FX or DX?

[TCav]

I still have a Hitachi 32" HDTV that uses a CRT. It's a beast, and I'm reluctant to move it around at all, but it still works well and I have no immediate plans to replace it.

[Wingman]

From Nikon's website, currently they have 15 lenses that are designated DX, of which the 17-55 f/2.8 and the 10.5 FE appear to me to be what I'd consider "pro glass". The other lenses (IMHO) are consumer grade. Everything else that they have introduced recently in the pro-glass category appears once again to be FX.For. e.g. the new 70-200 f/2.8, 300mm f/2.8, etc. Now if FX is the new medium format, don't tell that to the folks from Pentax that has just introduced the Pentax 645D!

If FX clearly provides better IQ, the question is if FX will become more affordable (like in the Sony), lighter, etc and therfore become the mainsteam while DX fades away like polaroid instant cameras. Then again, Betamax even though a technically superior product yielded to VHS...does anyone still even own a VCR???

[shoturtle]

I think that APS-C has integrated into the market so much that I do not see any of the makes getting rid of it. It will remain in the market. Even if they have lower price FF DSLR, the more compact dslr line up will still employ a aps-c sensor to maintain the compact size for a market's demand of smaller dslr's.

I would love to see canon and nikon come out with a sub 1500 dollar FF dslr. It would give non pro high end photo shooter more options. The 7D and D300s users a nice upgrade option.

I would not mind getting a canon FF in that price range.

[TCav]

jelpee,

What you're not seeing is that all those "pro glass" FX lenses can be used on DX cameras as well. The "pro glass" DX lenses are just there to fill the gaps in the coverage as a result of the smaller DX image sensor. DX bodies don't have fewer options, they have more! A large aperture is still a large aperture, even if the image sensor is smaller. The DX bodies benefit from having those larger apertures at longer (35mm equivalent) focal lengths! That's something that FX bodies can't do, "pro glass" not.

[rjseeney]

Originally Posted by jelpee

If FX clearly provides better IQ, the question is if FX will become more affordable (like in the Sony), lighter, etc and therfore become the mainsteam while DX fades away like polaroid instant cameras. Then again, Betamax even though a technically superior product yielded to VHS...does anyone still even own a VCR???

For most uses, FX doesn't clearly provide better IQ. Yes you get better high ISO performance, but the current crop of DX cameras are markedly better than high iso film ever was. You also can't get around the fact that larger sensors will always translate into larger cameras, and most of the non pro's I know are always looking to get smaller, not bigger.

I won't guarantee DX will last forever (or FX for that matter). Who would have thought film would be just about dead 15 years ago. Technology is moving so quickly, I'm sure all of us will be shooting something different 7-10 years from now.

[cameranserai]

Having moved from a D2X with 17/55 to a D3 with 24/70 personally, and this is just a personal viewpoint, I find pictures sharper and much easier to produce superb photos after cropping. I shoot marriages and motor racing and the ISO quality difference alone must make it worth having the FX as opposed to the DX sensor. We don't just shoot in bright sunlight, do we? While obviously the bigger sensor takes more space the D700 isn't that much heavier than a D300 is it? I haven't looked but I would guess not.

No, just like when Fuji introduced the ASA800 Pro film and changed our lives when shooting in poor light, so the FX sensor has changed mine. I recently bought a new P&S camera and read all the reviews as to which was the best in low light. It is still pretty poor and grainy though with its APS sensor.

[rjseeney]

Originally Posted by cameranserai

Having moved from a D2X with 17/55 to a D3 with 24/70 personally, and this is just a personal viewpoint, I find pictures sharper and much easier to produce superb photos after cropping. I shoot marriages and motor racing and the ISO quality difference alone must make it worth having the FX as opposed to the DX sensor. We don't just shoot in bright sunlight, do we? While obviously the bigger sensor takes more space the D700 isn't that much heavier than a D300 is it? I haven't looked but I would guess not.

No, just like when Fuji introduced the ASA800 Pro film and changed our lives when shooting in poor light, so the FX sensor has changed mine. I recently bought a new P&S camera and read all the reviews as to which was the best in low light. It is still pretty poor and grainy though with its APS sensor.

FX is a clear winner for you. I'd still argue, most don't need the extra size and weight, not mention the extra expense of the lenses that come with FX.

[Wingman]

Originally Posted by TCav

jelpee,

What you're not seeing is that all those "pro glass" FX lenses can be used on DX cameras as well. The "pro glass" DX lenses are just there to fill the gaps in the coverage as a result of the smaller DX image sensor. DX bodies don't have fewer options, they have more! A large aperture is still a large aperture, even if the image sensor is smaller. The DX bodies benefit from having those larger apertures at longer (35mm equivalent) focal lengths! That's something that FX bodies can't do, "pro glass" not.

And the debate rages on

Tcav: Based on your comments above, are you recommending that getting the DX lenses over FX lenses..i.e. 24-70 f/2.8 over the 17-55 f/2.8 for my D300s?

[TCav]

Originally Posted by jelpee

And the debate rages on

Tcav: Based on your comments above, are you recommending that getting the DX lenses over FX lenses..i.e. 24-70 f/2.8 over the 17-55 f/2.8 for my D300s?

No. I'm suggesting that you have a choice. That's something you don't have with an FX body.

[shoturtle]

But if you see yourself going to a FX body in the future, you may want to invest in the FX over the DX. The debate ranges on.

For me, I have film still, getting less and less uses. But getting FF lens over crop lens still drives my purchases.