Will autofocus extension tubes make a Nikon D3000 autofocus with a screw-drive lens?
Asked 6/27/2014
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I have a Nikon D3000, which does not have an in-body autofocus motor. I also have a Nikon lens that does not have its own autofocus motor and normally relies on the camera’s screw-drive motor. If I use a set of autofocus macro extension tubes, will that add autofocus capability? Do autofocus extension tubes contain a focus motor, or do they only pass through electronic connections?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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No. Extension tubes that offer AF capability simply mean they have contacts that allow for electronic communication between the body and the lens. They do not have autofocus motors in them or add autofocus capability to a body/lens combination that doesn't have it without the extension tubes.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
12y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
No. Autofocus extension tubes do not contain a focus motor and will not add autofocus to a camera/lens combination that lacks it.
On tubes described as “AF” or “autofocus,” that usually means they preserve the electronic contacts between the camera and lens so supported functions can still communicate. They do not provide the mechanical screw-drive autofocus motor your D3000 is missing.
So with a Nikon D3000 and a lens that depends on the camera body’s screw-drive motor, autofocus will still not work, even with AF extension tubes attached. You would need either:
- a lens with its own built-in autofocus motor, or
- a camera body that includes the screw-drive autofocus motor.
Also note that extension tubes are mainly for closer focusing/macro use, not for adding AF capability.
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