chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

As the performance of camera lenses falls away when you examine the edge of the picture, does a full frame lens ( FX DG etc ) on a camera body

which has a cropped sensor perform better than when mounted on a full frame sensor body? In the case of the cropped frame camera body

does the fact that the edge of the image falls outside the sensor improve the performance.? Complicated I know by the apparent change

in focal length............... More expensive lenses I know, but also worth thinking about "future proofing" in the event of going full frame.

uhaas2009

The FX lenses works on DX and FX body. If a DX lens is on a FX body my Nikon 810 shows in the view finder a frame for DX size. Nikon made some nice DX and FX lenses. I’m not talking the time to figure out what lens preform what, sorry

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The best edge to edge lens is a macro lens, regardless of being full frame or crop design. That being said, I’m wondering about how many compositions could be affected by a subtle difference in edge to edge sharpness. It might be relevant on a purist basis but I don’t envision much of an issue in practice.

maxiu9

Anecdotally, I'd say your observation can, at times, be correct depending on the lens. In my own case, I always love the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 on my DX camera, but never really liked it on my FX because it was soft at the corners. No corners, no problem! When I sold my DX, I also got rid of the lens in favor of sharper 50mm lenses for full frame.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The general consensus seems to be that, yes, a ff lens on a crop body does produce a better photo at the outer areas because you are only using the 'sweet spot' of the lens. It makes sense, and, I have seen nothing to refute the idea, although, there could be other factors to consider that I am unaware of.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If your sensor throws away 60% of the frame, how will you ever achieve your potential as a photographer?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Yes.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Without the distraction of that 60% your efforts are better focused on the more meaningful remaining 40%

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

In general, an FX lens on a DX sensor is going to make a photo from the sharpest area of the lens, DX lens on FX body, vignette, DX on FX in crop mode, back to normal. Reality/lens design makes these things better/worse depending..... Buying FX lenses will never be a bad idea (esp. if you see a move from DX to FX in your future). Where some might consider it overspending early - esp. if no time frame for a move to FX or the potential for body type change like DSLR to MILC, it will usually be considered a positive move since the FX lenses retain a much higher value over time - Whereas DX lenses are not holding great value. One has only to look at the used market to see the oversaturation of DX, and the value retainment of the FX models.

Now, as gvarner noted, total edge to edge sharpness may or may not be relevant to the composition. Some may say that in general the sharpest lenses are going to be the top quality FF lenses, and again, in general this seem to hold true. Regardless of type, individual lenses should be judged on their own merit, and purchase decisions made to accomodate your specific needs.

Remember, these are generalizations, and there are variances in design and build, and differences of opinion on this subject. What is important to one, is not always important to the other.

my $.02

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

More than 60% of my life is gone now..... So I'm not too worried!!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Sounds to me like you have many clicks left!!!!, I wouldn't worry either. We will most likely see another revolution in photography within the next 5-7 yrs. anyway (just basing that projection on the speed of and changes new technology are bringing). IMHO, YMMV.

repleo Loc: Boston

Yes, a FF lens on a crop sensor should have better edge-to-edge sharpness than on a FF body. However a couple of things to think about with your 'future proof ' strategy.
1. How important is edge-to-edge sharpness for what you shoot?
2. How realistic is your potential move to FF?
3. If you buy the focal lenses you need for your crop camera, they will probably not be the focal lenses you will want for your potential FF.
2. Some mediocre FF lenses may perform on your crop as good as a high quality crop lens for around the same price. However, there is not much point in going to FF unless you have top quality FF lenses. If you buy the top quality lenses now, you will be paying for edge-to-edge performance you won't benefit from on your crop camera.
3. Consider the extra weight and bulk of high quality FF lenses. That extra weight can sap the fun and spontaneity out of a walk or trip.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

40% is easier to attain...

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia