How do I tell if a third-party lens will autofocus on a Nikon D5000?
Asked 8/17/2012
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I use a Nikon D5000, which does not have an in-body focus motor. With Nikon lenses, I know I need AF-S lenses for autofocus. How can I tell whether a third-party lens from Sigma, Tamron, or others will autofocus on my camera? Are there brand-specific markings or terms I should look for?
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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Generally only Nikon lenses use the AF-S designation. Some other lens manufacturers, like Sigma, will include a designation like HSM to denote that they have a motor (HSM = High Speed Motor). Others, like Tamron, confuse the issue by including 'AF' in their designations, which on a Nikon lens would mean body-driven AF, even though they have a built-in motor.
Most retailers' product descriptions will include information on the autofocus system in any given lens. If not, Google is your friend - 'will X lens autofocus on nikon D5000' generally fits the bill. Or you can always use DPReview's excellent lens feature search tool to find all the Nikon mount lenses with built-in AF motors.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. For a Nikon D5000, the key is whether the lens has its own built-in autofocus motor, since the camera body does not provide one.
With Nikon, that usually means AF-S. For third-party lenses, the names vary by brand:
- Sigma: look for HSM
- Tamron: some motorized lenses may use terms like PZD
In general, sonic/ultrasonic motor labels are the easiest to spot because manufacturers usually advertise them in the lens name. Standard built-in motors can be harder to identify because they are not always clearly labeled.
The safest approach is to check the product description and confirm that the lens includes an internal focus motor and supports autofocus on Nikon bodies without a screw-drive motor. If the listing is unclear, check the manufacturer’s specs or search for that exact lens plus “Nikon D5000 autofocus.”
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