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11/30/2005 12:57:08 PM · #1 |
I see all these numbers and letters thrown around for lenses and I don't know what they mean. Is there a good guide online in rookie english that I can learn what all these numbers and letters mean? Thank you!
edit: I can't change the spelling on my title thread for Lenses, haha.
Message edited by author 2005-11-30 12:57:48. |
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11/30/2005 01:00:03 PM · #2 |
What numbers and letters are you referring to?
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11/30/2005 01:08:55 PM · #3 |
| i.e. the Canon Ef-S 10mm-22mm f/3.5-4.5 or the 70-300mm, etc... |
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11/30/2005 01:15:49 PM · #4 |
Here is a crash course...
Example 70-200mm L F2.8
The first number, 70-200mm, is the focal range. This will dictate how wide or telephoto a lens is, or the zoom range. If there is not a range (i.e. 100mm) then the lens is prime (no zoom). Low numbers, 20's and below are wide, over 100 is considered telephoto.
L is simply Canon's way of saying it is a pro lens, meaning better quality and more $$$. Different brand lens will have different call outs for this (Sigma is APO). If there is a IS in the lens title, the lens has image stabilization. If there are no extra letters it's a standard lens. Too make it difficult, all lens manufacturers use different letters for different things.
F2.8 is the max aperture. On the example, this lens has a constant max aperture of F2.8 through out the zoom range. On most zoom lens you'll see a range here. That range corresponds to the zoom. Example 70-300mm F3.5-5.6 menas at 70mm the max aperture is 3.5 and at 300mm the max aperture is 5.6.
Max aperture will dictate how fast (shutter speed) you can use the lens. F2.8 or lower is a fast lens.
Some lens may be called a Macro lens. That just means it can focus on objects really close to the lens.
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11/30/2005 01:16:09 PM · #5 |
EF or EF-S are Canon Autofocus mounts EF-S only works with Digital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT and Canon 20D
The 10mm-22mm is the focal length the lens is capable of. The smaller the number, the wider the angle the lens is capable of.
f/3.5-4.5 is the aperture size. Smaller numbers let in more light. Everyone loves the lenses that are f/2.8, especially if they arer like that throught the range. You pay top dollar for them though. This is good for controlling depth of field and getting those long range shots of birds and other things you can't get close to.
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11/30/2005 01:19:24 PM · #6 |
Canon, Sigma and Tamron lens abbreviations explained here.
R. |
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11/30/2005 01:24:13 PM · #7 |
For Nikon there is a good tutorial on on there lens technology at:
Nikon Lenses
Also you can look here for all there lenses:
Nikon Lens List |
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11/30/2005 01:33:02 PM · #8 |
| thanks a lot, crew. These responses are very helpful. |
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