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Nizidramanii · Feb 21, 2006, 9:56 AM

It seems like all lenses you buy for a dSLR camera are actually designed for a 35mm film SLR camera. When you stick it on a dSLR, you end up with a cropped image and a lot of wasted lense. It seems to me that if Nikon and other manufacturers were to make lenses specifically for their dSLR cameras, the lenses would be much smaller and lighter (and perhaps, brighter).

Any thoughts?

JimC · Feb 21, 2006, 10:16 AM

All of the major manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) now make lenses that can only be used on a DSLR with a sensor smaller than 35mm film. These are normally smaller and lighter than their film only counterparts since a smaller image circle can be used.

Nikons lenses like this will have DX in their product description.

But, many users already have an investment in lenses designed for 35mm cameras (not to mention that the used market is full of them, too). So, being able to migrate from film to digital is a huge advantage (no need to buy new lenses if you have the focal ranges you use already covered).

Also, since a DSLR with a smaller sensor is using the "sweet spot' of a lens designed for a 35mm model, you can get better result with some lenses designed for 35mm cameras, that may have been "so so" with film (soft edges, vignetting, etc.).

Some photographers still use both 35mm and DSLR models, too, sharing lenses between them.

In addition, even though Nikon's current DSLR lineup uses sensors smaller than 35mm film, that may not always be the case. So, if your lenses can work on a future model with a larger sensor, that would be a plus, too. ;-)

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Feb 21, 2006, 9:56 AM	#1
Nizidramanii Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 407	It seems like all lenses you buy for a dSLR camera are actually designed for a 35mm film SLR camera. When you stick it on a dSLR, you end up with a cropped image and a lot of wasted lense. It seems to me that if Nikon and other manufacturers were to make lenses specifically for their dSLR cameras, the lenses would be much smaller and lighter (and perhaps, brighter). Any thoughts?

Feb 21, 2006, 10:16 AM	#2
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	All of the major manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) now make lenses that can only be used on a DSLR with a sensor smaller than 35mm film. These are normally smaller and lighter than their film only counterparts since a smaller image circle can be used. Nikons lenses like this will have DX in their product description. But, many users already have an investment in lenses designed for 35mm cameras (not to mention that the used market is full of them, too). So, being able to migrate from film to digital is a huge advantage (no need to buy new lenses if you have the focal ranges you use already covered). Also, since a DSLR with a smaller sensor is using the "sweet spot' of a lens designed for a 35mm model, you can get better result with some lenses designed for 35mm cameras, that may have been "so so" with film (soft edges, vignetting, etc.). Some photographers still use both 35mm and DSLR models, too, sharing lenses between them. In addition, even though Nikon's current DSLR lineup uses sensors smaller than 35mm film, that may not always be the case. So, if your lenses can work on a future model with a larger sensor, that would be a plus, too. ;-)