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follow up - D800 in DX mode


chris_letts

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<p>Having created a stir with my last post (effectively 'will DX dissappear') I now need to pose a supplementary question: I have several decent DX lenses and I wouldn't want to fork out a huge amount of money to replace them immediately if I went for FX.<br>

It was suggested to use a D800 in DX mode, however I'm not entirely clear whether I'd be losing anything.<br>

Nikon quote 15 megapixels for the D800 in DX mode. That's actually better than my D200 so I'm not losing out there.<br>

I've heard that there may be vignetting problems using DX lenses on an FX camera - does that still apply if using DX mode ?<br>

Is vignetting in this case more of a problem on wide or tele lenses ? - I'm particularly keen not to have to replace my newish 200-500mm DX lens.</p>

 

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<p>DX mode on a FX body simply crops out the extra sensor area you gain with an FX sensor. If you lens does not vignette on your current body, it won't in DX mode on a FX body.</p>

<p>If you don't plan to upgrade your DX lenses in the very near future, you may be better off with a DX body upgrade like the D7000. </p>

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<p>Chris,<br>

I suggested in the previous thread since I'm in a similar position; I have 2 DX lenses I cannot afford to replace immediately, so the choice is adding a D700 and keeping the D300, or going for the D800 and use the DX mode while I save up to replace the DX lenses. Most of my lenses are FX, but for me it's especially the 16-85VR that I would miss - the 24-120 f/4VR is a logical replacement, but it costs too. Can't afford both at the same time, and the 24-120 on DX would be quite useless to me.<br>

So, I think both are valid paths, actually - it's not wasting money nor using wrong gear, in my view, but migrating slowly instead.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I've heard that there may be vignetting problems using DX lenses on an FX camera - does that still apply if using DX mode ?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>No more vignetting than you have now; in DX mode, the information is cropped to the size of a DX sensor.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>my newish 200-500mm DX lens</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I think you're safe there - there is no 200-500 DX lens. The Tamron 200-500 (if it is that one) is a FX lens.</p>

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<p>Why would you spend $3,000 on a camera and then shoot it in DX mode? Wouldn't it make a LOT more sense to just buy a D7000, which will likely give you very similar performance? Maybe even better at high ISO? I think it would be very unwise to buy a camera you don't have lenses for. Here's what's likely going to happen. By buying the camera first, you are paying the high introductory price just to have it even though you can't really use it to its full extent. Meanwhile, you can bet that the lenses you want will be increasing in price. You would be better off buying the lenses NOW, before almost certain price increases, and then buy the camera, which typically slacks off just a bit in price after the introductory first six months. AND another thing to think about. I'm not being very encouraged yet by what I've been reading about the D800 and higher ISO. Has anyone seen any images made with it at even ISO 800? It might turn out that it really sucks at anything over ISO 600, we don't really know yet. I continue to sit tight, waiting to see what ISO performance actually is at ISO 3200, and waiting to see if Nikon soon releases yet another camera that might be a much better fit for me. One example I can think of is that a Nikon D400 that shoots clean at ISO 3200 with 17mp might be a better fit for me than a D800 that doesn't do well above ISO 600. At any rate, I am counting the cost of the lenses I need as just part of the entire system and would rather buy lenses first because I think in the long run that would save me hundreds of dollars.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

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<p>You need to keep your images in the "Frame Lines" when shooting in DX mode. The Nikon D3 and the Nikon D700 bodies both have the dual-format capability. Some folks like it once in a while; others dislike it. Nikon engineered the camera to support both DX and FX images.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>Chris: What Kent said +1. Go for the glass right now ... let the introductory "dust" settle ... Also, if you want a lot of grins over image quality, start shooting Nikon's full frame lenses on a DX body, like a D7000, it will make you very happy and position you well for (maybe) an FX body of your choice in the future.</p>
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<p>"Also, if you want a lot of grins over image quality, start shooting Nikon's full frame lenses on a DX body, like a D7000,..."</p>

<p>Is the D7000 that much different from other DX Nikon camera bodies? Here's a shot taken with a D3100 and (gasp!) a FX Nikkor zoom lens. </p><div>00Zz41-440321884.jpg.2c39b9a35d7ae18e7b5e63a97af14554.jpg</div>

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<blockquote>

<p>"Why would you spend $3,000 on a camera and then shoot it in DX mode?"<br>

I can think of quite a few reasons:</p>

</blockquote>

<ul>

<li>If you have a car that is capable of 140mph how often would you use it at less than 70mph?</li>

<li>There are other features like twin memory cards and HD video which may also influence the decision to purchas</li>

<li>For casual shooting; why burden oneself with huge NEF files where it is not needed?</li>

<li>Faster frame rate for wildlife photography (just).</li>

<li>Longer reach for Tele Lenses. Yes I know I could crop; but If I am shooting a small bird from a distance, why would I need the extra background.</li>

<li>Shooting images that client wants for web use.</li>

<li>If you do not yet have a full set of FX lenses you might need DX until you can afford more.</li>

</ul>

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<blockquote>

<ul>

<li>There are other features like twin memory cards and HD video which may also influence the decision to purchas </li>

<li>For casual shooting; why burden oneself with huge NEF files where it is not needed? </li>

<li>Faster frame rate for wildlife photography (just). </li>

<li>Longer reach for Tele Lenses. Yes I know I could crop; but If I am shooting a small bird from a distance, why would I need the extra background. </li>

<li>Shooting images that client wants for web use. </li>

<li>If you do not yet have a full set of FX lenses you might need DX until you can afford more.</li>

</ul>

</blockquote>

<p>The D7000 has every one of those features. It was introduced at $1200 back in 2010 and before the Thai flood that shut down production, the D7000 was down to $1100 in early October, 2011. There is little doubt that once supply resumes to the normal level, the D7000's price will come back down to that level, if not lower. In fact, the D7000 can shoot 6 frames/sec native. The D800 is limited to 4 fps in FX, 5 fps in DX. You must add the MB-D12 with appropriate batteries to match the D7000's 6 fps in DX.</p>

<p>The point is that if you only intend to drive no faster than 70 mph, buy a car designed for that purpose. A car that is capable to go 140 mph involves a lot of costly desings and components to achieve such speed. If you have no intension to drive at such speed, it is not at all cost effective to buy a car that can go 140 mph.</p>

<p>In other words, if you do not yet have a decent set of FX lenses, I would say you are not ready to buy an FX body. Get your lenses first. DSLRs bodies will continue to get cheaper. I would expect decent discounts on the D800/D800E within months. Back in 2008, the D700 was announced on July 1 also at $3000. By the time I bought mine in September, there was already a $200 discount. Towards the end of 2008, it was down another $100 to $200.</p>

<p>It is perfectly fine to use DX crop occasionally on FX bodies; I too do that once in a while. But if you intend to use the DX crop the majority of the time or you do not yet have lenses that can take full advantage of the D800, at least in my opinion you are better off waiting a bit.</p>

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<p>As a "fine art" photographer who produces large prints; the additional D800 resolution will be of benefit to me without doubt.<br /> I planned to buy a D700 or its replacement earlier last year but due to the supply problems decided to wait. The D800 makes more sense to me than a D7000 as The D800 is dual purpose and far more versatile than a D700. Price is less of an issue; but lack of availability of the camera will mean I wont be purchasing just yet.</p>

<p> </p>

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