What is the Digital Equivalent?

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Lawrence

Senior Member
I have a Vivitar 200mm 1:3.5 lens which I can fit to my D5100 with an adaptor.

I know I will lose auto focus but if I go this route it is only till I can afford a decent new lens.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the equivalent is in today's modern lenses.

If I remember correctly I was a bit disappointed with this lens and would prefer something with a bit more magnification.

I hope that is not a stupid question.
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
A lens to look at with zoom would be the 70-200mm F4 which is a very good lens...Not a cheap lens though

Nikon have a 200mm F4 lens Nikon 200mm F4 ED-IF that is supposed to be very good...Wont AF on the D5000 series lens..
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Thanks guys. I was expecting those sort of prices and for the time being this will have to go on my bucket list.

Nickt what is the range of f stops for that Tamron of yours?
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Maximum: f/4 - 5.6 Minimum: f/32 - 45
It changes as you zoom, that's why its given as a range. At 70mm it would be f4-f32, and as you zoom to 300 it would be f5.6-f45.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
nickt said:
Maximum: f/4 - 5.6 Minimum: f/32 - 45
It changes as you zoom, that's why its given as a range. At 70mm it would be f4-f32, and as you zoom to 300 it would be f5.6-f45.
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Thanks Nick. Sounds like a good lens and pretty quick too.

And that sounds like I suddenly know what I am talking about! :)
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nickt

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Thanks Nick. Sounds like a good lens and pretty quick too.

And that sounds like I suddenly know what I am talking about! :)
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There are a few pictures of a heron and an egret in my gallery. All but one were taken with this lens. I'm still learning what it takes to get a good sharp picture.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Awesome I'll go and have a look. Were you far away from them? I hate the thought of buying a lens and then finding I need to leopard crawl an additional mile to get a decent shot … but on the other hand I don't have $10,000.00 for a lens either. :)
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
A good starting point keeping budget in mind may be the Nikon 55-300,yes the more expensive lenses should be better but this one is affordable

mike
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Awesome I'll go and have a look. Were you far away from them? I hate the thought of buying a lens and then finding I need to leopard crawl an additional mile to get a decent shot … but on the other hand I don't have $10,000.00 for a lens either.
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No, not too far away. 300mm will get you closer than your 200, but it won't be leaps and bounds closer. I'm fortunate to have a lake pretty much in my back yard. Sooner or later they come pretty close to me.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Saw the photos and they are really good. I'd be happy with those. I am leaning towards the 55 - 300mm.
Only leaning though …not quite falling over yet
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Not sure if any one has answered your original question,if you used the 200mm on 35mm then any thing with a 300mm end will more than double the apparent length due to the crop factor,thus a 55-300 will work like a 450mm did in the 35mm days.
This is only due to the sensor being smaller and doesn't really make the lens longer,as nick said you never seam to have a long enough lens anyway :D
 
Bob Blaylock

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
I have a Vivitar 200mm 1:3.5 lens which I can fit to my D5100 with an adaptor.

I know I will lose auto focus but if I go this route it is only till I can afford a decent new lens.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the equivalent is in today's modern lenses.

If I remember correctly I was a bit disappointed with this lens and would prefer something with a bit more magnification.

I hope that is not a stupid question.
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I assume this is a lens that you previously used on a 35mm film camera?

If so, then know that because the sensor in your D5100 is smaller than a standard 35mm frame, you will get higher magnification with this lens on your D5100 than you got with it on a 35mm.

Every reference I have seen makes the factor between FX (full 35mm-sized frame) and DX (what you have in your D5100) to be 1.5, though my own math comes up with a number closer to 1.55. Going with the 1.5 factor, just because it produces easier numbers, your 200mm lens, mounted on your DX-format camera, will produce the same magnification that a 300mm lens would have produced on your old 35mm camera. If you found the magnification disappointing on a 35mm camera, you might find it's just right on your D5100.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Bob Blaylock said:
I assume this is a lens that you previously used on a 35mm film camera? If so, then know that because the sensor in your D5100 is smaller than a standard 35mm frame, you will get higher magnification with this lens on your D5100 than you got with it on a 35mm. Every reference I have seen makes the factor between FX (full 35mm-sized frame) and DX (what you have in your D5100) to be 1.5, though my own math comes up with a number closer to 1.55. Going with the 1.5 factor, just because it produces easier numbers, your 200mm lens, mounted on your DX-format camera, will produce the same magnification that a 300mm lens would have produced on your old 35mm camera. If you found the magnification disappointing on a 35mm camera, you might find it's just right on your D5100.
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​Now that is good news - thanks.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Sorry Lawrence, I misinterpreted your question to be "what modern lens could I replace this lens with?" I wasn't thinking crop factor. Like the others said, it will bring you closer.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
nickt said:
Sorry Lawrence, I misinterpreted your question to be "what modern lens could I replace this lens with?" I wasn't thinking crop factor. Like the others said, it will bring you closer.
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No Problem Nickt I appreciate both answers. Anyway I have pulled the trigger on a converter that will allow me to use my old lenses. NZ$59.00 (includes postage) seemed a cheap way to practice until I am ready to buy some good lenses.
 
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