Do You Think It'll Be Hard for Me to Switch from DX to FX?

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Do You Think It'll Be Hard for Me to Switch from DX to FX?

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alphanikonrex

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Someday the time will come. Eventually I'll be on FX. I know.

But I have a feeling that it's going to be difficult for me to switch. You guys may have it easy because you worked with film for so many years.

I spent a few months seriously with film, and all I had was a 50mm lens.

For the past 1½ years I've been on DX. I know the ranges of my lenses very well—I can imagine the borders of an image when I look somewhere. DX is really all that I know. And kid's learn fast and efficiently as well. My world is exclusively DX.

I think I'm going to have a major shock when I put a 200mm lens on my future FX camera.

Because no matter what I tell myself, with the FX equivalents and all, I still connect each lens with a specific range. That's how I know which one to use.

But when I switch to FX, I'll be all confused. Things won't be what they used to be.

That's why I'm afraid to put a 300mm on my DX. Such 400mm+ luxury is rare on FX.

Does anybody else live in this "DX-world" with me? Do you think you'll have issues switching to FX?

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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I wouldn't worry about it, alpha. I'll bet you'll get used to it in a week or less. If you're worried just plan on keeping your D300, too, when you switch.

Posted 3 years ago #
ShadeofBlue

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I agree. Plus, if you find yourself wishing for that 450mm reach, you can just buy a Bigma or a Mirror Lens, they're cheap :).

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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I not so sure. I think my main fear is that I'll pick up the wrong lens for the shot, because I remember its perspective from DX.

Posted 3 years ago #
Gentoo

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alphanikonrex said:
Someday the time will come. Eventually I'll be on FX. I know.

But I have a feeling that it's going to be difficult for me to switch. You guys may have it easy because you worked with film for so many years.

I spent a few months seriously with film, and all I had was a 50mm lens.

For the past 1½ years I've been on DX. I know the ranges of my lenses very well—I can imagine the borders of an image when I look somewhere. DX is really all that I know. And kid's learn fast and efficiently as well. My world is exclusively DX.

I think I'm going to have a major shock when I put a 200mm lens on my future FX camera.

Because no matter what I tell myself, with the FX equivalents and all, I still connect each lens with a specific range. That's how I know which one to use.

But when I switch to FX, I'll be all confused. Things won't be what they used to be.

That's why I'm afraid to put a 300mm on my DX. Such 400mm+ luxury is rare on FX.

Does anybody else live in this "DX-world" with me? Do you think you'll have issues switching to FX?

Yep, I'm with you. I didn't use film because I don't like it. I don't like most things analog actually.

I may get an FX body in the future but I do not see myself switching completely to FX.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Gentoo said:
I may get an FX body in the future but I do not see myself switching completely to FX.

You see, you've got a clear path. I'm not sure where I'm going. I like photography. Period. I've shot pretty much everything up to this point. When I get bored of shooting one thing then I shoot another. Simple enough, and I get to try a little of everything. So I'm not even exactly sure whether an FX camera will really meet my needs. I simply do not know.

Posted 3 years ago #
Gentoo

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alphanikonrex said:
You see, you've got a clear path. I'm not sure where I'm going. I like photography. Period. I've shot pretty much everything up to this point. When I get bored of shooting one thing then I shoot another. Simple enough, and I get to try a little of everything. So I'm not even exactly sure whether an FX camera will really meet my needs. I simply do not know.

Ah, I see what you're saying and that makes sense. I got into photography BECAUSE of birding so that's my main subject matter. I've since expanded slightly but this type of shooting will always be my main style so you're right, I do have a clear path and know what I want in future gear. FX will be a nice addition but not my main thing.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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And I got into photography simply because of photography. I love what I do. All of it. I may never decide which way I want to go. So until then I have to get a little of everything.

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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You may never need to switch. The FX D3x is now medium format image quality, how much do you need. In the same way 12MP is more than adequate for my needs, I believe DX, with all the improvements it will inevitably enjoy in the future will more than satisfy my future needs. Besides, I like the smaller, lighter lenses.

If you do eventually choose another format, whether its FX or something else, it shouldn't take long at all. I lived full frame for years and now use DX with no issues. You won't have them either. Good luck.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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I doubt I'll ever need to switch. I want to switch! :^)

You're right ted. I can do it, I think I just don't like "change".

I just need to get out of this DX-world ASAP. I need to open myself up to new things. Too much of the same is not good. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my open-mindedness because of the limitations of DX. Remember the slogan of the D3S:

Redraw Your Boundaries

That's exactly what I want to do.

Posted 3 years ago #
ShadeofBlue

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Uh, you definitely don't need FX to "Redraw Your Boundaries." It's funny that you seem to like KR so much, but don't take his one good point to heart :).

You aren't going to lose open-mindedness over the photography format you use. Seriously, you have amazing gear for someone your age, be happy with it! Maybe you'll switch to FX later. If you do, I'm sure you will quickly adjust to it.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Redraw Your Boundaries? Have you touched your current ones yet?

1 - Monitor calibrated yet?

2- Got a handle on off-camera lighting yet? http://strobist.blogspot.com

3 - ?

4 - ?

Give me time and I'll make a list of areas of photographic exploration and leet skillz which don't give a hoot if you're DX or FX.

Posted 3 years ago #
monty11

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I think that you need to find an additional hobby (e.g. computer gaming) and upgrade the gear for that. The satisfaction of new technology will be the same.

Chasing technology isn't very smart and with this mindset you will just continue drooling over new models and features instead of focusing on getting better at what you do with the equipment you have. Remember also that every new model takes getting used to. This seems to be true in your case as even you yourself don't seem to have a clear need or reason to switch to full frame.

You need to wrap your mind around the fact that better technology will not make you a better photographer, just a photographer with expensive equipment.

soap also has a good point ... do you have a proper calibrated (on a monthly basis) screen? I recently made the investment as one of my screens died and it is truly a new world. If you don't have a proper screen yet, then go and get one, and voila, your need for new technology has been satisfied for a while.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Yeah, I'm not switching anytime soon. My D40 is still going strong. Then again, I've been looking at FX lenses. 105mm 2.8 and the 70-300 VR.

What's wrong with your current lens selection anyway Alpha? From what I can see, it covers a good bit. Your 80-200 will also cover FX. You should be fine.

Posted 3 years ago #
shivaswrath

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i think it's always smart to try to "get" a DX/FX lens if possible, in case you DO upgrade. . .for me, I still enjoy my N75 (yeah, cheapo POS, but it's a light film camera), so when I got the 50 1.4 and 60 2.8, the compatibility REALLY influenced my decision. . .I didn't have an all around zoom for the N75 either, so I got a used 35-70 that's been amazingly sharp (nearly as sharp as my 17-55 2.8). . .

If I were to switch, the focal length wouldn't throw me as much as the cost of finding awesome lenses like the Tokina 11-16 2.8 (not equivalent in FX that can accept filters) or 35 1.8 G. . .

I'll probably always keep a small DX body for travel uses though. . .or just keep the D200 since it won't sell for much anymore anyhow. . .if it weren't for the high ISO benefit and IQ excellence of the D700, I think I am VERY happy with my lens selection from 11-70mm (or 15-100mm on FX). . .

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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I've been looking at the 105 and the 70-300 because the 70-300 is relatively cheap and it's good glass. The 105 because I'm interested in macro.

Well pretty much any AF-S FX lens will work on DX, so that's what's so awesome about the F mount.

Other than some crazy old fisheye lenses where you need mirror lockup just to mount it, pretty much anything will work on Nikon DSLRs.

I <3 Nikon. :D

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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alpha - does it really matter either You go FX or not? it's just a medium, nothing else. if You are happy with Your current set of lenses, than You are in the game. If You don't like it, than change the lenses You don't need. As for using long tele on FF, don't be afraid, You always have the crop mode, so they will act similar.

Posted 3 years ago #
kanuck

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I'll let you know alpanikonrex I am switching to FX this friday when I trade in my D300 plus $1000 for a D700 with 15,000 actuations. I'm a little nervous myself but excited too^^

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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When I said the "Redraw Your Boundaries" stuff up above, I was just saying I need to remind myself that my boundaries aren't the real boundaries. No, I'm not after new technology. I just want to make sure that I'm aware of the "other-ways" of getting the same photograph. Like I said, I want to be open-minded. I have no idea whatsoever what anything wider than 27mm looks like, for example. So technically anything wider than that doesn't exist in my mind. I know it does. I just can't imagine it. I don't have the ability to look at a scene and put a 14mm lens on it. Or a 16. Or a 18. Or a 24. I simply can't, mentally or physically. And I'm afraid that my wide-angle "creativeness" will be malnutritioned.

Basically I just want to be able to look at things from someone else's shoes. I've seen everything to this point through the same DX frame. Let me look through an FX one for a change. Especially considering that it's more "correct" than DX in focal length and depth of field.

Oh, kanuck, I know exactly how you're feeling. Your scenario has no turning back, does it? I hope you like your new D700 :^)

PS Did I sound ambitious up above to move to FX? I'm not in any rush—I think that's just how I wrote it. No, I think I'll be with DX for many many more years.

Posted 3 years ago #
pher

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As always you're overthinking this. Some of your DX glass won't even vignette on an FX body. You're current setup is more than capable of getting paid gigs. Concentrate on school or w/e you're doing.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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pher said:
Concentrate on school or w/e you're doing.

As if I already don't. Rolling eyes.

Besides, I'm not worried about the DX glass, I'm just worried about the glass in general. I connect a certain field of view to ALL of my lenses. On FX this field of view is going to change, and I'll be very confused. Same goes for DOF.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Alpha, unless your FF camera is defective in that it has no viewfinder, I think you have nothing to worry about. It's about feedback, and you'll figure out really fast what, if anything, needs to change. How many p&s owners know anything about 35mm equivalent field of view? I've seen some beautiful p&s shots. You might find a lens doesn't work in some situation. My guess is you won't use that lens in that situation the next time.

A related deep thought by Jack Handey for all the birders switching to FF and using that telephoto lens for the first time:

If you lived in the Dark Ages and you were a catapult operator, I
bet the most common question people would ask is, "Can't you make it
shoot farther?" "No, I'm sorry. That's as far as it shoots."

Posted 3 years ago #
pher

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Why don't you just shoot film? It'll do you good to get your hands wet... literally. I thought you were a photography major or something... or soon to be?

Once you get your hands on an FX digital body you won't even have to think about it. You'll figure out instantly what your working distance is as far as DOF goes. I think you're getting way too caught up in the numbers.

Posted 3 years ago #
pher

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lol nice Jack Handy.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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pher said:
I think you're getting way too caught up in the numbers.

Agreed. As we say in physics, what's a factor of two among friends? And this is only a factor of 1.5.

Actually, alpha does shoot film.

Posted 3 years ago #