Originally posted by ElJamoquio Sure! So then instead of using a 15mm f/4 wide open, you can use a 24mm at f/5.6 or higher. Surely 'even a sigma' lens is pretty good at those apertures. Instead of the 35 on APSC you can use a $125 50mm f/1.8, and have way more flexibility DOF-wise. Instead of lugging around the extra DA70 you can use the 50mm f/1.8 and crop (and again have more DOF options, to boot).
Is the encumbrance really all that much worse, the D800 + 2 lenses, compared to the K5 and 3 lenses? Could it be better with the D800?
This will be my only reply.
I don't want to add on anymore to this FF/D800/D600 nonsense in a happy Pentax new release thread.
This is again in theory.
Practically, I've not seen 2 or more folks shoot with APS-C and FF cams on a photo outing with the FF one producing obviously better results than the APS-C users.
If there is such a case, it has only been for very controlled situations like model shoots.
24mm at f5.6 is at f5.6 too in terms of light gathering.
Candids, streets or a more environmental shot done in less ideal brightness, the DA15/4 at f4 would be better.
SR too on a Pentax camera.
Actually, I usually carry a 85/2 or 77ltd.
Perhaps you could crop a 50mm on FF to be a 70 on APS-C but the 70 on aps-c can also be cropped to be 130mm, and thats with a~2yr old 16mp camera. On a 24mp one, perhaps more.
I'm interested to see if this works out for you (as in purposely using a 50mm as a 70mm equivalent on APS-C as a travel solution).
I usually crop when necessary when reviewing the shot or have a preconceived notion that a shot needs to be cropped to 'something' later in PP, but can't judge what is 70mm APS-C on 50mm FF just by looking thru the viewfinder.
Encumbrance (not only weight) is different. The clunk of size and the weight means a bag that is 1 size bigger and a bit more strain from carrying around.
Easy for those who drives around, not that desirable if one does not.
Of course we humans are adaptable and can get used to the weight, but given a choice, I'd rather not go there.
Originally posted by bossa It's not about getting thinner DOF. It's about getting the DOF you want at smaller apertures on cheaper, longer focal length lenses.
Consider this:
1. 31mm on APS-C = 46.5 on FF
2. Distance to K-5 is 1 meter
3. to compensate for distance of subject the 50mm lens must be backed off a bit on FF
a) FF with 50mm must be backed off to 1.075 meters (50/46.5 = 1075)
4. a) DOF 31mm f/1.8 at 1.000 meters = 75.89mm
b) DOF 50mm f/2.73 at 1.075 meters = 75.81mm (f/2.8 will have to do DOF = 77.76)
It appears from the above calculations that a cheap 50mm lens on FF can match it with an expensive wide-angle FF lens being used on APS-C. The 50mm is sharper at that aperture so it's not really a fair comparison but is accurate.
Costs:
D800E = $3850 (we pay GST.. or VAT)
Sigma 50 = 500
Total = 4350
K-5 = 1500
31LTD = 1500
Total = 3000
By the time you add more expensive fast lenses to the APS-C system you have ended up (probably) spending more cash. But that hasn't really happened for me because most of my lenses were bought used.
Don't ask me why I did all of that.
I understand what you mean (I do shoot 35mm film and also MF 6x7; On 67, a 180mm lens focusing the distance like a ~90mm on 35mm film for portraits is really nice)
What I'm just saying is that shallow DOF is not everything in photography that is not still life, fine arts, portraits (including family ones).
For travel/landscapes/streets/documentation etc it matters much less and can be an advantage for comfort due to encumbrance and sometimes 'visibility' from a larger camera.
Like I've mentioned above, practically, I've not seen APS-C and FF shot on the same outing with the FF one producing obviously better results than the APS-C users. (Neither did I ever see Canikon branded cameras perform any better in terms of AF and such )
The lack of cheaper choices for Pentax to match the equivalent FOV on FF, I blame Pentax.
On Canikon, there are cheap 28, 35, 50, 85.
I'll have to say that the Pentax ones are smaller, typically better built and optically good though.
If the FA35/2 is used over the FA31ltd cited as an example, then the price difference becomes larger.
Ok. Enough from me.