Are FX lenses typically sharper lenses than DX?

9 years 5 months ago #408108 by Nathan D
I'm a DX owner, but plan on buying a FX frame camera some day.  I'm trying to understand the differences between FX and DX lenses.  Are the FX lenses typically sharper because they don't magnify the frame?  You are getting a true, unaltered frame vs DX is magnifying it?  


Photo Comments
,
9 years 5 months ago #408122 by garyrhook
Um, no.  There's no magnifying going on. If anything, the image is compressed to fit in a smaller space.

The DX lens produces an image in a smaller area, designed to fit a smaller sensor; the FX lenses create a larger image. It's really about geometry here.

That said, you can have crappy images in a full-frame format, and wonderful, sharp images in a small-sensor format. For Nikon, the higher-quality lenses are usually i the FX line, but I think they have some very good lenses in DX format (the 35mm f/1.8 comes to mind...)

If you have a choice, and intend to change bodies, buy lenses designed for fullframe. They'll work just fine on your current body.


Photo Comments
,
9 years 5 months ago #408160 by effron
Here's a good read............

www.kirkcarter.com/kirks_7_DX_FX.shtml

Why so serious?
Photo Comments
,
9 years 5 months ago #408213 by NicoIa
Most (maybe all) the lenses are sharper in the center of the frame than in the corner. Therefore if use a full-frame lens on a crop sensor you only select the sharpest part of the image and the lens might look sharper than what it is. The full-frame doesn't lie and doesn't cover optical imperfections like that, but (in general) provides you with better control of the DoF, better low-light performance and less noise.


,
9 years 5 months ago #408216 by Joves
:agree:
Look at Ernesto's link as well.
The only difference is that using an FX lens on a DX camera is that the camera crops the field of view. This gives the appearance of magnifying that some claim. But in reality it is merely that the field of view has been cropped by 1.5 times. So if you use a 35mm FX on a crop body the apparent field of view is actually 52mms. As as stated above this means you have cropped down to the sweetest area of an FX lens, the center.
The DX lenses are optimized so that they present an actual field of view, so a 35 DX has a 35mm field of view. It is a matter of how the lens shows the image circle to the sensor is how it is different. You can use both lens types on either format camera, but in the case of an FX body it goes into DX mode to only look at the DX image circle. Until recently this meant a terrible image quality loss when the for example, D700 would do this due to the loss of MPs. The D700, and the D300 had the same MP count so the D300 images still had more room to crop with, as where the D700 lost IQ to do that.
Also the whole FX magnifying myth was started by the manufacturers marketing departments. It was never reality. It only appears once again as if it is happening because of the smaller field of view.


,
9 years 5 months ago #408380 by No Show
+1

D300| Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8 | Nikkor 70-200mm VR 2.8 | Nikkor 50mm 1.8 | Nikon 2x Teleconverter | Sigma 105mm 2.8 | Tokina 12-24
Photo Comments
,
9 years 5 months ago #408438 by Nathan D
Ahhh benefits of posting a question.  Ask and thou shale get answers!  ;)  thanks  everyone  


Photo Comments
,
9 years 4 months ago #408962 by D Hornick
What does Ken Rockwell say about this?  


Photo Comments
,

817.3K

241K

  • Facebook

    817,251 / Likes

  • Twitter

    241,000 / Followers

  • Google+

    1,620,816 / Followers

Latest Reviews

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

The Sigma fp L is a compact full-frame camera with a 61-megapixel sensor, 4K video capabilities, in-body image stabilization, and weather-sealed construction. What’s not to like?!

Mar 19, 2024

The Canon 1DX Mark III is a big, burly professional camera packed with top-end features. Is it worth the investment in 2024? Find out in this detailed review!

Mar 04, 2024

In the OM-1 vs OM-5 debate, which camera comes out on top? Though they’re different cameras for different purposes, comparing them head to head clarifies which is best for your needs.

Mar 01, 2024

Forum Top Posters

Latest Articles

Time management is a critical skill to master when you’re a photographer. But how do you get the most out of the limited time you have? Check out this guide to learn a few tricks!

Mar 27, 2024

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

Opening a photography business means undertaking various photography marketing strategies to promote your work. But you don’t want to do the same old thing - try these unique ideas!

Mar 22, 2024

The Canon EOS 80D might be a few years old, but it’s nevertheless a quality camera to invest in as a beginner or enthusiast looking for a mid-range DSLR with tons of lens options.

Mar 22, 2024

Wedding consultations are a critical part of a wedding photography gig. It’s when you learn about the couple and their wants, and present them with how you will meet those desires.

Mar 22, 2024

If you're looking for the best metal print of 2023, you'll find it from Artbeat Studios. After months of testing, Artbeat Studios beat out the competition!

Mar 21, 2024

Getting the best video shots on your camera or smartphone requires you to understand the fundamentals of composition and video editing. It helps to have the appropriate gear, too!

Mar 20, 2024

It’s easy to lose your inspiration behind the lens, especially as a beginner. These creative photography projects can help inspire you to try new techniques and improve your photos.

Mar 20, 2024