Medium format cameras maintain their reputation as the gold standard for portrait photography, offering depth and texture capabilities that smaller sensors simply cannot match. This superiority isn't just about achieving sharper images, but rather about how the focus transitions from the subject into a beautiful blur, creating mood and dimension that separates professional portraits from flat, ordinary photographs.
A recent video demonstration by photographer mathphotographer showcases the tactile experience of using a Mamiya RZ67 Pro IID camera paired with a Phase One IQ4 digital back and a Mamiya 110mm f/2.8 lens. The video presents the entire workflow without commentary, allowing viewers to hear only the authentic sounds of the shutter and the natural rhythm of a portrait session. This silent approach proves advantageous, as it demonstrates how deliberate and precise each movement must be when working with a 151.3-megapixel sensor and such shallow depth of field.
The demonstration reveals both the incredible potential and inherent challenges of this high-end setup. When the focus perfectly captures the subject's eyelashes, the detail quality appears almost surreal. However, when focus misses its mark, the error becomes immediately obvious. The video shows several shots that achieve perfect focus alongside others that fall just short of the target, illustrating the difficulty of maintaining perfect stillness for both model and photographer when shooting with a wide-open aperture at f/2.8.
Working with this equipment requires a careful balance between patience and instinct, as even the slightest breathing movement can shift the plane of focus. The process demands slow, methodical work that ultimately rewards precision with exceptional results. The medium format advantage becomes clear in the final images: extraordinary micro-contrast in skin tones, hair edges that melt seamlessly into the background, and that coveted creamy separation effect that cannot be replicated in post-processing.
The latter portion of the video transforms into an in-depth study of bokeh quality itself. Viewers can observe how sharp lines dissolve gradually rather than abruptly, providing a visual explanation of why sensor size matters not only for resolution but also for the natural feel of focus falloff. The 110mm lens paired with the medium format sensor produces blur that appears smooth, natural, and full-bodied.
This gentle transition from sharp focus to soft background creates an organic quality in portraits that closely mimics how human eyes actually perceive distance and depth. The demonstration effectively illustrates why many professional photographers continue to invest in medium format systems despite their higher cost and operational complexity, as the distinctive look they produce remains difficult to achieve through other means.
