ltatko

What is diff ?

Just looked at refurbished lenses. For sale are -S and -P!!

Diff is---

Have "faith" in answer!!

Len

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Len,

AF-P is the designation used to distinguish these new lenses from Nikon's existing AF-S models. The full model name is 'AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G' and the only difference between the two new AF-P models is that the cheaper lens does not have Nikon's VR image stabilization system.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

AF-S is an "ultrasonic" or "ring type" of autofocus drive motor. Those are the fastest focusing.

AF-P is a "stepper motor" type of autofocus drive. Not quite as fast, but quiet and smooth, better for video.

Some lenses use a "micro motor" (aka "DC motor"), which is slowest, noisiest.

Still other "AF" Nikkors don't even have a built-in focusing motor! Those rely on a focusing motor built into the camera body (not all Nikon cameras have that).

These are Nikon designations. Not all Nikon cameras are compatible with AF-P lenses. Check the chart! https://www.nikonusa.com/Images/Learn-Explore/Photography-Techniques/2011/Which-Nikkor-is-Right-for-You/Media/NIKKOR-lens-compatibility-chart.pdf

For more info about compatibility or the lack of it and about the alphabet soup printed on Nikkors, see: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

ltatko

Thanks,guys!!
Have an AF-S 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G
Looking at Nikon Refurbished lenses. Wanting bigger/better!!
Sticker shock!!
Again,Thanks!!

Len

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Per Nikon website;
AF NIKKOR lenses use a mechanical coupling between the lens and the camera body. On several Nikon DSLR camera bodies, the focus motor is in the camera and a series of gears drives the lens' focusing mechanism, which allows the lens to focus.

AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This technology converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that's extremely accurate and super quiet.

AF-P lenses use a “Pulse” motor or “Stepping” autofocus motor and are even quieter and smoother to autofocus than an AF-S lens, making these lenses ideal when shooting video with a DSLR.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Changing from the AF-S to the AF-P for the 70-300 zooms won't buy you much difference in lens performance and image quality for the G versions. There's also compatibility issues for all the AF-P lenses with older Nikon bodies, so you should double-check that compatibility if you don't already have an AF-P lens in use with your specific camera. Nikon does offer a DX version of the AF-P 70-300 model, giving you an option specific for your DX body for a bit lighter weight and smaller size.

To get "bigger / better" for focal length above 300mm puts you into a new world. There are 3rd party options zooming out to 500mm or 600mm. Nikon now has zooms in this range and there's always an option of a prime with extenders / teleconverters to add equivalent focal lengths. The 70-300 zooms are designed in a way they are not compatible with teleconverters.

BebuLamar

AF-P is the less expensive way to put the motor in the lens. You don’t see Nikon put them into high end lenses.

CO

I have that Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6. VR lens. I paid around $579 for it. It's worth every penny. I got the AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens after it but I'm keeping the 70-300mm also.

As CHG_CANON said above, watch out with the compatibility of the new AF-P lenses. What camera do you have now?

ltatko

My camera is a D-300.

Len

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Not true. There are AF-P lenses that do have VR stabilization! What they don’t have is a switch on the lens to turn VR off and on. It must be turned off using the camera menu. It is on by default. You must check Nikons website for compatibility with your camera. There is not compatible, limited compatibility and Compatible. Compatible means your body has the menu capabilities to turn the VR off and on. Limited compatibility means the lens will work fine on your body as far as auto focus and aperture control however you won’t have the ability to VR off. I own the AF-P 18-55 and 70-300. I use them on a D7200 which is listed as limited compatibility. No problem at all. They are lighter and cheaper than their AF-S counterparts. Both have plastic mounts. As for the optics I find them to be a bit sharper than the AF-S. However at the ends there is a little more vignetting. Others have said that they don’t focus as fast. Compared to my AF-S 18-55 the AFP focuses faster. The 70-300 AF-P focuses faster than my 55-300 AF-S I know that is not a direct comparison. However my understanding is the AF-S 70-300 was notoriously slow focusing and the AF-P is a great improvement. I bought them because they were inexpensive as well as light and compact. I was going on a trip to Europe and I wanted 2 lenses to carry around that if something happened to either either damaged or stolen I was not going to worry about being out a lot of money. I was not disappointed at all with the results I got with them. I was also considering the 18-300 which is an Af-S for the trip. I thought the IQ of the two AF-P lenses was better the 18-300 I found to be a little soft and not as sharp. At the end of the day I would have preferred to carry just one lens but the image quality was not there so I carried 2 for $200 new refurb vs $600 used.
Last note, at first I was anxious about not being able to turn the VR off. Supposedly not being able to use it on a tripod or for fast action shooting with VR. It has not been a problem at all. I have used them on a tripod and Platypod with no issues. I have also used the 70-300 to shoot college lacrosse with no issues at all focus is fast (not as fast as the 70-200) IQ is excellent (again not as good as 70-200)

IMO for the money they are a very good value. But they are by no means profesional lenses.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You cannot update a D300 to use any AF-P lenses. Check Rockwell. Check Nikon. This is documented and known and acknowledged by many sources.

The problem is that the new AF-P autofocus motor system only works on camera models originally introduced since about 2013. If your camera is too old, the focus system, even in manual mode, won't work at all, making the lens completely useless with no workaround.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Right after posting I saw mention of the D-300 - so that changes things: I'll leave my post as it was, except to add that the AF and AF-S models are great, but forget AF-P.

I have the AF-S 70-300 F4.5-5.6 VR, the AF-P 70-300 VR (F4.5-6.3 version) and a non-VR AF-P 70-300. All three are excellent, and the new AF-P 70-300 F4.5-5.6 VR is supposed to be even better. You could also consider a refurb or a like new, used version of any of them.

If you don't like or need VR, the non-VR AF-P 70-300 is a fine, sharp little lens, and considerably less $$. Don't know what you want to shoot; That would also maybe change up recommendations. I hope they do a XX-400mm AF-P sometime soon, or a xx-500 - it would be a lightweight, reasonable $$, fast focussing little gem.

If you want to try one out (any of them) order one from the quality resellers like MPB/KEH/UsedPhotoPro/B&H/Adorama...if you don't like it - return it. On focus speed....the AF lenses are fairly quick with the newer bodies/sensors/AF Processors that support them, AF-S is faster yet, AF-P is very fast.

Personally, I love the old AF Nikkors - built like tanks, they are heavy though, so if that is an issue, go AF-S AF-P.

My opinions, YMMV.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Saw this after I posted. I do not think an AF-P will work on that model at all so probably not worth considering. You need to check Nikons website for compatibility.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I have the AFP 70-300 non VR that came with my D3400 kit. I agree. It’s very sharp with fast shutter speeds and I use it at car races.

rangel28

I have the Nikon 70mm-300mm AF-P (FX version) and I can highly recommend it. It focuses quickly and silently, and to me is sharper than the older Nikon 70mm-300mm lenses. Plus, by Nikon standards, it is reasonably priced even if bought new.