I would like to ask the readers for their experience shooting birds. What will give the best picture quality using a fixed focal length of 400mm lens: a Canon crop senor (7D mk II) or a full frame sensor (5D mk IV) after processing where the full frame sensor pic will have to be cropped more than the crop sensor? Thanks
Somebody will weigh in with important information about the pixel size on crop vs. full. I am not that technical. But this is how I thought through my decisions when using my 400mm. The full frame I have is 47mp...plenty of room to crop if need be. If I can get close enough, then I get a larger resolution picture to print from. I think you will see the differences in print mostly. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say. It teaches me new ways to think.
For Birding google Stokes Birding. Ms Stokes is a professional and praises the Canon SX50 vs her heavy equipment.
49bentley wrote:
I would like to ask the readers for their experience shooting birds. What will give the best picture quality using a fixed focal length of 400mm lens: a Canon crop senor (7D mk II) or a full frame sensor (5D mk IV) after processing where the full frame sensor pic will have to be cropped more than the crop sensor? Thanks
I have shot extensively with both cameras. Certainly the extra "reach" of the crop sensor 7D2 is nice, but I find that is outweighed by the better low light performance of the 5D4. I often crop heavily but virtually all of my photos are only displayed on a monitor/TV so the lack of pixels is not as critical. I usually use a 500 mm f/4.0 lens so I am more willing to lose a stop of light with a 1.4 telextender than lose the better high ISO performance with the 1.6 crop camera.
I recently sold the 7D2 and shoot exclusively with the 5D4. We will see if there is a 7D3 in the future.
From the people I follow on Flickr I would have to say the most consistently, outstanding, detailed images are shot with a Nikon 300mm f 2.8 lens on a Nikon D7200 camera (not a lightweight setup!). The photographer obviously is excellent at what she does and the combination works for her.
Nalu
Loc: Southern Arizona
I had a 7DII, have a 5DIV and a 1DX, and have a 400mm DOII. I got rid of the 7DII. I am very picky about noise and IMO the 7DII simply had too much of it at higher (>800) ISO's. Much prefer the full frame images and especially, and from what I found, the sensor provides IQ sufficient to allow significant crops to get the same reach you get on the 7DII. Of coarse the frame rate on the 7DII is faster and you will get more images to select from which can be important for BIF. I don't know this for a fact, but the focus capabilities of the 5DIV might be a bit better than the 7DII. Also imporetttant, with the 5DIV, you will get all the focus options up to f/8 which allows for better options with extenders. If I had it to do all over, I would not get the 7DII. The 5DIV is a great all round camera, but, assuming you are sticking with Canon and you are serious about birds, consider a 1DX or, if budget allows, a 1DXII. I am moving to Sony (a9) for flight, I have a 1DX I am considering selling. Send me a private message if you have any interest.
49bentley wrote:
I would like to ask the readers for their experience shooting birds. What will give the best picture quality using a fixed focal length of 400mm lens: a Canon crop senor (7D mk II) or a full frame sensor (5D mk IV) after processing where the full frame sensor pic will have to be cropped more than the crop sensor? Thanks
It depends on so many other things. Available light, distance from subject, functional f-stop, photographer's ability to track, amount of cropping needed, etc...
Great comparison...thanks!
sb
Loc: Florida's East Coast
I now shoot with a full-frame Canon 6D and use several telephotos (70-200 and 100-400). The quality of photos compared to when I was using my 70D is so much better, even when cropped, that I never use the 70D any more other than as a back-up.
Steve Perry wrote:
The crop camera will be better than cropping the full frame...
Certainly have not done as extensive of a test as Mr. Perry but my findings are in alignment with what his link shows.
The only thing I might add is the result from my "findings" are I wasted about 1K on the latest version extenders. Using either or both together with the latest version premium 400mm f2/8 lens is nowhere as good as a severe crop out of a crop sensor image captured with the same lens & camera.
Problem with this analysis is that there was no attempt to duplicate the environment of shooting birds. And that is the subject of this post. To create a relevant comparison there has to be motion, subject tracking and focus acquisition at likely shutter speeds. The ability of cameras, even within a single manufacturer, vary quite a bit on these factors. If these items are not included the results are of limited value. For instance it might be easier to track with a full frame while focus acquisition might be better with an APS-C (since the subject is filling more of the frame.)
49bentley wrote:
I would like to ask the readers for their experience shooting birds. What will give the best picture quality using a fixed focal length of 400mm lens: a Canon crop senor (7D mk II) or a full frame sensor (5D mk IV) after processing where the full frame sensor pic will have to be cropped more than the crop sensor? Thanks
It is mostly a balance between noise and physical resolution of the specific camera's sensor. The 7D II can be better in better/good light. The 80D will be better yet - but lacks the frame rate.
..
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.