Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Mirrorless Cameras => Topic started by: Rdmax on February 23, 2017, 10:33:29 am

Title: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Rdmax on February 23, 2017, 10:33:29 am
What is the best mirrorless camera that is comparable in IQ to a medium format camera?
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on February 23, 2017, 11:59:16 am
Probably the new medium format mirrorless cameras from Fuji and Hasselblad?
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: hogloff on February 23, 2017, 12:16:41 pm
The Sony A7R2 is no slouch when it comes to image quality...even the older A7R is great.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Mousecop on February 23, 2017, 12:19:24 pm
What is the best mirrorless camera that is comparable in IQ to a medium format camera?
IMO, for landscape specifically, almost any recent camera with a 4/3 sensor or larger is roughly comparable to MF film.

16-20mp 43 sensors should be able to make excellent prints up to 16" x 20". At that size, high resolution 35mm sensors will give you a little more detail. The advantages of higher resolutions are more apparent with larger print sizes.

35mm sensors will have very good dynamic range, iirc around 14 stops. Smaller sensors have a little less. In my experience, that usually means you need to be more precise with exposure and/or work a little more in post with smaller sensors.

It also helps to know how much weight you're willing to carry; what's your budget; what's your usual output; what lenses you want to use.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Rdmax on February 23, 2017, 12:42:38 pm
Probably the new medium format mirrorless cameras from Fuji and Hasselblad?
Not exactly available right now :/
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: razrblck on February 23, 2017, 01:03:37 pm
Sony A7RII, the high resolution mode available in the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II (64MP) and Pen-F (80MP), Fuji X-T2/X-Pro 2.

You should really wait for the Fuji GFX-50s since you want something comparable to medium format.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: rdonson on February 23, 2017, 02:30:47 pm
Not exactly available right now :/
the Fuji GFX 50S Should be available Feb 28th
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on February 24, 2017, 04:35:29 am
Not exactly available right now :/

Well, you did not specify a time frame. These two cameras have been announced, and are/will be available soon.

If you want right now, there are myriad choices, from 43 to FF sensor size.

You also do not say what is the end use, what is your background/experience. There is already a long thread a few posts down about MILC, that might help you too.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: TonyVentourisPhotography on February 24, 2017, 07:37:24 am
Odd question really... depends on your standards and needs... have you seen the 100mp files from phase one?  Nothing compares yet. 

Clean darks after 60 minutes of exposure?  Don't know many non digital backs that will do it. 

Really depends on your needs.  Studio needs?  A7r2?  Kinda. 

Reproduction and still life... Olympus high res mode from the 20mp sensor.  And better color and no moire.

I have both m43 and MF digital and film.  M43 matches or exceeds the film.  I get very similar results to my digital back with m43 but half the file size.  I pick which one is appropriate.

Mirrorless that's like MF ....how about the x1d?  Mirrorless mf.  Do tech cams count?  They don't have mirrors.   ;)
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Paul Roark on February 25, 2017, 11:37:13 am
I shot MF film for years, with Technical Pan being my favorite.  Now I shoot Sony a7r 1 & 2.  They are better than MF film, in my view.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Deardorff on May 12, 2017, 08:02:06 am
4x5 with a 120 back.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: BobDavid on May 13, 2017, 01:11:14 am
Weird as it sounds, the Pen F high-resolution mode is nothing short of amazing. It is suitable for art reproduction, still life, and specific situations in the field. The 12-100mm f/4 lens with OSS is really slick.

The Sony A7r II is impressive--a step up from the A7r.

I've been around the block with just about every film or digital format that's been around for the last 40 years. I am not at all nostalgic for film. I enjoy shooting with an Oly E-M5 II, Pen F, and the A7r II. Admittedly, the Pen F far exceeded my expectations.

As far a "medium format" goes, I used a 48 X 36 CF39-MS Hasselblad back on an H2F and a pancake camera for fine art repro. The color depth from that back is about as good as anything I've seen. However dynamic range, especially in the shadows suffered. It was impractical to shoot above ISO 200, even 200 was often a stretch. The current line of CMOS sensors is excellent. Most mainstream cameras use Sony sensors.

One thing I like about the m43 format is the deep depth of field. I'm an f/64 fan. I like everything in the frame to be in sharp focus. That's the style I've cultivated over the years. I love using the A7r II with super wide angle lenses. The image quality is nothing short of fantastic.

I've discovered that CaptureOne is far superior than ACR/Lightroom for developing Sony RAW files.  The proprietary Olympus RAW developer is also better than ACR.

I have zero interest in cropped medium format cameras. The ecosystems are still embryonic. Sure, there is an uptick in IQ. But at the end of the day, I'd rather save money, invest in some glass, and master the ins and outs of the Oly and Sony A7r II.

If you genuinely have to have the very best IQ and are servicing high-end clients on a consistent basis, there are excellent high-end options available. At that level, I suggest finding a VAR or two so that you can test before purchasing.
Title: Re: Best Mirrorless option available today?
Post by: Blue439 on May 13, 2017, 03:40:53 am
What is the best mirrorless camera that is comparable in IQ to a medium format camera?

Advice on what is "best" being highly subjective, many different answers can be expected, each respondent defending his or her own personal favorite choice(s). Objectivity cannot be found here. You will have to make up your own mind.

Personally, I would recommend the new Fuji GFX, which seems to be highly praised by most reviewers so far.