The real reason I will likely never go medium format digital: Pentax K-1 – 50mm f/1.4

There are two image capturing solutions I either directly credited with or have implied that they have diminished my desire to obtain a digital medium format camera.

Directly.

This set up uses bona fide actual film medium format camera lenses with 1.7x magnification to quite reasonably replicate a digital medium format experience.

Implied.

While not using actual medium format lenses or sensor the SIGMA successfully replicates the richness and detail that medium format provides.

But all that being said neither of these cameras are the primary reason I could put digital medium format behind me.

Nope. It was a sentimental favorite that really did the trick.

Why? Have written long winded posts about this camera before, but a recent acquisition really put this camera over the top.

The 50mm f/1.7 held it down for a good while and came close to hitting the mark with light gathering and depth of field.

But the 50mm f/1.4 has really allowed the K-1 to close the gap entirely for me. Sharpness, colors, depth of field, and image quality. It is all there.

Add to image quality the sturdy look, feel, and build of the camera…

…and that only leaves me with exactly one reason for purchasing a digital medium format camera:

I would really like saying the words, “I own a digital medium format camera.”

But in isolation that does not cut it. Especially when you consider the fact that I can buy all three camera and lens combinations listed above and still not spend the money required to purchase the minimum spend GF system camera and lens I would need to compare to any of them for me. And I am unwilling to trade everything for one camera and one lens. Would rather the versatility.

Scoff as one might, understandably, for my practical considerations the K-1 and GFX 50S II are closer than one would think.

Camera	Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Pentax K-1
Resolution	50MP	36MP (Close enough for my purposes)
IBIS	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
AF	More focus points (117), but contrast detect only.	Phase Detection: 33 (25 Cross-Type)
Mechanical Shutter	1/4000s (1/16000s Electronic)	1/8000s
Continuous AF	Up to 3 fps	Up to 4.4 fps
Video	Near useless	Same
GPS	No	Yes (With Astrotracer Functionality)
Multi Shot High Res Mode	Yes (200MP)	Yes (Shifts color)

Do not get me wrong. If I had the disposable income…

…or photography workflow compensation justification required I would be all over this camera. But neither are the case so I am good.