There is a very useful feature with Nikon full frame cameras that is set up by many professional photographers, and today we will let you know how to set that up, and how to activate the function. Plus we will talk about the practical uses on your 24mp-46mp full frame cameras.
“Before We Start You Need To Understand”
When you are using Nikon’s DX crop function, you are switching the camera into APS-C mode. This means that you are only using a part of the sensor, meaning that your images will appear to be zoomed in over a standard FX (full frame) image.
This is not some kind of magic way to suddenly gain extra reach, although it feels like it! You will get the same results if you take a standard image in FX mode, and then in software afterwards crop into the centre of the image leaving a 10mp or 21mp image (based on how many megapixels your camera has).
You have to remember, megapixels are not the be-all and end-all of your photography like many un-educated people keep trying to point out. A 10mp image for example still fills a 4k display (which is around 8mp) and is still more than enough to get you perfect looking large prints. The results you get are far more influenced by the lens quality, level of noise in your image and your precision in hitting your focus.
“Setting Up Your Nikon Full Frame For DX Crop Mode Activation”
These settings can be activated at anytime by pressing the assigned button that you choose. For cameras with two or more function buttons, I recommend setting it to the F2 button, and for a camera such as the Nikon ZF I recommend using the DISP button (it is out of the way as using the AE/L button can be prone to accidental knocks).
Newer Z Cameras (ZF, Z5ii, Z6iii, Z7, Z8)
- Step 1 – Press your “i” button and choose “Custom Controls (Shooting)”
- Step 2 – Press “Ok” and choose the button you want to assign.
- Step 3 – Press “Ok” and choose “Switch FX/DX” from the list.
- Step 4 – Press “Ok” and you are all set up.
To activate the DX feature simply press the assigned button (“DISP” here on the ZF set-up photos) and press it again to go back to FX mode.
Older Z Cameras (Z6, Z6ii, Z5)
- Step 1 – Press your “i” button and choose “Custom Controls”
- Step 2 – Press “Ok” and choose the button you want to assign.
- Step 3 – Press “Ok” and choose “Choose Image Area” from the list.
- Step 4 – Press “Ok” and you are all set up.
On these older cameras it is slightly different to activate. To activate simply press the assigned button (“F2” here on my Z6ii set-up photos) and spin the back wheel to choose FX or DX. Please note, it is recommended that you go into the menu and minimise your options for Image Area options, or you will also have options in the list for 1:1 and 16:9.
“Practical Use”
Having this function just allows you to have more options with your lenses. When you are using a prime lens for example in a wedding shoot that is 35mm and you need to quickly extend the reach, you can tap on the DX button you have assigned and suddenly you have the view and reach of a 50mm lens (it is a 1.5x crop). Yes, you can simply do this in software at a later date, but often on a full days wedding or event, the last thing you want to do is go through an think about cropping your images.
It is not just prime lenses that benefit from having this ability, with a zoom lens it theoretically extends the long end, meaning that your 24-70 lens suddenly feels like you have a 105mm long end. In practical use when out photographing on the streets, or wildlife etc, your lens will be able to zoom in and 100mm becomes 150mm, 500mm becomes 750mm. It is extremely useful.
It is a function that professional photographers use day in and day out, and one that many hobbyist photographers miss out on. Many of them are worried about only have 10mp or 20mp, but in reality as mentioned in the first main section, because you are already cropping and filling your frame, 10mp is more than enough, and then some! The huge majority of images these days, be it be for your clients or yourself are viewed on small phone screens, laptop screens or printed no more than A3 size, all of which is perfect for any images over 8mp (based on viewing on a 4k screen, 1080p screens mean even less resolution is needed!)
“Conclusion”
Using your function buttons on your camera is a perfect way of adding tools to your camera that are generally missing. Too many people just do not assign the functions to make their life easier. This addition of the DX crop tap-and-shoot button is game changing, and genuinely a function that just works.
As I said, it is not magic, and you can achieve the same results after-the-event. However, it is a time saver for those of us who have large workflows, or even those who just dabble in photography. The biggest regret you will have is not giving it a go, and like everything on this website, it is tried and tested in environments where quality and results matter.
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My name is Mark G Adams and I run Photography By Mark G Adams. I am a professional photographer from South Wales, shooting weddings, events and portraits as well as running meets and workshops. For fun I like to shoot landscapes, wildlife and occasionally do street photography. Enjoy my website as I share my knowledge learned over decades of working and having fun in photography. Feel free to like, comment and subscribe!
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