Planning to capture some scenic landscapes and sweeping vistas with your medium format camera this summer? Make sure you’re also ready with the right lens (or lenses) to get the best results in glorious detail.
For landscape photography using medium format cameras, you’ll want lenses that offer exceptional sharpness, edge-to-edge sharpness for large prints, minimal distortion, and high resolving power to take full advantage of the larger sensor.
Other technical requirements to consider:
- Wide angle (21–35mm full-frame equivalent) for broad vistas
- Weather sealing for field reliability
- Good color rendering and contrast
Below is a quick breakdown of some of the best lenses across two popular digital medium format systems: Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X System.
Fujifilm GFX (G-mount)
Fujifilm’s GFX series (GFX 50S, 100S, 100S II) is currently one of the most popular medium format digital systems. If you’re new to this system, these are your top choices:
- Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR
- 24mm full-frame equivalent.
- Excellent sharpness, smaller and lighter than the 23mm.
- Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR
- 35mm full-frame equivalent.
- Balanced for general landscape and street-style work.
- Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR
- For compressed perspectives and isolated landscape elements.
Additional reading:
- How to choose the right lens for landscape photography
- Choosing the best camera settings for landscape photography
- Landscape photography in locations without golden hour light
Hasselblad X System (XCD Lenses)
Hasselblad’s X1D II and X2D 100C are known for stunning color rendition and leaf-shutter lenses. This system is on the higher-end but niche side of things, but is popular among photographers looking for high-quality, professional results.
- Hasselblad XCD 21mm f/4
- ~17mm full-frame equivalent.
- Ultra-wide, excellent for sweeping vistas.
- Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5
- ~24mm equivalent.
- High sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration.
- Hasselblad XCD 45mm f/3.5
- ~35mm equivalent.
- Lightweight, great for travel and landscape.
Which of these lenses are you likely to get to pair with your medium format camera? If you’re already doing landscape photography in medium format, did we miss any of your go-to lenses for these systems? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You missed a lot of lenses off this list, the GF 20-35 f/4, and the GF 45-100 f/4 to name two from the GF lineup. Both are superb and arguably better suited to landscape photography than the lenses listed.