The Final Word on Sensors
Derek Smith • 8 August 2022
Nuthatch
Photo By: Derek Smith - Sony A7ii, FE 70-300mm, f/6.3, ISO 640, 1/100
Bee
Photo By: Derek Smith - Fuji XT3, XF 16-80mm, f/6.4 ISO 80, 1/100
Robin
Photo By: Derek Smith - Fuji XT3, XF 70-300mm, f/8, ISO 800, 1/280
Nuthatch
Photo by: Derek Smith - Olympus EM5iii, Olympus 40-150mm + x2 telecon, f/6.3, ISO 1000, 1/250
For me personally a camera with an APS-C sensor is the sweet spot for size, weight, cost, and performance. An APS-C camera usually has a kit lens with a typical focal length of 16-50mm, equating to the 24-70mm typical focal length of a full frame camera kit lens, because the APS-C sensor is smaller than the full frame sensor, the focal length of a lens will be 1.5 times smaller (1.6 times for Canon sensors) to obtain the same field of view.
For lenses I like to have a zoom lens of approximately 16-50mm, and a telephoto lens of 50-300mm, also I do like my fixed focal length lenses, these are called prime lenses, and a photographer can always use a “nifty fifty” 50mm lens, which in APS-C terms becomes a 35mm focal length, with a wide aperture of f/1.2 – f/2.0 for use in low light situations. Many photographers like a selection of prime lenses a typical trio of prime lenses would be 35mm, 50mm, 85mm in full frame terms, that’s 23mm, 35mm, 56mm in APS-C terms.
Nikon, has three APS-C mirrorless cameras, (which are termed as DX) the Nikon Z30, Z50, and the retro styled Zfc. DX Z mount lenses are as follows: 16-50mm, 18-140mm, 50-250mm, however for prime lenses only full frame are currently available, so not a bad start for a relatively new format.
Canon has recently introduced the APS-C Canon R7 which appears to be a professional standard camera, and can be purchased with the RF-S 18-45mm, or the RF-S 18-150mm lens, which should be good for travel. Again, currently no dedicated RF-S prime lenses, but the RF 35mm f/1.8 macro, and the RF 50mm f/1.8 can be used on this camera. For wildlife photography the RF 100-400mm could be a good match for this camera. Now that Canon have chosen to introduce an RF mount APS-C camera, questions inevitably arise over the future of the APS-C M mount system of cameras, and lenses.
Sony has three APS-C mirrorless cameras the A6100, A6400, and the A6600. I fervently believe that Sony dropped the ball on their APS-C offering, considering the Sony NEX 7 was introduced in 2011, with the E mount 16-50mm, and the 55-210mm zoom lenses. The basic rangefinder design of the camera has hardly altered in 11 years!!, still not very ergonomic, in fact the NEX 7 had more controls than its A6000 successor. I used the Sony NEX 3N, the A6000, and the A6300 extensively for a number of years, the auto focus was amazing, possibly even bettering some modern cameras, but the lack of lenses, and poor ergonomics led me to leave the brand. Sony APS-C lens development stagnated, with the R&D development budget used to develop the full frame A7 series of cameras, and lenses. Third party manufacturers Sigma, and Tamron filled the gaps in the APS-C lens line-up early on, and only now is Sony beginning to fill the gaps. Placed alongside the A6100 though, the Nikon Z50, the Fuji XT30, and Fuji X-S10 APS-C cameras all represent improved handling and a better range of native lenses at a similar price point.
Fuji, well where do you start? Fuji X-E4, XT30ii, XT4, X-S10, X-H2S, all APS-C cameras plus a full range of native lenses, in my very humble opinion the king of APS-C.
Images posted with this blog, Nuthatch taken with the Sony A7ii, and with the Olympus E-M5iii. The Bee, and Robin taken with the Fuji XT3.
Clearly the full frame sensor has greater dynamic range, but photographic skills, use of lighting, and choice of lenses will best any advantage that can be obtained from a larger sensor.
The answers to the “Summer Fun Quiz”
A-Monica Olympus O-MD E-M5iii, with Sigma 30mm micro four thirds system at f/5.6
B-Heather Apple iPhone SE
C-Marika Fuji XT20, with XF50mm f/2.0 APS-C system at f/4
D-Ruby Sony A7ii, with Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 at f/3.5 full frame system
My personal favourite portrait is Ruby, but I don’t believe that this is entirely due to the sensor. Ruby was positioned in the centre of the room, some distance away from an east facing window with net curtains diffusing the light, and the pose strengthens the image. Next favourite is Monica, this time positioned close to the window in full sun, choosing the f/5.6 aperture to control the light, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens (60mm full frame equivalent) was my lens of choice for portraits on micro four thirds, strangely I never took to the 25mm focal length (50mm full frame equivalent). The portrait of Marika was taken with the Fuji XF 50mm f/2.0 lens (75mm full frame equivalent), this was my first outing with the lens, I enjoy the focal length, better than the 85mm full frame lens, the pose, and lighting could have been improved to create a more stunning image.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.
A visit to Whitby for a sunset picture didn't quite go to plan. Unknown to me today is the last day of the Whitby Regatta. Whitby in the summer is usually busy, but today it rivaled Time Square in New York. My planned shoot of the East Pier was a non-starter because for tonight only there's a fun fair along West Pier where I planned to shoot from. I had to re-think and resort to plan b, which was also a non-starter because the East Pier was closed as it was packed with fireworks. Plan c was OK though and I got an image I'm pleased with.
I've been up to RSPB Bempton Cliffs this week, and have taken some excellent photographs, the weather was fine, and the lighting was less harsh than usual. This pair were on the cliff top, obviously well established, and saw off this interloper trying to muscle in on their space, those beaks look very vicious. I hope that everyone else is having a productive summer break.
For club interaction, we are invited to these NELPS photo shoots. So lets start this club interaction, NELPS are now on there summer break, but it does not stop there. The NELPS club president has put together some outdoor photo shoots:- Lincoln 5th Aug meet at the Cathedral 11am Not forgetting the photo exhibition by Lincoln Camera Club in the Usher Gallery! Chambers Farm Wood & Butterfly Farm 12th Aug meet at 10am. Peoples Park Grimsby 19th Aug meet at 10am. Trolley Bus Museum Sandtoft 26th Aug meet at 10am Cadwell Park 10th Aug motorbikes, 24th Aug cars and both are track days so free to get in.
Sutton & Trusthorpe Camera Club have their annual Exhibition at the Meridale Hall, Sutton on Sea, on 29th / 30th August. Drink and a Home-made cake only £3!
