APS-c or FF? I have the Tamron 150-600 and Nikon D7100 cropped sensor as well as D750 full frame. Which body is better if I have to shoot birds at distance, which may need cropping at...

drgiri Loc: India

I have the Tamron 150-600 and Nikon D7100 cropped sensor as well as D750 full frame. Which body is better if I have to shoot birds at distance, which may need cropping at post? For Bird in flight and poor light situations, definitely D750 is better. I am confused about shooting birds which are far off when closer approach is not possible!

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

drgiri wrote:

I have the Tamron 150-600 and Nikon D7100 cropped sensor as well as D750 full frame. Which body is better if I have to shoot birds at distance, which may need cropping at post? For Bird in flight and poor light situations, definitely D750 is better. I am confused about shooting birds which are far off when closer approach is not possible!

In my experience, you'll best realize the benefits of the crop sensor in good light. And the need to crop will be lessened. But the small buffer on the 7100 can be problematic for in-flight shots. Shooting jpegs could help there. As you seem to have noticed, the 750 is superior in low light.

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably not be happy unless I took both bodies with me and switched out whenever possible for various conditions. Or do your best to estimate what your shooting conditions will be, and choose your weapon.

Option 3: teleconverter.

P.S. You might consider re-posting in the birds-in-flight section for expert advice.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

The crop sensor will give you an extended reach but the FF will leave you cropping more. The choice of which is better will be determined by the lighting of each and every shot. There is no definite better choice in all circumstances.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

drgiri wrote:

I have the Tamron 150-600 and Nikon D7100 cropped sensor as well as D750 full frame. Which body is better if I have to shoot birds at distance, which may need cropping at post? For Bird in flight and poor light situations, definitely D750 is better. I am confused about shooting birds which are far off when closer approach is not possible!

the cropped sensor is visual only, it can be accomplished in post processing with the d750. you will be able to "see" better with the d7100, but the d750 would be my choice. unless you are using a tripod with a gimble head, I would not opt for a teleconverter.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

big-guy wrote:

The crop sensor will give you an extended reach but the FF will leave you cropping more. The choice of which is better will be determined by the lighting of each and every shot. There is no definite better choice in all circumstances.

:thumbup:

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

orrie smith wrote:

the cropped sensor is visual only, it can be accomplished in post processing with the d750. you will be able to "see" better with the d7100, but the d750 would be my choice. unless you are using a tripod with a gimble head, I would not opt for a teleconverter.

True, but cropping down to DX size leaves you with only 10mp.

Additionally, unless I am mistaken, the 750 has anti-alias filter, whereas the 7100 does not.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

steve_stoneblossom wrote:

True, but cropping down to DX size leaves you with only 10mp.

Additionally, unless I am mistaken, the 750 has anti-alias filter, whereas the 7100 does not.

I meant for the cropping to be done in post processing, not in the camera being set to dx. you would not lose pixels that way. and you are correct on the low pass filter being in the d750 and not in the d7100

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

orrie smith wrote:

I meant for the cropping to be done in post processing, not in the camera being set to dx. you would not lose pixels that way. and you are correct on the low pass filter being in the d750 and not in the d7100

I believe you lose pixels regardless of when the crop is done.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

steve_stoneblossom wrote:

I believe you lose pixels regardless of when the crop is done.

you may be correct, I am not that up to date on my computer education. interesting thought, I may need to do some research on this. thanks

MtnMan Loc: ID

steve_stoneblossom wrote:

I believe you lose pixels regardless of when the crop is done.

Yes, you do.

I leave my telephoto on my D5300 most of the time and use the D800 mostly for landscape.

I also usually only take the D5300 when travelling by air.

An exception will be trip to Africa in April. Taking the D800 only there. The critters are large and sometimes they get you close.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

MtnMan wrote:

Yes, you do.

I leave my telephoto on my D5300 most of the time and use the D800 mostly for landscape.

I also usually only take the D5300 when travelling by air.

An exception will be trip to Africa in April. Taking the D800 only there. The critters are large and sometimes they get you close.

Do you lose overall number of pixels, or pixels per inch?
And, have fun on your trip to africa.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

orrie smith wrote:

Do you lose overall number of pixels, or pixels per inch?
And, have fun on your trip to africa.

Both of these cameras have a 24mp sensor. The D7100 has the pixels crowded onto a smaller sensor. When you crop the D750 image down to DX size you are left with 10mp, but these pixels are larger and more efficient at collecting light. 10mp may not seem like much but thousands of amazing photographs were made with the D100. The only time it makes sense to set an FX camera to DX mode is when you have a DX designated lens on the camera, and even then it is doubtful. Much better is to shoot in FX mode and enjoy the greater flexibility you having cropping in post, Particularly when cropping to improve composition.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

drgiri wrote:

I have the Tamron 150-600 and Nikon D7100 cropped sensor as well as D750 full frame. Which body is better if I have to shoot birds at distance, which may need cropping at post? For Bird in flight and poor light situations, definitely D750 is better. I am confused about shooting birds which are far off when closer approach is not possible!

I usually take both my 7100 and 810, as each has it's advantages. I prefer to leave the 810 on my 150-600 but, there are times when the 7100 is a better choice for a given situation.

Go out and experiment with both in various conditions to see what each does for you.

IMHO, take both with you ;)

drgiri Loc: India

Thanks everyone, will start taking both to the field henceforth. By the way, I like using the monopod. I fit the Tamron 150-600 on a gimbal head which is fitted to a monopod. I am getting more keepers with the monopod, compared to handheld shots.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you don't know, then chances are you really didn't need FF.

Just get this to go with your d750 and your troubles will go away:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-800mm-f%252f5.6e-fl-ed-vr.html

Too expensive you say...then you shouldn't have purchased FF for birding.