Entranced

I recently made the move to medium format. It always seemed a leap too far for me but now the system is more affordable than ever. It lends itself perfectly to older medium format manual lenses and works surprisingly well with other 35mm vintage lenses. Today, I took a familiar stroll around Halifax. I took my Fujifilm GFX 50s ii and some lenses. In the end, I shot 90% of the images on a Contax 45mm f2.8 manual lens. I was utterly blown away by the quality of the images, how easy it was to focus, and how versatile that focal length was. It also makes for a surprisingly light kit given the format.

I have shot with pretty much all the major sensor formats over the years. I enjoy using full frame but equally had great results with Fujifilm APSC format cameras. There isn’t as much of a leap from crop sensor to full frame but the difference when going to medium format is stunning. The Fujifilm colours are there just like my old XT4 but the detail and resolution is astounding. I really enjoyed my shoot this morning. The format requires you to slow down and be more considered but it rewards you with images that you imagine just before you press the shutter. I have spoken before about that moment, the image you visualise and the result you achieve. So many times, the reality is less than the dream. Today however, with the GFX and a 30 year old manual lens was different. .

It is so rewarding to produce images you feel proud of and that encapsulate everything you hope for. It makes me wonder whether I should keep my Canon R system as it will be tough to go back to full frame. The medium format is entrancing. It makes you want to create serious art, proper photos, whether they be street, documentary, landscape or portrait images. I would love to do some portrait work with the GFX as I think the results could take my work to another level.

I know there are tons of photographers who create brilliant work on smaller sensor systems. I have sold prints made with 16mp Fujifilm APSC cameras and know they are good quality but the prospect of making prints from this GFX system excites me. I’m still getting used to using the format and it will be a while before I feel totally at home with it but the challenge enthuses me. The fact you can create such detailed, nuanced work is my way forward. And yes, I’m entranced.