D700 lens compatibility

[-Rob-]

This morning I should be taking delivery of a D700 which I traded for a D300. This will be my first full frame camera.

I've heard a lot of debate about lens compatibility with full frame cameras but I've never really understood why there is a compatibility problem.

I can understand the bit about the wider field of view on wide angles but I don't own a wide angle any more so that's not a problem.

I currently have Nikon 24-70mm, 70-200mm and 50mm which I know are compatible and a Sigma 30mm f1.4 which I am assuming is compatible. Are all prime lenses full frame compatible?

I also have a cheapo Sigma 28-300mm which I'm assuming isn't compatible. What is it about the lens a FF camera combo that makes it incompatible?

 

[TCR4x4]

Its not incompatable as such, it will just vignette like crazy because the lenses arent designed for the larger sensor. The D700 has a auto crop mode, which will allow you to use non FX lenses without vignetting, but you will only get a 5MP image.

Nikon's crop lenses are designated DX. If its not DX, then it will work as intended on the D700. Sigma's FX lenses are DG.

 

[Ksanti]

The Sigma isn't compatible, the Sigma is a DC - Digital Crop lens.

Anything from Sigma branded "DC" doesn't have an imaging circle large enough to fill the sensor of the full frame D700, and anything from Nikon branded "DX" is the same.

From Sigma you need "DG" lenses to work, from Nikon you need "FX".

I wouldn't be too worried about the Sigma though, this move puts your Nikkor 50mm into basically the role of the 30mm f/1.4 before (c. 48mm equiv), and then you can sell the 30mm f/1.4 and get an 85mm f/1.8 or Nikon/Sigma 85mm f/1.4, as that will take the role that your Nikon 50mm performed on crop (75mm equivalent)

I also have a cheapo Sigma 28-300mm which I'm assuming isn't compatible. What is it about the lens a FF camera combo that makes it incompatible?

The Sigma 28-300 will work on full frame.

What makes it incompatible is the size of the image the lens forms, DX and DC lenses are meant to be used with the smaller APS-C sensors only, and when you put them on a full frame sensor, you end up with images like this:

 

[freecom2]

Full frame (in)compatibility is designated by DX in the 25 word lens name (35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX and whatever other letters Nikon's playgroup threw in) for official lenses, Di II for Tamron APS-C lenses and as said previously, DC for Sigma.