I own a Nikon D3200 that doesn't have an internal focus can i buy a lens without AF-S?

Id like to buy the Nikon AF 50mm f1.8 but would only be able to use it on manual focus since mine doesn't have a motor. Is it worth it to spend the extra $70 and buy the version of th lens with AF-S?

Sure you can buy any Nikkor AF lens, but you will have to use the electronic rangefinder in the cameras viewfinder. This is the way we all focused our lenses before auto-focus became the norm. Some of us still use our lenses in manual mode when we want to focus on a subject that does not fall into the "focus points" in the camera

Nikon kept the price of entry level cameras down by not installing an internal auto focus motor in those cameras. Since almost all of the lenses we use now are AF-S lenses (they focus much faster than the old AF lenses when used on our cameras with built-in motors).

If you shoot sports or action or even shoot subjects that move around like fashion, having a lens that will auto-focus continually and do so quickly is a huge advantage.

Only you can determine if the $70 is worth the added cost for an AF-S lens vs an older AF lens. Even when you later update your camera to a D7000 series (they have built-in auto-focus motors), you will find that the AF-S lens will auto-focus faster and more accurately.

It is your money.

Personally I would spend the extra for an AF-S lens since it is rare that you will ever need to replace a lens (unless a Mac truck runs over it), so spending what you need to get the best lens is a very good investment. Yes you may have to save your pennies a while longer, but in the end it will be worth it, even after you buy an upgraded camera with an internal auto-focus motor

If you're really into it, buy the AF-D version, and when you upgrade your body to a D7000, D7100 or D7200 or full frame, you're good to go. If you're doing important video work, you may want to get the AF-S version, as it has silent autofocus,.

That is down to you. Is it worth $70 to you to avoid the need to manually focus.
For me I would say yes it is.
But I bought Canon and don't have to put up with this in-body focus motor nonsense, indeed Canon sell a superb autofocus 50mm f/1.8 for around £70/$100.

Yes, you can use motorless lenses on your camera but that means you will have to focus manually with them. That's not a good idea if you're not used to squinting on a very small peephole to determine if the picture is blurred or sharp enough. Splurge on the extra $70 for a much more pleasant shooting experience. You won't regret it.

Autofocus is a wonderful modern invention on cameras and is definitely worth the money.

By the 50mm 1.8G lens with motor inside its one of the if not the best lens made by nikon
its supreme at least twice as good as the 50mm 1.8d.

http://rover.ebay.com/...26_frs%3D1