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Medium format lenses can be used on DSLRs via tilt/shift-adapters (Mirex, Zoerk, etc.). A medium format lens with a focal length of, for example, 80mm, has as equivalent focal length on small format 50mm. When I use that MF-lens on a full frame DSLR, the focal length is unchanged, but due to the smaller sensor of the FF-DSLR it wouldn't be as much covered as with a medium format camera with 6x6 film/sensor. So if I put up a medium format camera and a FF-DSLR side by side, equipped both with the same medium format lens,

  • would I get the same magnification and angle of view from both
  • would I have to shift with the adapter on the DSLR to get the same result
  • it won't be possible to get the same image section with the same magnification?
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would I get the same magnification and angle of view from both

No. Your 80mm lens will stay 80mm thus the angle of view is smaller on your 35mm full frame DSLR.

would I have to shift with the adapter on the DSLR to get the same result

No. You can shift but you don't have to.

it won't be possible to get the same image section with the same magnification?

I don't get that question, please reword it. If you want a 50mm experience on your DSLR you can pick a 50mm Medium Format lens.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for your answer! As far as I understood it, when I use a 80mm MF-Lens on a full-frame DSLR, I get a smaller angle of view compared to when the lens is used on a medium format camera, and is equivalent to a 80mm FX lens, with the exception that I can, via shifting, stitch together a bigger image because of the bigger image circle of the MF-lens. So, to rephrase my last question, could I, via stitching, approximate the image I would get with the MF-lens on a medium format camera? \$\endgroup\$
    – Stefan Feiner
    Jul 24, 2013 at 12:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ @StefanFeiner Yes. \$\endgroup\$
    – Matt Grum
    Jul 24, 2013 at 13:08
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    \$\begingroup\$ @StefanFeiner A tilt shift lens made for full frame cameras would also allow you to use shift to cover a wider area by stitching. One reason the T/S lenses are so expensive is that the image circle they project must be large enough to accommodate the shift movements. \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Jul 25, 2013 at 4:18

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