For those using both FF & crop cameras

[Roka]

In another thread I asked about a backup body for my Sony a6000. A couple of the suggestions were for the Sony a7. I'm definitely NOT trying to get a "FF vs. crop" brawl started but I'm interested in people's opinions who shoot with both. Specifically, is it worth it to spend $1100 to get the a7 vs. $500 for another a6000? Just opinions please as most of us are probably aware of the technical differences. FWIW I'm shooting 100% MF legacy lenses.

[cyrano]

I bought an A7 because I want a 35MM lens to be 35Mm lens, not a false 50MM and I had some SLR lenses left over from my film days.

[Lightshow]

As much as I love my NEX-7, it hardly gets touched since I bought my A7r, I much prefer using FF with legacy glass.

[visualopsins]

As always, get the best you can afford.

I would buy the A7 & sell the A6000.

You don't need a backup camera, do you?

After purchasing FF my crop didn't get any use. I sold it just before it went totally worthless...otherwise it would be sitting here unused.

Also there is the ecological reasoning. Why waste all that image circle light? Serious, as it is, the 2:3 format wastes a lot of the image circle light already.

[kuuan]

have been using APS-C mirrorless cams and had been satisfied with them but had been lurking for a FF only to see how my lenses made for 35mm film perform on a medium of the size they had been designed for. To my taste the A7 is bigger than I wished for and I prefer an articulating EVF, therefore it had taken me long before I finally decided to get one some 8 months ago. For the first 6 months I had been using the A7 exclusively. For their smaller size, and articulating EVF, also because I prefer the images of the Ricoh, lately again I usually use my Ricoh GXR M for daytime and the NEX5n for low light. For wide angle the Heliar 4.5/15 on my APS-C cams beats my 4/21 Heliar on the A7. Still the APS-C cams can't do what a fast 50mm or 35mm does on the FF, and I am happy to have a FF specially for my 50mm legacy lenses.

[woodrim]

If money is no object, get whatever you want. If cost is a concern look for the right balance. Personally, I would be happy with one A6000 and would consider my NEX-5N a back-up. At today's <$500 price for A6000, seems a bargain. I question whether a 6300 would be worth the difference in cost when you only use MF lenses. FF seems a different discussion.

What is the reason for needing a back-up? Doing pro-work? If not, I'd save the $ until I needed to buy another camera. If doing for pay, always have back-up for everything.

[eno789]

I've been regularly using both my A7 and A6000. Especially for hiking, I often take two lenses on two bodies.

It's a very flexible setup, let's say I have 3 prime lenses, use on two bodies: 28mm, 58mm, 100mm macro. You can come up with 6 combinations. And each effective focal length has its own use:

28mm on FF: wide;
28mm on crop: general all purpose;
58mm on FF: fast normal;
58mm on crop: portrait;
100mm on FF: close portrait, or shallow DoF macro;
100mm on crop: a little more tele, or deeper DoF macro.

And most of the time, I anticipate what I'm going to shoot. Having two bodies allows me to avoid changing lens in the field.

[calvin83]

An used A7 in good condition is about $700.

[TrueLoveOne]

I've been shooting FF Canon with AF lenses and crop NEX for my old glass for some time. Just because of the fact that i also use Minolta film cameras i knew how these lenses feel when used on a fullsize frame.

This always felt like a short coming when i had the lenses on a crop body. So i saved up and bought the A7.

Couldn't be happier! Highly recommended investment!

Cheers, René!

[Roka]

[calvin83]

You need to wait if you want to get one in $700.

[Lightshow]

[quidam]

After purchasing my ff, my Nex 6 is retired and my Nex 5 buried in a closet.

[bror_svensson]

I bought my used sony a7 last autumn for 600$

[imagedit]

I have 3 camera's, A6000(everyday camera), olympus EPL-5(Fun and cine lens camera) and Panasonic GF1(self adapted Infrared camera)
Most of the time i take 2 out with me and a couple of adapters to use, I also have focal reducers for them too.
Maybe get a focal reducer and see how it performs on APS-C sensor and get a near FF image. Its close enough for me and i dont have the money yet.

[Gerald]

Crop sensor cameras are excellent, but only when working with modern lenses specifically designed for crop sensors. When you use a legacy MF lens designed for 35mm format on a crop sensor camera, you throw away about 50% of the visual information collected by the lens. You lose image quality and angle of view.

[Antoine]

Well, if you buy a focal reducer, you nearly get the FF focal length, so you can buy a cheap 2nd hand APS-C (or a discounted A 6000 for your spare camera). Issue is quality of the focal reducer. But further gain in light is great for low light conditions (combined with 3200 ASA, you don't need a flash...)
I bought a zonghi 2 a couple months ago and while it was initially very tight, there is now a bit of looseness. Not sure but it may come from the Sony plastic/metal attachment ring.
I think Sony have addressed problem with 2nd generation A7 and A6300 with going all metal....but it won't help with 1st generation A7 2nd hand cameras or A6000 and nex.

[woodrim]

[480sparky]

[woodrim]

[Gerald]

[jamaeolus]

I moved from canon eos 60d to a7ii. I do miss the articulating EVF. Also the live view on sony is not nearly as good on my tablet. Other than that ithe a7ii is superior in every way. I still have the point and shoots I used prior to the Canon (Pentax X-90 nd optio 5S) and they are small enough and light enough as backup for travel. Get the FF.

[Pancolart]

I still use APS-C for macro purpose. But real pleasure is in thin DOF wide angle that A7 delivers.

[leemik]

If you got the money, keep the a6000 and get the A7

There are some excellent old lenses that only work in aps-c like most Pen-f, many cine lenses and even some nice native sony glass.. plus the a6000 is so less bulky that sometimes you just want that than carry the bigger a7 around.. you'll get a lot less attention with the a6000 because it looks like a cheap compact to your avg joe.

I know you can just enable crop mode on the a7 but you lose resolution if you do..

[Jeff Zen]

There definitely seems to be some full frame elitism here. Some seem to be inferring that you're just not "with it" if you aren't shooting full frame.

It's fine by me. It makes used crop cameras cheaper, and I can sell old FF lenses at higher prices. Win/win!