Confused by Nikons lense categories

PixelTrawler

As a Canon user and someone considered a 5D MKII sometime early next year, I'm also not ruling out a total switch to D700 and nikkor lenses... however I'm a bit confused about lenses

(working out prices and budget at the moment - its between these two)

They have Af and Af-S lenses but its not totally obvious which lenses are geared for the FX sensor only (unlike the EF and EF-S canon designations which is pretty straightforward)

Is the -S to do with crop or auto-focus method

Also is it true the Nikon FX's can go into a DX mode (with limitations?)

I've been searching around but its hard to get a clear answer and it doesnt help that there seems to be something up with Nikon US and UK sites at the moment, they are really slow

Is it basically a case that lenses marked with DX are crop lenses?

Also maybe someone could be really nice and point out the Nikkor versions of the following Canon lenses (for FX sensor size)

EF 24-105 f/4 L
EF 17-40 f/4 L
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS

edit - looking here (forgot about this site) - if its not marked DX - its a full frame lense?

pete4130

I use Nikon and any lens with DX on it is a cropped sensor lens as far as I can tell. AF-S lenses have a built in motor for AF and are capable of focusing faster than regular AF lenses.

Edit: most if not all non DX lenses will work fine with crop sensors too.

PixelTrawler

Nice one, that clears up the -S

Thirdfox

Any lens with DX is a DX lens - meaning it will only work in crop mode on a FX camera. Everything else will work fully with full-frame. e.g. D3 will work in DX mode too (kinda like mounting EF-S lenses on the 5D) - you get only 5mp though.

EF 24-105 f/4 L
EF 17-40 f/4 L
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS
becomes (Nikon don't really do the f4 constants...)

Nikon 24-105 3.5/4.6 AFS VR

no particular exact match - 17-35 f2.8? or 17-55 f2.8 or Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF?

70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

PixelTrawler

Thirdfox,

Thats great, thanks!

(I guess I was expecting to see FX in the lense name, so was a bit confused)

Thirdfox

That's the beauty of the F-mount - it's been going for over 30 years now and nearly every lens produced in that mount will still be useable on the camera so that's why DX lenses are the modern "exceptions" rather than the rule. And even they work in crop mode.

There's some great glass from the AI and AIS era too - you'll have to use manual focus with those though. Auto-exposure is possible with those lenses.

edit: oh - sorry, I just noticed that the 17-55 is a DX lens so not what you're looking for (I use a DX camera so I don't generally take notice of this...)

DaireQuinlan

Thirdfox wrote: »

There's some great glass from the AI and AIS era too - you'll have to use manual focus with those though. Auto-exposure is possible with those lenses.

Although this is dependent on the camera you're using. None of the consumer level nikon dslrs will meter with old ais glass, if you're going FX though i presume you're getting a D700 or D3 so that oughn't to be a problem.

Thirdfox

Well OP had stated that he? was looking at the D700... I believe all FX cameras can meter with AI lenses.

But only the DX D40-60 class can use the pre-AI lenses (meaning bargain prices for good old glass).

PixelTrawler

My heads starting to melt

Total switch is looking (more) expensive... but we'll see what the reviews of both are like over the next few weeks...

melekalikimaka

Thirdfox wrote: »

Well OP had stated that he? was looking at the D700... I believe all FX cameras can meter with AI lenses.

But only the DX D40-60 class can use the pre-AI lenses (meaning bargain prices for good old glass).

what sorta stuff is about pre ai? what ya do bout metering?

Thirdfox

My pre-AI lens is from 1976 - so 30+ year old lenses are probably pre-AI
like this one:


I meter with my eye (and maybe consult with the histrogram every once in a while) - I'm remarkably close to correct most of the time.

All metal lens, focus ring is a pleasure to use - hyperfocal distance scales etched into the lens, infra-red focus dot, aperture ring...these things were all standard back then and gone now

AnimalRights

Solyad wrote: »

My heads starting to melt

Total switch is looking (more) expensive... but we'll see what the reviews of both are like over the next few weeks...

I agree with the melt...

and for the switch..
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=30279489

5D mk II has now beaten or matched the D700 in the last 3 tests I've read on DP review for ISO.

eas

Thirdfox wrote: »

Any lens with DX is a DX lens - meaning it will only work in crop mode on a FX camera. Everything else will work fully with full-frame. e.g. D3 will work in DX mode too (kinda like mounting EF-S lenses on the 5D) - you get only 5mp though.

Just for the sake of being clear for the OP - a DX lens will work on an FX camera in either FX or DX mode. The thing to consider is that you won't get full use of the focal lenght of the lens without severe vignetting on the wider portion of the lens.

For example, I can use my 12-24 dx lens on my d3 in fx mode. But from 12-16 mm the vignetting is considerable. From 17-24 it's absolutely fine and still used.

PixelTrawler

AnimalRights wrote: »

I agree with the melt...

and for the switch..
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=30279489

5D mk II has now beaten or matched the D700 in the last 3 tests I've read on DP review for ISO.

Thanks AR

Pretty impressive from both - exceeding the A900 and 1ds by that shot but theres definitely something weird about the d700 at 1600 and 3200 - the noise looks softened or blurred... (especially around text)

Although there some noise in the 5D shots it looks sharper... I think I prefer the 5D in that one... and its high iso performance thats one of the big attractions for the switch to FF

(if i tried to use my 40D at 3200 iso it looks like a pixel puzzle!)

wasper

Solyad wrote: »

As a Canon user and someone considered a 5D MKII sometime early next year, I'm also not ruling out a total switch to D700 and nikkor lenses... however I'm a bit confused about lenses

(working out prices and budget at the moment - its between these two)

They have Af and Af-S lenses but its not totally obvious which lenses are geared for the FX sensor only (unlike the EF and EF-S canon designations which is pretty straightforward)

Is the -S to do with crop or auto-focus method

Also is it true the Nikon FX's can go into a DX mode (with limitations?)

I've been searching around but its hard to get a clear answer and it doesnt help that there seems to be something up with Nikon US and UK sites at the moment, they are really slow

Is it basically a case that lenses marked with DX are crop lenses?

Also maybe someone could be really nice and point out the Nikkor versions of the following Canon lenses (for FX sensor size)

EF 24-105 f/4 L
EF 17-40 f/4 L
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS

edit - looking here (forgot about this site) - if its not marked DX - its a full frame lense?

This chap in Malaysia has an extensive details about older camera & lenses
that might give you help to understand.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/

CabanSail

My DSLR's are Nikon & that is because I have been in that system since the 70's. It's because I have the gear going back ages that I have stayed with them. Back then it was a choice between Nikon & Olympus (maybe Pentax) with Canon making Photocopiers.

If I were starting out fresh I would now be looking at Nikon or Canon as they are the two big systems. I am not really sure which way I would go. I am not Brand Loyal as when looking for a Compact I did choose a Canon G9.

There would really have to be a good reason to switch from one of the big systems to the other as they are really so equal. I can only really see an arguement for switching from one of the "other" systems if they do not support the area of photography in which you specialise.

PixelTrawler

Thats a good point but at this stage I'm early in my gear hoarding!

The only FF lense I have at the mo is a 50mm f/1.4

The rest are all canon or sigma crop lenses. One option I was looking at was selling the lot cameras and lenses (except the 50MM) and moving everything full frame so if I'm ever going to switch it would be now.

The other option is to keep the 40D and some of the crop lenses and just sell my 400D and one of two lenses, which leaves me gives me some cash towards the 5D and a decent backup camera - which is probably the best option.