Anyone annoyed that the Nikon D5100 camera will NOT autofocus with some Nikon lenses?

You can check lens compatibility on Nikon's website.  Autofocus and metering.

d7000 http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d7000/compatibility02.htm

D5100 here, but it sounds too late

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5100/compatibility02.htm

Yes, the D7000 and D90 both have screw drives and can auto focus older lenses.  The D5100 is basically a stripped down version of the D7000 with the same image sensor.

I am personally not annoyed as I am aware that Nikon's "Consumer" level DX cameras (including the D5100) are designed to work with the newer generation of AF lenses which have a built in AF motor (Nikon designation AF-S).

In order to use the two Defocus type lenses you will need at least an "Enthusiasts" level camera like the D7000 or a D90, both of which do have a built in AF motor for use with the older so called "screwdriver" AF lenses (Nikon designation AF).

The D5100 and D7000 share the same image sensor, so yes they are comparable in image quality. The D5100 is indeed an excellent camera, but as you know it was sipmply not designed to be used with the older lenses.

You should be happy with a D7000.

Good luck.

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Cheers,
Peter Jonas

Beginners not being attached to any system do not care.  They just purchase AF-S lenses.  Buy a D7000 and be happy.

Here are the Nikon consumer DX DSLR cameras that have an internal screw drive motor:

D70/D70S

D50

D80

D90

D7000

If you had done just a little bit of research before buying the camera there would not be a reason to as "why the hell not"

Alternatively, you could focus manually on your D5100

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What you know imprisons you

Here are a couple of compatibility charts....I personally like Rockwell's formatting.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

http://resources.nikonians.org/reviews?alias=nikon-slr-camera-and-lens-compatibility

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eddyshoots

... why wouldn't you research these things? Funny, and it doesn't annoy me one bit.

Not "annoyed" in the least.  I knew all about this going in.  Didn't you?

It's a tool and like any other tool requires an operator to understand how to use it.

i bought the camera in the full knowledge with AF lens compatibilities, it took 5 minutes of internet time to be fully aware of which lenses don't AF

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The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Peter has answered you question perfectly.  The only thing I'm thinking is this:  both Nikon defocus control lenses are similar in focal length:  they are the 105 f2 and 135 f2 D DC lenses.  Amazing lenses, about as good as it gets in this these two focal lengths.  But the difference between 105 and 135 is often a matter of a few steps forward or back.  So theoretically, you could sell one of them, and buy the excellent 85 1.8G and have some money left over or buy a D7000.

Of course if you are still in the return period for your D5100 you could simply exchange it for the excellent D7000.  IQ will be pretty much exactly the same as your D5100 as they both use the 16 mp Sony Exmor sensor. But with the D7000 you'll get a beautiful 100% pentaprism VF, faster fps, better mostly magnesium build quality, and a better AF module.

As for me, I wouldn't have a problem with a newer consumer Nikon as all my lenses except my macro lens are AF-S.  But I do agree that it is nice to have available to you ALL the A-IS, AF-D and AF-S Nikkors, as well as third party lenses without AF motors like the excellent Tamron 17-50 2.8 or Tokina 12-24 f4 version I.  Often such lenses are less expensive and optically just as good as their newer versions with AF motors.

Good luck, Markus

I knew when I got my used D5000, that it was so. D5100 is same. I always intended to upgrade to a camera with a larger viewfinder, focus motor etc.

With the price of used D300's now, I decided that I dont need the added megapixels and 12MP is fine for me and also excellent ISO to 400 and decent from 800 to 1600 is enough for me now also.

So, I just pruchased a used, E+ condition D300, which is a pro level camera (or a lot of pros use it) and therefore I get, for a fraction (a lot less than half price) of the cost of it new and roughly the same as a new beginner DSLR, I get a top quality viewfinder, pro level body with focus motor, metering with AI (Manual Focus) lenses and much more.

A choice, that works for me.

If one wants top of the line current megapixel with whatever, you have to pay for it, just like everything else.

I went the way that suits me, without destroying my pocket.

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.” I am only a hoobyist, I cannot and do not give expert advice, dont expect it, just take it as a suggestion to think about, but only if you wish to.

Canon Lenses

Micro 4/3 Lenses

Fried Chicken

Sunglasses

Tripods

Assault Rifles

Barack Obama

iPod

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Antonio
http://www.intensitystudios.com

Shakira.

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.” I am only a hoobyist, I cannot and do not give expert advice, dont expect it, just take it as a suggestion to think about, but only if you wish to.

Nikon D7000 have in-built AF motor

Nikon D5100 have no inbuilt AF motor

SO ONLY AF-S LENSES WILL WORK WITH NIKON D5100

This is a systematic devaluing of the Nikon F-mount initiated by Nikon to sell more AFS lenses. Canon did it years ago in one fell swoop and was hated for it by many of it's loyal customers. Nikon learned from this mistake and has decided to take their time with the forced retirement of legacy lenses.

There are a lot of apologists on this board who are quick to forgive their beloved Nikon for just about anything. You will hear and see many arguments about how Nikon is saving us all added size, weight and cost. These arguments can't really withstand any logical inquiry. There are another group of folks, mostly new buyers, that are quite happy with what they have (all AFS lenses on an entry level body) but fail to see the long term ramifications of a company pulling stunts like this.....Nikon has done this in the past, they are doing it now and you can be damn sure they will do it again in the future. The next time the board of directors at Nikon feels like they need a jump in sales they will change the mount, change iTTL or change VR. Just a little something to force you all to prematurely retire your useless old AFS lenses. Then we will see a whole new generation of apologists...."This new AFX mount lens is worth it, who needs that old crap!".

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eddyshoots

probably lower expectations, but I was thinking it's pretty cool that my micro Nikkor 55 AI from my trusty old F2 works perfectly on the D5100, just all manual.

Dude, you are passing off info that is just wrong. There is no conspiracy here. The reason nikon is pushing you to AF-S lenses is because they have a silent wave motor which makes much less noise when focusing. This wasn't important in the past, but now that many people use SLR cameras for video, you can't have the sound of your lens grinding in and out of focus while you're recording audio.

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Antonio
http://www.intensitystudios.com

With respect, you did not research your purchase properly so any annoyance should be directed towards yourself because the specifications and capability of the camera are well publicised. It's an entry level camera and bound not to have certain features. I would not give one house room.

If you are thinking about a D7000 don't make the same mistake again. Some people have big problems with it, others don't. (Hint: I'd buy a D90 or D300).

David