DX mode on FF body?
p.2 #1DX mode on FF body?
I never used it except when the lens forces me to (i.e. APS-C lenses that transmit it). Even if the crop helps track a little, I prefer trading that for a bit more cropping latitude in arbitrary directions. That being said some people like composing everything in camera more than others and of course it can help with that sort of "feng shui". What's more irritating is that a few still believe DX mode gives them more reach....
Feb 20, 2026 at 01:12 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #2DX mode on FF body?
It would be great if Nikon, in general, supported non-destructive crops for both DX mode and aspect ratios. There's no reason we shouldn't have the full size RAW file even if shooting in DX. That would allow for more precise post cropping AND better in the field AF.
Feb 20, 2026 at 01:17 PM
p.2 #3DX mode on FF body?
Use it on my z8. I prefer it to cropping for reach in post and like the idea that it helps the af.
Feb 22, 2026 at 05:26 AM
p.2 #4DX mode on FF body?
I haven't used DX mode since 1963. I never make any framed prints, but can see a difference on the 4k/8mp monitor when the image is viewed at 400% (and that bothers me).
Feb 22, 2026 at 07:37 AM
p.2 #5DX mode on FF body?
JasonTheBirder wrote:
I never used it except when the lens forces me to (i.e. APS-C lenses that transmit it).
Curious, since my camera cannot be forced ?
I mean, sure, I could enable the option.
But the only crop lens I use on my camera is the AF 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye DX, and that one is circumcized, so I can freely pick whatever aspect ratio I want to use for the fisheye effect.
I never used it except when the lens forces me to (i.e. APS-C lenses that transmit it).
Curious, since my camera cannot be forced ?
I mean, sure, I could enable the option.
But the only crop lens I use on my camera is the AF 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye DX, and that one is circumcized, so I can freely pick whatever aspect ratio I want to use for the fisheye effect.
Feb 22, 2026 at 08:02 AM
p.2 #6DX mode on FF body?
RoamingScott wrote:
How on earth did we ever go to the store when all we had was a horse and buggy?
Why should we be beholden to standards of antiquated technology for the sake of arguments?
You were also looking at those pictures on a 720p CRT.
It's more like comparing a Honda Civic from 2004 to a 2026 $50K car of your choice. In the end they do pretty much the same thing when it comes to grocery getting.
We shouldn't be beholden to standards of antiquated technolgy but in some cases (most) modern technology really doesn't amount to anything better.
Regarding viewing- back then we were looking at 720 monitors and prints. Today we (photographers) are looking at much better monitors. Pretty much everyone else is looking at a cellphone and your competition is an AI cat video.
How on earth did we ever go to the store when all we had was a horse and buggy?
Why should we be beholden to standards of antiquated technology for the sake of arguments?
You were also looking at those pictures on a 720p CRT.
It's more like comparing a Honda Civic from 2004 to a 2026 $50K car of your choice. In the end they do pretty much the same thing when it comes to grocery getting.
We shouldn't be beholden to standards of antiquated technolgy but in some cases (most) modern technology really doesn't amount to anything better.
Regarding viewing- back then we were looking at 720 monitors and prints. Today we (photographers) are looking at much better monitors. Pretty much everyone else is looking at a cellphone and your competition is an AI cat video.
Feb 22, 2026 at 01:15 PM
p.2 #7DX mode on FF body?
darwinphoto wrote:
My new Z5-II has DX mode at the touch of a button. It looks like a useful feature provided one is OK with shooting at 12 MP.
Do you use it? Or do you just crop in post? Do you use it only on the higher MP bodies or also on the small 26 (I mean 24) MP bodies? Only with certain lenses?
I used it on a D810 for bird pics it had some advantage, when you gripped the camera. It bumped up the frame rate and the buffer didn't choke as fast.
I still shoot with that camera. It will crop to 8x10 aspect ratio also. I like that sometimes.
Otherwise really don't use it much. I have a D850. Probably should try it based on some of the other posts.
My new Z5-II has DX mode at the touch of a button. It looks like a useful feature provided one is OK with shooting at 12 MP.
Do you use it? Or do you just crop in post? Do you use it only on the higher MP bodies or also on the small 26 (I mean 24) MP bodies? Only with certain lenses?
I used it on a D810 for bird pics it had some advantage, when you gripped the camera. It bumped up the frame rate and the buffer didn't choke as fast.
I still shoot with that camera. It will crop to 8x10 aspect ratio also. I like that sometimes.
Otherwise really don't use it much. I have a D850. Probably should try it based on some of the other posts.
Feb 22, 2026 at 01:30 PM
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p.2 #8DX mode on FF body?
I use it when I’m not close to filling the frame and know that I will crop. Mostly when doing birds or wildlife and I don’t have enough focal length, very occasionally for sports or isolating landscapes.
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body. The 16-50 kit lens is especially handy for that, and the 12-28 and 18-140 has useful size reductions from the close cousin FX glass if size and weight is truly critical.
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body. The 16-50 kit lens is especially handy for that, and the 12-28 and 18-140 has useful size reductions from the close cousin FX glass if size and weight is truly critical.
Feb 23, 2026 at 04:25 PM
p.2 #9DX mode on FF body?
KankRat wrote:
It bumped up the frame rate and the buffer didn't choke as fast.
Why yes, thats an actual benefit.
I dont really need frame rate or buffer depth though for my photography. A camera that immediately takes a photo when I press the button is perfectly enough.
It bumped up the frame rate and the buffer didn't choke as fast.
Why yes, thats an actual benefit.
I dont really need frame rate or buffer depth though for my photography. A camera that immediately takes a photo when I press the button is perfectly enough.
Feb 23, 2026 at 04:28 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #10DX mode on FF body?
pbraymond wrote:
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body.
This is precisely why I have said for years that the Z8 is the actual D500 successor
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body.
This is precisely why I have said for years that the Z8 is the actual D500 successor
Feb 23, 2026 at 04:28 PM
p.2 #11DX mode on FF body?
RoamingScott wrote:
This is precisely why I have said for years that the Z8 is the actual D500 successor
Other than the price.
pbraymond wrote
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body.Other than the price.
Feb 25, 2026 at 09:59 AM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #12DX mode on FF body?
KankRat wrote:
This is precisely why I have said for years that the Z8 is the actual D500 successor Other than the price.
Not sure if you know how inflation works or not, but you can get a brand new "refurb" Z8 for the exact same price as the D500's launch price, adjusted.
RoamingScott wrote
pbraymond wrote
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body.Not sure if you know how inflation works or not, but you can get a brand new "refurb" Z8 for the exact same price as the D500's launch price, adjusted.
Feb 25, 2026 at 10:09 AM
p.2 #13DX mode on FF body?
Thanks for the input.
I've mapped the FX/DX mode switch to a button on my camera and plan to use it when the lens doesn't have enough reach (i.e. when I know I'll be cropping by at least that much). Yes, that leaves me with only about 10 MP in the image but that is more pixels than a person can see at normal viewing distances.
https://andreabrandi.com/app/calculator-distance-tv-monitor
I've mapped the FX/DX mode switch to a button on my camera and plan to use it when the lens doesn't have enough reach (i.e. when I know I'll be cropping by at least that much). Yes, that leaves me with only about 10 MP in the image but that is more pixels than a person can see at normal viewing distances.
https://andreabrandi.com/app/calculator-distance-tv-monitor
Feb 25, 2026 at 10:51 AM
p.2 #14DX mode on FF body?
RoamingScott wrote:
This is precisely why I have said for years that the Z8 is the actual D500 successor Other than the price.Not sure if you know how inflation works or not, but you can get a brand new "refurb" Z8 for the exact same price as the D500's launch price, adjusted.
"Refurb" is not new or comparing apples to apples. Especially thru Nikon. Ask me how I know.
Going by inflation calculation of launch prices Nikon is giving away cameras now.
D7200 3/15 $1200 - adj 1/26 $1653 Z50II 11/24 $909
D500 3/16 $2000 - adj 1/26 $2731
D850 8/17 $3300 - adj 1/26 $4371 Z8 5/23 $4000
D5 1/16 $6500 - adj 1/26 $8923 Z9 11/21 $5500
KankRat wrote
RoamingScott wrote
pbraymond wrote
For a 45MP Nikon, it also allows a “free” DX body with the much smaller DX lenses without needing to buy another body."Refurb" is not new or comparing apples to apples. Especially thru Nikon. Ask me how I know.
Going by inflation calculation of launch prices Nikon is giving away cameras now.
D7200 3/15 $1200 - adj 1/26 $1653 Z50II 11/24 $909
D500 3/16 $2000 - adj 1/26 $2731
D850 8/17 $3300 - adj 1/26 $4371 Z8 5/23 $4000
D5 1/16 $6500 - adj 1/26 $8923 Z9 11/21 $5500
Feb 25, 2026 at 01:03 PM