Full frame lens on an APS-C camera: What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would...

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Here's 10 pages on the subject that started on Mar 3, 2021: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-687828-1.html

In summary, they work just fine. They're just larger and more expensive (typically) than the corresponding lens designed specifically for the cropped format.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

CHG_CANON wrote:

Here's 10 pages on the subject that started on Mar 3, 2021: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-687828-1.html

In summary, they work just fine. They're just larger and more expensive (typically) than the corresponding lens designed specifically for the cropped format.

Good to know. Thank you.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

Why not, do it! Sony 50mm lens will shoot like a 75-80mm.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

NO disadvantages, if fact, when using a FF lens on a cropped sensor camera, you are actually using ONLY the middle part of the FF lens, not the edges. Which should actually produce sharper images corner to corner than using the FF lens on a FF camera.
Advantage, cropped sensor.

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

I wound up purchasing full frame lens over years even though had AP-C cameras, liked the quality and extended reach, as "my" AP-C lens weren't near high quality. Then moved to full frame camera, happily passed down most my AP-C equipment to family. Today have nice kit.

User ID

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

There’s really no “for and against”. Use whatever you have on hand, or buy whatever is highly discounted. Results are the same, regardless.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

Just as a quick example supporting a couple of the answers you have received...

When I was preparing to attend a workshop a few years ago, I bought a used 18-35mm variable aperture zoom with the intent of using it on the D810 which was my primary camera at the time. Turned out it was too slow and too problematic for what I was going to need to be able to do at the workshop. Ended up buying something else for that.

Later on, and just for fun, I tried it on a D500 which I had added. Lo and behold, it makes a wonderful normal-wide angle lens on a DX body. Its problems are mostly in the edges and corners, meaning that they have no impact on DX images. A very economical full frame lens becomes an excellent (although still a little bit slow) DX lens.

With two exceptions, all of the lenses I use on my DX bodies are full frame lendes.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

Weight, size and cost. Advantages are better image quality, less vignetting, usually, but not always, better build quality and higher resale value. I just saved you a lot of reading.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Gene51 wrote:

Weight, size and cost. Advantages are better image quality, less vignetting, usually, but not always, better build quality and higher resale value. I just saved you a lot of reading.

Thank you all for helpful comments.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

Just use it on the 2 cameras.
Most all my lenses are FF and they are used exclusively on a 7D or 10D.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Gene51 wrote:

Weight, size and cost. Advantages are better image quality, less vignetting, usually, but not always, better build quality and higher resale value. I just saved you a lot of reading.

Gene has it right, and succinct! Weight had not been mentioned yet (though I did not scan the 10 page thread!). Using the FF lenses on your APC body, especially when you have a FF body, is the right answer. You don’t want/need to spend the money on duplication.

the only conflict I can see is if you want the same lens at the same time on both. If that happens more than a few times, then maybe think about 1 more lens.

If the APC is just a back-up or fun camera, you might get one APC general purpose soon (in the Nikon world of lenses something like the 18-140) to give you a decent and light “walking around lens” to leave on most of the the time.

trinhqthuan Loc: gaithersburg

IzzyKap wrote:

What are the reasons against and disadvantages of using a full frame lens (e.g. Sony FE 24-105) on an APS-C sensor camera (e.g. Sony A6500)? I would like to use my Sony A6500 as a backup for my Sony A7Riii without having to buy and carry APS-C lenses on photoshoots.

Disadvantage: Heavy, cost more.
But many lenses have imperfect at the 4 corners edge. Using full frame lens on a crop sensor camera will eliminate the edges.

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

I have used a Nikon 70-200 2.8 on my DX body Nikons mostly shooting youth/HS sports. Works fine and more light so faster shutter speeds. Also shoot mostly aperture priority at F4 or 3.5. Gives me the good background blur. Only problem is I have to stay too far back even at 70mm. Last few years I have been using an FX body and I can capture the emotions shooting closer. Works great for HS Softball.

bnsf

You forgot to mention that on the full frame lenses the mounts are different when you use a APS-C Camera. I have a Sony a99ii. Cannot use the new Sony lenses on the market. They are E mounts for these lenses and the lenses that fit the Sony a99ii are A mounts. Totally different mounts. Only way l can get them to work is to purchase a converter from A to E Mount but I lose an F Stop in the process along with the photos not being full frame. They will be 3/4 frame photos. This is the only disadvantage you have using a E Mount lens on a APS-C mirror camera.