Help Pick My New Lens!

Derek Baggett

New member
Hello everyone!

I have a Nikon D3000 DX, and have been looking to buy a fixed 50 mm lens for this body. However, I have been reading about my camera's crop factor, and it's really confusing me! I was looking into buying a 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR. I basically want to know if this lens will be affected by the body. I know this is probably a simple question, but I was hoping someone could shed light on this.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
Because that lens is made for a full sensor and your camera has a cropped sensor it only gives you the center three quarters of what the lens can see. This essentially makes the lens a 75 mm lens on a DX camera.

I have the 35 mm 1.8g DX lens. Because it is a DX lens it is 35 mm vs a 50 mm FX lens which becomes 75 mm because its an FX lens on a DX camera.

I plan to add the 50 mm in the future.
 

Epoc

Senior Member
A DX body has a crop factor of 1.5 ie whatever focal length the lens is multiply it by 1.5. Therefore on your camera:
35mm lens = 50mm reach
50mm lens = 75mm reach
If you want 50mm of reach buy the 35mm 1.8G. If you want 75mm of reach, buy the 50mm.

One other, the 35mm is strictly a DX lens and is pretty well useless on a FX camera. The 50mm is a FX lens and can be used on both DX and FX cameras.
 

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Derek, what do you plan to shoot with the "50"?? I assume you have the 18-55 kit lens... One thing I would do (and did do!) is look at some of the photos you have taken and see what focal length you shoot more predominately at!! If you are looking for portraits or landscape, look at some you have taken and see where you have been shooting them at..

you have already gotten some good advice on the 35 and 50 .. I have both and use both... I like the 50 alot but sometimes I just cannot back up enough..

Pat in NH
 
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