Scratching the medium format itch

Hanley

Hanley

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Does anyone else have this itch to try medium format? Probably just me :ROFLMAO:

I've spent a few weeks reading reviews and watching YouTube videos and I've decided I'm going to buy a Hasselblad X2D 100C, I'm going to hold fire for a short time as it seems there's an imminent announcement of an X2D II, I've no interest in video from my cameras and the expectation is the biggest change may be the inclusion of video, so I'll wait and once the announcement comes it'll hopefully drive down the price of the X2D slightly.

My plan is to get the X2D and the XCD 25V, XCD 38V and XCD90V. May start off with just the 38 to start with and add the others over the next few months.

I'll probably sell off a few of the Canon RF lenses that i don't really use much to make some space in the cabinet. Probably the 50mm 1.2 and 85mm 1.2 to start with and then I'll decide between keeping the 100-300 2.8 or the 70-200 2.8Z, don't really need both for the sports stuff I do to be honest. Same decision for the R1 and R3, as I'll keep hold of the R5 I can get rid of one of these bodies, the R5 is good enough to sit in the bag as a backup body. After owning the R1 for 7 months and using it extensively in that time I love it, but I could do just as well with the R3 as my main sports body.

So I basically need to free up space for 3 new lenses and 1 body. :) 400mm 2.8 III is definitely going as I just don't use it anymore (in the for sale section if anyone is interested)
2025-03-03 18.15.36.jpg

Before anyone says, this is not a 'need' for me, but a 'want'.
I've always wanted to try medium format, I had a really good play with a Fuji GFX 100 at the camera show last year, but I just love the look of the Hasselblad.

It's also not something I will be doing any paid work with, as all my paid work is sports as a side gig, but maybe that could change in the future who knows.
 
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Been there, done that! I've just sold my GFX 100s. I loved it but couldn't justify keeping it. For me it was definitely a want not a need. Like you I have an R1 and R5 mkii. Strangely enough I have been eying up your EF 400mm for wildlife but can't justify it as i also own the OM 1500 - 400 which gives great results on the OM system. Medium format may be overkill for some things but it is enjoyable to use and that is what photography is all about for me.
 
Fordsabroad said:
Been there, done that! I've just sold my GFX 100s. I loved it but couldn't justify keeping it. For me it was definitely a want not a need. Like you I have an R1 and R5 mkii. Strangely enough I have been eying up your EF 400mm for wildlife but can't justify it as i also own the OM 1500 - 400 which gives great results on the OM system. Medium format may be overkill for some things but it is enjoyable to use and that is what photography is all about for me.
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The 400mm 2.8 III would destroy the OM 150-400 ;)
 
I understand that but it would also destroy my childrens inheritance!!
It is very tempting but there are also a few 500 and 600 mm around for sale.
Every time I get the urge to buy one i force myself to sit in a dark corner until it wears off. Unfortunately with the long nights that is becoming harder!!!
 
Fordsabroad said:
I understand that but it would also destroy my childrens inheritance!!
It is very tempting but there are also a few 500 and 600 mm around for sale.
Every time I get the urge to buy one i force myself to sit in a dark corner until it wears off. Unfortunately with the long nights that is becoming harder!!!
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I was exactly the same when I bought it, and when I bought the 100-300 as well :ROFLMAO:
 
I also like the idea of the 100-300 2.8, but who wouldn't?
I am trying to force myself to take the "Rachel Reeves" approach to buying kit. That is move the figures to the next column on the forecast and it doesn't look like you have spent it - just a long term investment!
To be fair it is correct in a way (that little "spend it before you die" devil is rearing it's head again) If I can convince my self that I would sell the kit in a few years time foe around 70% of what I bought it for it becomes good value.
Then I just need to convince my kids not to sell it for what they think i paid.
I will keep an eye on long lenses and your 100-300 f2.8 when it comes up until then I will continue to sit in my dark corner!
 
@Hanley what do you plan on photographing with your new Hassy? Is there some look or effect you can’t get with your current cameras? Genuinely interested.

I have been known to photograph Premier League and international football with a Leica M9 and 50 Summilux :) (in addition to the usual sports gear). I imagine you can get some amazing results for landscapes as well.
 
Tobers said:
@Hanley what do you plan on photographing with your new Hassy? Is there some look or effect you can’t get with your current cameras? Genuinely interested.

I have been known to photograph Premier League and international football with a Leica M9 and 50 Summilux :) (in addition to the usual sports gear). I imagine you can get some amazing results for landscapes as well.
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Honestly, not 100% sure, I intend to start with landscape and if I can get my dog to sit still for long enough, pics of him as I'm putting a small studio up in my garage. :)

I want to lean more towards photography as a hobby, so I'm planning on spending weekends walking in the Lakes and North Wales, taking some great pics hopefully.
 
Also been there done that. Moved from Hasselblad to GFX a few years ago though. A joy to use. R1s for live events, GFX for studio and personal projects.
 
Been there done that too... I sold my nikon gear and kept the canon stuff for sport / action.

I went for the x1d and loved it, but it was hopeless. Thankfully it the sensor broke under warranty and I switched to the gfx 100 and I can't rate it high enough. I love the blad and how it looks and feels etc. But it's eye wateringly expensive, and the lack of af-c is annoying. That said, I'd be tempted to get the x2d just because it's so beautiful
 
I know you want the Hasselblad but having owned the GFX 50 and then 100s ii i would thoroughly recommend that system. I also had the GF 500 mm lens and coupled with the GFX 100s ii was very acceptable for tracking slow moving subjects, no good for birds in flight though. If I were to return to a MF system I would buy the GFX 100 ii as I like the tilting viewfinder. If you intend using it for landscapes you may need to make sure your focus stacking skills are up to scratch.
 
Hi there;

Regarding your lust for medium format……I stumbled across this amazing photographic book from photographer Ian Lawson whilst visiting Tarbert Gin Distillery on the Isle Of Harris recently - the book and photo’s are simply simply sublime……colours simply stunning clarity…!
Apparently Ian shoots with a digital Hasselblad.

The book he produced for his Scottish Lewis/Harris Island visit is called;
‘From the Land’ (Outer Hebrides) - incredible photographic talents…

Ian Lawson | Photography | Books | Prints

My Work Weaves Personal Stories Of Beautiful Landscapes And Their People Into Art.
www.ianlawson.com www.ianlawson.com



Best regards;
Prter
Scotland
 
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macvisual said:
Hi there;

Regarding your lust for medium format……I stumbled across this amazing photographic book from photographer Ian Lawson whilst visiting Tarbert Gin Distillery on the Isle Of Harris recently - the book and photo’s are simply simply sublime……colours simply stunning clarity…!
Apparently Ian shoots with a digital Hasselblad.

The book he produced for his Scottish Lewis/Harris Island visit is called;
‘From the Land’ (Outer Hebrides) - incredible photographic talents…

Ian Lawson | Photography | Books | Prints

My Work Weaves Personal Stories Of Beautiful Landscapes And Their People Into Art.
www.ianlawson.com www.ianlawson.com



Best regards;
Prter
Scotland
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I have Ian’s “From the Land” book - the first one about Harris Tweed. I agree, it is phenomenal and the medium format “look” is all on show. It is the one thing I have seen that would make me go for a medium format camera.
 
Tobers said:
I have Ian’s “From the Land” book - the first one about Harris Tweed. I agree, it is phenomenal and the medium format “look” is all on show. It is the one thing I have seen that would make me go for a medium format camera.
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There's a photo of his camera on the site.... I think it's a H6D 100c - if so, I believe the sensor is a full frame MF rather than the crop of the X2D and Fujifilm etc. but I could be mistaken
 
Hanley said:
This was my plan, retain the Canon stuff I need for sports and use MF for personal stuff
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Hasselblad and Fuji are both using sensors manufactured by Sony - I read somewhere the latest models from each brand are using the same Sony sensor. My personal opinion is that IQ is the same. Hasselblad wins on camera design, but Fuji wins on value for money.... so if you have a bottomless wallet or only need one focal length for personal stuff, Hasselblad makes sense. Otherwise, Fuji GFX wins.
 
I would buy based on lenses. Hasselblad has leaf shutters so that wins for high speed studio work. Fuji has 30mm tilt shift. Or you might like something else... I would certainly not touch fuji zooms - had thoroughly disappointing experience with them
 
LongLensPhotography said:
I would buy based on lenses. Hasselblad has leaf shutters so that wins for high speed studio work. Fuji has 30mm tilt shift. Or you might like something else... I would certainly not touch fuji zooms - had thoroughly disappointing experience with them
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For high speed studio work in my case that’s portraits - I’ve found it’s the flash duration that is critical not the shutter speed. I was expecting the switch from hasselblad leaf shutters to cause problems but I was positively surprised.
 
TimHughes said:
For high speed studio work in my case that’s portraits - I’ve found it’s the flash duration that is critical not the shutter speed. I was expecting the switch from hasselblad leaf shutters to cause problems but I was positively surprised.
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True. I suspect this wont be so even outdoors though. If you can avoid going into hss that really helps with options. Eventually they will all just get global shutters and that will be the end of hss
 
LongLensPhotography said:
True. I suspect this wont be so even outdoors though. If you can avoid going into hss that really helps with options. Eventually they will all just get global shutters and that will be the end of hss
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That's right. Outdoors, I sometimes need the ND8 to kill the ambient light as max sync speed of GFX is 1/125.
 
I'm now suffering from that (Digital) Medium Format itch, and my question for all you medium formaters is - are the GFX50S or R still worth it in 2026?

Is one better than the other?
Should I consider the Hasselblad X1D?

I own Mamiya medium format film cameras, and I want to replicate that in the digital world. The RF85 F1.2 produces amazing results, but they don't have that medium format look. I'd mostly be using it for environmental portraits & urban decay, along with none native glass, as the GFX lenses look expensive.

(The 100meg versions are out of reach, business is not good enough to justify that in 2026!)

:)
 
I'd aim for a 50sii if you are going to use legacy glass. The ibis is definitely worth it. Image quality is still excellent for the kind of photography you are describing.
 
MarkWalker said:
I'm now suffering from that (Digital) Medium Format itch, and my question for all you medium formaters is - are the GFX50S or R still worth it in 2026?

Is one better than the other?
Should I consider the Hasselblad X1D?

I own Mamiya medium format film cameras, and I want to replicate that in the digital world. The RF85 F1.2 produces amazing results, but they don't have that medium format look. I'd mostly be using it for environmental portraits & urban decay, along with none native glass, as the GFX lenses look expensive.

(The 100meg versions are out of reach, business is not good enough to justify that in 2026!)

:)
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I was an early adopter of the GFX 50S and I still love them, as for are they still worth it I would say very much so (so much so that I have recently bought a 3rd one to ensure I can keep going for years to come). I also shoot Bronica SQ-B and what I can say is although I have GF lenses that cover the whole range of my Bronica lenses (40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 80mm, 150mm & 250mm) I wouldn't say they replicate the results from my films. For sure I can get exactly the same compositions but the end results are very different, the film has great resolving power (Kodak Portra, Ektar and Fuji Provia 100F) the digital files are much crisper and have finer detail than the film shots. I rarely shoot them side by side but have in the past revisited film shots with digital and vice-versa. I can't say I prefer one to the other but suffice to say I still use both. I should point out that I primarily shoot landscape and mostly in a documentary fashion so I couldn't say as to portraits but Urban Decay I would think would be no different to my landscape experiences.
 
Fordsabroad said:
I also like the idea of the 100-300 2.8, but who wouldn't?
I am trying to force myself to take the "Rachel Reeves" approach to buying kit. That is move the figures to the next column on the forecast and it doesn't look like you have spent it - just a long term investment!
To be fair it is correct in a way (that little "spend it before you die" devil is rearing it's head again) If I can convince my self that I would sell the kit in a few years time foe around 70% of what I bought it for it becomes good value.
Then I just need to convince my kids not to sell it for what they think i paid.
I will keep an eye on long lenses and your 100-300 f2.8 when it comes up until then I will continue to sit in my dark corner!
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When I joined the then local, camera club, and got to know a few of the members, one of whom had a fair collection of the expensive end of Canon's lens range, I mentioned their cost. His comment was " Chris, always remember this, you buy cameras, but you invest in lenses".
 
I scratched that itch when I was still shooting film many years ago, had a Pentax super A and a Blad 500c, to give you an idea of time frame, I took it with me to Eastern Germany ( before the wall came down) when we went to a relatives wedding in Wiemar, got a lot of looks :)
 
MarkWalker said:
I'm now suffering from that (Digital) Medium Format itch, and my question for all you medium formaters is - are the GFX50S or R still worth it in 2026?

Is one better than the other?
Should I consider the Hasselblad X1D?

I own Mamiya medium format film cameras, and I want to replicate that in the digital world. The RF85 F1.2 produces amazing results, but they don't have that medium format look. I'd mostly be using it for environmental portraits & urban decay, along with none native glass, as the GFX lenses look expensive.

(The 100meg versions are out of reach, business is not good enough to justify that in 2026!)

:)
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Which is better always depends on what you want or need. I tried the older Hasselblad system then switched to Fuji for lower overall cost with no regrets. I had thought the lack of leaf shutter for high speed flash could be an issue but it hasn't caused me any problems. I have the GFX50R still, it's my favourite for personal projects and travel, and the orginal GFX100. I started adapting glass and it works, but I found results with native glass are much better. Hope this helps.
 
So all in all, positive comments about the 50 meg versions :) And, this is all for fun personal project-type stuff (would add landscapes to that if I had sufficient lenses).

I do have R5 MKIIs and L Primes for the day job and anything serious.
 
MarkWalker said:
So all in all, positive comments about the 50 meg versions :) And, this is all for fun personal project-type stuff (would add landscapes to that if I had sufficient lenses).

I do have R5 MKIIs and L Primes for the day job and anything serious.
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Right, the GFX are a joy to shoot with, but your R5's will have way better AF.
 
TimHughes said:
Right, the GFX are a joy to shoot with, but your R5's will have way better AF.
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Yep, I understand that, and (at least to start with), I'll be using it fully manual with manual glass.. The initial purchase will be a body (probably a GFX S II after this thread) and some kind of adapter to either Contax C/Y or Mamiya 645. In recent years, I've enjoyed the process of shooting film, and whilst the outlay is high for the GFX, I want to take that same slow approach.

The R5s are amazing, the lenses are unreal, the results are too perfect, but that process is soulless.
 
Rincewind said:
I scratched that itch when I was still shooting film many years ago, had a Pentax super A and a Blad 500c, to give you an idea of time frame, I took it with me to Eastern Germany ( before the wall came down) when we went to a relatives wedding in Wiemar, got a lot of looks :)
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I went through various medium format systems when I was photographing for pay.

In the 1960s, I was using Rolleiflex, then I went to Pentacon (super lenses, pity about the bodies), Mamiya for a while, on to Hasselblad, back to Mamiya, a brief flirtation with Bronica then back to Hasselblad.

My sole excuse for this butterfly approach to photography? "variety is the spice of life". ;)
 
As an addendum, the finger Pentax 645 to gfx adapter is brilliant - it even does autofocus on Pentax lenses. And some of them are excellent. They've gone up in price a bit since the adapter came out in September, but there's some great glass at a significantly lower price than the Fujifilm equivalent. The fujis are often slightly better for critical work, but there's really not much in it.
 
I wish this thread had not reared its head again. I have had the GFX 50, 100s and 100s ii at different times and traded them because of insufficient use.
I have Canon and OM systems and am very happy with the results I get with them. However...
The Fuji gfx is really enjoyable to use. It takes me back to my years shooting with tne hasselblad 500cm (supplied by my employer). I love wildlife photography and that's where the FF an the OM cameras come in.
I am currently resisting the urge but I know it will be futile. The GFX will.not get the use it deserves but when it does it will be sheer joy. Any of the models would produce the quality I desire my concern would be the longevity of the older models. Fuji repairs are damn expensive.
 
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scratched - used gfx 100s. a little larger than the sony 7rm5. Lenses - one fuji, 2x pentax 645, adapted the helios, pentax k 28 and kiev88/65mm kiev p6/45mm...
See pics in the flickr links.. albums per camera or lens...

What I found. The pics you can zoom in a lot more. There is a weird but nice feeling on the images. The fuji lenses (63mm) is pretty light. The rest are heavy, I am from leica so manual focussing mainly. EVF could have done with being crisper (I believe the mkii is better).

Overall, happy with the purcahse. although my back may complain from walking around towns on holidays with the lenses in the bag ;)

Definitiely worth trying it tho!
 
The GF 35-70 "kit lens" is light. The GFX 100mk ii has an improved evf, the same resolution as the Canon R1 i believe. Both the original 50s and the 100s ii take the tiltable evf adapter, which i like.
 
Topsy said:
Not wishing to throw the feline amongst the flying rats but.......................... :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
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question - tilt adapter plus an evf or one unit....?
Just checked online and that a bit more of uh an investment and bulk... but when I had one on the m10, it was worth it... saved craning the neck... I know that gfx 100s has a tiltable screen... but... gas....
 
ecniv said:
question - tilt adapter plus an evf or one unit....?
Just checked online and that a bit more of uh an investment and bulk... but when I had one on the m10, it was worth it... saved craning the neck... I know that gfx 100s has a tiltable screen... but... gas....
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The tilt adapter is a seperate item, you remove the EVF block, slot in the tilt adapter then put the EVF block on to the tilt adapter. The 50S also has a tilting screen but I find tilting the EVF is far better. It also tilts when the camera is in protrait orientation to about 45 degrees so is a great asset. It looks more clumsy/flimsy than it really is and I'd not be without it which is why some models are out of the question for me. It also makes the whole user experience more loke film MF (I use a 45 deg finder on my Bronica).

L1010111.jpg
 
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