Square Mode: Which Cameras Have This Feature?

The green square or little green camera mode is commonly referred to as the full auto shooting mode on digital cameras. While it can yield great photos, it can also be frustrating when photos don't come out as intended. This is because the camera is evaluating the scene and making adjustments to exposure settings, autofocus settings, and flash use based on pre-programmed responses designed to work for the average photographic situation.

Although there are no consumer cameras with native 1:1 sensors, there are several cameras that support square format photography. These include the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad, which were popular before the rise of Instagram, as well as the Pentacon 6 TL, Bronica SQ-A and SQ series, Hasselblad 500C/M series, and Mamiya C330. Additionally, there are dedicated camera apps for Android and iOS that allow shooting in square format.

Square mode in digital cameras

The square format has a long history in visual arts and was popularised by Instagram. It provides a "window" into the scene and draws viewers into the image. Square compositions can work well for various shooting styles, including portraiture, street photography, and architecture. They can also be combined with black and white treatment to create more abstract compositions.

Some cameras that offer a square format or square mode include the Hasselblad 500C/M series, Mamiya C330, Bronica SQ-A and SQ series, Pentacon 6 TL, and certain Android and iOS apps. While there are no consumer cameras with native 1:1 sensors, many cameras provide a 1:1 crop setting, allowing photographers to capture images in a square format.

Square mode in DSLRs

Square mode, or square format, in photography refers to capturing images in a 1:1 aspect ratio. This means that the length of the sides of the image is equal, forming a square. While this format was initially popularised by Instagram, it has been around for much longer, with square format film cameras from Rolleiflex and Hasselblad being held in high esteem by photo enthusiasts.

Shooting in square format involves a different way of looking at photo opportunities. It can be a great way to simplify your compositions and make every element in the frame count. It also works well for emphasising shapes within the image and can be a good format for centred compositions.

Several cameras have the option to take square pictures, although they have rectangular sensors and simply crop the image in-camera to give a 1:1 aspect ratio. For example, the Canon S100 and the Panasonic gx7 have this feature. Some micro 4/3 bodies also have an in-camera 1:1 aspect ratio available.

If your camera doesn't have this feature, you can always shoot in your camera's native aspect ratio and then crop the images to a square during post-processing.

Square mode in apps

The square format has been popularised by social media apps like Instagram, and it is now almost a necessity for apps to incorporate a square-mode camera. However, this can be challenging to code, as developers must calculate the bottom view height instead of the square screen height. Apps like 6x6 for iOS and ProCapture for Android allow users to take square photos, and the crop tool in the iOS Photos app and Android's Gallery app can also be used to convert existing images.

The square format has been a part of image-making in the visual arts for a long time, predating Instagram. It provides a "window" into the scene and can help draw viewers into the image. It can be a great way to encourage a more creative approach to photography, as it requires a different way of looking at photo opportunities.

The square format can work well for various shooting styles, including portraiture, street photography, and architecture. It can also be combined with black and white treatment to create more abstract compositions. Scenes with strong elements of symmetry are particularly well-suited to square compositions.

Some photographers prefer the square format as it helps them concentrate on the subject matter without the "additional space" of a rectangular format. It can also be a fun way to experiment with existing images, cropping them to see how they look in a square format.

Overall, the square format is a great option for photographers to explore, offering a unique perspective and creative possibilities.

Square mode in medium format cameras

Medium format cameras are renowned for their exceptional image quality, durability, and versatility. They produce images with more detail, dynamic range, and depth, resulting in smooth tonal transitions, rich colours, and a three-dimensional feel. Medium format film cameras usually shoot in the 6x4.5 cm, 6x6 cm, 6x7 cm, or even 6x9 cm format, with 6x6 cm being the standard image size.

While there are no consumer cameras with native square sensors, there are medium format cameras that come very close to this format. Here are some examples of medium format cameras that can shoot in the square format:

Rolleiflex TLR Cameras

The Rolleiflex brand has become synonymous with Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras, known for their high-quality optics and simple construction. The series began with the Original Rolleiflex 6x6, introduced in 1929, and has since released various models with improvements. The Rolleiflex 2.8F, available for 20 years, is a popular choice among photographers.

Yashica Mat 124G

The Yashica Mat 124G is another popular 6x6 TLR model, produced from 1970 to 1986. Despite TLR cameras being mostly obsolete by the time of its release, the Yashica Mat 124G was a success and remains an excellent choice for entry-level medium format photography. It is equipped with a four-element Yashinon 80mm f3.5 lens, a ground glass waist-level focusing screen, a 3x diopter loupe, and a sports finder.

Mamiya 6

The Mamiya 6, launched in 1989, is a rangefinder camera that offers the extra resolution of medium format film. It has a collapsing lens mount that accommodates several high-quality, interchangeable Mamiya lenses, such as the 50mm f4, 75mm f3.5, and 150mm f4.5. Other features include a leaf shutter with a top speed of 1/500, flash sync at all speeds, an electronic self-timer, and a built-in dark slide knob.

Bronica SQ-Ai

The Bronica SQ-Ai is part of the Bronica SQ series of 6x6 medium format SLR cameras introduced in 1980. It is equipped with a dedicated motor drive, off-the-film metering, TTL automatic flash, a leaf shutter, and an interchangeable back system for shooting 120 and 220 films.

Holga Medium Format Cameras

Holga medium format cameras, with their plastic construction and lo-fi image quality, have gained a cult following in recent years. They offer various features, including flash/colour flash, 6x6 and 6x4.5 masks, wide-angle pinhole, stereo pinhole, and stereo lenses. The Holga 120 GCFN, with its glass lens and colour flash, is a recommended choice.

While these medium format cameras do not have a native square sensor, they are versatile tools that can produce stunning images in the square format.

Square mode in film cameras

When shooting with a square format, you'll need to compose your images differently than you would with a rectangular frame. The rule of thirds, for example, becomes less important, while symmetry takes centre stage. Centering your main subject can be very effective, as can the use of negative space. The square format also encourages you to look for scenes with strong elements of symmetry.

One of the benefits of shooting square is that it works for any subject matter. While it is commonly associated with portraiture, the square format is also well-suited for landscapes, street photography, architecture, nature, sports, and action shots. It provides a creative approach to your work, allowing you to explore different compositional techniques.

To set up your film camera for square mode, you'll need to adjust the image settings. Typically, you can do this by navigating to the IMAGE QUALITY SETTING menu and selecting the 1:1 option under IMAGE SIZE. This will ensure that your images are captured in a perfect square format.

Keep in mind that shooting in square mode may feel challenging at first, especially if you're used to composing with a rectangular frame. It requires a different way of looking at the world around you and may take some practice to master. However, by experimenting with this format, you'll be able to create unique and captivating photographs that draw viewers into your images.

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