Why do you use a crop sensor body?

[olindacat]

I'm using a D810, know it has a crop mode, but for a second body went with a crop sensor instead of another D810. Why? Well, because I could buy the crop body for a lot less, and It becomes my 'extra-reach' go-to solution. Is this a fallacy? I'm not a camera guru, and make tons of mistakes, all of the time, but snagged a $215 2nd hand D3500 and while I dislike its form factor, can tell you it's resolution blows away my old $5K D2X, and at 5FPS bursts, I can use a cheesy AF-S (P as soon as I can dump this S) for some pretty good average IQ lightweight reach. Is anyone else thinking like this? (Not trolling here Is that even the right term? "Trolling?"

 

[scokill]

I'm using a D810, know it has a crop mode, but for a second body went with a crop sensor instead of another D810. Why? Well, because I could buy the crop body for a lot less, and It becomes my 'extra-reach' go-to solution. Is this a fallacy? I'm not a camera guru, and make tons of mistakes, all of the time, but snagged a $215 2nd hand D3500 and while I dislike its form factor, can tell you it's resolution blows away my old $5K D2X, and at 5FPS bursts, I can use a cheesy AF-S (P as soon as I can dump this S) for some pretty good average IQ lightweight reach. Is anyone else thinking like this? (Not trolling here Is that even the right term? "Trolling?"

I think you should use what you think is best.

 

[John Card]

You can get the same "reach" by using a full frame body in crop mode, or just crop it yourself manually in post, but if is working for you then no worries. I didn't like the controls (or lack of) on the 3500 when I tried it, but my 850 has spoiled me.

 

[bjn70]

Nothing wrong with the crop sensor body and it has lots of advantages- smaller/lighter, lower priced for a spare body, higher pixel density when you are photographing wildlife such as birds. I've owned 3 different crop sensor bodies and now I have 2 full frame bodies. I've thought a few times about adding another crop sensor body for certain situations. If I found a deal that good on a D3500 I would probably buy it.

 

[olindacat]

didn't like the controls (or lack of) on the 3500 when I tried it, but my 850 has spoiled me.

I used crop mode on my D810 with a DX lens and didn't do well shooting inside the crop marks. I missed a few shots because of that, but also was unsure if there was any technical differences in the sensor crop of the FX to DX mode, versus a straight up DX body. I am with you: I bought the 3500 at Costco to try it out last year and returned it. I needed another back and at $215 thought it would be ironic to see if it produces comparable images when I use it for the reach and 2nd body.

 

[olindacat]

I think you should use what you think is best.

Agreed. That's what I'm doing. I was just curious what others are doing, and why?

 

[olindacat]

Nothing wrong with the crop sensor body and it has lots of advantages- smaller/lighter, lower priced for a spare body, higher pixel density when you are photographing wildlife such as birds. I've owned 3 different crop sensor bodies and now I have 2 full frame bodies. I've thought a few times about adding another crop sensor body for certain situations. If I found a deal that good on a D3500 I would probably buy it.

This was my thinking. I don't feel like such a dummy now, or at least, like the only dummy ha ha. A lot of wildlife shooters are using D500s with long glass for this reason, I think.

 

[Ronan_M]

I use a Fuji X-T20 (APS-C) as it has fantastic IQ and is super light. While the controls and form factor are different, I take it to more places than I'd take the D800 to.

 

[threw the lens]

For outdoor sports, I don't mind an old crop sensor body. An old one will do well enough in the daylight.

I am not trying to get exceptional shots with very defocused background for publication that way, obviously. For other things it is good enough. Basically it is like 100-300 f4.5

 

[romfordbluenose]

Cheaper, lighter, more reach, image quality just as good for normal use. Mind you, you do need to buy some DX lens as well.

I have a DX setup as well as my D800 for a lightweight carry round alternative and use the DX for more reach and as a second body when on safari etc.

 

[seahawk]

Cheaper, lighter, more reach, image quality just as good for normal use. Mind you, you do need to buy some DX lens as well.

I have a DX setup as well as my D800 for a lightweight carry round alternative and use the DX for more reach and as a second body when on safari etc.

Why? Apart from a wide angle, you can easily do with FX lenses.

 

[romfordbluenose]

Cheaper, lighter, more reach, image quality just as good for normal use. Mind you, you do need to buy some DX lens as well.

I have a DX setup as well as my D800 for a lightweight carry round alternative and use the DX for more reach and as a second body when on safari etc.

Why? Apart from a wide angle, you can easily do with FX lenses.

DX lens are smaller, lighter, hence a much smaller and lighter kit when needed.

--
Please don't quote long posts, it just fills up the forum with repetitive information. Just replying to the poster or selectively quoting will make it all easier to read.

 

[robbo d]

Having done a bit of paid work including 20 or so weddings now, I came from Pentax to start using a Nikon D800 for better AF. I will go to a D750 as well, next.

However, for run of the mill work, where my expensive FF gear is clearly not needed, I'll happily thrash my Pentax k3 for good value for $$$

For example, I'll pull out my crop at night doing group images of all the guests; or

If it's sports team groups for the local club, when nobody is going to want to blow up to a Billboard, or doing social media type work.

If I have a cheaper, older body and a half decent mid range / kit lens, I can use that instead of activations on my more expensive gear.

It gives me a bit more reach doing wildlife and a great walkabout camera for lightweight requirements.

Those 24mp crop sensors are capable of very big prints, so not to be underestimated and very handy to have in your kit bag.

D800 with 24-70 f2.8

D750 with 70-200 f2.8

K3 with 18-135 kit

 

[DeathArrow]

I don't use an crop sensor body now, but when I did, I used it because it was cheaper. That was the only reason.

For around 230 euros I can get an used D700, so if I'd ever need a backup camera or a camera to take with me in places I might be afraid it can be stolen, that would be the better option for me.

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

I still use an F5 with a digital back which has an APS-H sensor in it. Meaning, not a DX at 1.5x, but 1.3x. At the time, that was as large as a sensor got for Nikon (Canon had a full frame).

The F5 offers options nothing else does. Like swappable prisms (4) and easily changed focusing screens (I have 13). The sensor in the digital back offers Kodachrome dyes in the CFA, so has a unique look.

So, the F5 keeps on being used even though it only has 6 MP while the Df has 16 MP. This, too, has been the way it has always gone for me. The old camera becomes the second body to the new one.

Stan

 

[SamNC]

Had a D50 about 12 years ago, with the various DX lenses for wider angles. I moved to D7000, then D500. For me, I didn't want to spend yet another $1,500 for a FX wide-angle lens when I was satisfied with my 11-16 f/2.8. I am also used to the DX focal lengths, such as my 85mm for portraits. I shoot sports so I like the 10 FPS of my D500, and it works great for baseball with the 70-200.

If cost was no factor, I would upgrade to FX, but I am very happy with my D500 and the lenses I have with it.

 

[seahawk]

Not really imho. The few lenses that are 1:1 comparable are not showing much difference.

 

[StillLearning]

I have only one crop sensor camera, D7200. I use it only with my Nikon 200-500 lens which gives me FOV equivalent 300-750.

 

[Iron Eagle]

It's all about pixel density. The pixels on a D810 aren't as closely packed as those on a D7200, so when cropping, the D7200 wins.

However, in this day and age, we have very high res, FF cameras. The D850 doesn't quite have the pixel density as a D7200 or D500, but it's close enough for me. You can take a DX sized crop from the D850 and it's essentially the same as what you'd get on a D500 (or other DX model).

So IMO, the "reach" advantage of DX is gone. Now, the only reason I'd buy one is to save money, size or weight.

 

[seahawk]

and the price advantage. A D500 compared to a D850 saves a lot of money, especially if you mostly crop the FX shot.