AF vs AF-S for D5300

I am new to DSLRs and photography in general.

I am doing research for my first camera and lens purchases to pick up wildlife photography. I'm leaning towards a D5300, with the Nikon 70-300m AF-S VR lens. I see a lot of D5300 cameras on the market bundled with a similar lens that is AF only, and not AF-S.

I don't fully understand the differences, but apparently that lens's autofocus function is not compatible with the D5300, and so will be manual-focus only.

Can somebody she a little light on that for me?

Also, other than the AF/AF-S differentiation, are those two lenses identical? Are they made of the same materials and do that have equal quality glass in them? The price difference appears to be several hundred dollars, so I'm curious if that's all just the difference between the auto-focus function, or if there are other factors at play.

Lastly, is the AF/AF-S something I should really be concerned about as a beginner?

Thanks for all the help!

The S means that the lens has its own internal focusing motor which works with the D5300. An AF lens (without S designation) requires a camera with an internal focus motor for Auto Focus to work. The AF lens can be used on the D5300, BUT it will be manual focus only.

What Walt said. Yes, D3x00 and D5x00 users (and some older lower models too) should be especially concerned about AF-S, because those are the only lenses that will auto focus on those bodies. AF-S lens have a focus motor in the lens. Higher level bodies typically also have a focus motor in the body, and can auto focus any AF lens, but the D5300 does not, and only AF-S will auto focus. Support of older lenses is a price and feature thing, and also AF-S is the new style. Just use AF-S lenses, and no problem.

Your camera manual has a "compatible lenses" section that shows this.

FWIW, you can get a free larger and more detailed manual, in the REFERENCE manual here:

Nikon | Download center | D5300

If I was in your position I would seriously consider the D7100 or D7200. These cameras do have an internal focusing motor which means that you can potentially use older lenses such as the 300mm f/4D and still retain autofocus. For wildlife you may end up wanting longer lenses than 300mm and if you are on a budget you will find more less expensive options open to you with a D7*** body.
That's the reason I upgraded fairly quickly from a D3200 to a D7100. I also find the D7100 easier to use with more buttons and less diving into the menu. So unless the D5300 specifically has features that you really want like the flip out screen etc. it may not be the best option. For the record I'm not dismissing the D5300 as I've seen members on here speak extremely highly of it.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Like the others have said the key is just making certain as you add to your lens selection you make certain that you choose ones that are compatible with your camera choice... Auto focus, with the camera you have chosen, will require that the lens have a built in motor. If it is a Nikon lens that is AF-S.

If you like the D5300 it is a good choice. Frankly I wish I had started with that rather than the D3200, but that is hind site. I loved my D3200 and it showed me that I really could enjoy this hobby, and all the lenses I purchased during that year work on my D7200. I do not think you have to be concerned. If you are thinking about buying a lens at some point, and you are uncertain about it, come here and someone will help you. Lots of folks have that model.

Elliot87 said:

If I was in your position I would seriously consider the D7100 or D7200. These cameras do have an internal focusing motor which means that you can potentially use older lenses such as the 300mm f/4D and still retain autofocus. For wildlife you may end up wanting longer lenses than 300mm and if you are on a budget you will find more less expensive options open to you with a D7*** body.
That's the reason I upgraded fairly quickly from a D3200 to a D7100. I also find the D7100 easier to use with more buttons and less diving into the menu. So unless the D5300 specifically has features that you really want like the flip out screen etc. it may not be the best option. For the record I'm not dismissing the D5300 as I've seen members on here speak extremely highly of it.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

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There are no particular D5300 features that I need, that's just the highest-recommended Nikon camera I could find at that price point. I would consider a D7100 as well, which seems to have all of the same features, with the internal AF for approximately an extra $300.

Any other benefits outside of that motor?

napeequa55 said:

There are no particular D5300 features that I need, that's just the highest-recommended Nikon camera I could find at that price point. I would consider a D7100 as well, which seems to have all of the same features, with the internal AF for approximately an extra $300.

Any other benefits outside of that motor?

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Here is a decent review that takes you through the camera. You can compare the two reviews. There are quite a few differences.

Nikon D7100 In-Depth Review: Digital Photography Review

Nikon D5300 Review: Digital Photography Review

I will add that I have both the cameras being talked about here: the D5300 and the D7100. I started with the D5300 and it is a great camera. A special came along on Refurbished D7100's and I took advantage of that. Quality of photos compare pretty closely from each camera. I do like the articulating LCD on the D5300 as it makes it much easier for an old man like me to get it into positions for that awkward shot and see what I am shooting. The D7100 is what I carry most of the time because I really like the settings control system--External wheels and buttons that the D5300 doesn't have. Now that I have the D7100 I find that it is not as convenient to change settings on the D5300 in the menu driven system. The D7100 does have more bells and whistles to ie the ability to set User Defined settings that can be quickly accessed is just one. If you think you might like to jump to the D7100, consider the factory refurbished ones too. Mine had less that ten shutter actuations (if I remember correctly), so it was basically a new camera and I paid less for it than the D5300 body.

napeequa55 said:

There are no particular D5300 features that I need, that's just the highest-recommended Nikon camera I could find at that price point. I would consider a D7100 as well, which seems to have all of the same features, with the internal AF for approximately an extra $300.

Any other benefits outside of that motor?

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I haven't used the D5300 so can't comment personally on the differences from my own experience. I think reading Danno's posted reviews and cwgrizz's post should tell you what you need to know.
I'd second the recommendation to look at factory refurbs as that could make it more affordable. You may also just want to go to a bricks and mortar store and handle both cameras, you may find one feels better to you than the other.

Also if you have no Nikon gear yet I wouldn't rule out looking at other camera brands (don't shoot me fellow Nikonites). I don't know a lot about the Canon line up but I do believe the 7D has higher frames per second and better buffer than the D7100. Canon also make a 400mm f5.6 prime lens which would make an excellent upgrade to a 70-300mm lens if you find that isn't enough for your needs. If Nikon made one I'd probably have bought it but their 200-500mm is now an alternative. Anyway the Canon body might have some features that you would want for wildlife but it may also have some downsides such as lower resolution 18mega pixels vs 24mp. You really have to research it for yourself but if I was starting again from scratch I'd consider it even though I love my Nikons.

P.s. I apologise for my blasphemy!

So if I'm planning to purchase a 70-300mm lens, and I have the D5*00 series camera, I should buy the $500 AF-S lens.

But if I purchase a D7*00 series camera with the AF motor built-in, I should buy the $175 AF lens.

Can somebody confirm that the glass quality of the two lenses should be equal, the only factor making up the $325 price difference between the two lenses is whether or not they have the auto-focus built into them?

To me, it would make more sense to buy the more expensive camera and cheaper lens, because I plan to buy several lenses and not needing to purchase the AF-S version would end up saving me hundreds on each lens.

If, however the $500 lens is actually better quality glass too, then I'd probably go that route anyway, and in that case I might as well stick with the D5300.

Thanks

napeequa55 said:

So if I'm planning to purchase a 70-300mm lens, and I have the D5*00 series camera, I should buy the $500 AF-S lens.

But if I purchase a D7*00 series camera with the AF motor built-in, I should buy the $175 AF lens.

Can somebody confirm that the glass quality of the two lenses should be equal, the only factor making up the $325 price difference between the two lenses is whether or not they have the auto-focus built into them?

To me, it would make more sense to buy the more expensive camera and cheaper lens, because I plan to buy several lenses and not needing to purchase the AF-S version would end up saving me hundreds on each lens.

If, however the $500 lens is actually better quality glass too, then I'd probably go that route anyway, and in that case I might as well stick with the D5300.

Thanks

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I think you should replace "Should buy" with "Could buy" if for a D7x00.

The $500 lens has 17 glass elements in 12 groups. And has VR and ED glass, and the focus motor. The new style.
The $170 lens has 13 glass elements in 9 groups. Not the same lens, not the same corrections.

There are vast numbers of reviews on the $500 lens, but I didn't find one for the cheap lens. But cheap lenses don't have much reputation for quality. Not all users care though.

These things are relative. Not 300mm, but note that the latest 70-200mm lens costs $2100. And it is very popular. And a 300mm that does not even zoom costs $5500. You won't find many lenses as cheap as $170.

WayneF said:

I think you should replace "Should buy" with "Could buy" if for a D7x00.

The $500 lens has 17 glass elements in 12 groups. And has VR and ED glass, and the focus motor. The new style.
The $170 lens has 13 glass elements in 9 groups. Not the same lens, not the same corrections.

There are vast numbers of reviews on the $500 lens, but I didn't find one for the cheap lens. But cheap lenses don't have much reputation for quality. Not all users care though.

These things are relative. Not 300mm, but note that the latest 70-200mm lens costs $2100. And it is very popular. And a 300mm that does not even zoom costs $5500. You won't find many lenses as cheap as $170.

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That is exactly what I was looking for.

So the more expensive scope has more into it than just the motor. Makes sense more sense to me now!

Thanks all!

I believe the VR Nikkor 70-300mm is the best 70-300 you could get. Not far behind it and level according to some is the Tamron 70-300mm with VC, I own this one and is a capable lens but I found it wasn't enough for my needs shooting wildlife.
If the other 70-300mm you are talking about is f4-5.6 G lens I believe it is not nearly as good as the newer VR version. It isn't as sharp and the lack of VR will limit it's use even more in poorer light.
If you want a really fine 300mm lens for wildlife (from all I've read and images I've seen) you could get the 300mm f/4 D prime lens. That one will only auto focus with cameras that have a focus motor like the D7100. It will be very sharp at 300mm whereas the zoom will lose some sharpness here, so you will have more room to crop. You can also add a 1.4X teleconverter and have a 420mm f5.6 lens that will still produce fine images.

I only recommend the more expensive prime as it is what I would get if I was starting out again. I thought that a 70-300mm would be enough for my wildlife photography needs but in order to get sharp images I would shoot at 250mm and f8. That isn't enough reach in most cases and f8 meant I'd struggle with shutter speed. The 300 prime would give much better IQ, better auto focus etc all at 300mm f4.
This would have meant I'd have had to have waited and saved for longer but in the long term I'd have spent less and had a pro quality lens. The downside is there would have been many shots I wouldn't have got because I'd still have been saving and not had any gear at all.

D5300 and cheapest 70-300mm may meet your needs and it will be possible to get good shots I'm sure but you will have to work extremely hard for them and if you're anything like me you'll be left frustrated.

If you were in the UK I could point out a couple of used 300mm f4's going very cheap. They were well used but fully functional according to their descriptions https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equi...nses/nikon-af-s-300mm-f-4-d-if-ed/sku-610468/. I'm sure you'd have more used lenses to shop for in the US.

I have the D5100 and we like it, but it is limited to lenses with built in motors. It would not take long to make up the difference in cost between the D7100 and d5300 by buying less expensive lenses. That being said the lenses with build in motors are often newer and focus faster and in some cases are better glass. They are also bigger and heavier. Some of the old primes like the AF-D 50's are very compact.

I love the articulated lens on the D5100 which is a huge advantage.

There is also the matter of the feel in your hand, you need to handle them both.

IF I were to start over yes I would go for the D7100 because I love vintage glass. But not enough to drop the $850 I see D7100's going for refurbished lately - although it is tempting.

I'll also second the mention for the Tamron 70-300 VC - have it, love it. And the Tammy 24-70 VC too.

The first 70-300 I bought was the Nikon 70-300 D, it is reportedly better than the cheap G model, I was still disappointed in its performance, I then bought the lens I should have got in the first place , the newer 70-300 with VR. It is a much better lens.
Save for a bit longer and buy right the first time.

I have a D5200 with Sigma apo 70-300mm, it's ok but I wouldn't rush out buy the lens, for the night shots I enjoy I have tracked telescopes.
im currently waiting patiently to buy either the D7200 with a max 500mm lens as my canon sx50 is getting a little crunchy on its super zoom lens or buying a D610 and lens as you can use full frame lens on the cropped sensor camera as well.