Medium format is more affordable than ever, and its resolution, tonality, and dynamic range make it a dream for landscape photographers, who almost always prioritize image quality above anything else in a camera. So, to switch back to full frame from medium format might seem like a strange decision. This interesting video essay features an experienced landscape photographer discussing why he is considering doing just that anyway.
Coming to you from Thomas Heaton, this great video discusses why he is considering pivoting away from medium format and back to full frame gear. No doubt, cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100S are stunners that are tailor-made for the landscape genre, but I agree with Heaton that there is an issue in medium format in general with telephoto lens availability. I've probably done the math on selling all my gear and switching to medium format five or six times now, but the thing that always stops me are my more specialized lenses (many of which are telephoto focal lengths) and knowing that there are no close equivalents to them in larger formats. Nonetheless, it really comes down to your needs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Heaton.
Well...now I know "Why one photographer is switching back to full frame from medium format". Ho hum. Moving on....
Well coming from a very well respected Landscape Photographer; which you are obviously not, I did actually find it interesting.
Nikon has been looking promising recently. I don't know if I'd say they have a wide lens selection though. They're getting there.
I guess that would depend upon what you are looking for, lens wise. I currently own 10 Z mount lenses all the way from 14mm to 200mm (I also have a TC 2.0), and will probably get the 400 f4.5 next. I have no complaints about their lens selection.
Medium format is fantastic if image quality is a primary objective. However, it's more expensive and less versatile than other formats. Switching back to a lesser format is definitely understandable from both a use & financial standpoint.
He should have kept is Canon gear. Was nothing wrong with the images he got from it.
I have a Fuji GFX 100S and a Nikon Z7. I see no reason why I have to only use one or the other. FWIW, I quit watching Thomas Heaton years ago, I just found him to be too negative, so I had no idea he's gone to medium format.
If size and portability are the top priority APSC or even M43 would make a lot more sense. IQ is indistinguishable on most of the platforms he mentions and prints good up great at A2.
Especially with landscape where you don't need shallow DoF and rarely shoot above native ISO anyways
One of Heaton's reasons is the sharpness of the full frame lens over that of the MF. Has he considered that particular MF lens may be a rare bum copy out of the box?
Generating clicks is their measure of success, not sharpness.
Again absolute rubbish from someone who maybe a tad jealous . Thomas is a well recognised award winning landscape and travel photographer who yes provides content on YouTube so what. Maybe check out his work first.
Yet, he seems to make the same mistakes many beginners make. Not happy with your images, it must be the camera. I used to watch his channel and found most of his work, ok (I quit watching because I found he was always complaining about something). Award winning is kind of a meaningless term. He is successful though and that's probably more important than award winning.
Unsure how I can be jealous when I've never even heard of him. I'm sure he's lovely and that we would get along in person, but my point still stands. YouTubers will always get more clicks from clickbait-y videos where they abandon company X for company Y, or do an unboxing where the thumbnail is them with their mouth hanging open in amazement.
Ahh the mainstay of YouTube photographers. Being able to sell all their gear at the drop of a hat and purchase a whole new ecosystem. Guaranteed to generate clicks, views and boring conversation in the comments.