Another question for you experts: the guy at local camera store who seemed to know what he was talking about, told me that the 55-200 was strictly a digital lens and would not work on my Nikon N65 film cam. Today I put it on there, it fit, it auto-focused, and looks like it would work just fine. Comments?
Lenny is correct. I believe the 55-200 is a "DX" lens. That means it will project a smaller image circle, big enough for the sub-full frame sensor, but not big enough for a 35mm film rectangle. Your 4x6 prints (or whatever size you enlarge it to) will only show a circular image. The advantage of a DX lens is that it can be built smaller and thus would result in cheaper manufacturing costs.
Being an old flight tester, I have to test things. Today I put the N65 on a tripod and shot the same downtown Waldport scene with the normal AF lens, 28-80mm, the DX 18-55mm, and the DX 55-200mm. I shot the extremes and some in between focal lengths. The 55-200 works great, no problems, no cutting of the edges. The 18-55 is a problem at 18mm, it cuts off the edges and provides a round photo. It's fine at 35mm. I was mainly interested in the telephoto and am very happy that it works on the old film cam. Shot on a six month outdated roll of K200. I can't wait to use the D50 on some real trains!
Fitz: You'll love the D50 on real train shots. It'll amaze you. Have fun.... Stay cool and run steam....
Keeping up with the testing, I shot some moving cars and trucks while panning today. I am pleased with the results, even using autofocus. Won't get to do trains till next month. Darn.
