{"id":60140,"date":"2017-07-30T04:16:12","date_gmt":"2017-07-30T11:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=60140"},"modified":"2017-07-30T19:34:13","modified_gmt":"2017-07-31T02:34:13","slug":"why-full-frame-is-overrated-in-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/30\/why-full-frame-is-overrated-in-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Full-Frame is Overrated in Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"HAPTIC
HAPTIC EYE CAMERA by ANNETTE KIM<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Full-frame is overrated in photography. Why?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Bokeh is overrated<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A lot of photographers, myself included, thought buying a full frame camera would give you better bokeh, which would make you a better photographer.<\/p>\n

But, making photos with creamy bokeh doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make a good photo.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Richard Avedon. Not shot wide open.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fact, most of the best photos of history were NOT shot wide open.<\/p>\n

Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> had a 50mm f3.5 Lens. His best photos had deep depth of field.<\/p>\n

\"\"
AVEDON X KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Richard Avedon<\/a> shot with the smallest aperture possible, to get insane detail with his large format portraits.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Avedon. Not shot wide open<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why is bokeh so popular in photography? My theory:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Photographers want to differentiate themselves from phone photographers, therefore they want the visual \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of bokeh photos. Because phone cameras cannot make bokeh, blurry background photos like high-end digital cameras. There is software that can mimic it, but it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look the same.<\/li>\n
  2. Camera companies want to sell more expensive lenses (f1.2-f1.4 lenses). Therefore they pay photography bloggers, or give them free gear, to influence the market\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to increase demand for fast Lenses.<\/li>\n
  3. Blurring the background while shooting wide open is an easy way to simplify the scene, and remove distractions from the background.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    But to be frank, to blur the background is a lazy technique. A truly great photographer will consider the background, to make a strong environmental portrait. Or easier, just to use a simple black or white background is a good way to make a better portrait.<\/p>\n

    \"\"
    AVEDON X KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Takeaway point: Full frame is overrated, because the selling point of full frame is better bokeh. But better bokeh doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t lead to better photos.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    2. You can get good high-iso photos with crop sensors<\/h2>\n
    \"eric
    Lovely photo by Fujifilm x100 Camera. Bangkok, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Fujifilm makes great sensors, their crop-sensors in their X-series Cameras, which can shoot at very high iso like 6400+ with very little noise.<\/p>\n

    The truth is actually, by NOT increasing the megapixels of a camera, but by improving the sensor technology, you can get better high-iso images.<\/p>\n

    \n For example, the Sony a7s series cameras don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have many megapixels, but very good high-iso performance, because they optimize the performance of the sensor. Of course, the Sony a7s is a full frame sensor.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Even many micro 4rd sensors have fantastic high iso performance. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a fan of the Olympus Pen F<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"eric
    Eric Kim in tub. Photo by Cindy. Olympus Pen F.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    In the past, only full frame sensors had good high iso performance. But now, even crop sensor, and non full frame sensor cameras have great iso performance.<\/p>\n

    \"eric
    Dalat, 2016. Selfie with Olympus Pen F.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Takeaway point: Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy a full frame camera thinking that it will give you better high iso performance. Rather, consider the quality of the sensor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Dalat,
    Dalat, Vietnam 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    3. Less depth of field<\/h2>\n
    \"\"
    Shot on a phone. More depth of field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Funny enough, we wanna buy full frame cameras, to get creamier bokeh, and less depth of field.<\/p>\n

    But having MORE depth of field is often advantageous, especially in street photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"Shot
    Shot very close in macro mode on Ricoh GR. Allowed me to get more of her face in focus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    For example, shooting on a phone<\/a> in Street photography is good.<\/p>\n

    More depth of field: more likely your photos are sharp and in focus.<\/p>\n

    Full frame cameras have LESS depth of field, so more chances of your photos to be out of focus.<\/p>\n

    \"New
    New Orleans, 2015 #RICOHGRII. I was able to get more of his hands and face in focus, with the crop sensor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Generally, photos that are in focus are better.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To be technical, shooting a full frame camera at f8 is equivalent to a crop sensor at f11. And a full frame sensor at f8 is equivalent to f16 on a 2x micro 4rd sensor. Which means If you want to shoot street photography with depth<\/a> and layers<\/a>, using a SMALLER SENSOR is better.<\/p>\n

    4. Cost<\/h2>\n
    \"Shot
    Shot on crop sensor Ricoh GR II camera. Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Full frame cameras are more expensive.<\/p>\n

    I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d say, use that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s money to travel<\/a>, attend workshops<\/a>, and to have more life-affirming EXPERIENCES<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"Cindy
    Cindy in elevator. Shot on Ricoh GR II. Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    \n Money can buy you happiness<\/a>, only if you spend it on experiences, not stuff and gear<\/a>.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Practical suggestion:<\/p>\n

    \n Spend as little money on your camera as possible, and maximize that money to buy photography books<\/a>, travel, and experiences, or start your own photography business.<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    5. Full frame won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make your photos more personal<\/h2>\n
    \"Personal
    Personal photo of Cindy. Shot on a phone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I love personal photography<\/a>. Because you can shoot personal photos on ANY camera. Your phone, old shitty camera, film<\/a>, whatever.<\/p>\n

    The only way to find more happiness and joy in photogrpahy is to shoot more personally meaningful photos. Photograph your loved ones. And SHOOT MORE. The more I shoot, the happier I am.<\/p>\n

    \"Photo
    Photo of Cindy in an elevator on Ricoh GR II , in Program Mode, and flash. Sf, 2016.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Shoot in weird places, like elevators. Shoot in your own home or apartment. Shoot in the streets. The whole world is your visual playground.<\/p>\n

    Also don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget, the point of photogrpahy is to live a richer, happier, more artistic life. It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about making good photos.<\/p>\n

    To be happier isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t to get more likes on Instagram.<\/p>\n

    The fallacy:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. If I buy a full frame camera, I can make better photos.<\/li>\n
    2. If I make better photos I will get more likes on social media.<\/li>\n
    3. If I get more likes on social media, I will be happier.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This is false.<\/p>\n

      For example, I deleted my Instagram<\/a> and now spend less time on social media. Result: less stress, anxiety, and caring less what others think of my photos. Now, I experiment more. And I shoot more and have more fun.<\/p>\n

      6. What should I buy?<\/h2>\n
      \"\"
      Downtown LA, 2016 #pentax645z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Practical suggestion in photography: for commercial work, shoot digital medium format photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      For personal photos, use your phone, or a cheaper digital camera.<\/p>\n

      See more equipment recommendations ><\/a><\/p>\n

      7. Sensors are overrated<\/h2>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      The ultimate sensor, the human eye.<\/p>\n

      Maximum clarity, very high dynamic range, no lag.<\/p>\n

      And to be honest, film photos will always look better than digital photos. For inspiration, buy FILM NOTES<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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