FX for Nikonians

Alex Mustard · Issue 46, Jan/Feb 2009 · pp. 22–24

Products mentioned: Nikon D3, Nikon D700, Nikon D300, Nikon 14-24mm, Nikon 17-35mm, Nikon 16mm fisheye, Sigma 15mm fisheye, Sigma 150mm macro, Tokina 10-17mm, Subal housing, Subal ND700, Inon Z240 strobes, Subtronic Alpha strobes, Canon 40D, Canon 5D

magnifications) or when I purposely recomposed. When shooting macro with an FX camera, the depth of field will be less than with a DX camera, with the same framing at the same aperture. It is therefore important to focus accurately. These cameras do not endure sloppy technique. Of course the shallower depth of field can be used creatively to isolate subjects against busy backgrounds. I found the Sigma 150mm particularly effective for this, when opened up to F4.5-F6.3. Shooting Wide Angle and High ISO The FX sensor has two potential downsides for wide angle. First there is no fisheye zoom, and second we know from the experience of Canon full frame shooters that getting sharp corners can be hard with rectilinear wide angles. It is curiously how quickly goalposts move. There was no such thing as a fisheye zoom for DX Nikon’s until 2007, but now the lack of an equivalent to the popular Tokin…