craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Good morning from the UK. I don't post much in this section but thought I would in this case. One thing I hate to see on UHH is argument, sometimes "tongue-in-cheek", sometimes just plainly meant to offend. It's usually caused by some well-meaning question from an "uninformed" member who simply wants an "knowledgeable answer" .... but others, supposedly "better informed" or "more knowledgeable" don't appreciate this and react in a manner which just doesn't help the situation in any way, shape or form. And so much "space" on this website is taken up by the ensuing fracas caused by people pitching in with opinions which are just plainly wrong or obtuse !

Such a situation we have seen recently regarding questions from members requiring information about the differences between full frame and APC-S sensors. All people want is the correct information to help them learn, grow and develop further their own level of knowledge, skill and expertise. Isn't it the duty of the more knowledgeable members just to HELP by providing full and correct information ? And the duty of those who don't know just to keep their mouths shut and learn also ?

Here's a fine article I've just found this morning on the Nikon FF or DX sensor differences. It provides as much info, I believe, as most people would want to acquire - http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/11/21/full-frame-sensor-size-explained-how-to-exploit-its-advantages-and-cool-effects/ -

I've posted this to provide those who need it with INFORMATION. And I do hope to see much more of the correct information being passed from member to member in this spirit rather than the unnecessary arguments which normally lead nowhere and achieve very little in relation to the original questions asked.

Thanks for listening .......

richnash46 Loc: Texas

I agree fully with what you have stated here and thank you for your post and your link, but you do realize of course that you are not going to see a change in human nature regarding this issue? ;) ;)

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Oh I am soooooo glad we are not all the same wouldn't life be boaring if we all were like you, me and someone else

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Excellent article! :thumbup:

When these type of questions are posted, I normally point them to the Nikon Lens Simulator (http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/), where they can "play and see" the differences in using a FX vs DX with different lens on those bodies.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

That site has some great tips about several things. Among others, there is a really well-illustrated section about how your electronic flash works for those who are interested.

One disagreement- they show how to change a lens and suggest the senor facing up is the way...not how I do it.
Thanks for posting.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Thanks to those who have already posted. I am of course a "man of the world" and understand that everyone's entitled to their own point of view.

On a minor point, the second paragraph should of course read "full frame and APS-C sensors" - I'm human too !!

richnash46 Loc: Texas

NEVER, EVER admit to being human, it immediately puts you at a decided disadvantage!! ;) ;)

gordnanaimo Loc: Vancouver Island

good advice all. I think it is important to reiterate the main misconception of the full frame / crop sensor discussion. The aps-c sensor gives you absolutely NO MORE REACH, it merely crops the scene in camera to APPEAR like the same area taken up by a full frame sensor.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Nikon D300 (cropped sensor)
Nikon D700 (full-frame sensor)
Both are 12 megapixel cameras.
Put a 200mm lens on the D300 and a 300mm lens on the D700.
Make identical sized prints and compare.
The angle of view and resolution of both images will be the same.
Call it what you want.
I simply call it a (slightly) different format that happens to be able to use the same lenses.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I especially liked the last page that explains the pros and cons:

Pros of full frame sensors
Great ‘bokeh’ (shallow depth of field effects) – images have a sense of depth
Larger photosites offer improved dynamic range and high ISO performance
Lenses deliver their ‘true’ focal length – no need to apply a focal factor
Higher resolution from the bigger sensor area and more megapixels
Bigger bodies for those with bigger hands!
You can print pictures bigger and you have more leeway when cropping

Cons of full frame sensors
Harder to get enough depth of field for those shots that need it
You need the best lenses and best technique to properly exploit any advantage in quality
Disproportionately expensive – the D7000, for example, is half the price of the D600 yet has very similar features
Big file sizes can quickly fill your memory cards and place heavy demands on your computer
You can use all lenses on DX cameras, but only FX lenses, realistically, on an FX camera
Telephotos don’t have the same ‘reach’ on an FX camera compared to the 1.5x focal factor of DX cameras

gordnanaimo Loc: Vancouver Island

Once again!! For the same focal length lens, there is NO MORE REACH on a crop sensor NO MORE REACH. On a 400 mm, on a full format camera the field of view will look the same as a 600mm on an aps-c sensor, however you will not be MORE MAGNIFIED.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

No, you've got it bass ackwards! A 400 mm lens on an DX (cropped sensor) camera will give you a similar image to a 600 mm lens on an FX (full frame sensor) camera! ;) ;)