How can I tell whether the Nikon 18-105mm has internal focusing (IF)?
Asked 12/17/2011
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The Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm ED VR is listed in some specifications as having IF (internal focusing), but that marking may not be obvious on local packaging or labeling. How can I verify that the lens really has IF, and did Nikon ever make versions of this lens with and without IF?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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The "IF" is included on the lens (see image here on Ken Rockwell's site): 18-105mm specifications
The lens will extend when you zoom. IF (in this instance) appears only to mean that once you set a focal point, say 105mm, as you focus the outer part of the lens won't move. So if you have a polarising filter on, it won't turn as you focus.
Edit: just read the PHotozone review which basically says what I said above. Lens will extend as you zoom, but not rotate as you focus. Quite different than lenses which do not extend/rotate as they zoom OR focus.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
IF on this lens refers to internal focusing, not to zooming. The 18-105mm will extend as you zoom, but when you focus, the outer front part should not move or rotate. That’s the practical way to verify it.
So if you want to check in person, mount the lens, set a focal length, and focus from near to far. If the front ring doesn’t rotate during focusing, it has IF. This is also why it works better with polarizing filters.
Based on the community answers, the 18-105mm is described in reviews/specs as having internal focusing, and there’s no indication Nikon made separate IF and non-IF versions of this same lens. The lack of an obvious “IF” marking on packaging or the lens name doesn’t necessarily mean the feature is missing.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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