Pentax Rumoured To Announce the K-3 Full Frame DSLR At Photokina

Let us look at it from a different perspective and change the question: Is it possible to obtain indistinguishable pictures from cameras with sensors of different size?

The answer is yes, for details see e.g.: http://www.josephjamesphotography.com/equivalence/ .

However, there are also situations, where this is not possible. The larger format then opens up possibilities, which cannot be realized with the smaller format.

Furthermore, the larger sensor system does not necessarily have to be bigger, heavier or more expensive - if you really compare equivalent systems.

An example: One result of equivalency is that lenses with aperture set at 2.8 on APS-C can fully be replaced with lenses set to 4 on FF (with other parameters adjusted). So, an APS-C camera with the combination of 16-50/2.8 and 50-135/2.8 may fully (not only regarding DOF) be replaced by a FF camera together with 24-70/4 and 70-200/4. You obtain more possibilities, if you even acquire a faster lens, e.g. a 24-70/2.8. Results with this combination at open aperture cannot be duplicated on APS-C, where no equivalent 16-50/2 is available.

So, it may even make perfectly sense to change to FF even if you are satisfied with the output (quality) of an APS-C-System, as there might be interesting additional options for you: A special lens might not be available for the smaller format (e.g. 28-105/4 on FF); a setup of equivalent lenses could be significantly cheaper on the larger sensor system and even balance the additional cost for the body. The latter becomes more probable, if the price rumors about the A99 and the D600 are correct. This could then even kill "professional" APS-C-DSLRs in the long term.

The difference in quality we see on the web has far more to do with the skills of the photographer, IMHO.

There is of course a limitation on this in that excellent technical quality can best be achieved with excellent kit. If we know what to do with it.

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Best regards, John

I thought this was quite interesting - not really to draw real conclusions from, but as a guide as to the effect on FOV and DOF of the two formats. (The 35mm shots are done on film, and it's immediately noticeable that the digital shots require a lot more PP work to make them look as good - so much for 'I don't PP my images cos I want them to look true to reality ).

50mm F5.6 on 35mm

34mm f5.6 on APSC

200mm at f8 on 35mm

135mm at f8 on digital

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[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]

Would a digital FF limit the blown whites that are so apparent on the 135mm digital!

This shows that 35mm film still has some edge over digital APSC!

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Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon

Agreed on all points. Pentax did a great move with it's 645D ( which probably has 0.000000000000000001% of the photography market ), and IMO should move into the Pro FF market. The more Pro's are seen using pentax cameras the more likely hobbiests are going to buy Pentax on the psychology of using what the pros use.

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[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283

Two points.

First. Not many pros used Pentax even in the days of the LX, arguably the best 35mm FSLR of all. It's highly unlikely that many are going to jump ship to a 135-format Pentax DSLR.

Second. The profit margin on medium format gear is high. The sales volumes may be low, but the impact on the bottom line is potentially considerable.

G

PS: I'll believe this pig when I see it fly past my window.

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Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.

Bit late for that now.
The only pros that really matter where hobbyists are concerned are the sports togs (high profile football matches, F1, cricket etc) and Pentax just don't have the resources (or lenses) to make them moveover from Canikon.

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. My Flickr

For myself I have grown up with point and shoot film, disc camera Film (yes I still have the Kodak disc camera), an Olympus C750 uz digital and then the Pentax K10d.

I will probably stick with apsc unless my finances improve (not that I am complaining I am just tight)

If I could have a full frame body as well as apsc I would, but apsc is probably what would suit my needs best as an all purpose dslr

However, I own 10 lenses - 9 are ff compatible

If the lottery win comes along I won't jump ship I will buy the Q, 645D, K01 etc

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K10D, K5 plus plenty of clueless enthusiasm.

My Flickr site link