Got a daft question for you.....

Jesus Quintana

Jesus Quintana

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I suppose this is partly related to second hand lenses where they've been discontinued and specs are a little bit tougher to come by, but.....

...is there any way to tell if a lens has a built in motor from the model No. or the information that follows the model No.?

For example, if a Nikon lens stated the following: 8–55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S II DX, then I would presume this was 2/3rds due to the DX in the info?

I guess I'm blathering on a bit now, but does my original question make sense?

The lens I'm looking at is a Tamron SP A013 11 mm - 18 mm F/4.5-5.6 for anyone in the know!
 
No such things as a daft question on here ;)

There is, but when it comes to Nikons I can't remember which letter means what but I remember looking for a 50mm for my other half to use on his D60 and one type would AF on it and one wouldn't as that camera doesn't have in body focussing (I think the ones with a D are the ones that rely on in body focussing and DX is for crops but don't quote me on that)

Hopefully you get a more definitive answer soon :D
 
For Nikon lenses, the important bit is the -S in AF-S. (S for silent wave motor).

Sigma has HSM in the name for built in motor, but there are some cheaper non HSM Sigma lenses that also have motors.

Not sure about Tamron, you could ask the seller.
 
Jesus Quintana said:
I suppose this is partly related to second hand lenses where they've been discontinued and specs are a little bit tougher to come by, but.....

...is there any way to tell if a lens has a built in motor from the model No. or the information that follows the model No.?

For example, if a Nikon lens stated the following: 8–55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S II DX, then I would presume this was 2/3rds due to the DX in the info?

I guess I'm blathering on a bit now, but does my original question make sense?

The lens I'm looking at is a Tamron SP A013 11 mm - 18 mm F/4.5-5.6 for anyone in the know!
Click to expand...

The lens in red is actually a 18-55 - the AF-S means it has a motor, the DX means it is for a crop sensor only.

This will not translate to any other make, in other words the Tamron will not use AF-S or DX, and neither would Sigma as these are trademarked to Nikon.

Both Tamron and Sigma will have their own references for "crop sensor only" or " built in motor" but I do not know what they are.

I am sure this info is available on both Tamron's and Sigma's website.

Here is a handy reference for most Nikkor lenses made LINK
 
Martyn... said:
The lens in red is actually a 18-55 - the AF-S means it has a motor, the DX means it is for a crop sensor only.

This will not translate to any other make, in other words the Tamron will not use AF-S or DX, and neither would Sigma as these are trademarked to Nikon.

Both Tamron and Sigma will have their own references for "crop sensor only" or " built in motor" but I do not know what they are.

I am sure this info is available on both Tamron's and Sigma's website.

Here is a handy reference for most Nikkor lenses made LINK
Click to expand...

sigma use DC for crop sensor only , i'm not sure but I think all AF sigma lenses have motors (if its marked HSM thats hypersonic motor which is the advanced and quiter focussing motor - but many sigma lenses have motors without being HSM)

Likewise I have never encountered a tamron lens without a focussing motor - but this maybe a nikon thing (and i shoot canon)
 
big soft moose said:
sigma use DC for crop sensor only , i'm not sure but I think all AF sigma lenses have motors (if its marked HSM thats hypersonic motor which is the advanced and quiter focussing motor - but many sigma lenses have motors without being HSM)
Click to expand...

There are, in fact, plenty of Sigma AF lenses with Nikon F-mount without built-in motors. It is, as the OP suggests, quite difficult to find out which do and which don't if your talking about older lenses.

Likewise I have never encountered a tamron lens without a focussing motor - but this maybe a nikon thing (and i shoot canon)
Click to expand...

My Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (A09) lens doesn't have a motor ... but it's replacement (A09A) does.

Both the Sigma and Tamron web sites are a good starting place but if I was buying a used lens then I'd want the seller to guarantee it has the motor built in.
 
Bristolian said:
There are, in fact, plenty of Sigma AF lenses with Nikon F-mount without built-in motors. It is, as the OP suggests, quite difficult to find out which do and which don't if your talking about older lenses.



My Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (A09) lens doesn't have a motor ... but it's replacement (A09A) does.

Both the Sigma and Tamron web sites are a good starting place but if I was buying a used lens then I'd want the seller to guarantee it has the motor built in.
Click to expand...

Yep, the only guarantee I can think of (with third party lenses) is if a Sigma lens has HSM written on it, then you know it has a build in motor.
 
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