YouTube is a great place to learn about photography. You can find how to do something, research gear, and inspiration. However, the problem with most photography materials is that it is structured around selling you the goods you do not need. Latest example- a very big example- This is the idea that you may need a 100-megapixel medium format camera.
Marketing promotion around the moderate format cameras is still ridiculous. Is the latest, fastest and most megapixel-thunder medium format camera going to improve your photography? no way!
YouTube affects
Brands are giving moderate format cameras to the affected as they want to create demand. Problem? The vast majority of photographers do not really require moderate format. Or 100 megapixels.
Many impressives receiving these cameras are not paying for them, so they are not talking about the cost-gain ratio.
Camera manufacturers are clearly expected that if we see our favorite influences running with free gear worth $ 20,000+, we will get the realization that the medium format is the “ultimate” tool – the own desire for some.
The truth is that in real-world shooting conditions, full frame or even APS-C can be more practical, portable and more cost effective.
image quality
Yes, medium format cameras can offer better dynamic range, and they all megapixels will give you a sharp image. But the difference between full frame and medium format is not as huge as it used to. Modern full frame sensors have incredible resolution, dynamic range and color accuracy.
I shoot professionally for professional customers and take pictures of food and products for brand marketing projects and publications. I use 24 MP or 47 MP camera. 24 MP is perfect for most projects, especially if they only appear on websites or social media, mostly commercial marketing work.
I can understand the argument to use a medium format 100 MP camera for large-scale campaigns and products and fashion shoots that end on large in-store posters where clarity and expansion is the top priority. If post-production requires heavy image editing, having large, cleaner files can help make the process easier. But we are talking about top-level commercial work here for large brands, where many uses can be manipulated in a picture and require tasks such as color changes in a product.
But running around a woodland with one of those cameras? I have also seen a video with someone using new Hasselblad X2D for street photography, working hard to explain to us that it is a great option to consider. Or maybe work hard to explain Hasselblad. It was worth giving him a camera, and maybe they will give him a new lens?
My situation is that anything more than 50 MP is overcome for serious hobbies or even for professionals shooting business assignments.
Mythology
I feel attractive that camera companies are constantly pushing the idea that there are more megapixels and sharper lenses as better photos – and people buy in this idea.
The reality is that the matter of composition, lighting and storytelling is how fast the image is. A skilled photographer can give a subject to light and use a 17 -year -old 12 MP camera and achieve better results than someone using the latest 100 MP camera who does not know how to create light and shot.
Look at some of the most reputed photos shot by masterful photographers for the last 50-60 years. In comparison to what is available today, he used inferior cameras and lenses. Their photos are in focus, but not clinically sharp that a low-end camera is capable of today. Will more sharpness improve those pictures? In most cases, no, of course not. A magnificent picture tells a story, exposes a mood, or feels something you feel. Adding a little more sharp will not make him feel more.
Practicality
Medium format cameras are often bulk, slow and less versatile than full frames or APS-C options.
Prior to the great progress of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, I will use an SLR when I was out and used a bulkieer medium format about the location shoot and the studio shoot.
I believe that medium format is still best used as a studio camera, not something you run with roads or mountains. Certainly, some of these cameras have become smaller, but when you consider large, heavy lenses, you are moving around a lot of gear to get a large image file, which you probably will not benefit from being.
Gear passion
Many photographers fall into the trap of thinking that upgrading their camera will automatically improve their work. But creativity, skill, intention and vision will always be more important.
Despite the affected people you believe, a medium format camera will not make you a better photographer. Or them. Investment in lighting, a workshop/course, traveling to interesting places, or keeping a model at work for a few hours are all better options to spend money to improve our craft.
There are two types of photographers: the type that uses a camera only as a tool, as a means of capturing an image. He or he buys whatever he thinks will allow him to work at the hand, and then they meet with making. And then there is the type of photographer who loves technology, design, experience of a particular camera. The camera gear is as important as making photos with it – or more. Some of these people gather every model, they are brand fanboys, they love their cameras. I think – I love some of my cameras and vintage lenses. There is nothing wrong in loving and gathering gear. And if you enjoy having the latest gear, then go for it!
The issue is that, affecting the impressions that the latest and greatest is better, no matter the brand. They do not sit in any camp mentioned above. They jump and propagate from brand to brand, it depends on who can give them the most money or gear. We need to hear more than lovers, not to sell.
conclusion
It seems that I am knocking the medium format cameras. I am not If I worked more studio, which requires large-scale, ultra-shape, high-resolution files, it would be my choice. My issue – and this is something that I will continue to talk about other articles and videos, there is no doubt – is there constant pressure to buy the latest gear on social media and pursue faster and big image files, with the idea that we will get better results.
A sharper photo is not a better photo. This is just sharp.
Medium format cameras have their own place, especially for high-end commercial work, fine arts or studio photography. But for most photographers, they are unnecessary, expensive and impractical. Instead of chasing impressive trends and marketing propaganda, perhaps we should focus on mastery in our crafts that we already have?
I would like to hear your thoughts – have you bought a medium format camera or do you entice it? If yes, what is your argument?
