What is it about full frame?!

Okay - so for some reason I feel like I'm shorting myself by not having a full frame camera. A friend of mine has a 5D MKII, and even "snap shots" with it just seem to have a certain something I can't describe, but that my 60D lacks. There is just a look, a feel, or better yet a feeling i get when viewing images from that camera.

Can someone explain WHY these images have this "look". I realize the sensor is much bigger, BUT are there other factors in the electronics, processing, pixel density etc. I mean, isn't the technology of the 5D MKII old by comparison to my 60D? Even the 5D Classic photos just look different to me.

Finally - what is the difference between the 5D MK II and some of the 1 Series cameras? I've tried to research older 1 Series as a way to get into full frame, but I don't fully understand the different models, what the "S" means, and what the target audience of each 1 series camera is? I like doing more portrait work, and I have a 1.5 year old daughter. I do have some studio lights and back grounds as well, but I prefer being outside. I also didn't know if a 5D classic or older 1D body might just feel "old"? I also worry about buying a used one and having something break the day after I get it...

Thanks!

Not all 1 series are full frame. There are the 1D and the 1Ds (and now the 1Dx). The "S" stands for studio and those are full frame.

As for why they have the look... not sure really... I sometimes have difficulty distinguishing my 7D shots from my 5D shots in certain situations.

My eye is probably not as trained as most on this forum, but I usually can not tell the difference unless (A) it was a high ISO shot, or (B) I have to "push" the exposure in post, or (C) I start cropping in post. I know some people can see DNR differences, but my eye just isn't that good (unless someone points it out!)

For a similarly framed shot, you'll also get less DOF with a FF compared to an APS-C sensor (roughly equivalent to 1-1.3 stops less, I think I recall someone saying).

For me, my main reasons for preferring FF are:

(1) I prefer the FOV of my lenses on a FF
(2) I enjoy being able to push ISO above 800 and have it be usable
(3) I enjoy being able to "crop the snot" out of a pic taken on a FF

1 stop DOF advantage.... that would be where the pop comes. Subject separation = pop

Charlie - are you saying that shooting a lens at f 2.8 on my 60d will have the same depth of field as f4 on the full frames? No wonder!

Buchinger wrote in post #14238332
Charlie - are you saying that shooting a lens at f 2.8 on my 60d will have the same depth of field as f4 on the full frames? No wonder!

Yes

^ EDIT: Wow, never knew that. I know exactly what you mean, Buchinger

Wow, is this right?

I just went FF. Now 50mm is 50mm and f2.8 is f2.8. Period. Can't wait until Friday!

Razeus wrote in post #14238434
I just went FF. Now 50mm is 50mm and f2.8 is f2.8. Period. Can't wait until Friday!

You will NOT be disappointed.

For me it was the lens selection. There is no wide fast prime for a crop. And no 70-200mm f/2.8 IS equivalent (until just now )

the full frame will have more background blur and more of the subject in focus than the same lens on a crop body. It's why a person tends to pop out from the back ground a little more on those. It is especially noticeable with fast, wide primes like the 24L or 35L.

Brandsanity wrote in post #14238350
^ EDIT: Wow, never knew that. I know exactly what you mean, Buchinger

Wow, is this right?

Yes this is correct. DOF is smaller on full frame.

DOF is NOT smaller on full frame! It is exactly the same. The only perceived difference is when the subject is the same size in the frame you have to be zoomed more on full frame. DOF @ 50mm f/1.4 is exactly the same on both cameras, you just get a different view from the same place.

judahchoi wrote in post #14238633
Yes this is correct. DOF is smaller on full frame.

But isn't that only if you foot zoom to maintain the same composition? The full frame camera would be closer to the subject to get the same FOV, altering the perspective.

mike_d wrote in post #14238687
But isn't that only if you foot zoom to maintain the same composition? The full frame camera would be closer to the subject to get the same FOV, altering the perspective.

Yes, DOF is only changed from a crop camera to a full frame if you frame the shot the same way. The DOF then changes because you have either zoomed more on the full frame than you did on the crop, or you decreased your camera to subject distance.