Into The Unknown

I have long had a secret wish. When Fujifilm first introduced their medium format cameras back in 2017, I was very excited. They were way out of my league price wise and I was invested in the older Fujifilm X series of cameras. I loved the retro handling , the aesthetics of the cameras and lenses and most of all, the images they produced. I cut my teeth on Fujifilm cameras and absolutely loved using them. I then went into the world of full frame and have stayed there since. Recently however, I traded some gear in and bought the Fujifilm x100v and was instantly hooked back in the world of Fujifilm. There was however, one camera I really wanted to own and that was the Fujifilm GFX 50r.

I started looking at secondhand 50rs and realised they were now more affordable (comparatively). I found one with a low shutter count and at a good price. I made a deal and took the plunge. I have sold quite a few bits of Canon gear to fund my transition but am the proud owner of a 50r and a couple of gf lenses. So why the desire to use medium format? My Canon stuff is amazing and has a similar megapixel count as the 50r, the images are or at least , can be great. There is however something about medium format images that shout out to me. Medium format film images stand out as having a certain look that 35mm film cannot replicate. Researching digital medium format, the same can be said about the images. The depth, the detail, the framing is quite unique. One of my favourite photographers, Dan Winters, has generally shot on medium format and indeed now uses a 50r with the same lenses as me. He is a supremely gifted photographer who creates true works of art but the camera and lens certainly helps him achieve the finished work of art.

Today was my first serious photography session with the camera and one lens, the GF 35-70mm. I went for a walk around Dean Clough mills in Halifax. It’s a fantastic old mill complex that is now home to many businesses, an art gallery and several eating places. The sunlight was strong and the shadows deep. When you shoot with a medium format camera, you are forced to slow down and take your time. They aren’t fast, my camera makes a beautiful clunking sound every time you press the shutter. You tend to think about composition more because you have to. I took under half the number of shots I would normally because I trust the gear to deliver if I take a more considered approach. I am not a sports or photo journalist. I don’t take fast action shots and like to focus more on documentary, street and architecture.

The image above is an homage to photographer Bill Brandt. He took a photograph of this very scene back in the 1960’s entitled ‘Snicket’ . His dark brooding image was taken on a cloudy wet day and I obviously went on a sunny morning in summer. I edited it as a black and white image with high contrast to get some form of atmosphere. I have to say I am blown away by the sheer detail and quality of image this camera can create. Viewing the images in small screens such as one’s phone, does not allow you to appreciate what medium format cameras are capable of. Most of us consume our content in screen these days but I do like to create prints, sometimes large ones. This image will be one I shall print or even add to a photo book.

Using the camera is joyous. Full frame modern digital are brilliant but very clinical in their execution. The rangefinder style, the aperture rings on the lenses, the dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation make the tactile nature of shooting a real pleasure. It is a camera much like the x100v that makes you want to take photos and try to take better images. The sensor is stupendous and gives you such a broad range to experiment. Another selling point for me is the ability to shoot in XPan format (65:24) aspect ratio which was originally developed as a collaboration between Hasselblad and Fujifilm back in the film days. It’s such a cinematic aspect that requires you to explore composition even more. I am a total newbie to this so you’ll have to bear with me as I get accustomed to it but trust me, it’s brilliant. Of all the cameras I have ever owned, this is the most enjoyable one to use. The images are amazing, the feel and process is captivating and I know I’ve found a true keeper. If you ever get the chance to shoot with either film or digital medium format, grasp that opportunity because you’ll instantly see why many photographers love shooting with this type of camera.