1.3X and 1.6X Crop Modes on New 5Ds

[expatinasia]

I am not very technical, so could someone kindly explain what the crop modes on the two new 5D cameras do, how they affect the image and how would that differ in IQ from using a TC (1.4 or 2) etc?

Is this something that is likely in the 1D X Mark II? Or is it really only feasible with very high MPs?

Thanks.

 

[Marsu42]

I am not very technical, so could someone kindly explain what the crop modes on the two new 5D cameras do, how they affect the image and how would that differ in IQ from using a TC (1.4 or 2) etc?

Unlike "downscaled" current s/m-raw (which aren't really "raw" anyway) the new modes most likely really crop the center part of your frame.

The big improvement is that you still get a full raw file, but simply with smaller file size. For current gen 20mp cameras this isn't that important, but if your cr2 sizes are 60mb too much junk data hurts if you're "reach limited", i.e. your lens is too short for what you shoot. I'm sure you'll also be able to sustain full fps longer as the camera's buffer isn't filled as fast.

 

[Bruce Photography]

Rarely when doing BIF shots does a single bird fill the frame. If you can use a smaller, lighter, and less expensive lens and get the best parts of the lens, the edges probably wouldn't have any part of the bird anyway. On Nikon I like the 5:4 format because shooting events I don't have to turn the camera vertical when doing hand held shots because it is similar to the old 2 1/4 Rolliflex I used to shoot at such things. Anyway another tool in the tool chest.