Almost all Nikon F-mount lenses work on Nikon's D3000 digital single lens reflex (DSLR ) camera, including pre-auto indexing (AI) lenses. Using older lenses, which don't have a built-in central processing unit chip, however, disables the camera's auto-focus feature. The best lens choice for the D3000 is Nikon AF-S or an equivalent lens sold by third-party vendors.
Importance of Auto Focus
The D3000 isn't built with an auto-focus drive in the camera body. S-o having an autofocus lens is extremely helpful when composing a shot or using any of the other metering options available with the camera. Using a non-auto-focus lens takes the D3000, an entry-level DSLR, several steps backward. The D3000 was released in 2009. Nikon released the D3100 in 2010 as a follow-up to the D3000.
Lens Options
Nikon and third-party vendors have a variety of auto-focus lenses to meet virtually every shooting need. In the United States, the D3000 is shipped with an 18-55mm/f3.5-5.6 AF-S VR lens. A 35mm/f1.8 AF-S DX lens is popular for photographers who shoot a lot of indoor pictures. Telephoto lens options include the 55 to 200mm/f3.5-5.6 AF-S VR and 70 to 300mm f4.5-5.6G AF-S VR.
Lenses to Avoid
Any IX Nikkor lens is not supported by the D3000 and can't be used, according to Nikon, but most other Nikon lenses with the F bayonet mount style can be used with limited options. Nikon warns that the AF-Nikkor lens for the F3AF can be used but is not supported. Type D PC lenses do not support some of the camera's shooting modes, which set shutter speed, aperture and focus based on the type of shot.
History
Nikon introduced the F-mount in 1959 for its single-lens reflex cameras, allowing photographers to use a wider variety of lenses. In 1977, auto aperture indexing technology was introduced followed by the programmable auto exposure mode in 1981. In 1983, the central processing unit enabled aperture information exchange with the camera body, and auto-focus compatibility became available. In 1995, the F-mount was compatible with DSLRs, but Nikon didn't release its first DSLR to consumers until 1999.
Tags: AF-S lens, camera body, central processing, central processing unit, processing unit, third-party vendors, with camera