0

I want to get a good Fixed Focal Length Lens with wide aperture for my Nikon D5300 which is a DX Camera and while searching for lens in India there were only 4 lens for DX compared to the 44 lens for FX body. Out of the 4 one was a Fisheye Lens so I have three choices. Should I get the DX model or choose from the FX lens. The focal length that I want is only available in the FX lens The Availabe Lens are:

  1. 35mm f/1.8
  2. 85mm f/3.5
  3. 40mm f/2.8

I wanted to get the AF-S 50mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 both of which are FX lenes. I am a little particular about the 50mm - 55mm as I feel that is the best focal length for the type of photos that I usually take. I am also open to other lens with lower focal length as I can always crop in post.

What should I do?

Michael C
  • 175,039
  • 10
  • 209
  • 561
Strange Photon
  • 95
  • 1
  • 8

2 Answers2

5

You're absolutely fine putting an FX lens on a DX body - it's the other way round that has issues with vignetting at the corners. If you ever move up to a full-frame body, you can take an FX lens with you.

Watch out for older lenses that need a motor in the camera to enable auto-focus. Newer lower-end cameras don't have a built-in motor & need the lens to have it built-in.

If you want a fast 50mm you can use the AF-S 1.8G or AF-S 1.4G but not the older AF 1.4 or 1.8D versions, you would lose auto-focus.
I have the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G for my D5500 & it's just fabulous.

There is a confusing array of code letters on Nikon lenses, so if you are in doubt, check this answer to What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean? or Ken Rockwell's Compatibility List

Michael C
  • 175,039
  • 10
  • 209
  • 561
Tetsujin
  • 23,252
  • 3
  • 46
  • 97
1

If you want a 50mm lens, you should get the 50mm (or look for third party options).

But I believe what you actually want, is a 50mm Full-Frame equivalent lens. In this case, get the 35mm. This lens provides roughly the same field of view on your DX boody as a 50mm lens on FX Body

Edit after question update:

OP specified, that he/she actually wants a 50mm lens. So the answer by @Tetsujin probably correct here.

Wayne_Yux
  • 113
  • 1
  • 5
  • Maybe, maybe not. I have only used crop-frame in recent years & I actually 'think' in crop-frame when choosing a focal length. But, it's a valid point, for sure. – Tetsujin Oct 05 '17 at 09:02
  • I don't want to try third party options as even Sigma has only 12 service centers in India and third party lens are also difficult to sell in case i want to upgrade to a FX camera in the future – Strange Photon Oct 05 '17 at 09:18
  • @Tetsujin OP just specified the question, so your answer is probably the best. Have my upvote ;-) – Wayne_Yux Oct 05 '17 at 09:24