Crop vs full frame

[rabski]

Comes a time for everyone...

I've been through a load of Canon crop sensors now, but I'm feeling the itch. Currently the only body I have left is an EOS 50D. If I'm brutally honest, I've never been that happy with the results. They can be seemingly very variable. Comparing images, though the file size is massively larger, there is often precious little difference between my old EOS 350 and the 50, using the same lens.

I have got rid of a lot of stuff, but still have a Sigma 10-20mm, which is a beauty but not suitable for full frame. Otherwise, there's a Canon 24-85mm and a Canon 75-300. Both EF, so fine for full frame. Both are USM, but neither is IS. Both, however, are more than reasonable and considering it's a relatively cheap lens, the 75-300 can produce some really cracking images. The 24-85 is a peach and produces lovely results.

I don't want to throw money into the pot. I could sell the 50D body and buy a 5D MkI body for pretty much the same price. I suppose if push came to shove, I could sell the Sigma (would have to anyway) and stretch to a 5D MkII, but I really don't want to. Monies is tight at the moment!

At the end of the day, I'm just too much ingrained into the 'larger format the better' way of thinking. Over the years I've played with, and owned, all sorts of chaos up to reasonably serious Hasselblad stuff. These days it's hobby only.

Any experience or suggestions?

 

[i_should_coco]

Buy a 5D mk1 and never look back. Or a 6D if you can afford it.

 

[Guest]

Penis, sorry, Full Frame Envy.

Its a terrble thing.

 

[i_should_coco]

Well you wouldn't want a cropped penis now, would you?

 

[rabski]

Just poured a heap of cash into a business, so it's not flowing like water at the moment Pete!

5D MkI looks like probably the best bet in the near future. The 50D body would be about the same value, and the Sigma would add to the pot. 5D MkI vs MkII doesn't seem an enormous difference, unless someone knows better. The big jump seems to be with the 5D MkIII, but that's out of the ball park.

What does the 6D offer over a 5D MkII? The 6 is a couple of hundred more for a body (though more lightly used than a 5D MkII).

 

[rabski]

Penis, sorry, Full Frame Envy.Its a terrble thing.

I have to make up for deficiencies somehow!

Quite basically, I frankly don't get on with the crop sensor. It's fine for a compact, but it's not giving me the image quality I expected. In all honesty, most results are no better than the 350D body I had before.

I like big stuff!

 

[gjm]

I'm glad I went from the D80 DX DSLR to the D700 FX. I don't know if it is typical, but Nikon FX bodies seem to have better low light performance than their DX bodies.

Other than that, a full-frame is generally regarded as being a pro-user, or semi-pro-user item, while crop sensors are more often used by amateurs. As such, the full-frame bodies may get better components, theoretically leading to better images.

Lots of Canon peeps around here. I just prefer Nikon.

 

[i_should_coco]

The 5D2's main feature was video, slightly better high-ISO performance and 22MP vs 13MP. The mk3 introduces a *much* better focussing system and a slight improvement ago in noise. the resolution is essentially unchanged at 21MP. The 6D is effectively a mk2a - it has the mk3(ish) sensor and an improved focussing system, but not as good as the mk3. If you want to do action, birding, etc. the mk3 is a much better bet, but very expensive. For street, portraits, weddings, the 6D is very good or mk2 for a little less.

 

[Guest]

Well you wouldn't want a cropped penis now, would you?

That wouldn't be Kosher.

 

[rabski]

Away for the weekend, so some thinking time

For the kind of things I like taking pictures of, the 5D MkII is looking like the best candidate.

The 24 might be a touch tight, as I do like really wide angle lenses, but I could always look for an old fixed-length wide angle, as that's landscape stuff so a bit of time to manually focus wouldn't be an issue. 24mm is decent enough on full frame and the 24-85 plus 75-300 would give me two lenses that cover almost everything I'd want.

All change here!

 

[macvisual]

Full--Frame--Fat is where's its at.

 

[tkimages]

Never had a 5D1, so can't compare, but I love my 5D2. Bought it when I had a 1D2, and the 1D got little use. I decided I needed a 1D3 instead of the 1D2 so that was done. 5D2 was still better than the 1D3, especially low light level work. However I needed a camera with two card slots so I changed the 1D3 for a 1D4 and finally I've got a 1D camera that's as good as the 5D2.

I find the focussing fine with the 5D2, even used it for BIF shots with a 400L.

Moral of the story, it's hard to beat a 5D2, must be great value for money now.

 

[BD Audio]

I looked in to 5dmk2 and 6d Richard and took the 6d. Amazing ISO performance and the latest sensor. £1130 online brand new.

 

[Fatmarley]

From what i've read the centre focusing point on the 6d is better in low light than the 5d mk3.

 

[BD Audio]

The ISO performance is reportedly better too, all I know is I'm over the moon with it!

 

[tkimages]

I've not seen any real world images taken with a 6D, but I've seen some from a 5D3 with a Zeiss lens - stunning IQ.

From what you guys know the 6D must be amazing, must get a try of one.

 

[musicbox]

If your going to lug something the size of a small anvil around with you, you might as well make it full frame IMO.

 

[macvisual]

I've committed to buy a mint/boxed Canon 5D Mk2 with a really low shutter count, hope to have it near end of July. So my 5D Mk1 will be up for grabs soon, or maybe trade for nice Canon glass.

yum yum

 

[purplepleaser]

I think the 6d misses the joystick, multi controller on the back near the big wheel. technical i know. I would get a 5d2 and have the extra function of the controller for the focus points and the wheel for something else. Can not remember what I had my 5d set to, good for adjusting everything on the fly, iso, apeture and focus points. Someone will explain this far better than me. The full frame has the look and the feel of something special

If I had the money I would buy a Canon 5d3 plus 40mm or Nikon 800e and Zeiss 35/2. Pretty much all I would need and have the power to crop or stitch. Even a 5d and 40 would be epic