Full Frame vs Cropped camera question

[goodguy]

This is a question I have been debating with myself.
I bought few weeks ago a Nikon D7000 which I love. In all reviews I read both amature and pros has been praising this camera.
But still a little voice inside of me is nagging saying maybe I should have went with a full frame.

You know that voice dont you ?

Its the voice that tells you to get that 6 cylinder car rather then 4 cylinder, its the voice that tells you to get the 3000 SF house rather then 2000 SF.
At the end of the day it all comes to money, what I want vs what I can afford.
I want a camera I can grow into, both the D7000 and a full frame camera like the D600 or 6D fit that bill.
I got the D7000 with 18-105 and 50mm 1.8 prime lens for around 1200$. From my research to get D600 with roughly same lenses I would need to spend around 2500$-3000$.
If I really wanted I could have taken a loan and buy the D600.

Yes I know the full frame lenses are better then the cropped sensor lenses but you must agree the cropped lenses are not that bad.

For professionals there is only one way-Full Frame but while I dont know what the future holds I dont see myself ever going pro in photography, this is strictly a hobby.
I love going on photo trips with my camera, I love taking pictures of my family and friends, wild life, landscaping and I have still a lot to learn.

So from pure performance prespective are the D600 or 6D really so much better then the D7000 and worth more then double the value of it ?

 

[Mach0]

Chances are you don't need full frame. If you did, you'd have it. Enjoy the d7000. It's an awesome camera.

 

[Mully]

35 mm was always a PITA because some end had to be cropped off for anything standard... you don't need full frame ... leave it for the photo junkies

 

[cgipson1]

For learning... a crop body rocks! And a lot of us keep one around even if we own a full frame, because they have their own strengths. If you have never had a camera... and never shot much... then that D700 should last you for years (3, 4, 5.. or more) while you learn photography. If down the road, you decide you want a FF.. go for it! You will be able to fully appreciate one by then!

 

[The_Traveler]

When you need full frame, you'll know it.
Until then save your money and concentrate on taking pictures.

 

[goodguy]

So far all you guys answered perfectly to my question which really makes me feel I did the right choice

 

[Dao]

Full frame does not automatically means better. In some cases, cropped body is a better choice. Also, full frame lens does not necessary better than lens that made for cropped body. There are some great DX lenses out there from OEM and 3rd party manufacturers.

If I were you, I will not worry about it too much about upgrading to full frame now. You camera is a very capable camera and should be able to help you produce amazing images.

 

[480sparky43 42]

A bit of advice: Bodies come and go, but good glass is forever.

If you think your long-term plans truly include going to full frame, make lens choices now that include that goal. Nothing's more expensive than to have to buy all new lenses just to use the advantages of a full frame body. Buying the right glass today will ease the pain when that day comes. And you will, as a general rule, have better glass now, even though you're using it on a crop sensor body.

 

[KmH]

35 mm was always a PITA because some end had to be cropped off for anything standard... you don't need full frame ... leave it for the photo junkies

Crop size APS-C image sensors have the same 3:2 aspect ratio as full frame (135 format, AKA 35 mm) image sensors.

So any 3:2 aspect ratio image (4x6, 6x9, 8x12) has to be cropped for 5x7 aspect ratio (7:5) or 8x10 aspect ratio (5:4) images/prints.

What would be 'standard'?

 

[Solarflare]

First of all, the D7000 is definitely a great camera. Its a better allrounder than the D600 and its now simply laughably cheap for what it offers. The APS-C dynamic range is still unmatched, the D600 is hardly better in this respect, and the 16 Megapixel are challenging available DX lenses anyway already; going even higher to 24 Megapixels with a D3200 or D5200 makes this only even more absurd.


In general: It depends.

For some people, such as wildlife photographers, a crop sensor can be better.

For other uses, such as landscape, the full frame sensor is definitely preferable.

Advantages of full frame:

+ higher price typically results in higher overall quality of camera
+ lower demands on lenses, i.e. more real megapixels, thanks to larger pixels
+ better low ISO performance thanks to larger pixels
+ more reserves for dynamic range thanks to larger pixels
+ more total light on the sensor thanks to the larger sensor
+ more shallow depth of field if wanted
+ Nikon specific: much broader and higher quality choices in respect to lenses

Advantages of APS-C:

+ much cheaper standard lenses
+ more lightweight and compact lenses
+ crop effect: a 300mm lens is really a 450mm lens, resulting in advantages if long focal lengths are needed (wildlife photography)
+ more generous depth of field for same angle of view
- Nikon specific: wide angle lenses are almost as expensive as their full frame equivalents


With the D7000 vs D600, there are additional factors:

* The D600 has a very disappointing distribution of AF points - basically they are all in the middle, not even enough for the rule of thirds
* The D600 AF allows f/8 maximum aperture, while the D700 needs at least f/5.6 to still offer a working autofocus
* The D600 has only 1/4000sec fastest shutter speed (D7000 1/8000 sec)
* The D600 has only 1/200sec flash sync (D7000 1/250 sec)
* The D600 has a problem with oil on the sensor from the shutter
* The D600 shutter is reportedly very silent in quiet mode
* The D600 is the newer camera and has some new features, especially with video

 

[Sarmad]

If you've picked a D7000, keep it. Learn on it. Invest in lenses instead. Save your money. You'll realize one day yourself that you need a full frame and then go straight away on Nikon D800 or a Canon 5D mark II, or III. But try to get a Nikon if you have used it before.

 

[Patrice]

Unless you grew up on some other format, such as 6x6 or 135 as examples, you need not be overly concerned about DX vs FX. Crop cameras like the D7000 (Great camera by the way, good choice!) and D300s produce excellent quality images, are as well built as any other in the advanced amateur segment, and will carry on producing excellent photos for as long as you'll want them to.

With the camera you chose, you have access to almost any lens Nikon ever made for DX or FX. About the only lens difficulties you'll encounter are true wide angle field of view, there you might have to go DX for a true wide field lens for crop camera. Aside from that, no matter DX or FX the focal lengths don't physically change (50mm is always 50mm) so go forth and find the best value to you for the future lenses you might want. There are many older AFd FX zooms and primes that are very well priced and are very good performers. Your D7000 can use them all!

Have fun with your new camera, there are not very many better ones out there, especially at that price.

 

[Patrice]

You'll realize one day yourself that you need a full frame ....

For the vast majority of users which seldom print large, if at all, mostly take family, vacation, special occasions, kids school plays, etc.... and for the most part display on social media sites or look at on monitors of some sort, there is absolutely no reason or need "full frame". To the great majority of dSLR buyers and users there are no inherent advantages to the format.