Amateur ready to buy dSLR who can't get over the crop/FF sensor issue...

[Tallison]

I'm a complete amateur whose experience is all with 35mm SLRs (the Pentax K1000 workhorse, actually).

Since I'm not rich and don't make money from this hobby, the Nikon D70 vs. Canon EOS 20D seem so far the most "sensible" options. There are a variety of minor issues I have with each model, but the dealbreaker for both is their lack of full frame sensors.

Am I overrating this issue? Compounding my pause is the fear that by this time next year, all consumer-priced dSLRs will feature FF sensors for the same price I'm ready to spend now.

How deleterious to a camera's quality-image producing capability is a 1.5x 1.6x crop factor?

In the meantime, I dream of the Canon EOS 5D, which it will be this time next decade before I can afford.

Thanks ahead for ANY feedback! :hi:

[priller]

1. I don't think FF sensor is a big issue

There's not really much difference between a Canon 5D and a Nikon D200, for example, in terms of image quality. Anyway, compared to film, I think you'll probably find all DSLR sensors a bit lacking. They still don't have the dynamic range or the resolution of quality film.

What you gain with digital is convenience, instant feedback, the whole computer post-processing thing, no more buying film, easy and good quality prints with no smelly chemicals, etc.

by this time next year, all consumer-priced dSLRs will feature FF sensors for the same price I'm ready to spend now

No, that's not going to happen. I don't believe Nikon is going to come out with a FF sensor at all, they've publicly stated many times they have standardized on the "DX" size sensor have no FF plans. The Canon 5D will certainly drop in price, but no where near the 20D level.

[bvar22]

2. I agree with priller.

The cropped digital sensors are here to stay.
Both Canon and Nikon are spending their money developing the Digital lenses that work specifically with these sensors.
If they had plans to go to full sized sensors, I don't believe we would be seeing the development of the Dx lenses.

[Tallison]

4. Oooh, you might have to educate me more...

:wipes forehead:

One of the things I love and hate about photography is that I'll be 80 and still feel ignorant about it.

Okay, Dx lenses refer to what, exactly? Are certain lenses compatible with only certain size sensors?

Last night I finally adopted a Nikon D70. One of the appeals of Nikon is the company's relatively stable lens interchangeability among models, so that if I decided to upgrade bodies in a few years, the money I've spent on glass in the meantime (I'm an f/2.8 or larger max junkie) will hopefully continue to work on future models.

To what extent am I deluded about this?

[Tallison]

3. That's reassuring,

As the 5D is way out of my price range, and I don't expect to make money from the investment.

Last night, after two months of analysis paralysis and agony, I became the proud parent of a Nikon D70 and a Tamron 28-70mm F/2.8 CPU lens, and am pretty thrilled. God knows, after looking over the orientation guide, it'll be this time next year before I'm familiar with what the D70 can really do. :7

Thanks for your feedback!