lindmike

I am currently shooting with a Canon EOS 60D, which isn't a full frame camera. However I have several expensive Canon L lenses. What would be the advantage of purchasing a full frame camera such as the Canon 5 Mark III or II?

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

A quick answer is "Depends." What type of photography do you do? What do you do with the pictures you take? Answer to these will help you to determine if a FF is an advantage over a DX. Did you buy the L lenses expecting to move up to FF one day? The April issue of DigitalPhoto magazine has an article that can be helpful. Also December issue of Outdoor Photographer.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Ken Rockwell has some good points in The Full Frame Advantage.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/full-frame-advantage.htm

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I wouldn't use a full frame camera because I shoot sports and want the extra a cropped sensor offers it depends on what you shoot

It's like saying I have a Ferrari what would I gain/lose if I bought a Rolls

Two different cars completely

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

This is an important point, and one of the reasons that I bought a MK II.

If they could just blend a 7D with a MK III I'd be happy. :)

perpoto

go for 5D3

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Couldn't agree more.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I'm Nikon so can't offer an opinion on a specific model Canon. I moved to full frame a year or so ago and can say that I wish I would/could have done it sooner. I know of no one who moved from crop sensor to full frame and regretted it. Good luck. :)

anotherview Loc: California

Ken Rockwell has this comment on full frame cameras:

"Don't start counting pixels until you can make the right pixels. I was an idiot and wasted my first 15-20 years of shooting worrying about the wrong things, like resolution instead of color. This is why I so strongly caution you not to get caught up in this foolishness. This article, like many of mine, deals with minor technical issues. These fine points are only significant after all the far more critical basics of location, composition, lighting, timing, color, tone and gesture have been mastered. Worrying about minute details like noise and resolution before you know how to make a good photo will ensure you never learn enough about the important issues to make great photos. If you'd like to learn how to make great photos, don't bother with these technical articles, instead read good books or take a local photo class. Your camera doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, and if you do know what you're doing, a better camera just makes it easier to get the results you demand."

[found at: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/full-frame-advantage.htm]

His strong words from experience can provide guidance. Like most of us, he evidently fell for attractive images of new gear described in glowing words by salesmen. I agree with his emphasis on learning to do photography before buying more and expensive gear.

That said, a full frame camera will provide better resolution, and it generally has more controls for attaining a proper exposure.

For years, I shot with cameras from the Canon Rebel line while learning. Then I began to notice limitations in my gear. I bought a Canon 5DII, and found myself surprised and pleased by its better image quality, along with the ability to set the ISO to 50 for less noise.

Recently, I bought the Canon 6D, and its lower image noise I find attractive, among other features and functions. For example, it has built-in GPS and WiFi. It costs way less than the 5DIII, too.

Something to think about.

Good luck.

Movie Theater Neon

GHK Loc: The Vale of Eden

If a maker replaces a standard frame (24 x 18)camera with a new model with a full frame sensor, he has two basic choices; either fit on twice as many pixels at the same density, or decrease the pixel density and retain the same number of pixels; or, of course, he can do a bit of both. Either of these is likiely to produce better image quality.
In addition, the field of view of any given lens will be wider for the full frame, giving the same effect as shortening the focal length, as compared to using it with the 24 x 18.
GHK

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

Didn't they try with the 6d?

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Dog, when they bring out the 7D2 I just bet that you are not happy. Does the term chronic malcontent ring with anyone but me? Not cranky malcontent. I had a friend ask me what, "chronic malcontent," looked like. My answer was swift, "if God gave me a car every other day for the rest of my life, I would be bitching about having to drive a used car half my life."

I envy you your L glass that meaning I go shoot today with a 50 mm 1.8 on manual with my most entry level camera on manual.

I would love to add a Canon FF to my 60 D. I shoot critters and scenes.

My friend has one of everything and uses non! I hope to be like the friend i lost last year who shot a card full the last day he was ambulatory.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I think so...

They made some compromises too.

When I upgrade...I'm going for the MK III and not the 6D...there are places that the 5DIII outshines the 6D in.

1.) Many more cross-type focus points 41 vs 1

2.) Significantly larger screen 3.2" vs 3.0"

3.) Many more focus points 61 vs 11

4.) Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 97%

5.) Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4.5 fps

6.) Has more storage slots 2 vs 1

7.) Less shutter lag 120 ms vs 144 ms

8.) Slightly higher true resolution 22.1 MP vs 20.9 MP

9.) Better color depth 24 bits vs 23.8 bits

10.) Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000 vs 1/4000

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you can rent one, give it a try with your lenses. They'll perform differently when capturing the full frame. I'm walking out the door to return a lens I should have rented first as if does not fit my needs. Looks like you can use a 6D for nearly a week for $99 for LensRentals.com

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

The 6D didn't seem like enough of an upgrade to me from my 7D so I ended up purchasing a second 7D as my backup. I'm waiting to see what they come up with next.