![]() Instead of crediting the camera system, we may want to credit the photographers. Well, it could simply come down to talent. So based on this, why do images from medium format cameras appear so much better? Surprisingly, there aren't many lenses available for medium format cameras that can outperform the best full-frame lenses. If you shoot with the absolute best quality lenses from full-frame, medium format cameras may struggle to keep up. In a fair and controlled test, either system can outperform the other. There are lots of factors to consider when comparing the different formats. ![]() When you compare images side by side between medium format systems and full-frame systems, the results can vary. So, why do medium format photos look better? However, this argument seems quite unconvincing when you start to investigate the individual aspects and perform controlled comparisons. It could be said that the combination of image quality, dynamic range, color and the experience of shooting with the larger system, is what creates the medium format look. This couldn't appear as a "look" in most images, because most images are not recovered to that degree.Īlternatively, perhaps it's a combination of lots of intangible aspects that creates this concept. The differences can only be seen in extremes such as beyond 4 stops of recovered exposure. Some have described the extra dynamic range in medium format cameras to be the 'look', but realistically this doesn't make sense, as most full-frame cameras today offer similar amounts of dynamic range. Cameras with a larger sensor operate with the same rules that smaller sensor cameras do and the difference between full-frame and medium format isn't really that much in the grand scheme of things. Unfortunately, there might not actually be a medium format camera "look". However, with the latest cameras and continual improvements in technology, full-frame cameras may be beginning to take the lead here. For example, the green tones in the background are clearly visible in the Canon shot, whereas they appear somewhat muddy in the Hasselblad image.Ĭolor could be one of the main differentiating factor between medium format cameras and full-frame systems. The color produced by the Canon camera is not only more vibrant, but more accurate too. The two images above were shot with identical lighting and the Canon actually does a better job. Unfortunately, this doesn't hold up quite as well when comparing the Hasselblad to Canon EOS R5. Color can even help make two dimensional objects appear to have more depth. Based on our perception, color can have more of an impact than detail or sharpness can. ![]() Therefore, it could be argued that the medium format look is predominantly down to colors. This enables them to produce trillions more colors than standard 14-bit camera sensors. Several high-end medium format camera can produce 16-bit raw files. ![]() The more information a camera sensor can capture, the easier it can be to interpolate many of the "unseen" colors. It is derived entirely through clever algorithms and interpolation. Due to this, the color yellow, for example, doesn't exist on a camera sensor. This is because sensors only have red, blue and green pixels. Most modern cameras currently use a system where the majority colors are interpolated. For this reason, image quality can't really be the reason behind the 'medium format look.' Color The idea that medium format cameras produce better quality results is debatable. This is in spite of the fact that the full-frame camera has half the resolution of the Phase One 100MP back. When shooting at these equivalent apertures, the 24mm tilt-shift lens is noticeably sharper and produces a more detailed looking image. This is why the settings in the examples above are slightly different. A 24mm full-frame lens at f/8.0 will produce similar results to a 40mm 645 medium format lens at f/13. In the comparison above, to match the depth of field between both camera formats, you need to shoot at different apertures. This is simply because there are lots more high quality lenses available for full-frame cameras. The comparison above demonstrates how a full-frame camera system can outperform a medium format system.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |