Full frame cameras will not hurt you with birds. Some people see that 1.5 or 1.6 as a multiplier, much like the effect of a teleconverter. That really isn't the way it works. I prefer to describe it as a crop factor. That's right the full frame camera will have all the same information as the smaller sensor and the photo is in there. Unlike the small sensor camera where you see the crop in the lens, with the full frame you would have to manually crop to get the same image, but its still there.
If you do wide angle work with landscapes, the full frame will help you get wide angle easier. That's a big plus for landscapes. Birds are a horse of a different color, but sensor size isn't the end all be all. Lets look at a few things. If you are thinking of a teleconverter (and that's not all bad) there are two big disadvantages to them. First is they soften the image. Some do more than others and the more the magnification the greater the added softness. A quality lens with a quality converter and you might find it completely acceptable, but if you can do it with a longer lens that is often a better way to go.
The converters also absorb light. The more magnification the greater the loss of light. A 1.4 will cost you one stop, a 2x will cost you two stops and a 3x will cost you three stops of light. Sometimes its something you can live with by going to a higher ISO, but here is the catch. Most cameras need a minimum amount of light for the auto focus to work. That often is around F5.6, but it can vary. Now if you start with a slow zoom that has only has an F4 to work with, put a 2x on it and now that F4 is now an F8 and you have no auto focus. Put it on a fast lens with say an F2.8 and even with the 2 stop loss, it likely will work.
IF you are looking at really long ranges some prefer primes to zooms because they are often faster and have to make fewer compromises in construction. Yet some think the advantages of a zoom outweigh the handicaps, and that is just a matter of preference. One thing people often forget when they put a 2x on a 500mm lens. Handholding gets very very tough. A good support is very helpful.
Now which to choose??? Right now my suggestion is neither one. Before you fork down the kind of cash needed for this type of equipment, (unless you are in a postion where you could just spend several grand and if you don't like it could spend the same several grand again and not bat and eye or think twice) rent it for a weekend or two. Pick out several lenses, converters and brands, and then rent them all and see how they perform for what YOU want to do. A little spent now to KNOW how a Canon or Nikon feels in your hand, how the features are laid out for YOU need to do, and see the results for yourself. Then you aren't guessing when you have to write a check. You are not counting on the opinions of others totally. Print some samples of images taken in various situations and print them out at the largest size you expect to use. After using each of the cameras for a weekend to a week, you will be back telling us what you bought and why. LOL Hope this helps.
Mark
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Digital camera?
From: Stephen Buckman <buckoproductions@xxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, May 19, 2009 8:42 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Hi all,
Not on a lot but more of a reader on the list. I do have some questions
about some digital cameras and would like some feedback. I am planning to
purchase either the Canon 5D MKII, Nikon D300 or a D700. What make doesn't
matter but I am concern about printing fairly large. (20 by 30) I primarily
do landscapes, macros, and some wildlife (birds or in flight) Would like to
do more birds. I really don't know where to begin. I hear that full frame
cameras are not best for bird photos. I would probably get a zoom 400 or
fixed 400/500 with teleconverter. What lens would work in autofocus as I
have heard most only work in manual or am I stuck with manual? So to make it
short, what camera would be best for everything I do. Thank you
Steve
