Should I choose a Nikon DSLR with an in-body AF motor, or rely on AF-S lenses?
Asked 9/21/2012
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2 answers
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I’m choosing a Nikon DSLR for general photography and some wildlife shooting. I’ve seen that some Nikon bodies have an in-body autofocus motor while others do not. I also understand that lenses with their own focus motor (AF-S) will autofocus even on bodies without an in-body motor.
What are the practical advantages and disadvantages of buying a body with an internal AF motor versus using only AF-S lenses? How does this affect lens compatibility, cost, and autofocus performance, especially for wildlife photography?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
You are no longer choosing between in-camera and in-lens motor. You are choosing between a camera that has an in-lens motor only and one that has both! Given the latter a super-set of the other, you cannot go wrong with one that supports both. Plus, those which do support both are higher-end which makes them better cameras anyway.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A Nikon body with an in-body AF motor gives you the most flexibility, because it can autofocus with both older AF lenses and AF-S lenses. A body without the motor can autofocus only with AF-S lenses.
The main tradeoff is cost versus compatibility. Older AF/AF-D lenses without built-in motors are often cheaper, so a body with an internal motor can save money if you want access to those lenses. Bodies without the motor are typically entry-level models and cost less up front, but they limit you to AF-S lenses for autofocus.
For wildlife, AF-S lenses are generally the better choice because in-lens motors are often faster, which helps with moving subjects. So even if you buy a body with an internal motor, you may still prefer AF-S lenses for that kind of photography.
In short:
- in-body motor: broader lens compatibility, potentially lower lens costs
- AF-S only body: cheaper body, but fewer autofocus lens options
- for wildlife: AF-S is usually preferable for autofocus speed
If your budget allows, a body with an internal motor is the safer long-term choice because it supports both systems.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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