Full Frame Is Most Versatile Format

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My name is Matti Sulanto, I'm a photographer based in Helsinki Finland.

[kemerthomson]

Your point about people not being able to see the difference is very true. BUT I can see the difference when processing the pictures, and in the end it’s myself I’m shooting for. Since adding a full frame camera to my beloved M43 G9, I have noticed that I have a lot more “headroom” in processing my pictures, both in terms of dynamic range and resolution.

[danncorbit]

I have full frame, APS-c, and Micro 4/3 cameras. There is a time and place for every tool. I also have 35mm, medium format, and 4*5 film cameras. When I pick a tool, there is a method to my madness. I have a goal, I have parameters for what I want to achieve. I have an outline of how to reach the goal. One of the parameters may be 'fun'. Might as well enjoy the process.

[jm]

I'd agree with 99% of that. My only disagreement would be that in my experience, it's not FF shooter saying something good about FF, it's when they feel the need to trash talk M43 to convince themselves that they made the right choice. It's the old "If I'm right, you must be wrong" syndrome, and it seems to be pervasive...at least on the forums. It's such a personal decision and different for every photographer. Personally, I'm agnostic. My 3 favorite cameras (for right now) are the Sony RX10IV, OM-1, and Sony A7RV Very different cameras, but I love them all.

[danev]

I totally agree. I too normally shoot with my Sony A7iv and the Tamron 28-75. That said, it would be interesting to hear what Robin has to say, as he has been shooting the M4/3 for many years. Between my wife and I, we shoot with every size sensor (except medium format) and stick with the mantra that whatever camera you have on you at the time is the best. Thanks Matti for your insight.

[ryimpdx]

Always enjoy your videos. I am more interested in photographic process than gear, so you rarely disappoint. Cheers!

[WhatsleftofTom]

I am an m43 user and love it. My GX9 and 20mm 1.7 have been an excellent street setup and I won’t part with them unless there’s a similar sized replacement. I do wish I had more flexibility with DoF control though, like in the moped photo at 2:40. I think an A7iii is probably in my future as a complementary kit for this reason. As you say, it’s not about blowing the background, it’s about being able to highlight the subject

[trevorbrooks]

Hoorah... so refreshing to hear you praise the virtues of all camera types and sensor sizes, and isn't it satisying to bring the camera to your eye rather than always viewing a screen. Thanks, coffee on the way.

[twagn]

Shot with Canon 60D, 70D for years. I switched to a 6D full frame and was totally amazed at the lack of noise at high ISO. I have never looked back since. I now have a Sony A7III

[RiceNinja]

Thanks Matti, it's very refreshing to hear it's not about the camera - it's about the pictures you take. One thing I have a question with is camera straps, I had the one that came with my g85 and it would give me a kind of sharp pain in the upper back when carried for a long time, so I upgraded to a 200 euro eddy cam strap. My gear is only 600g and I'm quite strong in the upper back but it still happened when carried for a couple hours. How is your experience with the hand strap you have?

[teridzard]

Sensor format is in my opinion a very individual choice. There is no ‘most versatile sensor size’. Bike touring through the Alps carrying your tent, sleeping bag, etc… most people would consider 1.3 kg for the camera with just 28-75mm available a rather bad option. Shooting street in Germany puts you actually at risk of been beaten up by people when showing a big camera, while you might get away with no problem at all using a point and shoot. Shooting wild life you might want the longer reach for the same focal length with smaller formats. If you are after top end landscape pictures full frame might even be to small for your liking. In the end you can do everything with every sensor format, what suits you best for what situation is just depending on the bit between your ears.

[erikehrling]

I think the question is more complex than that. What is your shooting style? How long will you carry your equipment? Are you carrying only your camera equipment or are you on a day hike and also carrying clothes, food etc.

So - Do you have an upper limit of maximum size and weight for your camera setup? And what lens options do you want most (focal lengths, bright apertures) and how do you optimise your gear within those constraints?

With m43 you can easily create a setup that covers 16-800mm (full frame equivalent) in a package that is OK to carry all day long even with clothes and food on a day hike. With full frame or even medium format doing the same is not so easy.

I love dynamic range, depth of field control. I use everything from 1 inch sensors up to medium format 6x7/6x9 in film. But some days I am willing to trade off some of the dynamic range and depth of field control in order to have more lens options.

I think that if they have had the patience to hang in there there would have been a niche even for systems like the Nikon 1. Now that it has gone away I hope m43 can hold out the smaller system/interchangable lens position.

[garybrown]

We all appreciate your knowledge very good video

[GeekyNerdyTechy]

Great video, it's all about what works for you need, plus what you enjoy the most. :)

[PhotoTrekr]

I agree. Every time I consider changing to a different format, whether larger or smaller, I always come back around to full frame being the best format for me. I've been an amateur photographer for 45 years. I shoot a little bit of everything, but mainly landscapes.

[LarryFasnacht]

Very wise, Matt. I listen to what you say. But I find myself bouncing back-and-forth between my OM-1 with a 300 mm F4 and my Nikon D850 with a 200 to 500. They both are excellent but there is definitely a transportation weight limit issue for me on that. Also, the computational features in the OM-1 are awesome for certain subjects like Bird photography. But I must confess to missing the resolution of the D850 when I shoot the OM-1.

[bamsemh]

Not if you ask me. Ff is simply too big, heavy and don't forget the huge lenses that are limited to the focal length they are. My back, neck and knees love my switch from ff to mft 😊

[stevebonn]

I shoot mainly landscape and wildlife, often on the same outing with a two camera setup. For wildlife, micro 4/3 works great. For landscape, it does the job. At some point, I might branch into FF for my landscape photography, but for now I like the simplicity of staying with one system.

[halfhand]

I use M43 and full frame for different things. For example I'm going to the Formula One in a couple of weeks and will take my Olymous E-M1 and lenses specifically because it's Weather sealed, has very good IBIS and the overall wieght of the kit (two bodies, three lenses) is much less than the equivilent full frame setup. The extra zoom reach and DOF are very welcome as well. I also tend to use the Olympus gear for Macro, because of the smaller size ( I usually shoot hand held) and greater relative DOF. For everything else (Street, Landscape, portrait etc) I tend to use my Nikon Z6ii or D600. I love both systems and don't feel hard done by if I happen to grab one over the other.

[chacmool]

I have an old Canon 6D (the original classic released in 2012) with 'only' 20MPx, not the greatest AF system and not the widest DR. But there's something about its color depth and rendition that's just lovely, something that my APS-C rigs cannot match. Never mind, of course, that ISO6400 still looks quite clean. There is simply no replacing big, plump pixels. I can definitely see a difference.

[mico]

After having praised the micro 4:3 for years as an ambassador for panasonic, this new conversion is rather funny... But it is clear that the full format makes it possible to adapt to a greater number of situations. The problem is that of use and budget, nothing else.