Focus speed D90 with AF-d lenses

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casts_by_fly

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Rick
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Hi guys and gals,

I've just upgraded from a D40 to a D90. I was wondering how the focus speed compares between a D40 with kit lenses (18-55/55-200) and a D90 with AF-d lenses (in particular 80-200, 300F4). I know people say they can be slow to focus, but how slow is slow? I know with the D40 and 55-200 racked out to 200 in low light it would hunt and take a little while to focus. Would a D90 with 80-200 be faster (I'd think it should)?

Thanks,
Rick
 
The Kit lens on my D90 focuses sloooooow. The 50mm F/1.4 AF-D I have is pretty fast on my D90, but it's even faster on the F5.

Can't comment specifically on the 80-200mm though.
 
is that the 18-105 af-s? I'd expect that lens to be in a similar ballpark to my two kit lenses. The 18-55 isn't bad I don't think, so maybe I have low expectations.

Have you tried the 35 1.8? How would you classify it speed?

Thanks,
Rick
 
My kit lens is the 18-55, I reckon the 80-200mm would be loads faster AFing (assuming it's a ring type zoom and not a push-pull one)
 
outlore,

That's what I'm trying to define. I guess I don't know what 'fast' or 'slow' is when it comes to people's perceptions of focusing. I know the new, higher end AF-s lenses are fast, but I don't know in what context or compared to what. I guess infinity to close focus time would be one way to measure it. I think in real terms I'm looking for subject acquisition speed which will obviously depend on a variety of factors.

My reason for asking is that I want to get one of the two lenses mentioned above, but I've read on this forum and others that they are slow to focus, being motor driven. I'm trying to find a benchmark that I know to compare against, since I don't have one here to try before I buy.

Thanks,
Rick
 
I would think that AF-S are always going to be faster. I'll run a check with an 18-55, 55-200 and 80-200 on the D200 in a bit (and the 18-55 & 55-200 on a D40) and let you know the results, although the D200 is probably going to be a bit faster than a D90, might give you an idea.

It will also depend on how far each lens has to turn in order to get from min to max focus - as you're comparing 2 different lenses it may not actually be any kind of valid test....
 
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Well, a quick non scientific test shows the following results:

D40 & 18-55 from close to infinity and back - 2.5s
D200 & 18-55 from close to infinity and back - 2.5s
D200 & 80-200 from close to infinity and back - 1.8s

However, the 80-200 was a pro lens and the 18-55 is a kit lens, so as per my previous post it's not really a valid comparison.
 
Hi Outlore,

Thanks, that is very useful. It is a valid comparison for me, because I know how quickly the D40 with kit lens will rack in and out. Now I can see that the 80-200 will do the same in comparable time. It tells me that if I'm happy with how fast the 18-55 focuses on the D40 then I'll be happy with the 80-200 on the D90.

Thanks,
Rick
 
casts_by_fly said:
Hi Outlore,

Thanks, that is very useful. It is a valid comparison for me, because I know how quickly the D40 with kit lens will rack in and out. Now I can see that the 80-200 will do the same in comparable time. It tells me that if I'm happy with how fast the 18-55 focuses on the D40 then I'll be happy with the 80-200 on the D90.

Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
Do bear in mind though that as I said, the D90's focus motor may not be as powerful as a D200's. The 80-200D two-ring version does have a focus limiter switch though, which limits the travel, making it even faster.
 
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