What is the difference berween AF and AF-S ?

[tsabary]

I consider getting a Nikkor 50mm lens. I've been reading "Going Candid" by Thomas Leuthard" about street photography, and he says that getting a prime 50mm lens is highly recommended. what fo you think?

My main question, is what is the difference between AF and AF-S lenses? And what effect it would have on my photos? Or is it more about the procces of taking the photo?

Nikkor offers both types but with a 85$ difference.

 

[amolitor]

Check your camera's manual. Not all cameras will auto focus with AF lenses, the lower end models requires the AF-S versions in order to autofocus.

 

[David444]

Af-S lenses have a focusing motor built in them. Non AF-S lenses do not and rely on the camera. What body do you own?

 

[Patrice]

In addition to AF-S lenses that are AF-I also have internal focus motors and should work with the lower end bodies as well.

 

[tsabary]

My bad. I'm curently using D5000, but the lens would be for the D90 or the D5200 body that I've been suggested to get (the D5000 belongs to my father).

So, if my camera body has built-in motor, does that mean I have no need for AF-S?

 

[jwbryson1]

Correct.

 

[KmH]

AF lenses lack an auto focus motor in them. The auto focus mechanism in the lens has to be driven by an auto focus motor and screw-drive system in the camera body.
Nikon's compact entry-level DSLRs are compact because they don't have that auto focus motor and screw-drive system in the camera body - the D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, D5200.
NOTE: None of Canon's camera bodies have had an auto focus motor in them since the introduction of Canon's EOS system in 1987.

The S in Nikon's AF-S designation stands for Silent Wave Motor (SWM).

AF-S lenses cannot be auto focused by the auto focus motor and screw-drive system in the camera body, because AF-S lenses lack the mechanical link needed.
AF-S lenses do have a recess in the lens mount for the end of the screw-drive actuator to rest.

 

[KmH]

So, if my camera body has built-in motor, does that mean I have no need for AF-S?

Yes. But.

Many of Nikon's AF lenses are previous generation pro grade or FX lenses, and are not inexpensive. Nikon's least expensive lens, the AF 50 mm f/1.8D, is a notable exception, as is the low image quality AF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G

Most of Nikon's AF-S lenses are less expensive consumer grade lenses, though Nikon does also offer prosumer and pro grade AF-S glass.
Lens maximum aperture has more to do with price than AF or AF-S.

AF-S consumer grade ($250) - Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom Lens
AF previous generation pro grade ($1280) - Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
AF-S current pro grade ($2100) - Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

 

[Designer]

Getting back to your first question; yes, for candids on the street, a 50 prime and at least f=1:1.8 or better is what you want. He is using it on a D7000, which is a "crop frame" sensor, so if it works for him, it should be fine for you as well. OTOH, if you ran across a good deal on a 35mm prime, it wouldn't hurt to try it.

 

[Derrel]

The 50mm f/1.8 AF, or the newer 50mm f/1.8 AF-D variant, WILL autofocus on the D90, as well as the D7000 or D7100.

The "baby Nikons", as I call them, will NOT autofocus with AF-Nikkor or AF-D Nikkor lenses. The baby Nikons are the D40,D40x,D60,D3000-series, and the D5000-series.

In terms of features: the AF- and AF-D 50mm lenses all used 52mm filters and lens caps. The NEW 50mm f/1.8 AF-S G-series uses 58mm filters, caps, and is much larger in size than the older 50's when its lens hood is on.

In terms of everyday use, there is not much difference between a late-1980's 50mm f/1.8 AF, a 1990's 50mm f/1.8 AF-D, or the 2012 offering, the 50mm f/1.8 AF-S G-series. ALL of them shoot similar images.

If you are strapped for cash, the 50mm f/1.8 AF, or the newer AF-D, are fine, as long as autofocusing is not a priority. If you plan on seldom using the lens, or plan on moving beyond the baby Nikon bodies, then the older AF- or AF-D lenses make perfect sense. YESTERDAY, I went out to shoot in a park...I deliberately took my 50/1.8 AF with me instead of my almost new 1.8 AF-S, simply for the SIZE of the older lens being smaller, and the fact that it would accept the 52mm Nikon polarizing filter I wanted to use to hopefully darken some blue skies behind some cherry trees in bloom.

 

[Patrice]

Street candid can be handily done with a crop body and a 20/24/28/35 mm prime lens. A 20 mm AI (manual) lens would be my pick on a crop body for that type of photography. Pick a reasonable aperture with your camera on aperture priority, set your auto ISO to a value that works for you, WB to cloud cover and learn about both hyper focus and zone focusing. Shoot raw plus jpeg. All you need to worry about then is framing the image.

 

[tsabary]

I have to say, I've been surfing alot of forums in alot of different subjacts, and this is by far the most friendly and helpfull one I've crossed. Glad I found this community!


back to my subject: I think getting the D90 would be a smart decision then. It might cost a bit more, but I'll save money on lenses, right? BTW I've searched Amazon and I so a new D90 in 600$ but the D5200 started at 800$ how does that make any sense? Isn't the D90 more expensive?

Would the D5000 lenses that I already have would fit the D90? How can I know?


Derrel, I tried to figure out what AF-D means but I couldn't find the answer (I understand AF and AF-S but not AF-D), so I'll be glad if you can explain, or at least direct me.

 

[jwbryson1]

I have to say, I've been surfing alot of forums in alot of different subjacts, and this is by far the most friendly and helpfull one I've crossed. Glad I found this community!

Give us time. :mrgreen:

 

[KmH]

I think getting the D90 would be a smart decision then. It might cost a bit more, but I'll save money on lenses, right?

That would depend on what lenses you buy. As I said, most AF lenses are prosumer or previous generation pro glass and are not inexpensive.
$200 AF-S lens - Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
$382 older version AF lens - Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR Cameras

BTW I've searched Amazon and I so a new D90 in 600$ but the D5200 started at 800$ how does that make any sense? Isn't the D90 more expensive?

The D90 was launched August 27, 2008. The D5200 is much newer - launched here in the US January 7, 2013 .
New D90's are $785 with no lens - Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)
New D5200 is $797 with no lens - Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only (Black)

Would the D5000 lenses that I already have would fit the D90? How can I know?

You can know by look in your camera user's manual. Nikon user manuals have a lens compatibility chart in them. Rely on your users manual more.

Nikon hasn't changed their mount since 1959. With very limited exceptions, any Nikon lens made since 1959 can be used on any Nikon film or DSLR camera.
No doubt, electronics have evolved and now we have computers so older lenses may not meter or auto focus but they can still be mounted and used to make photographs.

 

[tsabary]

That would depend on what lenses you buy. As I said, most AF lenses are prosumer or previous generation pro glass and are not inexpensive.
$200 AF-S lens - Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
$382 older version AF lens - Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR Cameras

Isn't the price difference because the aperture maximum? (what does f/2d mean btw?)

I was looking at the "AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D" that goes for 135$ compered to the "AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G" which goes for 220$. I'm looking at this page.

I guess as you said it's only those specific lenses (even though I still don't understand way)..

The D90 was launched August 27, 2008. The D5200 is much newer - launched here in the US January 7, 2013 .
New D90's are $785 with no lens - Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)
New D5200 is $797 with no lens - Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only (Black)

That also makes no sense! It's maybe an older model but it's still better (correct me if I'm wrong). But I won't argue getting a better model for less money.

You can see the D90 for 599$ here.

With very limited exceptions, any Nikon lens made since 1959 can be used on any Nikon film or DSLR camera.

That's great. I guess I'll stick with nikon.

Thank you for your help.