Nikkor AF-S 50mm f1.8G

[Julie]

I was hoping to buy my daughter @Sophiehill the Nikkor 50 mm AF -S 1.8 G.

She is a beginner and this will be her first lens apart from the kit lens on her Nikon D3000. I just rang my local shop for a price and they told me that this lens doesn't autofocus on this camera.

Can some one confirm this for me as I think that she still needs auto focus. My research on the web suggests they are wrong but I'm getting a bit confused now.

if anyone has any other suggestions for reasonably priced lenses I would appreciate it.

[Luka]

maybe they are confusing it with the nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D, that doesn't have autofocus?

[Veronica]

http://www.nikon.com/news/2011/0427_af-s50mmf18g_01.htm
"The built-in Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures quiet autofocus operation."
If you have the possibility and still doubt - bring the camera with you and try the autofocus :) with the new lens

[Rachael]

Is it AF or AF-S? Cos AF won't autofocus, but AF-S will. I have the same thing with the D5000.

[Josh Sudweeks]

The 50mm f/1.8G that you mentioned will autofocus just fine with the D3000. The 50mm f/1.8D will not.

[Julie]

@wormentude it's definitely the AF - S

[Julie]

@luka @vvpe @sudweeks Thank you everybody. I thought I had the right lens.

[Vuokko Vuorinnen]

the G version should focus, the D version only focusses on bodies with build in focus motors (i think the D5000, D80, D90 and better/newer models have it, but you should look for it on google). Also, I recommend buying her the 35mm f/1.8 G. This is specifically designed for crop bodies like the D3000, autofocus will work on it, and it provides a more standard field of view (a 52mm equivalent on FX, which is almost identical to what the human eye can see). It costs a little more but I find the 50mm to be "too long" for most of the time (but it does make a perfect portrait lens)

[Julie]

@vuokkovuorinnen Thanks for your help. I'll take a look at the 35mm f1.8g as well