Full Frame vs Crop

Having always shot crop on both Nikon and Canon and only recently shooting full frame (5D3 and D800) - There's no contest. Full frame wins.

If you can spare the cash and can afford to ditch those crop sensor orientated lenses then there really is no contest.

Better resolution, better ISO noise, better viewfinder (in the case of the 5D3 vs D800 anyway) and better image quality overall.
 
I'm sure that there are 18-270 EF mount lenses. Edit: maybe not, the Tamron I was thinking about will mount on FF but vignettes like mad! There is the Canon 30-300 but it ain't cheap! On the crop/ff comparisons, if you shoot a ff camera you will appreciate the difference in look that you get. Equivalent focal lengths on crop aren't the same as shooting them on ff, the field of view is different. I like using both though, as there are strengths to each. Noise performance on ff is generally nicer and the larger photosites resolve contrast further up the mtf curve of a lens resulting in a sharper image. You have to look at whether the output medium that you use will make benefit of any of the features a body brings. I mostly print albums, print 15x10 and web use, so for me a high MP body isn't needed and differences in sharpness between crop/ff are not an issue either. The 7D still beats a 5D3 for reach, so it still remains a better option for reach limited subjects. Of course if you can get close enough the 5D3 will deliver you the best results. All that said, if I had to have only one camera body it would be FF.
 
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mrk said:
Better resolution, better ISO noise, better viewfinder (in the case of the 5D3 vs D800 anyway) and better image quality overall.
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I find it pretty amusing that you keep citing the differences in viewfinders as being a very noteworthy bonus in favour of the 5D3. I don't usually feel the need to jump in to defend the D800 however I've seen you say this a number of times now and it's worth pointing out to others what you're really talking about here.

The 5D3 has 0.01x greater magnification than the D800 in the viewfinder as standard with the 5D3 being 0.72x as opposed to the D800 being 0.71x. Personally I'd think it was so minute as to not even mention however you seem to think it's a marked difference.

I should also point out that you can change the eyepiece of the D800 to a number of different ones. I installed a dk17m which gives the viewfinder a magnification of 1.2x as opposed to the 5d3's 0.72x. I did this to raise the height of the viewfinder from the body however you could also do this if you couldn't live with the whopping 0.01x difference between the two.

There are many plus and minus points to both cameras and I'd be happy with either but lets not be ridiculous by citing such miniscule differences in trying to justify one over the other.
 
Yes I understand you can change the eyepiece but using both side by side I always notice the difference out the box, I find it easier to frame on the 5D viewfinder and it's a little bit brighter as well.

I bring it up from time to time when comparing the two because it's a comparison, what else is someone going to do but compare?

Anyway, it's not like I'm 5D3 biased, if you read more than just what you want to read you'll see I promote both systems for the pros and cons and conclude that it depends on what you're familiar with and what you have the greater investment in.

I use both and I own the 5D so it's no bother to me either way.
 
mrk said:
Yes I understand you can change the eyepiece but using both side by side I always notice the difference out the box, I find it easier to frame on the 5D viewfinder and it's a little bit brighter as well.

I bring it up from time to time when comparing the two because it's a comparison, what else is someone going to do but compare?

Anyway, it's not like I'm 5D3 biased, if you read more than just what you want to read you'll see I promote both systems for the pros and cons and conclude that it depends on what you're familiar with and what you have the greater investment in.

I use both and I own the 5D so it's no bother to me either way.
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I've never considered you to be one of the brand fanboys of this forum before and still am not accusing you of being so. I usually view your stance on the differences as being a good thing. It is because of this that I find it odd that you've mentioned the viewfinder thing a few times now as opposed to other more glaring differences between the two that cannot be changed. The difference is tiny however one that is as easily rectifiable as changing a stock strap. It's not something I'd cite as a notable difference. You believe it's worth pointing out as a difference so I'm just pointing out how small that difference actually is and that you can change it to something which actually gives a far larger viewfinder on D800 should you even feel it's a concern.
 
Hmm I didn't see it from that perspective before I guess but yeah I can see where you're coming from.
 
alexthecheese said:
A question for you intelligent folk. Is there the equivalent of an all-round travel lens on the full frame formats, like the 18-200mm offerings on crop cameras?
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Nikon do a 28-300 which covers the 18-200 range, there is nothing and I highly doubt ever will be anything to cover the 18-300 (28-450 equiv) range on a full frame due to the size, weight and price of all that glass.

For Canon, I think there's something in the same sort of range in the L series, but we don't sell much Canon (if we can help it :D) so I can't honestly remember, and none of the 3 main third party brands do any lenses in that range either.

mrk said:
better viewfinder (in the case of the 5D3 vs D800 anyway)
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...I hate the viewfinder in the 5D series, it's small and horrible to put my eye up to; the D800 has a larger eye cup as does the D700, D3 and D4. The D600 uses the same style of viewfinder as the 5D and is frankly horrible.
 
Auraomega said:
...I hate the viewfinder in the 5D series, it's small and horrible to put my eye up to; the D800 has a larger eye cup as does the D700, D3 and D4. The D600 uses the same style of viewfinder as the 5D and is frankly horrible.
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With regards to how the D800 is to put to your eye, if you are left eye dominant then it is far less comfortable to use than the D700 was. So much so that I found myself buying not only a different eyepiece but eyecup as well. The first few days with the D800 were not pleasant prior to the replacements arriving. The eyepiece is almost flush with the body unlike the D700 which is raised. That being said I'm glad there was a problem as I'd probably never have looked at changing either of them and just kept it like my D700. The extra magnification is great however the DK-19 eyecup when turned down quite simply redefines comfort. It is huge compared to the stock cup however it's well worth it and almost essential for us lefties.

DK19.jpg
 
I find no issue with my left eye and can't see how it could make 1 eye harder to use than another, but I'm not inclined to start trying to shoot right-eyed to find out :p the DK-19 is a great cup, the fold back is designed for glasses users similar to binoculars... I keep meaning to get one for my D3.

The 5D view finder feels cramped, the eye piece is smaller and the Nikon's are in my opinion much easier to use long term. Never had a problem when all I used was a D300, but I guess it's one of those things, once you go to the Nikon's full frame finders you can't go back.
 
mrk said:
You mean the eyepiece and not the viewfinder itself surely.
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Well the eye piece (depending what you buy) also includes a piece of glass with higher magnification that you replace on the viewfinder. It's like a 2 minute job if that. Personally I prefer not to have the higher magnification though, but it makes the VF like the size of medium format.
 
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