NIKKOR 70-300mm AF LENS for D3100

inditiger · May 29, 2012

Hi,

I am new to Photography. Waiting for my first SLR. Still confused between D3200 and D5100. But that is not the question here.
While browsing through 2nd hand lenses (budget issues), I came across this ad of NIKKOR 70-300mm lens. Called the guy. He told me that he has the D3100 and the problem is, his camera doesn't have "motor" so he is not able to auto focus.
I really don't know technical things about SLRs and lenses. So can anyone tell me what is the problem here? Why can't the guy auto focus? Will I be able to auto focus with this lens from D3200 or D5100?

The guy said he bought it in January this year and has barely used it. Asking price compared to it is pretty cheap. Could it be that there is some other problem and he is just making up the story? (can't trust anyone these days. can we?)

So anyways, if you have any idea what could this problem be, please let me know...

Thanks!

orb9220 · May 29, 2012

Pre-AI | AI,AI-S,E series are full manual lenses no motor in lens or screw drive for camera with motor to focus the lens. All manual operation.

- mounts,no meter use as Full manual set aperture on lens and shutter on camera. And guessimate the exposure as no metering. And manual focus.

AI-P | AF AF-D | AF-G have a screw drive in the lens that is driven by motor in camera body.
- mounts and meters,no AF so you set/lock aperture at f22 and manually have to focus and will meter scene.

Lenses designated Nikon AF-S, Sigma HSM or Tamron Di2 with built in motor are the only ones that AF because they have motors in the lens. The others above do not. So needing a camera body with built in motor like the D80,D200,D90,D7000,D300,D700,D3.
.

Judobreaker · May 29, 2012

I believe both the D5100 and the D3200 do not have a built in focus motor so you're going to need lenses with a focus motor in them to be able to auto focus.
Older versions of the NIKKOR 70-300 do not have such a motor in them so I'm guessing that was the problem. You're going to have the same problem if you get this lens with one of those cameras.

Nikon_Josh · May 29, 2012

If it is NOT the 70-300mm VR version of the lens I would not even consider it!

The OLD 70-300mm lens was known to be a dog of a lens, the latest VR version is a very good lens. I have the 70-300 VR and love it!

KmH · May 29, 2012

All of these Nikon DSLR's are compact entry-level Nikon's and don't have an auto focus motor in the camera body - D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100. The non-compact Nikon entry-level cameras - D50, D70, D70x, D80, D90, D7000 - and all other Nikon DSLR's have an auto focus motor and auto focus screw-drive system in the camera body.

Nikon developed the compact entry-level cameras to attract more women DSLR camera buyers.

I really don't know technical things about SLRs and lenses.[/url] Then you will likely, and continually, have mysterious problems/issues crop up you won't be able to resolve.

joaopsr · May 29, 2012

Don't bother getting that kind of lens for your camera. You need AF-S lenses if you want it to auto-focus.
If you're looking for a cheap tele-zoom, look for a 55-200 VR instead.
The 70-300 VR is also a good lens, but the the price goes a up a bit. Personally, I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a lens that slow (f4.5-5.6), but that's just me

BlueMeanieTSi · May 29, 2012

Nikon_Josh said:
If it is NOT the 70-300mm VR version of the lens I would not even consider it!

The OLD 70-300mm lens was known to be a dog of a lens, the latest VR version is a very good lens. I have the 70-300 VR and love it!

It is a great lens for the price for sure.

greybeard · May 29, 2012

I have that lens from back in the n80 days. It has to be manually focused on my d5100 and lacks vibration reduction which I think is important in a tele zoom. I find it somewhat hard to focus as the screen on the d5100 isn't so hot for manually focusing. It will work with the electronic rangefinder if you have enough light. I shoot at 1/500 and faster only with it.

inditiger · May 29, 2012

Thank you guys! Thanks a lot for your replies..!
They improved my knowledge a lot. And now I wanna know some more. I will surely be reading some blogs after these comments.
Please let me know if any of you know good ones.

Thanks again! Your comments really save me some bucks and more importantly, made me hungry for more!

orb9220 · May 29, 2012

joaopsr said:
Don't bother getting that kind of lens for your camera. You need AF-S lenses if you want it to auto-focus.
If you're looking for a cheap tele-zoom, look for a 55-200 VR instead.
The 70-300 VR is also a good lens, but the the price goes a up a bit. Personally, I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a lens that slow (f4.5-5.6), but that's just me

Yep if not the 70-300vr than the 55-200vr is an outstanding performer for the price.
And my walkabout choice lens for last couple of years.

There is also the 55-300vr which is about a third lighter and smaller and cheaper than the 70-300vr. And Image IQ is neck to neck.
Tho I like the small,compact light that the 55-200vr gives for walkabout town and fills my zoom needs for the most part.

But for sports and wildlife than the 70-300vr is the way to go.
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