AF-S Primes?
March 5th, 2008 Posted in EquipmentAfter the lens announcements at PMA, there has been some constant chatter among the Nikonians out there - mostly negative - that Nikon is ignoring requests from their customers about adding AF-S to their existing prime lineup. I’m on the fence - for a couple reasons.
One of the big arguments is that some of the newer cameras, the D40/D40x and D60 do not have a screw drive in it to focus non AF-S lenses. Anyone buying those cameras, if they want autofocus, has to buy a newer AF-S lens. Sure it would be nice if the primes would autofocus, but are the D40 and D60 owners really in the market for prime lenses?
I see D40 and D60 owners as, mostly, soccer moms and people looking for a high-end point and shoot camera. What I don’t see are these people changing lenses much. If you did buy a D40, you can’t really complain that they aren’t making AF-S primes. You knew what you were buying.
Now the other argument, and one I can sort-of undestand, is that some of the higher-end users would like to see AF-S added to help with focusing speed. Sure…but not at the expense of ruining a lens that is already very good (50/1.4) or perfect (85/1.4).
Take the legendary 85mm 1.4. AKA “The Cream Machine.” I don’t think Nikon wants to invest millions of dollars to add AF-S to a couple lenses and ruin the formula that has given them one of the most sought after lenses.
Would I like to see a 50mm 1.4 AF-S? Sure…but I can understand why Nikon wouldn’t make it. If I want a prime with a focus motor in the lens I’ll have to start with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and hope they make a few more. Until then, I may actually invest in a manual focus prime. Some of the shots I’ve seen over at the Nikon Cafe are stunning.
5 Responses to “AF-S Primes?”
By Erik J. Barzeski on Mar 5, 2008
So wait, what? Some of Nikon’s lenses don’t have autofocus and must be focused manually? Really?
By Dave on Mar 6, 2008
Some of the older ones that Nikon made many moons ago. I don’t think they manufacture them any more but the 50mm f/1.2 AIS is a much sought after lens that still sells for $300+ on the big auction site. Some of the photos I’ve seen with that lens have a “dreamy” feel to them.
By Erik J. Barzeski on Mar 6, 2008
Oh, I wasn’t sure what you meant by “newer.” I took it to mean in the last… four or five years.
By Duplo on Mar 13, 2008
@Dave,
The last thing I hear was that the 50/1.2 and I have one in the mail that is new, is that they are made as special order items. So any dealer should be able to order one for you.
On a personal level the 50/1.4 has not been too impressive I think, to rebuy that one as AF-S I would want to hear that the optics and renderings had been improoved as well.
By Dave on Mar 13, 2008
Duplo,
I read the same thing about the 50/1.2. I’ve seen some pretty special shots come out of that lens.
Ditto on the 50/1.4. On the whole, I’ve seen more positive than negative views on that lens. Maybe because people expect too much from it. It might be the one Nikon sees fit to upgrade…I’m just not holding my breath.