how it performs in real-world conditions. 

Fujifilm has already rewired the paradigm of medium format by making it more affordable and accessible than ever, and it looks like they have no intentions of slowing down. 

Mastering the intricacies of medium format photography can significantly elevate the quality and impact of one’s work. This great video takes a look at the Fujifilm GFX 100 II, a 100-megapixel medium format digital camera, equipped with an ultra-sharp tilt-shift lens, showcasing not just the technical prowess of this setup but also its artistic potential.

We catch up with photographer Simon Murphy who currently has a major exhibition of his work, having cast his lens on the Govanhill area of Glasgow over the last 20 years. Learn key insights into his methods, how he connected with members of this diverse community, and what advice he would pass on to photographers seeking to embark on long-form documentary projects.

Fujifilm continues bolstering its medium format arsenal with ever more versatile GF mount options. One of the latest to come through is the GF 55mm f/1.7R WR, offering an unusually bright maximum aperture for the format. This fantastic video review takes a look at if the spec sheet lives up to its tantalizing promises in real-world practice.

Released between 1987 and 2007, the GX680 is most well known for its sheer size and weight. It lives up to its "beast" reputation, with many photographers feeling it was far too large to use outside of a controlled studio environment. However, as demonstrated in this video, the GX680 can in fact be used in the field for select applications like landscape photography.

The latest camera in Fujifilm's lauded line of medium format mirrorless cameras, the GFX100 II, builds on previous cameras in the GF series by adding a wide range of new features and improvements, Yet, it still maintains that impressively competitive price that tempts many users to consider switching away from full frame to medium format. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect. 

As if a new medium format camera and three new lenses weren't enough, Fujifilm has also announced plans for two rather innovative medium format lenses.

If you've ever yearned after a medium format camera, you might wonder what the difference between them is, particularly when they're both 100 megapixels. Well, here's a showdown.

In the last few years, medium format has seen itself reinvented from a niche, prohibitively expensive option to an alternative to full frame for those who want access to some of the best image quality that money can buy. It is not without drawbacks, though. So, is it right for you? This great video features a photographer discussing their experience after using medium format for a year.