What cameras are people using to compliment their medium format system?

So this is what I'm wrestling with now. I know that the current cameras from Fuji and Hasselblad, especially with IBIS, really expand their usability to the point that they've become just as easy to use as full frame or smaller format systems for general photography. I first bought into the Leica system to reduce weight and size for travel. With a workstation laptop and Canon 5D3 + lenses, I was carrying upwards of 45lbs. Trying to make a connecting flight in an airport and running through two terminals, I just got to the plane as they were closing the doors. I was a dripping wet, gasping for air mess. My mistake was holding onto the Canon equipment for years, even though I never used it again. I sold it last year and if course got a fraction of what it cost. I don't want to make the same mistake again. I know if I sell the Leica equipment I'll probably never get back into the system, but I'm beginning to think that might be just fine.

I really enjoy shooting with X2D. So much so that I have used it exclusively for the last five months. It doesn't make sense for every use and I'm trying to figure out where the gap is and the best option to fill it. Even though there is weather sealing on the X2D, I probably wouldn't take it out in anything more than very light rain or snow, and that for limited time.

Hearing why you guys made your choices and how you use your other camera(s) is helpful.

Rich

Hi,

I have always used MF for things which don't move. So, I have the camera on a tripod and shoot mirror up. For things which do move, or such that a tripod isn't a great choice, I use the small format. This goes back to the days of film for me. Meaning before there was anything digital at all.

My main use for things which move would be for cars on course and at full chat. Meaning auto racing. Both daytime at the road course and nighttime at the circle tracks. In either case, I cannot see using MF at all, even with IBIS. Maybe for cars parked in the paddock, but not on course. Well, maybe during a red flag.... ;)

Stan

As you get older, the weight of your equipment becomes more and more important. 😩

Yes it does.

When I think of the days I carried around a Mamiya RB67 all day…my back and k neck hurt just thinking about it.

No, it becomes more and more a PIA (and back and shoulders and arm and . . . ). 😉

Rich

Even in my prime, I considered an 8x10 a studio-only camera.

AA in the field. When Men were Men.

from ccp-emuseum.catnet.arizona.edu

Rich

Fujifilm XT5, XT2, and an X100v is on order. The X system is what I use most of the time given the effects of aging. 🙄

Amy

For MF I’ve the GFX50R which is complimented by Fuji X - mainly the X-Pro3, but I’ve got an X-T3 as well. Switching between them is very easy given the similarities in controls and menus.

Not shown: The roof of AA’s vehicle that the photographer of this image is standing upon to get this shot. 😉

Long time Canon user here, from before I dipped my toes in MF. So I have a Canon R5 for when my H5X + IQ1-80 are not the appropriate tool

How has your experience been with the R5? After looking at what's available, it seems to have a good feature set and adds capabilities that the X2D doesn't have. With L glass, it does seem to be a heavy system.

Rich

I use the Nikon Z9, but the only time it comes out is for sports or fast action type photography. For everything else from studio to travel I use the 100s.

The AF is great and significantly better than my previous Canon (1D X), and obviously on a different planet compared to the H5X.

I'm not into video but for the little I do the R5 is vast overkill... Speed is also plenty for me. I wish they gave us the option to select a frame rate between 1 and 20 for the electronic shutter...

I think the R5 hits a sweet spot of price / performance. I like the resolution although if I could have more than 45mp I would take it.

In my mind it is ok till ISO 3200 but beyond that you need the new fancy AI NR solutions. Lucky me I have just bought DXO and Adobe announces that they have added it to ACR / LR as well :/
Generally speaking the sensor delivers although I do prefer the colors and crispiness of the IQ1-80.

About lenses... for me it is a mixed bag. There are gems for sure (I love love love the 2 f/1.2 primes) but they are expensive and heavy. The cheaper options are meh at best. And if you look at good RF glass the line-up is still missing a lot, especially in terms of wide fast primes. On the good side EF lenses work great on the R5.

So with good glass it's a great tool, but prepare to pay for it and to carry it.

I don't use medium format but want to share a theory I believe in for a long time.
Medium format and FF are close enough for many use cases. Similarly, FF and APSC are close enough. I prefer to see a 2x difference in sensor size when maintaining two systems.
For that reason, I would think that an APSC goes well with medium format system. One of recent Fuji models. If using a FF, I'd say the second system should be m43.

All the best.

FWIW a FF sensor is more than 2x the size of an APSC sensor.

It is 1.5x in linear dimension.