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....
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RoamingScott wrote:
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.
