lens vs sensor size: I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger...

martinneff

I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?

lost_found

martinneff wrote:

I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?

This is a tough question to answer not knowing what and why you shoot. The easy answer is; a better lens will help but a full frame would offer even better resullts. Then it comes down to budget. My suggestion is research the brands as once you purchase a full frame the cost of switching becomes prohibitive.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What is the MP of your camera now? A good piece of glass will always help. To get a picture that you want to make bigger you have to have good light, good focus and a shot you like. I think anything above 10-12 MP's would be fine.
Erv

rebride

Interesting question.
What size sensor do you have now?
Thoughts at large . . .
If you are maximizing DOF by using smallest aperture than you are not getting the sharpest image.
Turn off image optimization when using tripod.

marty wild Loc: England

I have an 8mp D200(cmos sensor) which is low now day's but dun some large purchases on a 14-24 wide angle and 24-70 short zoom both at F2.8. they are brilliant for me So if you are happy with your body splash the cash on a pro lens. But think! Research your system so that you have the option to buy a decent range of pro gear. A friend of mine has a Pentax system he has a limited range in the pro devision. Remember think twice! buy once this is good practice

Edmund Dworakowski

The answer to every photographic problem is BUY A MORE EXPENSIVE CAMERA !

Leonardo Loc: The Garden of England

Quality glass. It doesn't matter how expensive the camera is... if it has poor quality glass attached, the pictures will look bad.

Even a 'budget' quality lens will work wonders. I've recently moved from the kit lens on my A580 to a £300 Tamron (definitely a budget lens) and the quality of the images is noticeably better.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

[quote=martinneff]I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?[/quote

Rent a good quality lens to see if that makes a significant improvement. That should enable you to make the right decision.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

The answer to your question is one only you can answer.

A quality lens will give you much better image quality on a full size or cropped frame body. This may be enough for you right now as you learn your camera. Modern cameras are much like computer programs, you rarely ever learn everything that the camera is capable of doing.

A larger sensor will give you more control over the depth of field. You can achieve a narrower DOF on a full frame than on a cropped frame with the same lens. I am not saying that you cannot get a narrow DOF on a small frame body, it is much easier to achieve on a full frame body.

I would start with a quality lens and then later update the camera body.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

i'm not sure why i hooked up with the sony alphas,but a pleasant suprise was all the minolta maxxum lenses.if i go to a sony full frame i'm all set.maxxum has some great glass.

marty wild Loc: England

No!The answer is buy a good well reviewed lens. This will improve your photography by 50%

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

martinneff wrote:

I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?

Try going into a camera store to check out and shoot (in store or out the door) to compare them to your current lens. If in a metro area you may be able to rent a lens.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Good Nikon glass is more expensive than a new Nikon camera body, but can be used with an upgrade camera down the road.

Good Nikon glass holds its value, and efficiently works with either DX or FX formats.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Here is a link to Ken Rockwell's commments on the advantage of full frame cameras over crop sensor cameras. His view is that he can take better photos with a full frame camera and an adequate lens than a crop sensor camera and a better lens.

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

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

martinneff wrote:

I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?

Martineff, using a camera body with the full equivalent of a 35 mm digital capture will increase the pixels by roughly 1.6 times, providing much greater resolution for any given lens affixed ahead of it. From there you can go to better glass is you need greater yet resolution for bigger blowups. Yet the greatest difference will show up from the greater digital capture area. I believe Steve R references this same general maxim.