MX Format – Uncrop-Factor
There’s some question about the “uncrop-factor” (I’m coining the term) on the rumored Nikon medium-format “MX” sensor.
In the comments, Martin points out:
The “crop factor” is wrong. It was roughly 0.5 for my old Bronica GS-1 6×7 medium format camera. The crop factor for a 48mm square chip would be 35 divided by 48, so 0.73.
The comment that MX users would complain about the crop factor… well the reason for DX users complaining was mainly that the two systems were otherwise identical, i.e. both “35mm” SLR systems and used the same lenses, and thus bore direct comparison.
This system would be a completely new format, more along the lines of a MF-lite, like 6×4.5, but square, with all-new lenses made specifically for that format. If no one complained about 6×4.5 or 6×6 cameras in this respect before, why would they now?
I’ll trust his math and basically agree with him- presuming any of the specs are correct (and who knows?)- you’re not going to get cropped on any previous lens you can attach to this camera- your DX and FX lenses will cover just as much sensor as they ever did- it’s just that your sensor is larger than your lens will cover.
It’s like putting an DX lens on your full-frame body- if you only ever have used a DX lens, you don’t know you’re missing anything.
Then when you want to use the full capabilities of the sensor, buy some (very pricey, I’m sure) lenses.
Maybe I’ll finally not have to sell the house to get my beloved square medium-format into the digital age!
Tags: Medium Format, mx