A year ago, I bought my first FF digital which would use Pentax lenses--a Sony A7R with adapter. Six months later came the K1. Here are a few observations.
1. With AF lenses, the K1 is the superior platform in every way. The in-body stabilization, improved autofocus and ergonomics are a joy. The one place the A7R excels over the K1 is with K and M lenses.
2. If the subject and lens selection allow, the K1 shots are breathtakingly beautiful. The ability to shoot heavily back lit subjects with excellent dynamic range is unmatched. There is no way I could get the west facing shot of the dancers below with the strong sun behind on my K3 with acceptable tonality. Still, about 90% of my good shots with FF would not look noticeably different in a crop format.
3. Most shots can happen with either format. Given the current lens availability and the size factor, I actually miss more shots by using full frame over APS-C than I gain. I currently carry one of each format for any serious shooting. The difference in the reaction of a human subject when one points a 70-200/2.8 and that when pointing a 50-135/2.8 is significant. The reach of a DA*300 plus converter on 24mp 16x24 is difficult to duplicate for FF in any practical form. The DA*300 without converter (used below) is an excellent FF lens, though.
4. The practical low light performance advantage is somewhat overstated. I just did a shoot of Halloween decorations at night, using only my two FF bodies. I did not see a big advantage over the years past shooting the same area when I used the K3 or K5II. Perhaps there was more moonlight in years past, but I expected to be blown away. The issues with holding longer FL lenses in low light seem to outweigh other factors, and catching the kids by trick or treat was more challenging. There is no FF substitute for the K3 with FA77/1.8.
Anyone else have some observations after a bit of time with FF?
036 Golden Migration by
Gene Vance, on Flickr
012 Golden Migration by
Gene Vance, on Flickr
Last edited by GeneV; 11-05-2016 at 08:14 AM.
Reason: Add photo