Should I buy Nikon AF or AF-S lenses for a D7000?
Asked 7/20/2011
4 views
2 answers
0
I’m planning to get a Nikon D7000, which has an in-body focus motor, so I understand it can autofocus both older AF lenses and AF-S lenses with built-in motors. I’m comparing Nikon 50mm prime options in AF and AF-S versions and wondering whether AF-S is worth the extra cost. Are AF-S lenses noticeably faster or more accurate, and does that depend on focal length? Also, is it smarter to buy AF-S now in case I later use a Nikon body without an internal focus motor?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
7
Yes, yes, no, maybe, no, probably, no
- You will have AF focus for both AF and AF-S lenses.
- AF-S are said to be faster, by how much depends on the lens.
- They are not more accurate.
- They may worth it, that depends on your budget and your subject's movements.
- Probably these differences are the same based on focal-length.
- A movement from a high-end DSLR to a low-end one is unlikely, unless you want a backup body and cannot afford two high-end ones. It may drive you crazy though!
PS: We recommend one question at a time.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On a D7000, both AF and AF-S lenses will autofocus.
In general, AF-S lenses are usually faster and quieter to focus, but not inherently more accurate. Focus accuracy is determined more by the camera’s AF system and the lens’s optical/mechanical design than by whether the motor is in the body or the lens.
Whether AF-S is worth paying extra depends on your budget and what you shoot. If you photograph moving subjects, the speed and noise advantages may matter more. If not, the older AF version may still work perfectly well.
As a broad rule, the AF-S answer is similar across focal lengths: newer AF-S versions are often the better long-term choice overall, not just because of autofocus motor location but because they tend to be newer designs.
AF-S is also the safer future-proof option. Some Nikon bodies, especially entry-level ones, do not have an in-body AF motor, so AF-S lenses keep autofocus compatibility if you ever use one of those bodies or share lenses with someone who does.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How important is the lack of an in-body autofocus motor on the Nikon D5100?
Will future Nikon F-mount lenses all have built-in autofocus motors?
Can a Nikon AF-S or AF-P lens with a failed focus motor still autofocus on a body with an internal AF motor?
Should I pay extra for a Nikon AF-D lens just to get an aperture ring on a D7000?
Should I choose a Nikon DSLR with an in-body AF motor, or rely on AF-S lenses?