Looking for guidance

Navmaxlp

New member
Hey all,

I've just borrowed a D200 from a friend of mine to try out how the Nikon worlds works. I'm a Pentax user now and love it but, there are certain perks to using a Canon or Nikon. I can't really try anything out before I buy it and there is little to no support locally. What I'm looking for is a little info and guidance on lenses. I know each system has many different lens lines and some are usable and some are not. Also, the lenses used by Pentax are all in relation to a full frame size even though all their cameras are APS-C. For example, if I buy a 50mm lens, it is a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. On an APS-C camera with Pentax conversion, it is a 75mm lens. Are all Nikon lenses made for crop sensor cameras still listed as they were for full frame cameras? As I said, the D200 I have now is on loan from a friend but, I'm sure I could keep it for the right price. Here's a little background on me; I learned to shoot in high school on film cameras and a few years ago moved to DSLRs. Chose Pentax due to its robust feature set at a low price point. The ability to use legacy glass helped a lot as well. I take pictures of a lot of different stuff and am always looking whenever I'm out with my camera. More street photography than anything else but it's not like I avoid anything. I may start doing a little (very little) portrait stuff in my basement after having my daughter. I'm definitely still a beginner but, I have a solid understanding of photography and a few years of experience playing around. Any Nikon specific information would be great. You'd be amazed at the difference in the Pentax world. We have to fend for ourselves as the aftermarket product line is woefully lacking. Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Are all Nikon lenses made for crop sensor cameras still listed as they were for full frame cameras?

Short answer: Yes

Long answer:
Yes. The reason being focal length is an optical property that has nothing to do with the sensor. A 50mm lens is a 50mm lens no matter what the sensor size. The asp-c (dx) sensor is smaller than a full frame (fx) digital or 35mm film. The 50mm lens casts the same image on either camera, but the dx sensor doesn't capture the outer edges of the image cast by the lens. The resulting 'crop' is then enlarged to a standard print/view size and you get a zoom effect similar to the field of view that a 75mm lens would have cast. The actual focal length is not dependent on the sensor size, but the field of view that you experience is. So you won't see lenses labeled differently, it is what it is.

You will see Nikon DX lenses. The focal length is what it is and you will get the 1.5 crop effect. The difference is they are intended for use on the smaller sensor and since the image need only cover the smaller sensor, they can be made lighter and cheaper. A Nikon FX lens can be used on either FX or DX camera. A DX lens used on a FX camera will give vignetting, but Nikon full frame cameras will automatically crop that to dx size if you want.
 

nickt

Senior Member
Another Nikon tidbit... some lenses have focus motors, some don't. Some bodies have a focus motor, some don't (d3x00, d5x00). The D200 has a focus motor, so you can use either type of lens. Some older lenses without the focus motor can be had for cheap and your camera will work fine with them. Download the manual for your camera and you will find a chart of compatible lens styles and what features are supported for the various older style lenses. If you want to get deep into it, check this wiki article:
Nikon F-mount - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Or to keep it simple, AF and AF-S lenses will work fine on the d200. Anything else, look closer and check the chart.
 

Navmaxlp

New member
Thanks so much for the help. I'm really liking the Nikon. Funny how two DSLRs can be so different. I still like Pentax a whole lot but, I'm thinking I may have to hold on to the Nikon for a good while. Talked to my friend and he said he would definitely sell it to me if I was interested.
 

BarefootPilgrim

Senior Member
Be sure to ask Photojack for the D200 setup guide. It'll help you with the first-time settings for different shooting situations. I just picked up a used D200 myself about 2 weeks ago and the guide has been pretty handy. Makes the D200 much easier to get the hang of than stumbling around changing this or that setting on my own, one at a time, to see what happens! :D

[edit] Oh.... and RTFM! It's actually understandable and helpful, something very rare for camera manuals (in my experience).

[edit 2] Sorry, Jack! I misspelled fotojack's name. fotojack is the correct rendering!
 
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Navmaxlp

New member
Thanks Barefoot, I appreciate the info. And on that note, hey Fotojack, I heard this crazy rumor that you might have a setup guide for the D200. Any chance you'd be willing to send me one?
 

BarefootPilgrim

Senior Member
@Navmaxlp -- Looks like it's been a couple days since your request post, so perhaps Fotojack hasn't seen it. Try this: PM your email to me and I'll send you the file. It's a PDF file, so the forum server can't handle it, I'm told.
 
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