The Future of DX and EF-S Lenses

[Raoul Isidro]

What is the future for these cropped APS sized FOV lenses? (DX and EF-S)
Will they be orphaned as the new cameras with Full Frame sensors become the norm?
I remember how APS Film cameras were so hot the first 2 years and went spiralling to oblivion after that...

[dcclark]

For Nikon at least (and I assume Canon as well), newer FX (full frame) cameras automatically use only the center of the sensor when a DX lens is attached. You effectively have fewer megapixels to use (but as we all know, that really doesn't matter anyhow!).

I suspect that low-end cameras will be DX/APS-C sized for a number of years to come.

[inkista]

You pays your money and you takes your chances, but given the fabrication problems inherent in larger chips, it's always going to be more expensive to produce full-frame cameras, and I think we're hecka long way away from seeing a $1000 full frame. My guess is that the only reason Sony can offer the A850 for $2k is because they're the ones making the sensor and they're willing to eat the profit. People will always want cheap cameras, and it's only crazies who are willing to pay four figures for their camera gear. Even if the much-posited $1000 full frame bodies ever arrive, there will probably always been a crop body for a third the price that can still use the crop lenses that will sell at higher volume.

The reason APS spiralled out was larger than that specific format not being popular--it was introduced right when the the shift from film to digital began. Within three years, it was becoming clear that FILM was becoming obsolete. Being able to do mid-roll film change with APS was nothing compared to switching ISO shot-for-shot with a mere switch or menu selection.

[jdepould]

I really don't think crop sensors are going away any time soon on cheap cameras. They're always going to be cheaper than bigger chips, and full frame isn't really new. The 1Ds and 5D have been around for a coon's age.

[OsmosisStudios]

DX/EF-S is here to stay for quite some time. Hell, Ricoh is making an interchangeable lens camera a-la-EP1 but instead of just changing the LENS you'll be changing the lens, sensor and processor. Optimized for everything.

[Raoul Isidro]

Yes I understand that Nikon DX lenses can be used of their FX bodies. I don't think you can do that to Canon EF-S lenses on Full Frame bodies, at least not at the moment. Cheers!

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by inkista

The reason APS spiralled out was larger than that specific format not being popular--it was introduced right when the the shift from film to digital began. Within three years, it was becoming clear that FILM was becoming obsolete. Being able to do mid-roll film change with APS was nothing compared to switching ISO shot-for-shot with a mere switch or menu selection.

Nice insight. APS was doomed when digital dawned...

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by jdepould

I really don't think crop sensors are going away any time soon on cheap cameras. They're always going to be cheaper than bigger chips, and full frame isn't really new. The 1Ds and 5D have been around for a coon's age.

That's reassuring. I have a few DX and EF-S lenses I would like to keep as they have good performance. Cheers.

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

DX/EF-S is here to stay for quite some time. Hell, Ricoh is making an interchangeable lens camera a-la-EP1 but instead of just changing the LENS you'll be changing the lens, sensor and processor. Optimized for everything.

Interchangeable sensors! Wow, the innovations just keep on pouring. A modular component camera would be very nice indeed! Cheers!

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Interchangeable sensors! Wow, the innovations just keep on pouring. A modular component camera would be very nice indeed! Cheers!

Aye, the Ricoh GXR. Dunno about nice though.

Dunno about innovation either as Minolta tried it over a decade ago and it didn't seem to get them anywhere. Seems like a load of hassle to get round having to clean your sensor occasionally.

I much prefer the interchangable lens compacts as you can fit extension tubes and stuff if you want. Also, would you fancy buying new lenses every time there's a new sensor development or improvement to the image processor? I don't fancy it anyway.

I think there's plenty mileage in APS-C digital as I believe other reasons APS film SLRs didn't last long was because they were rubbish and there was a limited choice in film up to ISO 400. The only APS films I could find to try on a compact were colour negative - it wasn't a format likely to appeal to slide film or B&W film users.