How to know the parameters of lens? Each manufacturer has its own definition. Take the above Nikon lens as an example. The lens is DX AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 GII ED
DX: Nikon has developed a format for its “non-full-frame cameras”, which corresponds to cameras with smaller light-sensitive components, so that the lens can be made smaller and lighter. This lens set on a full-frame camera (such as D3) will cause black corners.
AF-S: The Silent Wave Motor for AF drive developed by Nikon, which makes focusing faster and quieter.
NIKKOR: The name of Nikon’s lens.
18-55mm: The widest and farthest focal length, 18-55 is a standard lens; and because there are two numbers, it also means that this is a zoom lens
1:3.5-5.6: The largest aperture at the widest angle and the largest aperture at the farthest ZOOM. Note that novices often mistakenly think that this is the largest and smallest aperture, but it is not.
GII: Nikon’s second-generation G lens.
ED: It means that this lens contains ED lens, which minimizes the chromatic aberration of the lens, so as to ensure the excellent optical performance of the lens.
What does the word Macro stand for? Macro means that this lens is a “macro lens”, suitable for shooting small things (such as flowers, small insects, etc.), usually the shortest focusing distance of this type of lens is relatively short and the magnification can reach 1:1 or 1:2
What does VR/IS stand for? Optical anti-shake technology -VR (Vibration Reduction) is NIKON’s anti-shake technology and IS (Image Stabilization) is CANON’s anti-shake technology, which means this lens can withstand a certain degree of vibration and keeping the image clear.
What is a wide-angle/standard/telephoto lens? At a constant distance, the wide-angle lens can make the photo contain more scenes: For example, a group photo of 5 people, the non-wide-angle lens can only capture the middle 2-3 people while the wide-angle lens can contain all 5 people. For this reason, So now some DCs also claim to have a “wider wide angle” to attract friends who often take group photos at parties/restaurants! The standard lens generally refers to a 50mm lens in the film era, and the resulting image is closest to what the human eye can see. The telephoto lens is very simple, it can zoom very far, but the lens is usually relatively large, long and heavy.
Is the aperture value larger or smaller better? If this refers to the “maximum aperture that can be opened”, of course the larger the better, because the more apertures that can be used, the better; but if this refers to whether you should use a large aperture or a small aperture when shooting, then there is no “correct answer”.
What is a lens combination? Lens combination refers to what kind of lens combination the lens is made of. The quality, function and quantity of the lens will also affect the weight, size and photo quality of the lens. For example, ED (Extra-Low Dispersion Glass) is used. Can effectively correct the chromatic aberration of imaging and provide better photo imaging.
What is “built-in ultrasonic motor” USM? The motor of the lens is driven by the vibration force of ultrasonic, making the operation and focusing faster and quieter
What is “fisheye lens”? Fisheye lens are actually an ultra-wide-angle lens, which is characterized by distorting the image and can shoot like a “big-headed dog”. Now fisheye lens can cover up to 180 degrees!
Use of Lens Hood Block the light that directly enters the lens, avoid the influence of light, and also prevent water splashes into the lens surface and damage the lens. There are mainly lotus shape and circle shape. The circles shape are mainly used for those styles where the lens will rotate when focusing.
Written by Collin Smith @ remotes.works Holborn London
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