DX mode for wildlife?

snj979s

Senior Member
In shopping and saving for a better wildlife lens just about every article mentions equivalent focal length and a preference for using a crop sensor camera for wildlife. So I start reading about DX mode on my d800. I also learn in the process that the frame rate is faster in dx mode. Interested in learning more about experiences, pros and cons of using dx mode for extra reach (sort of), frame rate. Would there be the advantages in using a dx body verses dx mode? Thanks again!
 

480sparky

Senior Member
DX mode merely crops the image in-camera. Depending on the camera, you can get more pixels with a DX body.

I shoot with a D600 and D7100. Both are 24mp. The D600 in DX mode is an anemic 10mp.

On the plus side, shooting an FX body in DX mode speeds up the writing to the card (smaller files) so you have a better burst rate. Plus, FX bodies are usually better in low light, better AF modules, etc.
 

snj979s

Senior Member
DX mode merely crops the image in-camera. Depending on the camera, you can get more pixels with a DX body.

I shoot with a D600 and D7100. Both are 24mp. The D600 in DX mode is an anemic 10mp.

On the plus side, shooting an FX body in DX mode speeds up the writing to the card (smaller files) so you have a better burst rate. Plus, FX bodies are usually better in low light, better AF modules, etc.
Mansurov says d800 in dx mode is 15.4 MP. https://photographylife.com/dx-or-fx-for-sports-and-wildlife-photography
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
In short, I put my D810 up vs. my D7200 with a 500mm lens, shot the same subjects with both bodies, same settings, did some heavy cropping and pixel peeping etc, etc. The D7200 edged the D810
 

snj979s

Senior Member
In short, I put my D810 up vs. my D7200 with a 500mm lens, shot the same subjects with both bodies, same settings, did some heavy cropping and pixel peeping etc, etc. The D7200 edged the D810
I'm going to do some tests this weekend. Doesn't sound like a big enough difference to go out and get a second Nikon body. My back up body is a Sony crop.
 
With my D750 I just shoot full frame and then crop in post. Gives me more options. The frame rate with fast SD cards is enough for me even when shooting RAW. But that is just me.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
I'm going to do some tests this weekend. Doesn't sound like a big enough difference to go out and get a second Nikon body. My back up body is a Sony crop.
Yes, the gap isn't a big one, but it was enough for me to be happy making the D7200 my birding frame
 
Its all about pixels on image and at present DX @ 24 MP has the highest pixel density ...now if Nikon will give us a 54MP plus FX camera then the pixel density will move to FX and it will be easier to get the bird in the viewfinder !!!
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Do people ever search this forum? I've answered this question in detail multiple times.

And yes, my lack of an additional response is a hint.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I love answers like the above,silly me i thought forums were for discussions, are we saying once a question has been ask a few times it shouldn't be ask again,thats one way to kill a forum,every time a question gets re ask there is the opportunity for other members to add opinions and god forbid maybe new ideas.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I love answers like the above,silly me i thought forums were for discussions, are we saying once a question has been ask a few times it shouldn't be ask again,thats one way to kill a forum,every time a question gets re ask there is the opportunity for other members to add opinions and god forbid maybe new ideas.

Actually, some posters seem to think you should go through 40 pages of their postings to find what you are looking for! Plus, I am sure everyone realizes how great the search options and results are on this site.
 

snj979s

Senior Member
My question wasn't about fx verses dx but specifically using the d800's dx mode. So google comparative pixel density using d800's dx mode? Fewer threads I would think. Either way, unless your ego requires it, you could always not click topics you find redundant.
 
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Bikerbrent

Senior Member
My question wasn't about fx verses dx but specifically using the d800's dx mode. So google comparative pixel density using d800's dx mode? Fewer threads I would think. Either way, unless your ego requires it, you could always not click topics you find redundant.

Excuse me, but did I not read, "Would there be the advantages in using a dx body verses dx mode?" This to me is fx vs. dx!
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I believe that the crux of the question the OP is asking is: Is there an advantage in using a DX body over using the Crop/DX mode in a full frame camera? IOW is there any difference between using a crop sensor camera over using a full frame sensor camera with it set for crop mode/DX?
 
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