Nikon Lens Newbie

dentonkarl

dentonkarl

Messages
247
Name
Karl
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

Quick question with regards to Nikon lenses.

When buying a new Nikon lens to fit a d90 (not purchased yet), what do the appreviations mean. IE, do they have auto focus. I know they have VR which is similar to Canon IS. Which ones are for small sensors and which one for large ?

Also, if I were to purchase this with either the 18-55 or 18-105 lens, which other lenses are recommended. I shoot mainly landscapes.

Thanks
 
DX-Crop Sensors
FX-Full Frame Sensors
G-No Aperture Ring
D-Has Aperture Ring (I think :P)

The D90 has a Motor in body so should focus with any lens that can AF, regardless of if the len's has a motor in it aswell.
 
Thanks for that. What does it mean have Aperture ring ? Will the lens say if it can AF too ?
 
dentonkarl said:
Thanks for that. What does it mean have Aperture ring ? Will the lens say if it can AF too ?
Click to expand...

'AF' - autofocuses using the motor in the camera body (which the D90 has)

'AF-S' - autofocuses using a motor in the lens

It does not matter if it has an aperture ring, or if it does not, as they are set and locked to their minimum and controlled by the command dial on the camera body anyway.
 
Ah right, thanks.
Can you buy AF-S lenses and still fit them to the D90 if necessary?
Also, is it worth buying FX lenses even though the D90 is small sensor in case I upgrade in the future ?
 
dentonkarl said:
Ah right, thanks.
Can you buy AF-S lenses and still fit them to the D90 if necessary?
Also, is it worth buying FX lenses even though the D90 is small sensor in case I upgrade in the future ?
Click to expand...

AF-S will auto focus on any Nikon SLR including your D90 (and in fact will potentially work more quickly and quietly than non-AF-S lenses)

Question 2 is harder to answer as only you know if you are ever likely to convert to full frame. Personally I wouldn't get too worried about this right now. Lenses generally hold their value quite well so if you end up having to sell them at a later date, you'll not feel too hard done by. I think I'd just focus on buying a lens that suits your current situation.
 
dentonkarl said:
Ah right, thanks.
Can you buy AF-S lenses and still fit them to the D90 if necessary?
Also, is it worth buying FX lenses even though the D90 is small sensor in case I upgrade in the future ?
Click to expand...

D90 will take any F mount Nikkor lens made, AF & AF S will both work on it.

FX lenses are always a good investment, the advantage is that they use the sweet spot of the lens.
 
For what it's worth, here's Ken Rockwells lowdown on Nikon lens technology, and what the various letters mean.
 
If you are thnking about 18-55 or 18-105, go for 18-105 better VR and more sharp and bgger zoom. So three thumbs up and no thumbs down for this kit.
 
Thanks
One last question - OK A Couple

If I got the 18-105 Lens with it, which type of filters do it need?
Do they just slot into that lens or do you need to stick something on the end first ?
Do I need a lens hood and which one ?

Regards
 
dentonkarl said:
Thanks
One last question - OK A Couple

If I got the 18-105 Lens with it, which type of filters do it need?
Do they just slot into that lens or do you need to stick something on the end first ?
Do I need a lens hood and which one ?

Regards
Click to expand...

I would have thought that the lens would come with a lens hood so you shouldn't need to worry about that. If it doesn't, see if you can pick one up on ebay.

In terms of filters. I think that lens has a 67mm thread on it. So any 67mm filter will fit but as to which ones to buy, well that depends on what you wish to shoot. If you just want a filter to protect it (I personally wouldn't bother), just buy a decent 67mm UV filter.
 
Last edited:
dentonkarl said:
Thanks
One last question - OK A Couple

If I got the 18-105 Lens with it, which type of filters do it need?
Do they just slot into that lens or do you need to stick something on the end first ?
Do I need a lens hood and which one ?

Regards
Click to expand...

Nikon website says that it comes with a lens hood (most Nikkors do) LINK

You can either screw a filter into the front, or go for the 'Cokin' style system which uses drop in filters, but you still screw the adaptor in the front.

To be honest you do not need filters ... but that is another long thread :D
 
Take a look here. Pretty much everything you need to know about Nikon's lens acronyms is there - including a handy compatibility chart.

The rest of the site (by Thom Hogan) is well worth a read as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top