If you have made, or are thinking about making, the jump from a Nikon DX camera (digital SLR with the smaller imaging chip) to a "full frame" FX camera, you might be wondering about using your lenses. This info applies to Nikon, but I'd love to hear from Canon users on their experiences.The DX lenses you have, whether they are "kit" lens that came with your camera, or if you upgraded to the 17-55mm 2.8 lens, are all useable with your new FX camera. HOWEVER, there is a price: If you put on a lens, such as the 17-55mm on your new Nikon D700, you'll see a box in your viewfinder. This is a cropped view of the overall image in your viewfinder. This is what you get when using a DX lens on an FX camera.
Because the lens was designed to project the image onto a smaller chip than what you are now using, it is doing just that: projecting the image on to the middle part of your imaging sensor. The result is a tighter image than what you'd otherwise get. I'm sure there is a direct multiplier, and it might be 1.5x, but I'm not sure. That would be close. So if you were looking at an object with your lens set to 20mm, you'll be recording an image that is the same if it had been taken with a 30mm lens. A bit tighter.
There is one other drawback; the resultant image file is smaller since you're recording less info. Again, using the Nikon D700 as an example, instead of the normal 12 megapixel image, you end up with about a 6 megapixel image. The reviews I've read, and I tend to agree, is that it is a far better image than you'd expect from a mere 6 megapixel photo. I've uploaded a sample image of a sailboat race. I was able to get close to them and shot this photo at 17mm. Still a nice wide image with good color depth and wide gamut.
So what lenses work with an FX camera? Well, all of them. Remember that the sensor on an FX camera is the same as a 35mm FILM camera. So dust off your old film lenses. And when you get a chance, look at the newest lenses that have the best communications with your very powerful digital camera. Oh and if you bought the excellent Nikon 70-200 mm 2.8 VR lens, it is a perfect match with your new FX camera. And it is a good thing you bought it when you did because when Nikon released the D700, they flew off the shelves.
Conclusion: You've made the investment to go to a full frame FX camera. Congratulations. You're DX lenses will work in the short term, but when you can, you'll benefit from upgrading to the many many Nikon lenses that will work with it.
Hope this helps,
Mark Duehmig
Mark Duehmig Photography
http://www.EncompassPhotography.com
410-263-2622
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