Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

Waveform’s Favorite Cameras!

December 23, 2025

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  • Marques favors the Hasselblad X2D Mark II for its 100-megapixel resolution and superior HDR capabilities, which allow for maximum flexibility in post-processing. 
  • Ellis chose the vintage Canon EOS M, despite its technical limitations (18MP, no autofocus, poor dynamic range), for its artistic qualities like lens bloom and chromatic aberration, which lend a 'filmic' look. 
  • Adam prefers the Ricoh GR4 for its extreme portability and low-key nature, making it an ideal 'run and gun' everyday camera that doesn't cause subjects to pose. 
  • The Ricoh camera (likely the GR series) is praised for its excellent straight-out-of-camera color and compact nature, making it ideal for quick, unobtrusive street photography. 
  • The Fujifilm X100 series is highlighted as a fantastic camera for users who prefer minimal editing due to its strong film simulations, appealing to both beginners and professionals seeking a fun secondary body. 
  • The discussion concluded that the 'best' camera is subjective, with different models excelling in areas like maximum dynamic range (Marquez's camera), run-and-gun street work (Adam's camera), and creative tinkering (Ellis's camera). 

Segments

Episode Introduction and Format
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(00:01:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The bonus episode of Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast centers on the hosts reviewing their favorite three photos taken with different cameras, with David providing expert feedback.
  • Summary: This bonus episode is structured as a portfolio review where Marques, Andrew, Adam, and Ellis present their top three images from cameras they have been testing. David acts as the resident camera expert to critique the images and provide feedback. Listeners are advised to consume this episode via video to properly view the images being discussed.
Marques’ Hasselblad X2D Presentation
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(00:05:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The Hasselblad X2D Mark II excels due to its 100-megapixel resolution and built-in HDR, allowing for effortless capture of extreme dynamic range, as demonstrated in a backlit portrait.
  • Summary: Marques presented images from the Hasselblad X2D Mark II, highlighting its ability to capture incredible detail and dynamic range, even in challenging backlit situations. The camera’s HDR feature allows for significant shadow detail recovery, which Marques values for post-capture malleability. The large file sizes (16MB JPEGs) reflect the 100-megapixel capture capability.
Ellis’ Canon EOS M Review
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(00:23:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The 2012 Canon EOS M, despite being an 18MP APSC camera lacking modern features like IBIS or autofocus on its native lenses, is valued for its adaptability to vintage glass due to its short flange distance.
  • Summary: Ellis uses the budget-friendly Canon EOS M, which benefits from the open-source Magic Lantern firmware hack enabling features like 14-bit raw video. Its short flange distance makes it highly adaptable for mounting various vintage lenses, though finding functional adapters that maintain autofocus is difficult. The camera’s inherent optical flaws, like chromatic aberration and noise, are ironically viewed as contributing to a desirable, filmic aesthetic.
Adam’s Ricoh GR4 Introduction
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(00:48:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ricoh GR4 is favored as the perfect everyday camera because its small, pocketable form factor allows for candid photography without causing subjects to consciously pose.
  • Summary: Adam chose the newly released Ricoh GR4, an APS-C camera with a fixed 28mm equivalent f/2.8 prime lens, as his preferred everyday shooter. He values that its discreet size prevents people from altering their behavior when he takes photos, unlike larger cameras. The GR series is positioned as a counterculture alternative to larger fixed-lens cameras like the Fuji X100V.
Adam’s Ricoh Image Review
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(00:53:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Ricoh cameras produce pleasing straight-out-of-camera color, minimizing the need for RAW editing.
  • Summary: Adam’s first photo, a Central Park fall scene, showcased the Ricoh’s ability to handle highlights well, though resolution limits zooming. The straight-out-of-camera color was noted as very nice, making post-processing unnecessary for some users. The camera also offers a distinct setting for black and white photography.
Adam’s Second and Third Photos
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(00:54:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ricoh excels in capturing rich greens and managing highlight roll-off in golden hour shots.
  • Summary: The second image, featuring a car reflection, demonstrated incredible green tones and nice highlight roll-off, which would be ruined by HDR processing. The third photo, a behind-the-scenes shot of Marques, proved the camera’s strength in quick snaps under controlled lighting. The bounce off the ping pong table accidentally enhanced the lighting in the third image.
Ricoh Camera Philosophy and Trivia
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(00:57:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ricoh GR series is favored for capturing spontaneous moments quickly without needing to pull out a larger camera setup.
  • Summary: The pocketability of the Ricoh allows users to capture hyper-fast, in-the-moment street photography without alerting subjects. The GR3X is noted as the street edition with a slightly longer 40mm focal length, though its price point has increased significantly. Ricoh and Pentax are revealed to be owned by the same company, Epson Group, which also owns HHKB.
Andrew’s Fujifilm X100V Introduction
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(01:00:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Andrew acquired a used Fujifilm X100VI from a listener, kitted out with accessories like a Polar Pro thumb grip.
  • Summary: Andrew admitted to being the least camera-knowledgeable but was inspired to buy a camera, choosing between the GR3 and X100 series. He purchased a used X100VI from a listener named Abraham who attended his ‘Beers and Cameras’ event. The camera is equipped with a Polar Pro thumb grip and an Open Glass Studio side grip.
Andrew’s Use of Diffusion Filters
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(01:01:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Diffusion filters, like the Moment CineBloom 20%, soften digital fringing and create a desirable ‘vibey’ aesthetic.
  • Summary: Andrew uses a Moment CineBloom 20% filter and a Polar Pro Short Stash filter, which acts as a polarizer and diffuser. Diffusion softens highlights and blooming, which can improve digital camera fringing issues. The X100 series is popular because users often shoot JPEG with film simulations and avoid editing RAW files.
Andrew’s First Two Photos Analysis
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(01:03:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Fujifilm’s ‘Classic Negative’ film simulation produces excellent, balanced colors straight out of camera, especially for outdoor scenes.
  • Summary: The first photo of an aged basketball court looked great with a white border suggestion, utilizing the ‘Classic Negative’ simulation. The second photo, taken in Salem during snowfall, showcased shallow depth of field (likely F2) and beautiful color rendition, even with IBIS allowing for slower shutter speeds.
Straightness and Composition Advice
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(01:07:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Perspective correction tools in software like Lightroom are essential for fixing slight tilts in straight-on architectural shots.
  • Summary: Andrew struggles with keeping photos perfectly straight, noting that the eye easily detects small tilts in straight-on compositions. Using perspective correction tools in post-processing is recommended to fix alignment issues that are hard to nail perfectly in-camera. The Rule of Thirds is suggested as a default guideline for balancing composition beyond centering the subject.
Andrew’s Third Photo and Camera Value
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(01:09:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The X100’s ability to capture a scene worth returning to later highlights the value of carrying a dedicated camera.
  • Summary: The final photo featured a payphone covered in stickers and paint, color-coordinated with a nearby mural, demonstrating strong visual composition. The 40-megapixel resolution allowed for decent cropping and detail retention. The ability to recognize a scene and return specifically for the shot underscores the benefit of having a dedicated camera readily available.
Camera Strengths Summary
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(01:14:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The X100 series is the best starter camera due to its out-of-camera quality, while the Ricoh GR4 excels in pure pocketability for street work.
  • Summary: The X100 series is deemed the best starter camera because it provides high quality with minimal editing, often used by pros as a secondary body. The Ricoh GR4 is superior for pure ‘run and gun’ street photography due to its extreme compactness, requiring less decision-making than the X100’s film recipes. Marquez’s camera is best for pros needing maximum resolution and dynamic range for crafting images in post.