Moving On To DSLR

[zac08]

No, you can use any F-mount lens.

Eh... do note that you'd lose metering for those AI/AI-S lenses

 

[kzone]

Arghhh... still cant decide between the D80 & K10D... played around with the D80 for a couple of minutes & like the feel... still waiting for the K10D to be launched to try it..

Lenses wise, which brand is cheaper? I intend to get a wide lens in addition to the kit lens... tele wise, the Nikon 18-135 would suffice for me but prob will have to get a tele lens if I do get the K10D.

So I guess the Nikon wub be a better buy but I'll loose out on the image stabiliser... Guys, usually at what focal length do u guys start to use IS?

 

[zac08]

Image stabilisation is an over-hype. Any focal lengths over 100mm would be an start as you'd need speeds of about 1/100 for a 100mm lens to prevent camera shake.

It's good to have but not necessary. You still have options of tripod or monopod.

 

[kzone]

Ic.... dats fast... got to go shooting range more often...

for the DX lenses, since its specially created for Nikon's dSLRs, do I still need to multiply it by the crop factor to get the effective focal length?

 

[pRoLoS3r]

Ic.... dats fast... got to go shooting range more often...

for the DX lenses, since its specially created for Nikon's dSLRs, do I still need to multiply it by the crop factor to get the effective focal length?

Yep. E.g. 17- 55mm DX lens, your effective focal length is 25.5 - 82.5mm.

Assuming you are using a camera e.g. D50, D70 with a crop factor of 1.5x

Hope this helps.

 

[zac08]

Yep. E.g. 17- 55mm DX lens, your effective focal length is 25.5 - 82.5mm.

Assuming you are using a camera e.g. D50, D70 with a crop factor of 1.5x

Hope this helps.

Actually... NOT necessary.

The crop happens in camera, not on the lens, so there's no need to multiply the crop factor. But if you feel better with that, then by all means, go ahead.

 

[kzone]

hmm... so what is the benefit of dx lenses? I tot the DX lenses specially made for the smaller sensor so the u'll get the full focal length of the sensor? Read the DX vs Non DX thread & one of the benefits mentioned is dat "I won't say that Nikon is making DX lenses for profit, but rather to make wide angle lenses more affordable on a DX-sized sensor." But Nikon price list shows the DX more costly :

AF-S 12-24mm f/4 G DX IF-ED - $1600 (CP-M, May06 - seanlim)
12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM - $1200 (CP, Sep05 - Fiber Dog)

Very confused now...

Btw, anyone knows if D80 or K10D has memory functions where u can save settings to be recalled later when u encounter similar situations?

 

[kzone]

Sorry guys, just found the answer on the DX lenses :

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0212/02121201nikondxlenses.asp

It says :

"Smaller than the traditional 135-format, for which today's lenses were designed, shooting digital has meant making compromises with wide-angle photography. The smaller format size meant that a typical 135-format lens Field of View (FOV) is cropped, especially noticeable when using wide-angle lenses.

DX Nikkors are the no compromise solution.

The new AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED delivers, for the first time, an equivalent 18-35mm zoom focal length offering true wide-angle photography without having to buy a new camera.

DX Nikkors are designed for the precise coverage of this sensor format, implemented consistently in all of Nikon's Digital SLR cameras to date, whatever their resolution or speed. The smaller image circle opens up a variety of exciting opportunities in optical design such as ultra wide focal lengths, larger zoom ratios and smaller and lighter constructions, that were hitherto impossibly expensive or complicated to achieve in the traditional 135 format. "

Actually the article is not very clear. If they didnt mention the sentence in red, I wud have thought that we dont need to multiply... Since now we have to multiply, whats the benefit of the DX lense? What does the sentence in blue translate to in newbie language?

 

[fireframe]

Since you only need a smaller image circle, you can use less material to construct a lens of the same focal length range. Lighter and smaller too.

 

[kzone]

So Nikon benefit by lowering manufacturing costs ($) & we consumer benefit thru smaller lens? (space & weight)

Cant seem to find the same specs Nikon lens for DX & non DX lens to compare prices..

 

[zac08]

So Nikon benefit by lowering manufacturing costs ($) & we consumer benefit thru smaller lens? (space & weight)

Cant seem to find the same specs Nikon lens for DX & non DX lens to compare prices..

Well...

12-24 should be about 18-36 (17-35 equiv?)
17-55 should be about the same as a 25-82 (roughly 24-80 equiv?)

 

[kzone]

12-24 should be about 18-36 (17-35 equiv?)
17-55 should be about the same as a 25-82 (roughly 24-80 equiv?)

Doesnt matter whether u get DX or non DX lens, both need to multiply by 1.5x. so should compare with similarly specified specs... Below is what I got fm the Nikon price list.. there dont seem to be a choice of DX vs non DX..

DX Lenses
AF Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G DX ED - $1068 (Lord's, Sept05 - dimsim); $1050 (Max Photo (Centrepoint), Mar06 - deadpixel)
AF-S 12-24mm f/4 G DX IF-ED - $1600 (CP-M, May06 - seanlim)
AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G DX - $2100 (AP, Dec05 - raid)
AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX ED
AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G DX IF-ED - $410 (w/o GST, CP, Oct05 - shutterbug)
AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX VR - ($1250~$1290), latest $1270 (Lord's, Oct06 - ymmij)
AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G DX ED - $300 (TK, Dec05 - mcn)

Non DX Lenses
AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED - $2680 (MS, Sept05 - ernest_ted)
AF 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED - $920 (MS, Oct05 - Francis247)
AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED - $515 (w/o GST, AP, Oct05 - wiz23)
AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED - $2550 (Grey, TCW, Sept05 - jaycegoh)
AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED - $680 (John, Mar06 - ptan55)
AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G - $250 (MS, Sept05 - filofari)
AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED - $1525 (w/o GST, AP, Oct05 - majere2sg)
AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED