New (used) D8**** series

meddyliol

Senior Member
I am considering getting a D8*** series camera hopefully utilising my existing DX lens until I can afford 'proper' lens. I am sure that I have read somewhere that some DX lens's cannot be used on a full frame camera. Is this true? Also, if the DX lens can be used then surely it simply converts the camera to a crop camera. Doesn't this defeat the object? Please bear in mind that I am a relative newby to DSLR's. What, to me, is a great advantage of FX cameras is that a for example 10mm lens actually is a 10mm lens not a 30mm lens. I might be talking out of my posterior of course but if so I am sure someone will put me right.

P.S. Maybe a D750 would do

P.P.S. Keep safe everybody!

Thanks

Brian
 
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Chucktin

Senior Member
The simple answer is yes, maybe.
Current electronic/digital cameras have 3 major systems that bear on this question. Software, Firmware, and Hardware.
We can ignore Software because it's function is, mostly, communication between the camera and the outside world, ie downloads.
Hardware, here's where it gets sticky. Does the lens fit? Well Nikon had made lenses, and others have copied, with one Flange design since the mid 50s. So if it's labeled Nikon or Nikon Mount it will fit but ... on _some_, usually extreme, lenses the rear element intruded into the mirror's path. And a meeting there can be disastrous.
Finally Firmware. This is where the "Maybes" reside. It is possible to include a command in firmware to the camera's operating system NOT to function with certain lenses. Usually this would be concerned with Hardware, see above. Also early lenses, I'm think extreme fish-eye here, not having _any_ communication with the camera body could ruin your day.
So how to know? Well I'd start with what you think your going to use the camera for, buy the best lens that matched that and budget and then pick the body.
The biggest drawback to DX lens _quality_ on an FX body lies in misguided attempts to utilize the fringes of the image circle, which then can be recorded. And having consumers complain.
 

meddyliol

Senior Member
Thanks for your very informative reply. Food for thought. I will have a good look at what's out there and do more investigation into lens compatibility.

Have a nice day and above all KEEP SAFE in these troubled times

Brian
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
The only advice I have for you is to start with lenses. If you think that you will be a better photographer with a full frame camera, start with what is the most important thing, lenses. If you start with a D7** or D8** and wait to have money for the right lens, by the time you have the money, the newer D9** might be out and you'll want to get that...

Now I must insist that this is only my opinion, but I kind of know that reading and shopping on the web for the best camera is a very tempting thing to do and it does feed our endless hunger for "Better". But what I've been told by a Nikon rep still rings to my ear: "Lenses, lenses" bodies will never stop to improve and get better, but lenses are what make the picture. Using a FX body with DX lenses is a waist of money. You would have better images with a DX body and great glass then with a superb FX with second rank glass.

Be aware of the difference between "wants" and "needs". Unless you're a professional photographer and/or you print very large prints on a regular base, the DX cameras will give you plenty of quality.

So just be aware of the road you're about to get into and start buying glass for your future FX BEFORE you get the FX and no glass to go with it. Or wait until you have the funds and then buy a FX with a 24-120 or a 24-70.

And if you really want to save money, why not go with the new Z* series... Food for thoughts.

Don't read too much and enjoy your Nikon.
 

meddyliol

Senior Member
Thank you very much for a very informed reply. What you say makes really good sense. I might just keep me very good D7000 (in my opinion) and get some 'better' lens's.

Cheers

Brian

P.S. My son is a Canadian Citizen in Nelson, BC.
 

Danno

Senior Member
@meddyliol, the amazing thing about using the approach Marcel laid out is that you can pick up some great FX lens that will work very well on your D7000 and get the benefit of that better glass on you existing camera. For example I bought a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 for less than 1/2 the Nikon price and it is a great lens that I used on my D7200 before I got my D700. I am still using that lens on my mirrorless Z6 until a z mount version comes out. You never really miss out on glass.
 

meddyliol

Senior Member
Thanks Danno, I'm getting more and more convince to stick with my D7000. My Brother in Law has the Nikon version of the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 lens. He says it if a difficult lens to use, presumably because of the tripod mount? I didn't realise I could use an FX lens on a Dx camera. Any problems with this though?

Thanks again

Brian
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Thanks Danno, I'm getting more and more convince to stick with my D7000. My Brother in Law has the Nikon version of the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 lens. He says it if a difficult lens to use, presumably because of the tripod mount? I didn't realise I could use an FX lens on a Dx camera. Any problems with this though?

Thanks again

Brian

Brian, my first DX body was the D90 before upgrading to the D7100. The only DX lens I bought was the 55-200mm VR. I already had glass from my 35mm film cameras (glass which would be considered FX). Everything else I've ever purchased has been FX glass. No adverse issues using FX glass on a DX body. If anything, you might notice an improved quality with your images - specifically sharpness and possibly contrast unless you invest in some of the more expensive DX lenses. The build of FX lenses tends to be a little more robust, too. The mounts on most (and maybe all) Nikon FX lenses usually are metal vs the plastic mounts of some DX lenses.

My first 70-200mm f/2.8 was by Sigma. Eventually I upgraded to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRii. I've heard the Tamron lens is closer in quality to the Nikon than my Sigma lens. As for the Nikon tripod foot, mine can be removed from the lens. Usually that can be done - some lenses have a tripod collar that fastens around the lens. Those are also removable.

Good luck with whatever you choose. :encouragement:
 

Danno

Senior Member
Thanks Danno, I'm getting more and more convince to stick with my D7000. My Brother in Law has the Nikon version of the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 lens. He says it if a difficult lens to use, presumably because of the tripod mount? I didn't realise I could use an FX lens on a Dx camera. Any problems with this though?

Thanks again

Brian

None at all. I used it and still do at times on the 7200 if I take it to my nieces ballgame. It gives me a bit more reach on the DX body. It acts like a 105-300 approximately on a DX body with the 1.5 Crop factor. By the time I bought my D700 all my glass was FX.

I do not get why your brother-in-law has a hard time using it. I spin the collar out of the way and it works great. It is a bit heavier but that is where lenses start getting heavier.
 

meddyliol

Senior Member
Thanks to everyone. You have opened my eyes to the possibility of FX lenses. The question is, can I afford one (or more) and convince my wife that it would be a good investment LOL.

Ta Ta

Brian
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
It is a slippery slope you are contemplating an ascent of; albeit a fun one, as well. What would you do with an D8XX lens that you can't do with your D7000? Unless you really need the benefits of increased focal length field-of-view and are willing to fork out the funds for FX glass, you will get few benefits from changing over to a full-frame camera body. You would get some feature upgrades (like improvements in AF and sensor sensitivity) if you were to upgrade your camera to another DX format camera like the D500.

When I purchased my first digital camera, it was a DX-format D90. I had that camera for several years and built up my selection of FX-format AF lenses before I purchased my first FX-format camera. I waited to get an FX-format camera until my photography interests/endeavors had a "need" for a wider field-of-view than I could get with the DX format at a particular focal length.

WM
 
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