I want to join the debate regarding FF cameras. I recently read an article on why a FF Pentax camera is not necessary, I can say two things for I feel reasonably sure about after reading that; there is a market (however small) for a Pentax FF camera and Pentaxians are a hard bunch with a whole lot of pent-up tension. I want to start by recognizing that there is a vast difference between needs and wants. Those who need a FF camera are very few indeed because it is well recognized especially here that the camera does not make the photographer. Notwithstanding, there are a few who need a FF camera. Those who want a FF however are the majority and reasons vary from perceived DoF, to improved IQ, to "bloody hell! it's my money, I want to keep up with the Jones so just give me one!". Of course logic dictates that there are a great many other reason for wanting a FF camera as well as for needing one. For the record, I too want a FF but I acknowledge that I'm no where near the limits of using an APS-C camera.
What I recognize for sure it that quality photos do not require a FF camera. Can a FF produce better images? All technological reasoning says yes (of course this is assuming that the cameras being examined have similar technology and really only differs by the sensor). Is this always the case? No! Where there is sufficient light, possibly not. Of course there will always be debates about that and that's the fun part of a forum like this.
What is clear is that since about 2005 almost every camera released by the major companies have been good enough to take stunning photos, if there is enough light. Canon is the best example of this, their sensor has hover around the middle of the pile since the days of the 350D and 30D, their current top of the line sensor (in the 70D) has hardly improve in quality, up about 10%, in the last ten years. Their FF cameras have fared better having marched along at a blistering pace of about 11% (1DsII to 1Dx). What seems to be on the improve is the software to yank more form the average sensor and files. If cameras are good enough what then makes the difference? Marketing! Holy Cow, can Canon market! When I was looking for my first DSLR everyone I knew said, "just get a Canon", having used Canons all I can say is, "KMDT!, much-a-do about nothing". The other things that seems to make a difference is are ergonomics, glass and support (software and hardware). Having looked around the web I am hard pressed to find any real differences between the images taken by different sensor sizes (or even cameras). In fact I challenge any one to allow me to conduct a blind test by providing images properly edited, at the same resolution and,stripped of Exif data (for the peepers) of both FF and APSC and have them tell the difference within 10 second of looking at the photos (I bet they can't tell which camera took the photo either, hehehe). Sure, dig around long enough and you will be able to scrape some difference, but for how people really look at photos, it is next to impossible.
There are those who will tell you about shallow DoF, many Landscape photographers will tell you that it's not very useful and some of your friend will tell you that your camera is broken because the background is too blurry (assuming you keep normal friends). "I print large" is another rallying cry "and noise will show". Really!? How many Pentaxians (not you landscape shutterbugs or other pros) print more than 2 photos larger than 8x10 per month? How many even print their photos? There you go. Do we really need a FF? Do we really want a FF? Does that mean Pentax should not make FF cameras? You read my first paragraph right? I still want one, so what do you think? hehehe. If for no other reason, a Pentax FF would become something to aspire to and that (plus all the marketing fluff) might be reason enough, I see very few people hovering around an entry level camera when there is some photo exhibit.
I think that people should be clear about why they need FF and state as much in their discussions without tearing other people (who they don't know) to shreds, but then, that's what makes this site fun. Right? So what do you say? Since I'm writing from the perspective of a "noob" I need to know, am I there or way off the ball? Is there something I'm not accounting for?
Last edited by wilton; 07-22-2014 at 11:33 AM.