Does a Nikon D5100 viewfinder already account for DX crop factor?
Asked 12/23/2012
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I'm new to DSLRs and considering a Nikon D5100 (DX format). When I look through the optical viewfinder, does it already show the framing that the DX sensor will capture, or do I need to mentally allow for crop factor? Does this change if I use a DX lens versus an FX lens?
Also, does Live View show the same framing, and will the reviewed still image match what was shown?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The viewfinder will show what the camera captures, or at least almost what it captures.
Using a lens that supports a larger image circle will not let the camera capture a larger image area, or change the relation between the sensor and the viewfinder.
Some cameras have a viewfinder that shows 100% of the captured images, but it's common that it shows slightly less because it takes very precise calibration of the viewfinder optics to reach 100%.
The live view will naturally show 100% of the captured image, as there is no optical calibration required to acheive that. (Also cameras with a digital viewfinder will show 100% of the captured image.)
As a comparison, an film camera typically shows a bit less than 100% of the captured image by purpose, to represent the final printed result. Commonly the print process masks or crops the image slightly, so that it doesn't show the uneven edge of the captured image.
Originally by user149. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user149
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On a Nikon D5100, the viewfinder is designed to show the field of view that the DX sensor captures, so you do not need to mentally apply crop factor while composing.
Crop factor matters when comparing angle of view to a full-frame/35mm camera, or when choosing focal lengths, but not for matching the viewfinder to the recorded image.
Using a DX lens or an FX lens does not change the relationship between the D5100’s viewfinder and sensor. An FX lens projects a larger image circle, but the DX sensor still records only its own smaller central area, and the viewfinder reflects that.
The main caveat is coverage: the D5100’s optical viewfinder shows about 95% of the final image, so the photo will include a little more around the edges than you saw. Live View effectively shows the full captured frame, so it will match the recorded image more closely. Image review will show the actual captured photo.
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