After using APS-C cameras of various makes and with a huge variety of lenses, I find APS-C cameras and the format itself severely wanting. I compared my dad's old prints from his FF 35mm film camera and the images I and others get from their APS-C cameras, and have to say that given the same lenses mounted on the different camera bodies, the APS-C cameras always come short. There's just something missing. The images from the APS-C cameras look more "snapshot" like than "photographs". I think this has to do with the 1.5x crop factor that APS-C cameras suffer from. This 1.5x crop factor seems to destroy the
gradual reduction in sharpness (
defocus) and light falloff that is very characteristic of good FF photos and what unconsciously gives images from Full Frame 35mm cameras their "look". Forgive me, but this "look" is very hard to articulate, so I've attached some examples. But I think people who remember the old days of 35mm film, will definitely recognize "the look". I know I can very easily recognize it.
Some FF 35mm examples:
Last edited by mika.; 01-07-2012 at 06:29 PM.