Nikon D3200 Digital Field Guide

Lens Compatibility

Not all lenses are compatible with all cameras, and not all Nikon lenses are compatible with the D3200, especially when it comes to autofocus. The D3200 does not have a built-in autofocus motor, so the only way to get autofocus capability is to use lenses with built-in motors. There are currently 42 lenses with built-in Silent Wave motors available from Nikon. These range from the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens (which costs about $119), to the 600mm f/4.0 (which sells for roughly $10,300).

There are also lenses that can be used on your Nikon camera manufactured by other companies, most notably Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. These companies use different lens codes than Nikon, but if you read the description of the lens, you can usually figure out if it is a good match for the D3200. Some of the basic lens descriptions are as follows:

▶ Sigma. Lenses with built-in motors are called HSM and stabilization is called OS. Lenses designed for the cropped sensor are designated DC.

▶ Tamron. Lenses with built-in motors are called USD, stabilization is called VC, and lenses designed for the cropped sensor are designated Di II.

▶ Tokina. Lenses with built-in motors are called IF-S. Those designed for the cropped sensor are designated DX.