Nikon DX "G" lenses

pmark23

pmark23

Veteran
Okay, so I've settled on an adapter, and am now deciding on lens system. Nikon seems to be the best choice as there's many to choose from second-hand.

Also, I can finally decide and purchase a new still camera (long overdue) -- Nikon -- because I can use the lens on the adapter as well.

HOWEVER, all of the lenses that come with Nikons are missing iris controls, for example the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX NIKKOR.

These lenses get good reviews, but are they for use only with digital cameras?
 
That's right, all Nikon lenses bearing the "DX" format logo are built and optimized optically for the 1.5x crop factor of Nikon APSC DSLR. This means that on full-frame DSLRs (like the Nikon D3) or any film SLRs, the lens will always show really strong vignetting. And it's not really such a pretty vignetting either as most DX lenses will have ugly CAs appearing around the extreme borders.

for 35mm adapters, I personnally suggest using anything but DX lenses, unless the extreme vignetting effect they give is what you're looking for. I tried both my 18-200 VR and 18-70 on my LetusXL, and appart from the center's sharpness which was dead on, results were dissapointing. The newer full-format Nikkor FX lenses are really great though, albeith very, very, VERY expensive! :-)
 
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Yeah, if you're buying lenses for your 35mm adapter, stay away from DX gear. I do happen to own a couple DX lenses that I got with my Nikon DSLR body, and I've used them on occasion with my adapter (an 18-55 and a 55-200). You have to put a little piece of rubber or something on the back of the lens where the aperture can be physically moved by hand. By doing so you lock it at whatever the widest aperture is, and then you can shoot with it, albeit with limited control. Another drawback to the DX lenses is you'll get a lot more vignetting, and the focus rings are generally pretty useless (the focus throw is really short so you go from infinity to macro in no time - makes focusing a real chore).
 
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