Mark1948

I've been shooting w/a crop sensor Canon T6s for a while but after shooting film for decades, I'm thinking about biting the bullet & going for a Canon 5DSR. I'm looking for max sharpness but, wow, it is way heavier than my crop sensor.

I'd like feedback from anyone who might have gone this route.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Do you make prints? How big are they? How much to you rely on cropping to achieve the composition you want?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Interesting choice ... not just full frame, but ultra high resolution. You might want to consider your current lens inventory. That ultra high resolution sensor benefits (requires) the very best lenses. Have you done any pricing of the lenses on Canon Releases Recommended Lenses List for EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R?

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15356

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I went full frame a couple of years ago. Added a 6D to supplement my 60D, but sold both this past summer and got a 5D mark IV. It is heavier than the 6D, especially now that I have added the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II to the mix. I think you will like the 5D SR.
Bud

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

If you're going for maximum sharpness, with a camera like yours, you will also need top notch ff glass, which will not be cheap, and even then it will be a bit of a challenge, as you will need to get the right technique to achieve your goal!
By the way, the 5D sr is a small, light-weight camera (although its heavier than your crop)!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Ive had a 5DSR for just about two years now. It is a really nice camera but it is not a general purpose everyday shooter. It enjoys a good amout of light and it generally performs better on a tripod with a remote shutter release. These things aren't necessary but they do help. Also the I age files it produces are fairly large. My everyday shooter is a 5D mk IV in a full frame and an 80D in a crop frame. For action and wildlife I use a 7D mk II and a D500.

JPL

Should work fine if you get good lenses for it.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Get some out of camera prints of the same shots from the the different cameras and compare. Cheap enough to rent. If there's a noticeable difference that pleases you, go for it.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

When reading my reply, please take into account that I have no clue about your level of knowledge.

Here is my answer to a similar question at another location.

Cropped or full frame sensor?

Some argue that there's no need, or very little use, for more than 20MP. Others disagree.

The sensor...
A cropped sensor is smaller than the size of a full sensor. A full sensor is 36x24mm's. The full frame sensor size comes from, is the same as, the era of 35mm film.

So if a cropped sensor has the same amount of pixels as a full size one it means that the full frame sensor has bigger/larger pixels, and vice versa, when compared.

This has an impact in some picture quality.

In general these two sensors have distinct differences. If the two sensors have the same amount of pixels, the cropped sensor produces a sharper picture as the pixels are smaller than a full frame sensor. This means that if you shoot full frame you might experience a higher level of grain in your pictures. However, with experience comes the better quality. So if you ever buy a full frame camera you will eventually learn to shoot without the grain disturbance.

On the other hand a full frame sensor responds better to light which means that you can shoot at higher shutter speeds without losing picture quality.

Furthermore, a full frame sensor has a smaller/shallower depth of field than a crop sensor. Sometimes this smaller depth of field is preferable, sometimes it is not.

So what you lose on the carousel you gain in the rollercoaster.

In order to answer your question; I'd say that Yes megapixel count is important to some extent. In general, the higher the amount the better the picture quality, but not without consequences...

From my point of view I no longer see the need for me to get a camera with more than the 24MP I got. I see no justification for the heavily increased cost.

No matter how much I want a Pagani Zonda, a Koenigsegg, or a MacLaren F1 I will never get one. Far more reasonable is getting a Fiat 500 Abarth. It's the same with the camera. No matter how I could crave for a professional Nikon I will settle with the D5300 I have. Because it's the best one I could find that suits my interest and economy.

Now, comparing your phone camera to a real one is another story. Your phone camera is very capable, there's no doubt about that. But it has its limitations. You can't print quality prints in large formats. This means that nor can you zoom in on it for cropping parts out. This is a consequence from the tiny sensor size, and from the amount of pixels it has.

More here:
https://www.slrlounge.com/the-truth-behind-the-megapixel-myth/

Comparing DX vs FX photos:
https://youtu.be/XFncHWMuWX0

Here are two different, refreshing, views on the topic from two professional photographers. Both arguing that it’s not about size, but all about pixel density.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=PHYidejT3KY

https://youtu.be/B9be2mrOOJg

—

The added picture of the ship is shot by Jim Stascavage, with a Nikon D7200, it's a 24MP cropped sensor camera.
- Seeing this ship covering an entire wall, I see no need for a full frame camera. Far better is to learn to use the one I have, and spend my hard earned money on lenses instead.

After camera purchase I recommend you read
- "your camera model" For Dummies.
- Stunning Digital Photography by Tony Northrup.
- Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System by Steve Perry. If it's a Nikon you got.
- Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

Secrets To... is my favorite, with Understanding... coming up as second.

http://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

All are well invested pennies.

A bad photographer will take bad pictures with a good camera. A good photographer will shoot good pictures with a lousy camera. It’s not about the equipment. It’s all about what is behind it.

https://www.demilked.com/pro-photography-cheap-camera-phillip-haumesser/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

After a few days, you won't notice the difference in weight.

http://www.diyphotography.net/crop-vs-full-frame-sensor-different-cameras-perform-lens/
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/g588ouey/the-dx-and-fx-formats.html
https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/new-dslr-owners-what-you-must-know-about-full-frame-vs-crop-frame-sensors-before-choosing-a-lens/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/dx-vs-fx-its-not-debate-its-choice
http://www.lightstalking.com/cameras-sensor-size/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/full-frame-vs-crop-sensor-cameras-comparison-depth-of-field/

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

5D4 would be a better all around camera. If you are going to be buying better glass you could even consider buying the Nikon D850. MP are nice if you really need them. But the question is do you really need them or would you end up shooting lower resolution photos. Your computer system will also have to be able to handle the larger files. I get along fine with 20mp.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you want big landscape type prints, go with one of the mirrorless bodies that does pixel shifting. Em1ii and Panasonic G9 come to mind. Then the body will be smaller and lighter and you’ll still have the luxury of shooting 80mpx raw files.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've not used a crop sensor for about 7 years now. I moved from a Sony to NIkon FX. As for weight, I hardly notice it. But then, I'm accustomed to carrying around a 4x5 most photo outings. I do carry the D700 or D800e daily.
--Bob

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you have an assortment of lenses to be used with your present body you will not use those lenses, if they can be used with the full frame camera, to entire satisfaction. I mean, you will have to buy lenses for the new camera.
I am a Nikon user, I have been for many years and when I decided to try full frame I already had old lenses from my film days that I could use with it. Yes, in general dSLR cameras are heavy and not very convenient for travelling. I bought an Olympus EM-10 Mk II mirrorless camera and the difference is like night and day. The Olympus is small, also full frame if shooting at a ratio of 4:3, it is light and the lenses of excellent quality that never let me down. I am not selling anything to you, I am passing to you my experience after using both systems.
I do use my dSLR bodies but I am not that young anymore and the Olympus bodies are making a difference for me.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Without reading the links, Id say its not about "after a few days" it's about "after a few hours" - every time you take it out.