I sometimes have a hard time explaining certain things in a coherent and meaningful way. Like why it's okay for mommy to pick her nose but I'm always scolding my kids not to ("Because I'm an expert"), or like why it's okay for mom to have a few fries from the McD's bag but everyone else has to wait until we get home ("I'm just checking to make sure they're not poisoned"), or why mommy can say "holy crap" but the kids can't ("Because I'm already going to hell for all the other bad words I say").
I've also struggled with explaining the difference between my camera - the full-frame Canon 5D - and a non-full-frame camera like a point-and-shoot or a Canon XSi. I try to explain about the sensor size and the difference between what you might see through the viewfinder and what is actually committed to memory. So when I opened the latest issue of "Popular Photography" and saw an article about this very same thing, I knew that I had finally found something that I can share. So here it is:
This scan of page 56/57 in the April 09 issue shows the effect of the smaller sensor on a single photo. As the caption says, "even when both the viewpoint and the lens focal length stay the same" the result is different for different sensor sizes. Basically, having a smaller sensor acts as almost a zoom factor, which can be a benefit. One example given by the magazine is that a wedding photographer uses her 50mm 1.2 lens on her 40D (an APS sensor) which ends up giving her the effect of an 85mm focal length.
**ETA** Here's a link to another fine example of what the heck I'm talking about. Thanks, Susie!
Anyway, I'm just a camera nerd and found this particular article fascinating and it helped me to better understand exactly what the differences in sensor size really are. So that I can better explain it to the next person who asks. And this is what I'll tell them: It's not the size that matters, but how you use it.
LOL, cool article :) And great examples on why mommy can & you shouldn't LOL!!!
Posted by: Tina | March 19, 2009 at 07:50 PM
I totally understand the "why mommy can and kids can't" but as for the sensor thing... huh?
Posted by: Clair | March 19, 2009 at 08:06 PM
very nifty and informative!!! right there with ya on the mama know all bit!!!
Posted by: rani shah | March 19, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Its always about what you do with it!!!! You always make me smile Tina! :)
Posted by: Lisa Arnet | March 20, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Interesting, so which one would be the 40D crop?
Posted by: AmandaV | March 20, 2009 at 01:34 PM
That's cool, I never knew that! Thanks for sharing, Tina. :)
Posted by: Jess | March 20, 2009 at 05:09 PM
OK, I'm so not a camera person, and I'm not sure I understand everything you said about them, but the rest of your post made me laugh hard, and I thank you for that. Absolutely hysterical.
Posted by: Jennifer Larson | March 20, 2009 at 07:11 PM
OH my woman you crack me up.... and thanks for sharing I am a visual learner so I get it NOW...haha
Kat
Posted by: Katherine Haleen | March 20, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Michelle from Pinkle Toes did a cool comparison in her flickr stream awhile back, I"ll find it and e-mail you- it's way cool. THanks for sharing this cool find, TIna )
Posted by: Susie | March 21, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I wish I could say I understand the diagram/picture...but I don't. lol. As for the other questions, I really wouldn't have an answer but I like yours! :)
Posted by: Greta | March 21, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Hi Tina
I came by your blog after seeing your very sweet comment on the layout I posted at SC. Thanks.
I have been looking at your photos on your other blog. You're amazing! And you're self-taught (I saw that in the other thread on SC). Wow. I'm in awe.
I would like to improve my photo skills, and hope to take a short course soon (if I don't do it before this baby arrives it'll be another two years or so before I get another chance.) I don't have any plans to do it for a job/business, but I do take a lot of photos for friends at their children's b'day parties, etc. (for no charge, though everyone tells me I should)
Anyway, this was a long way of saying hi.
A-
Posted by: Artemis | March 22, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Oh. My. Gosh lady! You = FUNNY!!! "Because *I'm* the mama...THAT'S why!!" That's the line I feed my girls and it works. ;) Thanks for posting this. Before I was always like whaaaaaaa?? But now, thanks to you (*wink*), I get it! ;)
xoxoxo
Posted by: Christy | March 23, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Too funny. My little asked me if when he is a teenager can he say the "s" word. I said no. He wanted to know what if he was in his room alone can he say it? hahahaha
Posted by: Michelle StClair | March 24, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Omgosh - suddenly a light bulb goes off. This also explains why some people would say they prefer the 85 over the 50. It makes sense that on a full frame, I'd want the 85 but can enjoy similar photos with the 50 on my XT. And that extra Flicker link was a huge help too!
I have two spin-off questions for you then. Since you use a full-frame, do you ever have trouble with having to get too close to your subject to get what you want in the shot with your 50? I know sometimes I am trying to get too close and the lens won't focus. Does that happen to you?
and second question...
Do you see the differences in the viewfinder when using the camera? Or is it just seen in the produced image? So, if I have my 50 on my XT and stand in one spot and then put it on your 5D and stay in the same spot, the shot will actually look different in the viewfinder, yes?
Thanks Tina! I love a good visual example too! This was perfect!
Posted by: Ally | March 25, 2009 at 07:07 AM