Crop factor: How much difference does it really make?

[EdBray]

Whilst taking some images for my Hasselblad for sale thread, it struck me just how the much effect the crop factor has on images.

So all images were shot on the same camera, same position (tripod mounted) and same lens per pair of images. All that was changes was the Camera Back (with its associated crop factor).

The colour Digital images were taken using a Phase One H10 back which has an 11MP 24mm x 36mm sized frame (equivelent to 35mm) and has a 1.5x Crop factor compared to the Full Frame 56mm x 56mm image size of the Hasselblad full frame.

Middle two images really brought it home to me (one shot on the 50mm and one shot on the 80mm).


80mm Planar C T* on H10 Digital back (approx AOV of 120mm on 6x6)

80mm Planar C T* on Full Frame Ilford FP4+

50mm Distagon C T* on H10 Digital back (approx AOV of 75mm on 6x6)

50mm Distagon C T* on Full Frame Ilford FP4+

 

[Original Poster]

That's a crazy difference and exactly why I'm going full frame with a 5D2

 

[Broric]

Maybe I'm missing something but don't you just select the appropriate lens for what you want to shoot? For the same subject you'd use a lens with a different focal length on a crop sensor compared to full frame.

 

[wazy15]

The thing is though the crop sensors do give you the added benefit of a more range, only issue is there not as wide unless you get a wide angle lens.

 

[Brightstone]

you would loss some wide-angle view, but you would find a wider lens to compensate. however, you still benefit from longer reach. i think the difference would be the details and ISO. Larger sensor should catch more details and better ISO performance. these has not been reflected from this comparison.

 

[haze20]

That's quite a difference!

 

[EdBray]

you would loss some wide-angle view, but you would find a wider lens to compensate. however, you still benefit from longer reach. i think the difference would be the details and ISO. Larger sensor should catch more details and better ISO performance. these has not been reflected from this comparison.

The wide shot was taken on a 50mm, there are only a 40mm and 30mm (fisheye) available wider to fit the Hasselblad. This would still not be very wide at all using the crop sensored digital back on this camera. Similar to a 40mm on a FF Digital Slr (a fraction wider than standard). Whilst a 40mm on the 6x6 frame would be the equivelent of a 25mm on a FF DSLR.

Whereas with DSLRs there is a plethora of wider angle lenses available, right down to 12mm on a full frame which would equate to an 18mm lens required to give a similar AOV on 6x6. Even a 17mm lens on a DSLR would require the use of a 27mm lens available for the Hasselblad to get a similar AOV.

 

[POAH]

yes

Maybe I'm missing something but don't you just select the appropriate lens for what you want to shoot? For the same subject you'd use a lens with a different focal length on a crop sensor compared to full frame.