How To Read Nikon Camera Lens Numbers

What Do the Numbers, Messages, & Symbols on a Camera Lens Mean?

If yous are new to photography, you might find yourself wondering what all of the different numbers, letters, and symbols on your camera lens mean.  They may seem complicated at starting time, simply its really easy to understand once explained.

In this mail service, I will show you a few examples of standard lenses and explicate some of the most important numbers and messages you have on your lens.

What Does 18-55mm Hateful?

Millimeters, or "mm" for short, is the standard unit of measurement for the focal length of a lens.  So when you see "mm" following a number or a pair of numbers on a lens, yous will know that the number refers to the focal length (single number) or focal range (pair of numbers).

Focal length is what you see when you look through your camera viewfinder.

• The lower the focal length (smaller number), the more you will run into in your image (wider view).
• The college the focal length (larger number), the less you volition see in your image (more zoomed in).

Permit'due south look at an 18-55mm lens as an case.  The pair of numbers refers to the focal length range or that detail lens.  Yous can apply this lens at its widest angle (18mm), the virtually zoomed (55mm), or anywhere betwixt 18mm and 55mm.

If whatever of this is confusing, you can read much more about focal length here:

Here is a 24-70mm lens:

And an 85mm lens:

What is ane:2.8?

When yous see a 1: followed by a number, this represents the lens'south maximum discontinuity or how wide the opening on your lens is when you take a photograph.  The smaller the number, the wider the opening (which lets in more low-cal).

In this case, the numbers read ane:2.viii, which means that this 24-70mm lens has a wide-open up aperture of f/ii.8:

What is 1:3.v-4.5?

In some cases with zoom lenses, yous will run into two numbers following the "1:", as in the example below, which shows an aperture range of 1:3.5-iv.5.  The aperture changes with the zoom's focal length between f/iii.v and f/4.v.

Then, for this lens, when zoomed out at 10mm, the widest aperture is f/three.5, but when zoomed in to 22mm, the widest possible aperture is f/4.v:

You can learn More about discontinuity hither:

What is AF / MF?

On the side of your DSLR lens, you will run into the letters AF/MF (Canon) or M+A/M (Nikon) with a pocket-size white line and switch beneath.  This switch volition allow yous to change your lens from Autofocus to Manual focus:

What is Ø67?

The circle with a line through it is a diameter symbol.  So when you lot see this symbol followed by a number, information technology refers to the diameter of your lens.

Not all lenses have the same bore, and knowing the bore of YOUR lens is essential when purchasing lens filters and lens hoods.

Here'due south an example of what the diameter sign looks like on a lens:

Equally you can see, this Sigma lens has a 67mm diameter; therefore, if you are looking for filters or a new lens hood, you would need to make certain you are purchasing ones that fit a 67mm diameter lens.

What is "II"?

Sometimes, y'all will see Ii at the end of the lens proper name/description.  This means it is the second generation of that particular lens.  Popular lenses are frequently improved with a newer version and updated features so they can be sold again to photographers who desire to upgrade.

What is USM / HSM?

These letters tell y'all what type of Autofocus motor is in your lens. USM = Ultrasonic Motor and HSM = Hypersonic Motor.  They are the same matter, but each manufacturer uses different terminology.

What is IS / VR?

Image Stabilization (IS - Canon) and Vibration Reduction (VR - Nikon) is a lens applied science designed to reduce the issue of camera shake.  Not all lenses come equipped with this applied science, only yous will know if your lens does if you run across the abbreviations "IS" or "VR" about the glass on the lens or you see "Image Stabilization" or "Vibration Reduction" on the body of the lens.

Other Lens Abbreviations

The number, letters, and symbols described higher up are the most mutual, just there are plenty of less common abbreviations used by different lens manufacturers.

In general, the letters on the lens are simply used to describe specific features, such as the type of applied science the lens uses, the type of camera to which the lens can exist mounted, or the course of the lens.

Catechism uses abbreviations such as EF and EF-S, while Nikon uses AF and AF-S to describe their lenses.

If y'all are unsure what whatsoever of those other abbreviations mean, a quick Google search should tell you exactly what you have.

Practice you lot take any questions or comments virtually Understanding Your Lens? Exit us a annotate below - nosotros would Dearest to hear from you lot!  And Please SHARE our tutorial using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate information technology)!

Anna Gay

Portrait Lensman

Anna Gay is a portrait photographer based in Athens, GA and the author of the dPS ebook The Art of Self-Portraiture. She also designs actions and textures for Photoshop. When she is not shooting or writing, she enjoys spending fourth dimension with her husband, and their two cats, Elphie and Fat Cat.

Source: https://www.lightroompresets.com/blogs/pretty-presets-blog/understanding-camera-lens-numbers-letters-symbols-explained

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