Can any Nikon FX DSLR shoot a square crop when using DX lenses?

Asked 3/7/2012

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On Nikon FX bodies, mounting a DX lens usually triggers Auto DX Crop, using the APS-C sized center of the sensor. Since a DX image circle is round and the FX sensor is 36×24mm, I’m wondering whether any Nikon full-frame camera can record a square crop such as 24×24mm, or something close, instead of the normal DX rectangle. If not, is there a near-equivalent in-camera option?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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Square format is not supported, but 5:4 aspect ratio offered by D3, D3s, D800 and D800E is only slightly wider, 30mm. The nice thing is that the viewfinder is electronically masked, so you can compose with good precision. This aspect ratio is not provided on a D700 or D3x.

Alternatively, you could always crop in post.

Of course, you'll also need to disable Auto DX Crop.

Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user4390

14y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Nikon FX DSLRs do not offer a true in-camera square crop mode for DX lenses. Based on the models mentioned, the closest built-in option is a 5:4 aspect ratio on the Nikon D3, D3s, D800, and D800E. That gives a frame about 30mm wide, so it’s slightly wider than square, and these cameras provide electronic masking in the viewfinder for accurate composition.

Models specifically noted as not offering this 5:4 option are the D700 and D3x.

If you want the largest possible central image area with a DX lens, you would need to disable Auto DX Crop and then crop to square later in post-processing. That’s the practical workaround, though corner shading or vignetting may appear depending on the lens.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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