How do I know if my lenses will work with a full frame sensor camera

[bigheadkyle2]

I am going to get a Nikon D90 and some lenses and I was watching a video on the internet that said that some lenses that work on a crop sensor camera will not work on a full frame sensor so how do I know if they will. I don't plan on getting anything more than the D90 for a long time unless something happens but I would just like to know so maybe I can find a comparable lens so that if I ever do I won't just have to throw that money away.

 

[Breaux]

Each manufacturer has its own designations, but for Nikon, lenses marked DX will only work for crop sensor. If the DX is not in the title, it's a full-frame lens.

 

[bigheadkyle2]

Oh ok thanks. None of the ones I had on my list are DX lenses so I should be good to go. By the way the Nikon is a 1.5 crop sensor isn't it?

 

[Breaux]

The Nikon D90 is a crop sensor. Here's a good website to get all the specs and reviews: Nikon D90 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

 

[KmH]

Nikon, lenses marked DX will only work for crop sensor.

That information is not correct.

Nikon DX lenses project an image circle that is only large enough to illuminate an APS-C size image sensor, not the larger full size image sensor.

Nikon DX lenses are 100% functional on a Nikon full frame camera, but Nikon full frame cameras have an automatic, default feature that detects a DX lens has been mounted, and then only uses the central APS-C image sensor sized portion of the full frame image sensor (about 5.2 MP for the D700 ande D3s).

On Nikon's full frame camera's, that automatic, default DX detection feature can be turned off. However, any DX lens used will not project an image circle sufficiently large to prevent vignetting of the full frame image sensor. How much vignetting each DX lens will produce varies by lens and lens focal length. Some DX lenses can almost use the entire full frame image sensor.

The D90 can use both DX and FX (full frame) Nikon lenses.

 

[Breaux]

I did not realize that the full crop cameras could do that. I stand corrected. Thanks!

 

[djacobox372]

I wouldn't worry about it--lenses don't lose much value, if you end up buying a FF camera later you can just sell your DX lenses--if you buy your lenses used, you will often break even.

FF lenses are bigger, heavier, and more expensive then DX lenses.

 

[bigheadkyle2]

Yeah thanks for all the help. It turns out none of the ones I was looking at were DX lenses but using the DX lens on the FF camera for a vignette might could produce some cool effects.

 

[mrpink]

FF lenses are bigger, heavier, and more expensive then DX lenses.

Not exactly.


IMG_1515 by Matt Francosky, on Flickr

On your left, Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 DX glass- about $1200. On the right, Nikkor 50mm 1.8- about $100. I will let you guess which one weighs more.






p!nK

 

[djacobox372]

FF lenses are bigger, heavier, and more expensive then DX lenses.

Not exactly.


IMG_1515 by Matt Francosky, on Flickr

On your left, Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 DX glass- about $1200. On the right, Nikkor 50mm 1.8- about $100. I will let you guess which one weighs more.






p!nK

Sigh..... Your comparing apples and oranges, if they actually made a 50mm prime af in the dx format it would be smaller and lighter.