future of dx lenses?

poopnoodle

poopnoodle

Active member
i was considering the arduous task of saving up for the nikon 18-200, but then i did some reading about the chopped frame (which as far as i know is what the DX lenses are built to accomidate), and i was wondering about the camera i was going to buy after my d80 has its viking funeral. it seems like the digital market uses film (quality-wise and sometimes format) as a benchmark, always trying to equal or beat it, so does that mean the full frame (as supported by the d3) will eventually become the standard? if so what happens to the dx lens users when they choose to upgrade? will there always be a DX and an FX version available?

thanks,
-brad
 
I've wondered about the same thing. My thought is at very least that they will begin to use the full frame in cameras like the D300 and other prosumer cameras at some point. The best investment you can make is in your glass anyway, not your body. The glass will most likely last through various bodies.

My personal thought is, if it cost less than $500 and will make a big difference to you....who cares if it is FX or DX. If I'm spending over $1000, you betcha I'm gonna make sure it's FX. That lens will be with me till the day it doesn't mount. Plus then you can get you a good F100 and shoot film too. Every real photographer should still have their film slr. I still use my Minolta X700 and love it.

Anyway, I'm off topic. Yes I think things will eventually migrate to FX cameras....so I think it is wise to invest in FX lenses if you are spending major $$$.
 
thanks for the reply dan, after reading about the side-effects of having a standard lens on a "chopped frame" camera it seemed that once a camera came out with a full frame sensor it would become the standard after that point (or soon after).

-brad
 
I don't believe full frame will make it's way down to the consumer or prosumer market for two reasons:

1. Prosumer cameras such as the XT or D40 are primarily bought by people who have the money to spend on a good camera but don't really know much about photography. Focusing on a full frame is really going to be an issue for those consumers.

2. Sports and wildlife photographers appreciate the extra reach a 1.5x cropped sensor will give them on their telephoto lenses. Just look at photographers who cover the Superbowl. They have two cameras by their side. No doubt one of them is full frame with a wide lens and the other is a 1.5x with a telephoto.

It's true full frame is better for low light but not everyone looks at full frame as superior some people want the DOF or want the reach.

That being said I would still invest in full frame glass since they are interchangeable between full frame and cropped sensors.
 
You also take a major MP hit. I think the D3 crop mode makes a 6MP image vs a 12MP (or whatever it is, I'm going off memory). So you are now using your $5000 D3 do the same thing you can do with your $450 D40. I don't know anyone that would actually use this feature as a realistic or workable alternative.

It's just one of those things. If you buy all FX, it might cost more but it will work on all your cameras. If you buy DX, it will work on all your DX cameras. And there are some awesome DX lenses too. Since I can't afford any of them right now I will continue to dream!
 
Which brings up the question:
Do you think the average consumer cares about the lens factor? And do they even understand what exactly it is vs full frame?
 
CharlieG said:
Which brings up the question:
Do you think the average consumer cares about the lens factor? And do they even understand what exactly it is vs full frame?
Click to expand...

True, but we here are not the typical consumer customer. Some of use are even pro customers. That said, I hope full frame becomes the standard some day.
 
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