Originally posted by photoptimist Tis a mutation on modern consumer virus of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
The makers of cameras and lenses incessantly natter on about resolution, sharpness, frames-per-second, speedy AF, etc. etc. Behind that marketing is an anxiety-driven subtext that the photographer might miss-out on the award-winning, print-selling, once-in-a-lifetime image unless they have the right high-spec kit to take a ridiculously-high resolution image at ridiculously-high frame rates.
Fear of missing out on capturing the decisive moment in its full gigapixel glory pushes people to upgrade their technology to assuage this fear.
Thank you! With no disrespect intended to @MJKoski or @biz-engineer , I agree.
I don't doubt the increase in detail
possible from a medium format sensor with 100 or more megapickles, or a stitched image of several hundred megapickles. I'm sure it's most impressive when you pixel-peep, and I accept that - with good very-close-range eyesight (or decent prescription lenses) - you can probably see a big difference when viewing a six-foot-tall print on a wall from a foot or two away. Nor do I doubt that @MJKoski has clients who, as he stated, "
appreciate being able to look closer". What I still haven't been convinced of is the
need for such resolutions in order to be able to sell (more) large prints. I just don't quite believe there's a commercially-significant sub-culture of corporate and individual large print buyers who closely examine their purchases to ensure every detail is rendered razor-blade sharp when they have their noses pressed up against them. A great image is a great image - and a medicore one still medicore - regardless of resolution (within reason, of course)... and I maintain that the majority of those interested in buying large wall art are looking at the overall image aesthetic, not the pin-sharp detail at unnaturally-close viewing distances. If the image is impressive, I believe they'd buy it whether it had been captured on 36MP full frame, 50 or 100MP medium format, or stitched into a 300MP mega-image... and I don't believe resolution (again, within reason) would be the deciding factor between choosing one photographer's image of a particular scene over another. If it is, that's a sad indictment of art and folks' appreciation of it, photographic or otherwise.
I do, however, understand why a photographer seeking the best possible detail in everything they print could be drawn by a 50MP - and now, 100MP - medium format body, temptingly-priced like this new Fujifilm GFX100S... and I don't feel there's anything wrong with that photographer pursuing a goal of ultimate detail if (a)
they want it and (b)
they can afford the
indulgence of camera, lenses, and technology to process and store the resulting images. I can even see how, at the point of potential sale, the photographer may - in discussion, over a glass of wine - proudly highlight the resolution used when promoting a print to the prospective buyer, in the same way a jewellery maker might mention the 24k gold accents on a platinum ring when presenting it to a potential customer... but let's not kid ourselves - if the image looks great, or the ring has already captured the lady's heart, they're going to buy it regardless.
Actually, I can appreciate @biz-engineer 's motives rather more easily... printing large and viewing the detail of a huge-resolution stitched image for
his own enjoyment as the photographer. I
get that as a personal achievement / enjoyment / ego-trip thing... something that
can be done if you have the means and skill; but otherwise, I don't see the
need (though I remain open-minded and willing to be convinced).
Just my humble opinion, of course... but I have at least a
little experience as someone who's actually
bought wall art - including some pretty costly original oil paintings - and
never viewed them from a foot away.
EDIT: Lest it appear I'm unduly critical of this new Fujifilm camera, or folks' desire to own and use one, I'm really not. I'd be delighted if I were gifted one, and a brace of lenses to accompany it... and some extra SSD and archival HDD storage for the images. Knowing Fujifilm, I'm sure it'll be a fantastic camera, and those who buy and use it will be well-pleased...