Nikon Announces New Class of Lens (AF-P): We are all familiar with the various lens classifications Nikon has used over the years. Today, they announced a new lens classification -...

jrh1354 Loc: Dayton, Ohio

We are all familiar with the various lens classifications Nikon has used over the years. Today, they announced a new lens classification - AF-P. All I've been able to glean from various sources is that this new lens class involves the use of a "stepper motor". Perhaps one of our business owners/operators could enlighten us as to what the difference is between an AF-S lens and this new AF-P lens.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Will you p when the price is announced or will you s?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

These aren't really new. They've been using this tech on most of the Nikon 1 lenses.

Personally, I'm not sure I'd like a stepper motor for focusing. What if actual focus falls between steps?
--Bob

jrh1354 wrote:

We are all familiar with the various lens classifications Nikon has used over the years. Today, they announced a new lens classification - AF-P. All I've been able to glean from various sources is that this new lens class involves the use of a "stepper motor". Perhaps one of our business owners/operators could enlighten us as to what the difference is between an AF-S lens and this new AF-P lens.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

http://www.nikon.com/news/2016/0105_lens_01.htm

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

DaveO wrote:

Will you p when the price is announced or will you s?

They have released two lens, the price seems low.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-55mm-3-5-International-Warranty/dp/B01AI8H58I

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Per DPReview, Nikon has released TWO DX Nikkor lenses - each of them in two 'flavors', namely WITH or WITHOUT the Vibration Reduction feature. The lenses were released concurrent with Nikon's release of a new entry-level DX camera body. Nothing all that mysterious about it. The DPReview article refers to a U.S. version of each lens.

For member LetMeDance: the key words on the link you provided are "international warranty" - the low - often called "grey market" - prices indicate that a buyer may not necessarily be able to obtain service or support here in the USA [read numerous posts here about "grey market"].

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Good that you were able to interpret the links provided.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

rjaywallace wrote:

Per DPReview, Nikon has released b TWO /b DX Nik... (show quote)

Just posted to show that price was not high, did not pay much attention to the add. Grey market is a Nono with Nikon.

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

DaveO wrote:

Will you p when the price is announced or will you s?

ROTFLMAO

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

This is not so new. In fact, there was a firmware update for for the D3300 and D5500 this year to accommodate the AF-P lens.

Ron SS Loc: Silver Spring, MD

I have used stepper motors in scientific instruments and in developing apparatus for experiments. Steppers are widely used and with no issues if designed properly. The step size needs to be selected larger for getting there sooner, and smaller for sufficient resolution.
Same concerns and design considerations with gears and rotating shafts in general. What resolution - control - limitations are there on your analog driver mechanisms and power circuits? Analogous situation.

PeterDragon Loc: Harlan, KY - Kona, HI - Phoenix, AZ

DaveO wrote:

Will you p when the price is announced or will you s?

Thank you, thank you...
Semper Fi
Jim

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

jrh1354 wrote:

We are all familiar with the various lens classifications Nikon has used over the years. Today, they announced a new lens classification - AF-P. All I've been able to glean from various sources is that this new lens class involves the use of a "stepper motor". Perhaps one of our business owners/operators could enlighten us as to what the difference is between an AF-S lens and this new AF-P lens.

Not a Nikon guy, but if their stepper motor is anything like Canon's, it will be on their mid to lower end consumer lenses. Stepper motors are a bit slower to AF, but they are extremely quiet and have a very smooth auto focus making them an excellent choice for both stills and especially video where the lack of noise and smooth AF is a requirement. On the Canon STM lenses, the focus ring is electronic only, and is decoupled when there is no current. The Canon's have full time manual focus, but I personally find the decoupled focus rings difficult to use manually. Of course, Nikons implementation of a stepper motor may be completely different.

MtnMan Loc: ID

mwsilvers wrote:

Not a Nikon guy, but if their stepper motor is any... (show quote)

They claim it is faster.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

Nikon needed something new! Heaven knows they haven't had anything new in a while, just rehashed old models. LOL!