Skip to main content

Crop factor, what is it?

Cropping refers to the removal of the outer parts of an image. Crop factor is depending on the size of a digital camera image sensor. The smaller the sensor size, the high the crop factor will be. The crop factor is actually a ratio between a camera sensor size and a 35 mm film frame size (also known as full-frame format). Some professional DSLRs use full-frame sensors, equal to the size of a frame of 35 mm film (the price of cameras with this format can be very expensive. A higher crop factor is useful for macro and zoom-in photography. To get the full advantage of this high crop factor, a higher sensor pixel count is required so that the detail of the object will be captured. On the other hand, a smaller crop factor is useful for landscape photography or to exaggerate perspective especially for wide angle lenses. Most consumer-level SLRs use sensors of a frame of APS-C film, with a crop factor of 1.5 (Nikon DX’s, Sony alpha’s, Konica Minolta’s, Pentax’s Fuji’s DSLRs) to 1.6 (Canon’s entry level). Cameras that are made by Olympus and Panasonic usually use smaller sensors with a crop factor of 2.0. Canon's APS-H format for high-speed pro-level DSLRs has a crop factor of 1.3) and Leica's M8 and M8.2 sensor has a crop factor 1.33.

Full frame format....the rectangular shape denotes the 1.6 crop factor format

Similar image take from similar spot with a 1.6 crop factor format camera
Why we need to know about this crop factor? What is relationship between crop factor and the focal length of a lens? Let say you are using Nikon D90 with a crop factor of 1.5, the lens attached to this camera has a focal length range between 18 to 55 mm. The images that you will capture are actually at focal range of 18x1.5 to 55x.15 mm which is equivalent to 27 to 82.5 mm. Means that the object appears to be larger. As such, the 18 mm end of the lens that is said to be wide angle is not really wide angle (as this is equivalent to 27mm). If the attached lens has a focal length of 300mm zoom capacity, then with the Nikon D90, you will actually able to capture an object at 450mm (300x1.5) zoom. This is an advantage for zooming. Overall, when you want to by a new lens, think about what type of images that you are trying to capture and the effect of crop factor too.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Converting Bedside Table to a Portable Wash-Stand (IKEA Hack)

What to do if a ready made furniture is not able to fit in the space that is available? Your choice will be either build a customised furniture or hacking a furniture for a different purpose. Hacking a furniture will cut almost 70% of the work required to build a customised furniture from zero.  Here, I share a step-by-step process on one of my DIY weekend projects converting bedside table to portable wash-stand. What will be required for this project? Tools (e.g. saw, metal ruler, hand drill), sand paper and brushes for wood work, base furniture to be hacked, water-resistant paint and metal knob. STEP 1. Get some ideas on the design and materials by visiting several furniture galleries/shops. For example here, the idea was from an IKEA wash basin base cabinet, Lillangen. The material mainly particleboard, which might not be that suitable for Malaysian humidity and bathroom practice. For that reason, I choose solid wood material the project. The dimension of the IKEA cab
8 comments
Read more

The Town of Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

The time available for me to explore the Town of Reading was limited, as my worktrip was quite packed with formal meetings at the University of Reading and vis it to hospital and community establishments. Reading is located on the west of Heathrow Airport for about 26 miles and Greater London for about 42 miles. The Town Hall of Reading with grey and red bricks Lets go to the main landmarks of Reading. The first one is Reading Town Hall. The building was built between1786 and 1897. Currently, the town hall is used as Reading Museum and a large concert hall. Actually, the frontage was newly built with grey and red bricks, and terracota ornaments. The new facelift included the clock tower. Sadly however, the building suffered severe air raid in 1943. The latest refurbishement was completed in the year of 2000. On the southside of the town hall, you can see a dominant tower like structure that is the St Laurence’s Church. The Reading Town Hall, a vi
Post a Comment
Read more

Before you snap here and there, know your lens first

Oppsss! I think I should introduce the lens, camera parts and photographic terms first before going to image composition. This time, I just want to share and introduce the terms and parts of lens. It is applicable for whatever lenses especially for the DSLR camera. The different will only be the terminology or abbreviation used by the specific manufacturer. Lenses can be categorized to many types such at wide angle, standard, prime and zoom. Each type of lenses have specific features and is used for specific purpose. For example, wide angle lenses are usually used for scenery/landscape and narrow space photography. Each lens will be marked with zooming distance (look at the numbers which ended with mm; see photo bellow). This number will gives you some ideas about the width of view when a photo is captured. A number less that 35mm can be considered as wide angle, the 50 - 55mm as normal lens, and the 75 mm and above as zoom lens. Wide angle lens will highlight the perspective of an
4 comments
Read more