Using DX lenses on 35mm film

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loplyg

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Rich
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Hi folks,

I bought myself a Nikon F80 body to stuff in my camera bag for the odd shot that I'd like to try on film. I usually shoot with a D300. The only full-frame lens I have is a 50/1.8, but I find it a bit boring to be honest.

I got the body for next to nothing just to play with and experiment, so I don't want to blow cash on lenses for it (yet), but I'd love to use my Sigma 10-20 DX on it.

Obviouslly I'm only going to get an image in the center of the film, but aside from the lost resolution is this really a problem? I'd happily take that and just crop out the DX-sized bit, I want the images to end up on the computer anyway.

My quesiton is will the camera fail to meter correctly because of this, and, will the photolab do something weird when I give them the roll to develop? Or have I missed something else all together?

One day I'll buy a D700 and all new lenses, and this won't be an issue... But untill then... :D
 
If you want to end up buying a D700 one day then FX lenses are the way to go.

Although you can use DX lenses on them as the camera then changes to DX format with them I'd say it's pointless to have a camera and using it to only part of it's ability.
 
chivers67 said:
If you want to end up buying a D700 one day then FX lenses are the way to go.

Although you can use DX lenses on them as the camera then changes to DX format with them I'd say it's pointless to have a camera and using it to only part of it's ability.
Click to expand...

an F80 doesn't have the option of going into DX mode - you'll just get serious vignetting - exactly the same as you would using a DX lens in FX mode on an FX camera
 
I have a F80 but haven't actually tried a DX lens on it :nuts:

I DID however try sticking an 18-55 kit lens on the D700 whilst forcing it into full frame mode. The idea was to demonstrate how bad it would be but it wasn't actually that bad! I did post a pick on here but I can't find it now!
 
dont waste money go straight for fx lens and see the differance.
 
boyfalldown said:
an F80 doesn't have the option of going into DX mode - you'll just get serious vignetting - exactly the same as you would using a DX lens in FX mode on an FX camera
Click to expand...
I was referring to the D700 that the OP said he might move to in the future
 
Not sure on the 10-20 but many DX lenses will work full frame at some focal lengths. I think the Nikon 12-24 is full frame from 18mm onwards. You wont damage anything by using them, as you say you will just have to crop some of the image off :)

Pete
 
Here are a couple of shots from a D700 with a 10-20 on the front in Fx mode. You can expect the same sort of result from an F80. Metering works fine if set to centre weighted but Matrix can get a little confuzzled if there's a lot of sky or shadow in the cropped out areas.

4050193432_d4abf7b263_o.jpg


4050193420_c84ef2c353_o.jpg
 
I never found the missing "18-55 kit lens on D700" images but basically they were full frame with some vignetting in the corners! Nowhere near like the Sigma above

BUT

Why bother? You can pick up a full frame Nikon film lens of a kit lens quality for peanuts on ebay so just buy one specifically for the F80. I have seen a Nikon EM with a 50mm f1.8 go for £25 inc postage recently.
 
You state that you already have a 50mm f1.8 lens but find it boring?
Personally I don't think you will find a better all round versatile quality lens to put on your F80.
And it will make you work that bit harder, it's a great discipline using one and you just might surprise yourself just what you can capture with this lens.
And as you can see from the above post you will be able to use your 10-20mm you will just need to crop the prints could make for some good panoramic images.
With regards to metering try centre weighted or spot you will probably find this more reliable especially C.W.
Get out and give it a try :)
 
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