FX lens on DX body NIKON

[Fazi27]

Hi Guys,

I'm getting more and more confused with the types of lenses, especially when it comes to using FX lenses on DX body... I understand how it works the other way around, when FF Nikon body switch to crop mode when you attach fx lens.

So really, what my question really is - can I use fx lens on DX body? If so, what are the limitations and drawback? Also how to recognise lenses designed for FF only?

Thanks,

Mariusz

 

[freecom2]

Yes, you can. Basically any lens that isn't DX is technically an FX lens. You get no real limitations, in fact you get some of the advantages, since DX uses a smaller portion of the glass so if the performance on a piece of FX glass in the corners and edges isn't great on an FX body, it shows up less on a DX body with the smaller sensor. A classic example is the 70-200 f/2.8 VRI - on an FX body most people were unhappy with the performance outside the centre, but on a DX body the performance is regarded as much better across the frame.

The only drawback depends on what sort of focal length you like - and it could be an advantage. If you like wide-angles, the crop multiplication factor of 1.5x on a DX sensor means that a 28mm wide turns into a 42mm lens on a DX, which is far less wide, so that's a drawback. However, if you shoot long telephotos, a 200mm on DX would give you a 300mm equivalent focal length, so you effectively get an extender built in for free. That's why the pro DX bodies are popular with people who shoot long range, and then they often use an FX body for the 'normal' range stuff.

 

[StewartR]

How to recognise lenses:

Nikon - "DX" in the name means it's designed for DX bodies
Sigma - "DC" ditto
Tokina - "DX" ditto
Tamron "Di-II" ditto

Anything else is an FX lens. Though as freecom2 said, that doesn't really matter - on a DX body you can use ANY lens.

Remember also that focal length is focal length regardless of whetehr it's a DX lens or not. 70mm on a DX lens is the same as 70mm on an FX lens.

 

[freecom2]

Remember also that focal length is focal length regardless of whetehr it's a DX lens or not. 70mm on a DX lens is the same as 70mm on an FX lens.

Yeah, that's a good point actually. It's very difficult to try and accurately word the 35mm equivalent focal length thing - I've seen it tried and failed and it's just ended up in ultra boring thread arguments about field of view, measuring for lens characteristics that I've never heard of and so on! :bonk:

 

[Fazi27]

How to recognise lenses:

Nikon - "DX" in the name means it's designed for DX bodies
Sigma - "DC" ditto
Tokina - "DX" ditto
Tamron "Di-II" ditto

Anything else is an FX lens. Though as freecom2 said, that doesn't really matter - on a DX body you can use ANY lens.

Remember also that focal length is focal length regardless of whetehr it's a DX lens or not. 70mm on a DX lens is the same as 70mm on an FX lens.

Thanks for that Stewart, it certainly makes recognising the lenses much easier (especialy these days when there's so much symbols and numbers in the name of the lens).

Mariusz

 

[photon]

Current Nikkor FX autofocus lenses.

There aren't many fast (ƒ/2.8 and wider) DX lenses from Nikon, but 3rd-party manufacturers make provision. A possible drawback of the FX lenses is their size and weight.