Full frame vs EF-S

[Nathaniel]

I note that some members are jettisoning EF-S cameras like the 60d to move on to full frame. Could you please tell me in plain English what is the big advantage of this switch.

Thanks
Nathaniel

[Muscat]

Re: Full frame vs EF-S

From my point of view the full frame camera when used for portraits, landscape and the Non-sport type work you benefit from higher IQ, better handling of noise so you can use higher ISO, normally better contrast and colour in the image. I am sure others will provide more details

[mwphoto]

Re: Full frame vs EF-S

Nat - full frame is the absolute equivalent of the old 35mm film days, so a big sensor and clearly the pixels on an 18MP APS-C are going to be smaller and closer together than on an 18MP FF equivalent, so lower noise and better IQ etc on the FF. The downside of course is that a 400mm lens on a FF gives you 400mm, so approx 8x magnification whereas on an APS-C that lens gives you 640mm equivalent, 13 times magnification. The half way house of course is the APS-H sensor in the 1D Mk3, Mk4 etc which gives you the 1.3 crop factor - hence with the great IQ, 10fps drive and that little bit of extra reach it's the chosen Canon body for a large number of nature photographers. Personally I have the 1D for my wildlife stuff and the trusty old 5D for landscapes, so I can get true wide angle in great detail.

The other downside with FF bodies is that they need good glass in front of them because they show every flaw - so it's horses for courses really and the choice depends on what kind of images you want to take