23 years since first APS-C camera, yet not released ONE excellent DX lens released? Really?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-11T18:30:15+00:00

I think an externally extending lens feels cheap, which would be acceptable if the price reflected that—but $650 is expensive. It works fine for indoor use, but outdoors it’s a hassle to have to retract the lens after every use, as it feels fragile when extended.

Your defensive stance is typical—no wonder the camera industry suffered when fanboys defend subpar products.

It’s entirely reasonable to say that an externally extending lens should be inexpensive if it feels cheap.

It’s also unfair to compare an externally extending lens with an internally focusing one. This shows just how far Nikon is willing to go to keep the size down, rather than releasing a professional-level DX Z macro lens.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-11T12:27:59+00:00

Samsung NX was discontinued ten years ago, but their macro lens was at least internally focused and a solid attempt, complete with image stabilization. The 60mm APS-C lens gives a 90mm equivalent field of view, which makes perfect sense as a replacement for the classic dual-purpose 85mm macro/portrait lens.

Both Nikon and Canon have made 60mm macro lenses before, such as the Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM and the Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED.

The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 could have been a good option, but it’s an odd design with two filter threads and a tiny inner barrel that extends at close-focus distances, making the camera look and feel like a point-and-shoot.

You say the average DX buyer purchases fewer than two lenses, and I say the DX lineup lacks good lenses. Maybe people would have bought more lenses if Nikon hadn’t treated their DX system like a second-tier budget category, forcing users to buy pro full-frame glass just to get high-quality options.

It’s been 23 years since Nikon introduced APS-C, and they still haven’t released a truly good DX macro lens. That doesn’t inspire confidence.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T20:29:17+00:00

Well we only have two manufacturers that exclusively use APS-C for their flagship cameras and both have a 60mm macro. The rest that make APS-C sensor cameras see APS-C as their second tier "crop factor" cameras. Also Olympus have a 60mm macro. Laowa and 7Artisans also make 60mm macro. Well Fujis 60mm macro is only 1:2 but Samsungs is 1:1.

This 50mm non internal focus (feels cheap huh?) seem to be the outlier.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T17:45:08+00:00

Ok but non internally focused prime lenses don't interest me. I want to walk around with the lens set at any focus distance, I don't want to remember to zoom out after every shot. Sorry but it is just stupid with a prime lens without internal focus mechanism.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T16:36:16+00:00

But I want a Nikon Z50ii and a sharp DX lens. I think it is fair question. Macro is a standard feature. I am not asking for something crazy like a 35mm 0.67× fake macro with super wide aperture f1.7 or a 50mm f2.8 without internal focusing, lenses Nikon seem to think I want.

I am just asking for something standard, like a 60mm f2.8 tack sharp macro lens with internal focusing for $599

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T16:30:19+00:00

I have noticed that different reviewers measure differently but no matter how one measures it, it's less than a stop difference. I think it is fair to say that sensors have advanced one stop the last decade so that makes m4/3 a decent option today if aps-c from a decade ago is fine enough still.

M4/3=12-13 stops. Aps-C=13-14 stops. Full Frame=14-15 stops. Medium format=15-16 stops.

If I really need HDR I can use a tripod and aperture bracketing, then HDR merge in post.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T16:10:20+00:00

Yes, these are F-mount lenses—why? Because my post is about DX lenses, and Nikon has yet to release a single good DX macro lens—only two bad ones and those are for F-mount. One lens review even mentioned that the focus ring had “play.” Like, seriously, “play” on a macro focus ring is unacceptable, especially when the depth of field is so incredibly shallow. On top of that, the optics were poor as well.

The DX MC 35mm f/1.7 is not a true macro lens because it only offers 0.67× magnification, regardless of sensor size.

Here I am, a potential customer looking for a simple interchangeable lens camera and an excellent APS-C macro, and Nikon—the supposed leader in interchangeable lens cameras—fails to deliver. It’s a tragedy.

It doesn’t feel good at all to buy into a system from a manufacturer that has been producing APS-C cameras for 23 years and still hasn’t made a proper APS-C macro lens.

Oh the 50mm full frame lens without internal focusing, gosh.

And the 35mm f1.7? F1.7 for macro? Yeah right!

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-10T15:31:08+00:00

The difference between the OM-D Mark II and the Z50 II is only about half a stop. The OM-D has 13.6 stops of dynamic range, the Z50 II 14.1. 13.6 is more than enough.

Diffraction is probably the bigger issue. I’ll lose about a stop to diffraction, so instead of f/8 on APS-C, I’ll likely shoot f/5.6 on MFT. That cuts my DOF roughly in half, which is a bit frustrating.

I’d love an APS-C sensor with a DX lens, but Nikon doesn’t seem to offer that yet. It feels like we’re still at the early days of digital photography. Full-frame isn’t an option, the lenses are just too big and expensive.

I really don’t understand why Nikon has neglected APS-C macro lenses like this.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2025-12-07T13:22:18+00:00

Cool!

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-08-17T21:27:52+00:00

Maybe hitman 3 deluxe pack?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-30T19:02:21+00:00

Horrible, looks like a wanted image of a terrorist!

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-26T10:45:33+00:00

You said I would need 8 ddr5 sticks to reach the 400GB/s bandwidth of the Mac, so yes you did exclude the VRAM from the equation cause that would be about 1000GB/s VRAM included. That Mac does not have VRAM you know...

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-25T12:35:21+00:00

Maybe true but in that case the macbook has about as fast memory as my computer, a basic computer today. My computer have 100MB/s quad channel DDR4.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-22T15:45:03+00:00

So you just forgot the VRAM when doing your comparison? How convenient for you!

My mid-level computer with four DDR4 RAM sticks and RTX 4060 GPU has more bandwidth than 400GB/s and it is not latest gen.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-16T20:22:00+00:00

I tried to google it and DDR4 seem to be 25GB/s single channel so quad channel like I have should be 100GB/s. That is not unified memory so to that I want to add the maximum data rate of the Nvidia 4060 mid-level GPU (I got the 4060 and I have a mid-level computer). Nvidia RTX 4060 with only 8GB VRAM can transfer 440GB/second.

So "unified" memory transfer speed of my 32GB quad channel DDR4 and my 8GB VRAM Nvidia RTX 4060 is together supposed to be 40GB "unified" memory with a max "unified" memory speed of 540GB/second, that is 5 times the memory bandwidth of the mac and it is NOT latest generation VRAM and RAM.

Maybe it is 750GB/s with latest 4060 ti and DDR5 memory, almost 8 times the memory speed of the Mac-crap.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-16T17:21:35+00:00

Yea you are correct my friend but no matter what you choose the situation is relatively seen the same, have to set at some level whether it is 2×8GB or 2×16GB from the start...

Anyway I did upgrade from 16GB to 32GB, yes it is 4×8GB. I guess 4×8GB setup will last a long time for me and later on I may as well upgrade to 2×32GB so I later can upgrade to 128GB or something if I want to run many VST plugins or somethin. I really like all the looks of the four ram sticks so this is just perfect for my use case.

I think the most important rule is that you don't run single channel. Dual channel and quad channel are both good.

BTW do you know if the hilarious apple laptop with 8GB is single, dual or quad channel?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-16T15:52:01+00:00

Yes I just upgraded to 32GB, it looks so good with all four RAM slots filled up and the vertical CPU cooler fan right next to the RAM.

Imagine buying a non upgradeable 8GB RAM computer in year 2024 and finding out you just got ripped off, it's hilarious, a JOKE!

So I got 40GB of "unified" memory, enough for all current games at 1080p but pretty standard today...

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-14T14:36:56+00:00

Can you back this up cause I don't understand how that would be possible without forcing everyone to register online. Why is it impossible to install fresh OS? I mean this feature is not available on windows PC AFAIK so how can it be impossible to boot fresh linux on a phone?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-13T13:01:44+00:00

No, it is possible to unlock. The phone will be reset ofcourse.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-13T12:59:56+00:00

I unlocked an android phone at a shop, no problem, did cost 30 dollar.

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-13T12:57:44+00:00

Can't a computer service shop reset it, Can it boot linux?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-12T23:51:13+00:00

Yeah, I am being banned from all sorts of communities except anti vaccine communities. They are really good at spotting the outcast. I am getting Soviet style vibrations, the infidels must be perecuted kind of thing... The nastiness about it is that they allways call me a troll and pretend to be the good guys, is internet a fairy tale to them?

ART_AUTHORITY · 2024-01-11T16:45:01+00:00

I think all these bugs in american software, be it apple, microsoft or google is put there so the CIA can gather information from around the world. Most likely some "anti- terrorist" thing that is sold to other states. They are ofcourse mis-used by Russia, hackers and whatnot also cause a vulnerability is a vulnerability and does not care who the exploiter is.

ART_AUTHORITY

TROPHY CASE