FX lenses on DX camera
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BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Absolutely no disadvantage - except possibly that FX glass tends to be more expensive.
In fact, there are many advantages. First, FX lenses that may get bashed as being "soft on the edges and corners" will show none of that on a DX camera since those corners are well out of sensor range. Second, FX lenses will never need to be replaced should you move up to a full sensor. I could list more, but you get the idea.
In fact, there are many advantages. First, FX lenses that may get bashed as being "soft on the edges and corners" will show none of that on a DX camera since those corners are well out of sensor range. Second, FX lenses will never need to be replaced should you move up to a full sensor. I could list more, but you get the idea.
Yes they will fit the D3100. If AF-S or AF-I then they will autofocus. If AF-D then they will not autofocus, but meter in all four modes like the other AF lenses.
Here's a good overview of which lenses work on which cameras and how by Ken Rockwell:
Nikon Lens Compatibility
Here's a good overview of which lenses work on which cameras and how by Ken Rockwell:
Nikon Lens Compatibility
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BackdoorArts
Senior Member
There are certainly AF-S FX lenses ... I have 6 of them. Older full frame glass may certainly be something else, but that's more a function of when they were manufactured and not FX vs. DX.
AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
A disadvantage I like to point out is with zoom FX lens on older DX camera bodies. In my case my 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II AF-S when I use it on my D90.
When zoomed in at 300mm I find myself using high / higher ISO to make up for the loss of light coming into the camera. Sometimes 1600 or higher if I'm shooting action trying to keep a higher shutter speed.
Most of your FX camera bodies can handle higher ISO than some of your DX / older bodies can.
At least this has been my experience, others my disagree with me.
When zoomed in at 300mm I find myself using high / higher ISO to make up for the loss of light coming into the camera. Sometimes 1600 or higher if I'm shooting action trying to keep a higher shutter speed.
Most of your FX camera bodies can handle higher ISO than some of your DX / older bodies can.
At least this has been my experience, others my disagree with me.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Interesting point, Rick, but I would think that f5.6 shouldn't be an issue on a D90. My 28-300 lived on a D90 for a week in Yosemite with no issues, and I don't believe I ever got above ISO 400. Low light situations, perhaps. But if you're shooting a 300mm in low light then you've got a toolbox issue, IMHO.
AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
Not to hijack the thread or get off subject. I will not take the 28-300 out on a cloudy day at 300mm and try to shoot wildlife, on a sunny day it does great.
I'm going to give this lens one more shot in the coming months when I upgrade to the D7100. If I still don't like it I'm going to part with it cheaply seeing how the lens coating has been scratched by the lens cap at one point in time before I got a clear filter on it.
I do have a 70-200mm 2.8 and the D90 loves it, but it's fast glass so I should not have an light problem.
Again, my experience with FX glass on a DX bodies.
I'm going to give this lens one more shot in the coming months when I upgrade to the D7100. If I still don't like it I'm going to part with it cheaply seeing how the lens coating has been scratched by the lens cap at one point in time before I got a clear filter on it.
I do have a 70-200mm 2.8 and the D90 loves it, but it's fast glass so I should not have an light problem.
Again, my experience with FX glass on a DX bodies.