Full frame vs APS-C: I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read...

juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

What do you shoot with now before I answer your question?

juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

I shoot with a Canon EOS 6D as well as EOS 60D. The 6D is full frame and the 60D, APS-C.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

I have one full frame camera and 2 APS-C cameras. I use the full frame camera the most.
I use one APS-C camera----D7200----with a 300mm lens and a 1.4x teleconverter for wildlife.
And I use the other APS-C camera----Fujifilm X100F----which has a fixed 23mm lens for when a DSLR is not practical.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Full frame is best utilized ( for image quality) when you can fill the frame with an image ie you can get close enough to the subject or your lens is long enough to allow this from a distance.

High MP FF can also be utilized for capturing a wide area and cropping later - so it is a compositional advantage in that respect. Low MP FF, not so much.

Then there is the issue of DOF, FF ( if you fill the frame), will have less than APSC - for the same field of view.

Oh yes, then the issue of low light (higher ISO) image quality - is better with low MP FF.

..

Joe Blow

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

APS-C are generally smaller, lighter, and less expensive. Their dedicated (kit, but also upgraded APS-C) lenses use less glass, making them smaller and much lighter. For many that is important.

FF generally are better cameras with weather sealing. Their down sides are APS-C's upsides. Generally, their processors are better than APS-Cs.

However, very few people can tell if a photo was taken with an FF or APS-C.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

Many people feel that full frame sensors are better than crop sensors in low light conditions.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Full frame. Why cheat yourself out of the performance?
--Bob

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

PH CIB

Large Format Film 4x5 or 8x10 for the Best Picture,,,,Medium Format if you want a Degraded Image,,,,Full Frame if you want a really Degraded Image,,,,Crop Sensor,,,,Micro Four Thirds and Cell Phones only if You don't want to carry around Hundreds of Pounds of Gear....Seriously probably the low light capability of full frame....

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

With the correct lens for each type it doesn't matter. Equip you camera as best as the budget permits and spend your time on learning how to take exceptional images.

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

juanbalv wrote:

I read much information on the merits of one versus the other. I do understand what the crop factor does in re the actual image's real estate. I have yet to read any succinct information on the best times to use one or the other and why. Help anyone. Am I the only one working about these issues?

Crop is less desirable when the light is poor, or you need incredible resolution to record tiny detail or texture. You will get 100s if not 1000s of different opinions on this, but the best way to determine what has value is to borrow/rent each and decide for yourself if the difference has value for you. It did for me which I switched out my crop cameras for full frame in 2010.

BebuLamar

To the OP!
Since you have both types of cameras I think you would know the advantages and disadvantages of each. I use a full frame but that's only because I want to use the lenses I bought for my film cameras.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

For my uses:

Full Frame (with Fx lenses): Landscape, Portraits, Panoramas, subjects where larger image size makes sense.
Crop Sensor (with Dx lenses): Wildlife, sports, action where the 1.5 crop gives you a longer reach.

juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

BebuLamar, it doesn't follow that because I own both types, I would know the advantages and disadvantages of each, just like it doesn't follow that you use full frame because you want to use the lenses you bought for your film cameras. Not to me anyway, please explain. In my case, and with Canon DSLR equipment, I can use EF lenses on the 60D but I can not use EF-S lenses on my 6D full frame unless I use an extension.
I ask this question out of genuine interest in learning. For example, FYI, I inherited both systems with some 10 lenses both L and regular. Since I do not intend to get rid of them, soon, I want to get to the point that you suggest.
Thank you for your input and thanks also to all that contributed.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The advantages of FF have already been mentioned.

The advantages of APS-C have to do with sensor utilization for long shots and the economy of longer reach on a tighter budget.

At the same distance using, say a 300mm focal length given that the framing in the APS-C lens is the desired framing, the APS-C will be utilizing more MP in the desired final shot than the FF, given similar MP on the sensors.

The cost of a 300mm lens for a FF sensor is greater (generally) than the cost of a 200mm lens for an APS-C yet both will have similar reach.