FX lenses are a type of lens made by Nikon designed for use with their full-frame FX-format digital SLR cameras. These lenses project an image circle large enough to cover the entire 36x24mm sensor of an FX camera.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Sensor Size Matters: Digital SLR cameras have sensors that capture light to create images. Nikon offers two primary sensor formats:
- FX (Full Frame): These sensors are approximately the same size as traditional 35mm film (36x24mm).
- DX: These sensors are smaller (24x16mm).
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FX Lenses are for Full-Frame Cameras: FX lenses are specifically designed to work optimally with the larger FX sensors. They project a wider image circle that fully covers the sensor.
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Using FX Lenses on DX Cameras: While you can use an FX lens on a DX camera, only the central portion of the lens's image circle will be used. This effectively crops the image, giving you a narrower field of view. This is often referred to as a "crop factor" (usually 1.5x for Nikon DX cameras).
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Why Choose FX Lenses?
- Wider Field of View: On FX cameras, FX lenses deliver their intended field of view, allowing you to capture more of the scene.
- Image Quality: FX lenses are often designed with higher optical performance in mind, potentially leading to improved image quality, sharpness, and reduced vignetting (darkening at the corners).
- Future-Proofing: If you plan to upgrade to an FX camera in the future, investing in FX lenses now can save you money in the long run.
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Considerations:
- Price: FX lenses often tend to be more expensive than DX lenses due to their more complex designs and larger size.
- Size and Weight: FX lenses are typically larger and heavier.
- Specific Needs: If you only own a DX camera and have no plans to upgrade, DX lenses may be a more practical and cost-effective choice.
In summary, FX lenses are designed for full-frame cameras and provide the intended field of view and, generally, high image quality, while also being usable on DX cameras with a cropped field of view.
