Future Proofing, Before You Buy: Is That Lens Full Frame?

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,780
austrokiwi Pillar of the Community 2087 Posts	Posted 11/05/2013 03:04 am Check that the lens you are buying for your DSLR( or equivalent) is Full frame. Why: Camera bodies can become old very quickly but lenses "live" forever. With Sony bringing out the A7r in a few weeks the game may have changed. I like ensuring my purchases are some what future proof, and last night I realized I hadn't applied that to my lens purchases. Over the last few years a number of Lens manufacturers have brought out lenses specifically designed for the APSC sensor ( ie the small sensor currently found in most DSLRs). With Sony upping the game it is quite likely Full frame sensors are going to become more common and more affordable over time. One day when you up grade your camera you may well find that your Macro( or every day lenses) are APSC and as a result won't fill the sensor on a FF camera. Full-frame lenses work fine on APSC...and often don't cost any more than APSC dedicated lenses. Having ordered a Sony A7r, last night I checked my lenses and realized a 30mm Macro and a Tamron 17-200mm zoom are designed specifically for small sensors. Luckily my main macro ( Sigma 105 mm) was designed to work on Full frame. That said I have a good part of US$500.00 invested in two small sensor lenses) Even if you expect to remain with the small sensor.....I think you will benefit to sticking to FF compatible lenses even if its just to maintain the resale value!! Edited by austrokiwi 11/05/2013 06:21 am Report this Post to the Staff

rmpsrpms Pillar of the Community United States 4038 Posts	Posted 11/05/2013 12:12 pm For apples to apples lenses (say, 85mm f2.8) the FF is always significantly more expensive than APSC. That said, the various recommendations being made around here are not for this type of lens, but for older, re-purposed lenses that are natively FF or larger. Many of the lenses we discuss here have image circles suitable for large format use. Now, if you're talking about carry-around macro lenses rather than coin lenses, I'd say your analysis is correct, and buying FF is the way to go. If used on APSC the quality can be wonderful, focused only on the center portion of the image circle. Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com Report this Post to the Staff
austrokiwi Pillar of the Community 2087 Posts	Posted 11/05/2013 2:57 pm rpmsrpms: I take your point. However cameras generally have a short life time, while lenses in comparison last for ever. I am sure more makers will start to follow sony's lead and the modern lenses designed for small sensors may well become an unpopular choice(loosing value very quickly. As for my comment it was aimed at the second hand market and in that market why buy a small sensor lens when you can get a ff lens for about ( or a little more) the same price. Report this Post to the Staff
rmpsrpms Pillar of the Community United States 4038 Posts	Posted 11/06/2013 12:19 pm Safest way to go is to not buy any newer lenses made for digital cameras, only older lenses made for 35mm film cameras, large format cameras, etc. You're guaranteed to get full frame, and they are older lenses so in theory the price will be lower. Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 11/06/2013 3:55 pm The installed base of APS-C cameras, which have sold in millions since 2003 (heck, I've bought six of them myself over the years), ensures that there'll remain a market of some sort for their bespoke lenses into the future. With that said, there's no argument against using exclusively FF lenses with your APS-C as long as they fit. That also allows you to get decent use from even poor FF lenses, as most of the problems manifest in the corners, which you aren't using anyway. Report this Post to the Staff
eastriding4310 New Member United States 41 Posts	Posted 11/09/2013 05:33 am I am thinking way farther ahead! I just purchased 3 Mamiya 645 medium format telephoto lenses for my Sony A77. Not for coin photos though. I got them because they have a reputation for being sharp and they were relatively cheap. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,780

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: General Numismatic Forums Forum: Coin Photography, Image Editing, and Related Software

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.24 seconds to rattle this change.