35mm VS 67 | Do You Really Need A Medium Format Camera

[@NateG459]

"on the other hand, a bad photo is a bad photo no matter the camera" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ArchiesLens]

I really love that you did this comparison. I love all the shots, but the individual shots were my favorite personally. And such a great work around for the light with them using their phones. So creative!!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you :)😊

[@riccardoconstant7988]

it's a really beautiful video essay. As a cinematographer, I do think that gear matter, and when an artist chooses a gear, it has to be for the right reasons whether technical or artistic. Subjectivity plays a part in it, too, because each artist has a style and a gear that they like to use to accommodate said style. And that takes time, practice and research. Regrettably, the majority of individuals opt for what's trending rather than conducting thorough research to ensure they're selecting the most suitable gear for the task at hand. Anyway, I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!!!👍👍

[@alanlin986]

67 has that unique look no other camera can get

[@ElliotShayle]

I'm sure some other people at least will feel the same way, but when I choose to take out my Hasselblad instead of my 35mm SLR, it forces me to take better, more considered photos. Because I have so few shots, I make a point of light metering, creating the composition, and using a tripod. So even though I could take similar quality photos with my SLR, I feel like I never will be able to! It just doesn't suit that style of photography for me. One thing is clear, though: You really have a talent for working with people and working them into your creative vision!

[@Millicente]

Everything you said can be done with the 35mm which I’m sure you’re aware. It makes your comment absolutely pointless though. That’s like someone saying “I can’t go any slower than running speed when in running shoes.”

[@ElliotShayle]

​@@Millicentefirstly, I did acknowledge that I could do the same on my SLR, so that's not some kind of a "gotcha". Secondly, as film photographers, there's no inherent, objective advantage of our medium. Everything we do can in theory be done on digital. The reason we choose film is because of the *art* of it! Not because of its technical specifications. Technically, I don't need a medium format camera, but it inspires a different kind of artistry

[@Millicente]

@@ElliotShayle It wasn't meant to be a gotcha, I even said you're probably already aware that you can do it on 35mm. Also the only thing you acknowledged and said was " even though I could take similar quality photos with my SLR, I feel like I never will be able to." If instead you brought up the larger film, the shallower depth of field, the higher resolution, all of these would have been legitimate bonuses only possible with a medium format camera like the hasselblad over a 35mm. But you only listed: because you have fewer shots you make a point of light metering, creating the composition, and using a tripod. All of which are choices you can make on 35mm. The fact that you can do all these on 35mm makes your comment sound exactly like someone saying "even though I could walk at a similar pace as my casual shoes while in my running shoes, I feel like I never will be able to." Which was my point, how silly it sounds.

[@randallstewart1224]

Of course, format size matters a great deal. Medium format, particularly 6x7cm, is very popular among YT video producers concerning film usage, but almost none of them need it. Need is determined by image size and usage. If you are enlarging on traditional materials in a darkroom, MF v 35mm format will show a difference in enlargement larger than 8x10 inch print size, particularly if you are using more course grained film types. If you are scanning to digital, subject to "post-processing" manipulations, the shortcomings of film "scanning" and digital inkjet printing will allow a capable user to eliminate appearances in different format sizes up to a 16x20 inch print. Frankly, for the great majority of folks just generating a digital image file to show on a phone or computer screen, the viewing media (low resolution) eliminates all differences. It also raises questions about why film is used at all for such purposes. Following this logic, it's clear why new film cameras, like the Kodak models or the proposed New Pentax, are using half frame (of 35mm) format. Half frame works as well in terms of useful image results as nearly all of 35mm format cameras, yet adds a lot of value in cost savings and (for now) simplicity of use. So, when you see a string of videos on YT from some 20's+ producer, hauling around a studio rig like an RB67 to shoot hand-held images of car fenders and house fronts to generate a "Zine" of prints in the range of 5x7 to 8x10 inch images, you have to understand that such choice of equipment is based on pretension rather than need.

[@TheAestheticProfessional]

Really enjoying all of your videos. The excellent images combined with the storytelling is just a perfect combination. What is that textbook that you referenced towards the end? Would love to find one like that

[@peterkin1010]

In my experience there's a difference between 35mm and 645,..but not by much. 35mm with slow film and good technique can yield excellent enlargement up to 12x16 without a problem and 20x30 at a pinch. 6x7 is where the real difference comes into play though. I'd def have a Pentax 67IIif I wanted a medium format camera.

[@JMarT96Dx]

I love your videos Sam always thought provoking commentary and I love seeing your film photos! Thank you so much

[@heydawn926]

These are lovely, Sam! The group portraits looking stunning! So happy!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you so much 😊

[@danielgoh2527]

I loved this video, and learned so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us - those were some great photos!!

[@adgacs784]

Such beauty in your shots! You're an inspiration Sam and i love your insight. I'm inspired to shoot again. Thank you!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@jimhestermanphotography]

What matters the most is understanding and knowledge on what gear matters in regards to the final outcome that matches your vision.

[@sophietucker1255]

I have always thought that the camera doesn't matter until it does. When you can't get the image you want then it is most likely time to get different gear that will allow you make the images you want the way you want. I have all sorts of gear from a Pentax 110 Auto to a 4x5 view camera. I have Mamiya, Fujica, Hasselblad and Yashica cameras. I have digital and film. Some I use just because I want to use something different, some because they are best suited for what I doing or shooting that day and some, like the Pentax 110 auto just because it is fun.

[@MH-zd6si]

Great video Sam, thanks! I love the concept of the video and your photos as usual! Keep up the great work :) I started to think about your initial question quite a bit. To me, the medium format photos just look a little bit more clean and I prefer the special look of medium format (which you explained so excellently based on optics) slightly over 35mm. I guess it is not about the camera but more about which look matches your style of photography more ...

[@itscapturedbysam]

Yeah.. I shoot so a little 35mm now, I felt the same with medium format, overall just cleaner!! And that matches the style I want to grow into~

[@jasonblake5576]

Really great shots Sam, I think the MF has more compression than 35mm.

[@aarontharris]

I feel like the shooting experience is the real difference. I believe you can achieve great composition with appropriate gear of any format. Though I would argue (for some of us) going back to film + manual + limited frames makes a more happy experience and happier photographers make happier photos. For me -- the quality I would say is truly better about larger formats is the viewfinder. Large and Medium Formats have so much room for your eyes to really open up and experience the composition. 35mm has always felt cramped and utilitarian. Having said that, I am happy to shoot with anything, even my phone (if I must).

[@thevoiceman6192]

Nice photos. I schewt everything from disposables to medium format film. I have gotten nice photos on all film formats I use.

[@ardie3523]

I think when people are saying "your gear doesn't matter," what they really want to say is "don't let gear be an excuse to stop taking photos/videos." There are tons of people out there who are getting sucked into thinking what they have isn't enough, feel inferior/unable to create, and spend more money. As you said, picking the right tool does matter! When running the calculations as you did, it's easy to see that technically you can achieve the exact same background separation mathematically. However, one thing often not talked about which is especially true for film camera lenses is rendering. It can even be noticed on modern lenses, but I think it's a little more obvious on film camera lenses because they are a lot simpler, and have a lot more "faults," so the lens design choices make a much, much bigger difference to the output. For example, I have a Minolta 55mm f1.7 lens and a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens. The Minolta can't focus too close, but the fall-off and background rendering is buttery smooth. The Canon is technically sharper, and focuses way closer, but the rendering is clearly way more "busy/messy" and less pleasant. I don't know because I haven't checked, but it may be that some medium format lenses simply render differently than some 35mm format lenses and that gives a certain sense of quality, not to mention the finer grain because of the silver crystal to physical film size ratio. Fun video as all of your videos are! Thanks for sharing your perspective and lovely photos.

[@artsilva]

Looks like such a fun photoshoot. From my own experience and by your results, I see in the results when viewed in it’s final form, the larger the format the cleaner the image and focus fall-off is creamier. Back in the day 35mm was my photojournalism, street and documentary format while MF was for my studio projects and landscapes that required a certain print quality. Today in digital form, as well as analog I believe both camps; If you are just starting, gear Does Not matter because it takes experience to even know the differences. I always suggest getting an affordable kit that will teach you the basics and that usually leads to 35mm analog and APS-C digital for cost and availability reasons. It isn’t until you learn and gain experience in what you shoot of what optics and film/sensor format can give you and what limitations you start to feel with your current set up that will have you graduating to other formats. So in the beggining, gear Doesn’t matter… as you gain experience it then becomes a bigger deal. Fantastic video!!!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Yeah.. so I guess my point is don’t be afraid trying different camera or format, more understanding of the difference between the tools, easier to find your preferred one for your voice of creation.

[@adtechniques]

These are lovely, Sam! The photo also turned out amazing. Welcome back.

[@itscapturedbysam]

thank you~

[@davidbcg286]

Lots of great portraits. I am also torn in getting a 6x7 or bigger (I do have a 6x6 and I love it)... time will tell.

[@anastasiafua]

Totally agree with your comparisons - 35mm feels a lot more freeing but with this episode perhaps I should shoot more 35mm! And I LOVEE your editorial !! So fresh soooo good especially the last portraits 😍😍😍😍

[@andyvan5692]

one other tip, at 16:13 that is one advantage of the smaller 6x6 or 6x4.5 hasselblad or Bronica cameras, as they have magazines, so each back can be pre-loaded and exchanged fast, esp. for dimming light.

[@itscapturedbysam]

I would love to get another magazine for my hassleblad one day~

[@bananaguy1762]

This is really insightful, and the photos themselves are wonderful

[@shellkuang2517]

Really amazing photos, Sam!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you ❤

[@natehaiden]

also about workflow/intention I just decided to (kinda) spray and pray like you would with 35mm on a trip with my Pentax 67 and went through 18 rolls 😅. I’m making my first photography video on the trip, hope you get to see it :)

[@chowderbreadbowl666]

The photos you took from below everyone leaning in are truly wonderful

[@linjicakonikon7666]

I own and have shot with everything from 35mm to 8x10 for 50 years now. I think 35mm is the best format all around. Less formal and shows grain which I find gives me the analog edges I need for a really good sense of atmosphere and presence. Less is more.

[@AnthonyD42]

15:04 LOVE this one!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Girl band cover vibe lol~

[@seanemilian3697]

Love it! How did you measure the light and do you overexposed?

[@itscapturedbysam]

I use the internal light meter the camera has, I over exposed them by half or one stop normally~

[@andyvan5692]

yes, at 22:04 the dof and increased space is one, but another is the micro contrast, and colour rendering/focus of things like skin tone, object texture (like bark on trees, paint on cars) this is the why for larger formats, more light let in, so more information this leads to the other things, but in conclusion it is the photographers personal style, aesthetic which adheres oneself to one format, or tool to another, the look we want, or that projects our souls to the film, and shows the world US, and how we see it.

[@itscapturedbysam]

Totally… I felt the same with the “micro contrast”… I didn’t know to explain “the light rolls off / falls off softer” kinda?? on larger format… and yeah, it all eventually comes down to how the photographer want the image to look, then they choose what tools/format to use.

[@theomonnier7899]

The P67 is so much rolling on the other format damn haha ! idk if it's the 105 but yeah big change ! good job Sam , always fun to watch your videos :)

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@dannyfisher3641]

Really inspiring shots. 😊 Great Video

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you 🙌

[@serg55ish]

❤❤❤❤ these photos were phenomenal please post more videos we love your work so much🥳🥳🥳🥳📸📸📸

[@noelgygax]

Amazing Video!🌞

[@rebelkline3858]

These types of videos are really fun. I love the BTS stuff, they are way more helpful than watching tips and tricks.

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you :)

[@liminatii]

It was so great meeting you at the photo walk! The photo also turned out amazing

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you! Same here~

[@lupindeweir]

Good morning Sam! Saying that gear doesn't matter is like a saying we have in the South- 'bless your heart'. IOW if you can't use the gear you have don't worry about buying a better system. Enjoy the content! -a random mike. OBTW as far as reflectors go extra shadow is also nice.

[@itscapturedbysam]

We all start from one camera, some people stick with only on camera, some people like me who can’t help wondering around and always love to try different things 😊

[@reach444mars]

sam, this is a beautiful video, from content to editing!! thank you for having us, hope to shoot with you again sometime

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you ❤ it was my pleasure working with you!!

[@shiftymeister]

Love your videos. I think in the end it's just like you said that the camera or the format is just another tool. I love shooting Medium Format but sometimes 35mm is just way easier and more practicable. A good photographer usually takes good Photos no matter what camera she/he uses. Sending yall good vibes!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you :)❤

[@Northside_rodger]

😮 Sam where have you been? 🎉🎉 happy to see you back

[@itscapturedbysam]

Glad to be back too!! ❤

[@bo_norris]

This was such a great video! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@itscapturedbysam]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adrianomaffei]

Bellissimo contenuto!!! Bello come il tuo sorriso!!! Grazie!!!

[@garyking1833]

Gorgeous 35mm shots! Which 50mm lens was that? (Love your videos!)

[@itscapturedbysam]

It’s the Canon 50mm 1.2 prime lens

[@Mike_Wazowski_z]

I think its more about that you can make great photos with any sort of gear. Not necessarily about all gear being the same or equal in what it can produce. Cool video though :)

[@Awayne429]

I love my 90mm f2.8 on the Pentax 67, works the best in these types of situations. I like both formats but the way medium format captures a scene (more data) and the feel of using a bigger view finder or waist level view finder is unmatched compared to 35mm film cameras.

[@itscapturedbysam]

I still couldn’t get the hang of waist level view finders 😅 maybe I just need to keep practicing with it

[@Awayne429]

@@itscapturedbysam I learned on a TLR which helped with framing my shot and used tripods in the beginning. Now it’s easy, it will change your perspective on medium format taking portraits, especially on the Pentax 67 or an RB67

[@cgmetz]

thank you for working so hard and making this video, it was really helpful and insightful

[@itscapturedbysam]

thank you for watching :)

[@andyvan5692]

at 10:15 yes there is a difference when you move up, in format, the 135 is easy (I shoot this digitally, Nikon z6), but as you move up the dof decreases, and if like me you shoot with a leaf shuttered camera (hasselblad V/H) the shutter speed max is reduced to only 1/500 or 1/1000th and the lens focal length is different (1.5-3x crop factor), so a std lens is 75/80mm and is a telephoto, in 135 terms! so motion blur and focussing becomes an issue again, a Tripod, cable release/self-timer and mirror-up mode become your best friends 🙂, and you slow down, take your time composing, as you only have 4-15 shots (6x17 to 6x4.5 formats); you start 'reconnaissance' missions with smaller formats/Digital to refine your "thing" or genre of what you shoot, moves you, so when you shoot 'for real' you know your subject, it's light and get the shot as you intended in your head, so it all is worth the cost of development.

[@itscapturedbysam]

Shooting with digital for many years I had the bad habit or “shoot first, think later”, then I limited myself to 36 shots, then to 16, then to 10, I now have to “think first, shoot then”… it’s a very good learning/relearning process for sure.

[@karlabmdz]

Hi Sam! Could you tell me the name of that technical book you were looking thru towards the end of the video ?? Thanks! :)

[@itscapturedbysam]

"Life Library of Photography" it's called. It's a discontinued set of 7+ books? but you can still find them on eBay I think..

[@karlabmdz]

@@itscapturedbysam Found them! Thanks Sam 💙

[@muhdarif6032]

love your content

[@Caballeroshot]

Love your channel, love your work, I am however one of those who believe gear doesn't make the image. Shallow depth of field as a means to convey "image depth" as you mentioned, the separation you're referring to, is no longer a factor with modern photography equipment even with crop sensors. With all factors being equal, there are very few who could tell the difference between a crop sensor image and a medium format one.

[@itscapturedbysam]

I totally understand where the argument of “gear doesn’t matter ” is coming from, as we say “it’s the eyes behind the camera”, and also clean, sharp, more depth etc, are not equal to “a good photo”… there are so many factors to judge whether if a image is good or not… maybe we can’t tell the sensor difference, but understand the difference will make choosing the tool easier when you want to push the limit of certain camera.. I guess.. 😊

[@Caballeroshot]

@@itscapturedbysam I see your point. It would take a lot to get the same effect from a smaller sensor/negative to achieve the same depth of medium format but nowadays there's third party lens manufactures making affordable lenses with huge wide open apertures that make it so easy. Either way, love your videos and your photography!

[@blandwiches]

Liked and subscribed

[@itscapturedbysam]

Thank you ❤

[@andyvan5692]

a correction to the statement you made at 3:48 , Yes older lenses CAN get closer, but not the 0.8-1.5 Meter of newer lenses (natively, mounted ONLY to the camera), for this you NEED an extension tube, Bellows, or adapt them via a Cambo Actus (B\G) to get the extension required, aka the rule, you achieve infinity focus close, and need to increase lens to film distance for macro and telephoto subjects, the bellows does this, you adapt the framing and composition by physically moving the camera and choosing a lens focal length as this affects close focus, the wider a lens, the more distortion occurs up close, so that is why they don't go to 0.8 Meters!, but a 105\135\180mm lens can, without distortion, and as the minimum aperture can go to f32 this means the dof is huge, so no problems in that department.

[@itscapturedbysam]

Got it.. granted I only have a handful of old film cameras lens, I’m only speaking from my a little experience with them 😅.. I do have an extension tube for my hasselblad that I never tried, now I’m interested giving it a try.. thank you for the tips!!

[@andyvan5692]

@@itscapturedbysam one other tip, I've used an 80 but have a 120 and 180 lens, this is a great combination for general use, but if the 180 is too tight framing use a 150 should do you fine, hint, if you stick with the older lenses (CF) the bayonets are the same size, allowing for the "pro" lens hood to be used, a retractable bellows hood, with a bayonet attachment, the size is important, as adaptors are available, the V-system one is ONE only, the others are for the 35/80/300 lenses for the H system lenses! {58?/67/95} filter diameters' the slot in front is THIN, so use the soft filters and others from Hasselblad. One warning, if you use wide angle lenses, the 50mm has a fle (floating lens element) which adjusts focus critically with a distance mark, if you want focus in groups, as in this video you MUST set this correctly, otherwise some front/back focus issues may arise.

[@ericrinehardt9373]

If gear didn't matter, we'd all be using a $3 homemade pinhole camera and surplus cold-war era film we bought for 50 cents at a flea market that one time in 2007.

[@natehaiden]

At this point I’m almost using my 55 f3.5 more than my 105mm f2.4. Highly highly recommend it! (And it’s only like $200-$300!)

[@itscapturedbysam]

I thought about getting some wider lens, but at the same time, keeping only one lens really simples things for me 😂

[@whatsoevertianyu]

我今天上午还上你的频道来看，想Sam好久没更了。。结果刚发现你两个小时后就上新视频！🤣话说你你长发好看！😘

[@aindoorsman]

好喜欢这期的调色

[@itscapturedbysam]

这期的外景阳光好 饱和度拉的高了 十月份硬拍出来盛夏的感觉哈哈哈哈

[@aindoorsman]

挺喜欢这期的合照的。每个人都很鲜活（活力）的状态。@@itscapturedbysam 最后超爱你的风格

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I agree, gear certainly matters - however there are more ways to look at "Gear doesn't matter." I think the majority of people look at the statement "gear doesn't matter" as either a defense mechanism for not being able to have the "clout" of the newest, greatest, wizz-bang expensive gear, and/or as an excuse to why they are unhappy with their efforts with whatever system they can afford. Society has molded many people into thinking money = skill - and that isn't true at all. More inline with your video, gear absolutely matters when you want a specific end result, and to achieve your photographic goals - sometimes that requires specific gear or a specific type of gear. It is a simple science to why larger formats have different looks/capabilities than smaller ones. Anyone who argues differently doesn't understand. The first roll of film I developed from my medium format I was sold - the photos looked how I wanted the scenes to look in my brain. I also enjoy the process of developing my medium and large format negatives more than 35mm. I bought a really nice Pentax 645 and love it, then I wanted a smaller more portable camera in that format - so I bought a Fuji GS645W, and that lead to wanting a 6x6 - so I bought a Bronica EC, and then I went into the deeper end and bought a Toyo 45G 4x5. I rarely shoot 35mm anymore, despite having a nice collection of cameras in that format. It is 90% of the time the Fuji or the Pentax.

[@itscapturedbysam]

Omg.. same here.. Pentax 645, then got the Hasselbad for 66, then the Pentax 67… a lot of people recommend me the FUJIs or the Mamiya 7.. it’s a endless want of cameras!! Because to me, those differences are intriguing to me. I guess besides photography, I just also really love cameras!! 😂

[@theangrymarmot8336]

@@itscapturedbysam There is something fascinating about how so many things can exist, to essentially do the same job - yet be so different in use or result.I am always jealous when talking to someone who is perfectly content with one camera system as I think of how much simpler my processes would be, then I get home to my camera collection and all it's variety and completely forget about "simple" and start plotting out the next camera I want to acquire and learn, and what days I am going to take particular cameras out so none of them just sit in their pods being neglected. My two main hobbies facilitate satisfying my brain's never ending need to have things that work differently but do the same things, albeit with their own personality. Just when I think I have all the ones I want I get on youtube and someone has made a video about a neat camera, then marketplace, ebay, and a few clicks later - something exciting and new arrives (a Bronica EC two days ago, that I repaired and shot my first test roll through yesterday, lol.)

[@dylanhill1640]

I prefer my medium format camera for special projects and portraits. My digital camera gets the job done as well but does compare to my film camera.

[@itscapturedbysam]

I only use my digital camera for work now lol~ I’m still in the loooong honeymoon phase with my Pentax 645 and 67~

[@dylanhill1640]

@@itscapturedbysamEnjoy the moment with your 645 and 67. At $2.00 a frame there is something beautiful about getting the shot.

[@mianouioui]

非常棒的视频！请问视频中，书的书名和作者是谁呀，谢谢Sam！

[@itscapturedbysam]

书是我在一个二手书店买的一套关于摄影的好几本中的两本 名字叫 LIFE LIBRARY OF PHOTOGRAPHY 挺旧的书了 不知道现在还有没有卖了😂

[@mianouioui]

非常感谢！@@itscapturedbysam

[@stylishcrush]

Gear Matters

[@jaetok]

The 6x7 did a WAY better job. imo

[@Rezail_Uhhh]

Guess who streamed this in sen discord :P

[@itscapturedbysam]

omg.. I’m famous now!!

[@Rezail_Uhhh]

@@itscapturedbysam Like always sam great video. Very detailed.

[@CocoKoi321]

Literally exactly People who say gear doesn't matter are just coping and trying to just advertise to get subscribers

[@itscapturedbysam]

😅 there should be a BUT after saying gear doesn’t matter..

[@aindoorsman]

嗨，山姆

[@j5daniel182]

in short, you need to know what you are doing if you only have 10 shots.

[@alessandr_0]

Gear doesn't matter, except... tripods...

[@jaunman71]

This was like a watching a high school photo project.