I'm here to learn more about lenses and get some reccomendations

I am having trouble figuring out what lenses would be compatible with my 3300. I am also looking to upgrade to a 610/700/750 within the next year, are there lenses that will work for both cameras or will I need to purchase all new lenses?

This is what I currently own:
18-55mm kit lens
55-200mm kit lens
35mm 1.8
50mm 1.8
24-70mm 2.8 EX DG

The last one I bought used, and it does not autofocus on my 3300. I believe I need to have a camera with an internal motor to help it focus? Are there any 24-70mm lenses that will work on my current camera? I need some help figuring out how to tell before I buy one.

Welcome to the forum, Audrey. I will give you a general answer to your question. Others will chime in with more specifics, I'm sure.

If you are going to move to a full frame camera, then any full frame lens would work with your DX (crop sensor) camera, but not the other way around. The DX lenses will not work well with the full frame camera (they can work but will hurt the performance of the full frame camera. Lenses that will work with your 3300 need to have internal focus motors to have AF. Hope that helps, some.

cwgrizz said:

If you are going to move to a full frame camera, then any full frame lens would work with your DX (crop sensor) camera, but not the other way around.

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This is not the case. From right off of the D3300 page at Nikon | Imaging Products | Nikon D3300 : Autofocus is available with AF-S and AF-I lenses; Autofocus is not available with other type G and D lenses, AF lenses (IX NIKKOR and lenses for the F3AF are not supported) and AI-P lenses; Non-CPU lenses can be used in mode M but the camera exposure meter will not function. The electronic rangefinder can be used with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.

Some lenses (pre-AI) will not work at all, while autofocus is an issue with some lenses, and I believe that is what you are primarily considering in this case.

If you're lens shopping, take your D3300 with you, and if you are ordering a lens through home delivery, make sure that you are able to return without penalty it if it does not work with your camera.

WM

hello and welcome.

Whiskeyman said:

This is not the case. From right off of the D3300 page at Nikon | Imaging Products | Nikon D3300 : Autofocus is available with AF-S and AF-I lenses; Autofocus is not available with other type G and D lenses, AF lenses (IX NIKKOR and lenses for the F3AF are not supported) and AI-P lenses; Non-CPU lenses can be used in mode M but the camera exposure meter will not function. The electronic rangefinder can be used with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.

Some lenses (pre-AI) will not work at all, while autofocus is an issue with some lenses, and I believe that is what you are primarily considering in this case.

If you're lens shopping, take your D3300 with you, and if you are ordering a lens through home delivery, make sure that you are able to return without penalty it if it does not work with your camera.

WM

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I think he was just concerned with all functions including autofocus.

Not really sure but I think the 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG is a full frame lens and probably the 50 1.8 is to. The others are DX lens and will not work correctly with the Full frame cameras. They will work but only in the crop mode. They are also not as sharp. I tried is on my D750 and the results are disappointing.

The Nikon 24-120 is the lens I bought to go with my D7100 while I was considering moving up to the D750. I already had the 70-300 that is full frame. Those two got me started with the D750 when I bought it.

Don Kuykendall said:

Not really sure but I think the 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG is a full frame lens and probably the 50 1.8 is to. The others are DX lens and will not work correctly with the Full frame cameras. They will work but only in the crop mode. They are also not as sharp. I tried is on my D750 and the results are disappointing.

The Nikon 24-120 is the lens I bought to go with my D7100 while I was considering moving up to the D750. I already had the 70-300 that is full frame. Those two got me started with the D750 when I bought it.

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The 50mm works fine on my crop sensor but the 24-70 is the only one which does not autofocus. So I will need all EX lenses when I upgrade to full frame correct? I really have my heart set on a 24-70 but am not sure how to find one that will work on my current camera.

Welcome to the forum.

Audrey said:

The 50mm works fine on my crop sensor but the 24-70 is the only one which does not autofocus. So I will need all EX lenses when I upgrade to full frame correct? I really have my heart set on a 24-70 but am not sure how to find one that will work on my current camera.

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Think FX and not ex. Just make sure they all are FX (full frame ) lenses.


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If it doesn't say DX on the lens, then it's a FF lens. (Just talking about F-mount lenses of course.)

Hello and welcome............................

Welcome to the forum Audrey,


If you are going to stick with Nikon or Nikkor lenses (they are the same thing), here is a link that lists lenses they offer. Be sure it is FX format and Has the AF-S designation in beginning of the model. FX is full frame and AF-S has an internal focusing motor which you need. Nikon | Imaging Products | NIKKOR Lenses

If you are going third party... I use DP Review and look at the lens information they have there. It gives you the details you are looking for and gets you familiar with other vendors designations for things like image stabilization. Lenses hub: Digital Photography Review : Digital Photography Review

But for now, how do I know which lenses will work on my crop sensor? I purchased the 24-70 and it doesn't focus. How can I tell which lenses will not autofocus on my camera? Is there a way to know before I buy? I am buying a lot of lenses used from a Nikon bst group, so I can't return them but could possibly resell them.

Audrey said:

But for now, how do I know which lenses will work on my crop sensor? I purchased the 24-70 and it doesn't focus. How can I tell which lenses will not autofocus on my camera? Is there a way to know before I buy? I am buying a lot of lenses used from a Nikon bst group, so I can't return them but could possibly resell them.

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For a list of Nikon/Nikkor lenses that will auto-focus on your D3300, see this list on Wikipedia.

With third-party manufacturers (such as Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, et al) I would suggest researching the lens online at places like Amazon, B&H or Adorama. Look for a "Technical Specifications" section, or something similar, in the lens description and see if you can find any information relating to an auto-focus motor. If the lens has an AF-motor you're good to go; if it doesn't you're looking at a manual-focus lens. If you can't find the information you need I'd suggest you come here and ask; someone will know for sure.

Welcome to the forum

D3300 has no AF motor so only those lenses that have a built in AF motor will AF. Every lens has a specification sheet, so go through it. If it says that the lens has a motor fine. If it is silent, then for all probability it does no and it wll not AF on D3300

Manual lenses will of course not AF, but those that have no CPU will not even meter. Nikon MF lenses have no CPU so will not meter. Modern third party lenses have CPU so will meter.

All the FX bodies sold by Nikon have both an internal motor as well as facility to meter Nikon AIS non CPU MF lenses. So if you want these facilities you have to get either D7xxx if you want to remain with DX format or the D6xx, D7xx and D8xx FX bodies.

Audrey said:

But for now, how do I know which lenses will work on my crop sensor? I purchased the 24-70 and it doesn't focus. How can I tell which lenses will not autofocus on my camera? Is there a way to know before I buy? I am buying a lot of lenses used from a Nikon bst group, so I can't return them but could possibly resell them.

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It's not a matter of your camera being a crop sensor it is you don't have an in body focusing motor.