Question about magnification factor...

[zrfraser]

I am thinking about switching from film to digital in the next year or so. I am probably going going to go with the Maxxum 5D but I was wondering about the crop factor. I know it has a factor of 1.5x, but I was curious are you able to notice the crop factor through the viewfinder. I know this is probably a easy question to answer for you digital guys.

Thanks-Zack

[poker]

My answer is yes and no.

You will see that your lenses are not the same lenses you are use to. I had to figure out my lenses after moving to digital from film due to the crop.

I say yes and no because:
YES, the view finder will show the new cropped relationship between your 35mm lens and the smaller digital camera sensor.


NO, (maybe it is just me) my situation on my Canon equipment is not WYSIWYG. I take a picture and the result on my LCD screen is wider than what I saw in the view finder.

Correct me if I'm wrong pros.

[greghalliday]

I'm not a pro, but the answer is yes (absolutely) and no (sort of). The image you see in the viewfinder is the same image you will see on the monitor and represents the cropped portion of the lens' image circle.

However, most viewfinders for consumer grade cameras (of which group the Maxxum 5D is a part) will not show a 100% viewfinder image. Most are between 90 and 96% coverage. So there will be some information included in the actual image that you will not see in the finder.

[Ronnoco]

Most are between 90 and 96% coverage. So there will be some information included in the actual image that you will not see in the finder.

Actually Minolta is at the high end, closer to 98%.

Ronnoco

[zrfraser]

Thanks guys,

I realized there wouldn't be 100% in the viewfinder, I am used to that with my Maxxum 70. I was just wondering about the magnification because I have a very limited knowledge of DSLR's. Thanks for answering my question, you guys are always right on the money.

Zack