Designations of photographic lenses

Currently, a large number of different lenses are available for film and digital photography , which are made using different technologies and auxiliary devices. The presence or absence of the latter affects not only the functionality, but also the cost of the lens, often very significantly. At the same time, different manufacturers have different designations and markings of the same devices. Below is a list and a brief description of the technologies used in photographic lenses of the most well-known manufacturers: Canon , Nikon , Pentax , Sony Alpha , Tokina , Sigma , Tamron .

Conventional notation

80-200mm; 18-55mm; 300mm, etc. - working focal lengths for lenses. For lenses with a fixed distance is indicated as a single number. The zoom lenses are recorded as a range, the first number is the minimum focal length, the second is the maximum.
f / 3.5-5.6; f / 2.0 is the geometric aperture of the lens . May be specified as a range or a single number. One number is indicated on lenses with a fixed focal length, as well as on zoom lenses that provide a constant aperture across the entire focal length range. Usually it is expensive professional "zooms". The range is indicated on low-cost zoom lenses and some professional ones, due to their design and small dimensions that are not capable of providing a constant aperture ratio. The first and second numbers are the luminosity at the minimum and maximum focal lengths of the lens.
Fisheye - fisheye lens . A variety of super wide angle lenses with uncorrected distortion.
Macro - the designation of lenses designed for macro photography.

Canon

EF ( Eng. Electro Focus ) - designation of the bayonet of autofocus cameras. Such lenses can be used both on full-frame cameras (24 × 36 mm) and cameras that have an APS-C matrix.
EF-S ( Eng. Electro Focus-short backfocus - short rear section). Designation of the bayonet of cameras with a sprinkled matrix. Lenses with such a bayonet fit only on cameras with an APS-C matrix.
EF-M ( born Electro Focus-mirrorless - mirrorless). Camera mount designation for mirrorless M-series cameras
USM ( English Ultrasonic Motor ) - for autofocusing , an ultrasonic motor built into the lens is used. A distinctive feature - the logo "Ultrasonic" on the rim.
STM ( English Stepper motor ) is a focusing mechanism technology based on the use of a silent stepper motor built into the lens.
L ( Eng. Luxury ) - Canon quality lenses, used in the production of expensive lenses and low-dispersed glass, some are made in a dust-proof housing, the red line around the rim is a distinctive feature.
FT-M ( English Full Time Manual ) - a lens with continuous manual focusing.
TS-E ( English Tilt-Shift Electronic ) - special Shift lenses with the possibility of correcting the perspective due to the tilt and shifts of the optical node.
I / R ( eng. Internal Focus / Rear Focus ) - lenses with internal focusing or focusing by the back group of lenses (with non-rotating front lens, while focusing the length of the lens does not change)
IS ( English Image Stabilizer ) - optical image stabilization , allows you to shoot at longer shutter speeds and reduces the blurring effect due to camera shake.
DO ( English Diffractive Optics ) - lenses with diffraction elements. Differ in small size and weight, marked with a green line around the rim.
MP-E ( English Macro Photo Electronic ) - lenses designed for macro photography , with the additional ability to control the aperture.
Float - a system of floating lenses in the lens. Designed to eliminate aberrations when focusing at short distances.
CaF2 ( English Fluorite ) - fluorite glass in part of the lens. Used to reduce aberrations of long-focus lenses , more effectively than Super UD.
UD ( English Ultra-low dispersion ) - lenses from low-dispersed glass , with a low dispersion value, is used to reduce the effect of chromatic aberrations .
S-UD ( English Super Ultra-low dispersion ) - lenses made of ultra low-dispersed glass, designed to reduce chromatic aberrations.
AL ( English Aspheric Lens ) - aspherical elements, used to reduce aberrations.
CA ( English Circular Aperture ) - to get a circular shape of the diaphragm in the lens uses a special form of petals.
PZ ( English Power Zoom ) - motor zoom drive. ^[one]
A ( English Automatic ) - lenses without focus control ring and manual focus mode. ^[2]
Softfocus ( English Soft Focus ) - a lens with a softened and fuzzy image effect due to uncorrected spherical aberrations. ^[3]

Fujifilm

The XF lens is designed for Fujifilm digital mirrorless cameras ( Bayonet X ).
The XC is an affordable compact lens with a low weight ( Bayonet X ).
R - the lens is equipped with a diaphragm adjustment ring.
LM - lens is equipped with a stepping motor to ensure fast and silent autofocusing .
OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) - optical image stabilization .
EBC (Electron Beam Coating) - coating to minimize glare and ghosting by increasing the light transmittance. Like a multi-layer coating used by other manufacturers.
Super EBC is an improved version of EBC.
ALG (All-Group Focusing) - during the focus all optical elements are moved. This maximizes optical performance over the entire focus range.
WR (Water Resistant) - waterproof lens.

Nikon

AI ( English Automatic Indexing ) - lenses, released after 1977 and supporting automatic input of aperture in the built-in TTL-exposure meter of the camera ^[4] .
AI-S ( English Automatic Indexing - Shutter ) - further development of the AI system, supporting shutter priority mode with automatic aperture setting ^[5] . All lenses compatible with the Nikon F bayonet released after 1979 (including modern autofocus) support the AI-S specification, which completely replaces AI.
AI-P - AI-S lenses without autofocus specification, but equipped with a microprocessor and contact contacts with a microcomputer of the camera. Unlike non-microprocessor lenses, they support expo-automatics and transfer EXIF data.
AF ( English Autofocus ) - autofocus lenses without a built-in motor for focusing, the motor built in the camera for autofocusing (“screwdriver” camera) is used. On other cameras (new budget cameras) the lens will work without autofocus.
AF-N ( born AF-new cosmetics ) - late-release lenses with a narrow manual focus ring.
AF-D, D ( born AF-Distance Information ) - lenses with the ability to transmit to the camera the distance to the object, taken into account by the automatic control system of exposure . Currently, this designation is not used on modern lenses as all new lenses are equipped with this feature.
AF-I ( born AF-Internal Motor ) - the first generation of lenses with integrated autofocus motor.
AF-S ( born AF-Silent Wave Motor ) is the second generation of lenses with an autofocus motor, such lenses do not require a “screwdriver” in the camera. Analogue of the USM standard in Canon EF lenses .
SWM ( English Silent Wave Motor ) is an ultrasonic focusing motor used in AF-S lenses.
CRC ( Close Range Correction ) - an optical element is installed in the lens that reduces the influence of aberrations when focusing at a short distance.
G ( English G-type, Gelded ) - lenses without aperture control ring.
Micro ( English Macro ) - lenses designed for macro photography.
PC-E ( persistent control ) - Shift-lenses with an electromagnetic drive of the jumping diaphragm .
ED - the lens uses low-dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberration.
AS - aspherical elements are used in the lens to eliminate spherical aberrations.
IF is a one-piece (one-piece) lens, focusing occurs due to lens shift inside the lens.
IX - lenses for advanced photo system APS, not received distribution. Cannot be used with either digital or 35 mm film cameras.
RF ( eng. Rear focusing) - back focusing. A special case of internal focusing (IF) - when you focus the lens, the rear element or group of elements moves.
DC ( English Defocus Control ) - the lens has a bokeh control function.
VR ( English Vibration Reduction ) - image stabilizer.
N - technology allows reducing glare and reflections due to deposition of nanocrystals.
DX - for cameras with APS-C format matrixes (can be used on cameras with a full-frame sensor).
FX is a lens for cameras with a full-frame sensor, as well as for cameras that have APS-C matrixes.
Noct - high-aperture optics for astrophotography.
The CX is about bjectives designed for use with Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras. Incompatible with cameras that have a Nikon F bayonet.
E (2013) - lenses with electronic aperture drive, like a PC-E lens. Not to be confused with cheaper amateur-class lenses, produced in the 1980s and bearing the designation "E-series".
FL ( English Fluorite ) - fluorite (CaF2), has an extremely low scattering coefficient and eliminates secondary (purple-green) chromatic aberrations even more efficiently than ultra low dispersion glass (ED).

Sony

A (Alpha Type) - designation of the type of mount, method of attachment to the camera.
E (E-mount) - designation of the type of mount, method of attachment to the camera. Used for mirrorless cameras of the Alpha NEX series and NXCAM series cameras from Sony.
CZ (Carl Zeiss) - lenses developed by Carl Zeiss , for cameras with bayonet A, very high quality optics and very expensive.
ZA (Zeiss Alpha) - lenses created by Zeiss for Sony Alpha.
G (Sony Professional Lens) - a professional series of lenses that meets high standards.
Vario-Sonnar , Planar T * , Sonnar T * , Distagon T * - designations of the type of lens design from Carl Zeiss.
SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) is a cheaper motor than SSM.
STF (Smooth Transition Focus) - the lens contains an optical element, due to which the transitions between areas in focus and out of focus are displayed very smoothly.
SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) - ultrasonic motor.
DT (Digital Technology) - lenses for cameras with APS-C matrix, can not be used on a full-frame camera.
D (Distance Integration) - the lens supports the function of transmitting distance information to a focused object to the camera.
APO - the lens contains apochromatic elements to reduce chromatic aberrations.
xi is the function of changing the focal length by the built-in motor.

Olympus

ZD (Zuiko Digital) - lenses for Olympus digital SLR cameras standard 4: 3.
mZD (M.Zuiko Digital) - lenses for Olympus digital mirrorless cameras of the Micro 4: 3 standard.
- Premium - a series of premium lenses with a fixed focal length.
- PRO is the designation of the professional series.
ED (Extra low-Dispersion) - the presence in the design of an ultra-dispersed optical lens, which is used to ensure maximum sharpness and correct color reproduction even at the most open aperture values, as well as to minimize chromatic aberrations.
MSC (Movies and Stills Compatible) - the presence in the design of a worm gear for moving lens groups and high-tech supersonic micromotor focusing, which together provide a smooth zoom, as well as quiet and fast focusing. If literally, the abbreviation indicates that the lens is equally well adapted for shooting video, and for photography.
EZ (Electric Zoom) - designation of the motorized drive of a zoom. Such lenses have rather compact dimensions.
SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) - designation of a supersonic micromotor focusing, providing fast and quiet autofocus operation.
IS (Image Stabilizer) - indicates the presence of an optical image stabilizer.
R (Redesigned) - designation of the updated version of the same lens. The internal optical-mechanical design remained unchanged, but some changes were made to the design and / or materials of the body. In other words, the lens with the letter R and without it is technically the same model, modified only externally.
II, III (Roman numerals) - designation of the number of the updated version of the same lens with a redesigned optical-mechanical scheme. In other words, a lens with Roman numerals and without them are different models, in which only theoretical technical characteristics coincide, and the image quality, as well as the speed of work, can differ significantly.
SHR, UHR, E-HR, HR (Super-, Ultra-, Extra-High Refractive) - use lenses with a high refractive index to compensate for both field curvature and spherical aberration.
Aspherical - aspherical elements are used in the lens to eliminate spherical aberrations, coma and other distortions.
DSA (Dual Super Aspherical Lens) - the lens uses a thin low-dispersion aspherical lens designed to eliminate spherical aberrations, coma and other distortions.
EDA (Extra-low Dispersion Aspherical Lens) - the lens uses a thin high-tech low-dispersion aspherical lens used to reduce chromatic aberrations.

Pentax

(D) FA - these lenses are designed for full-frame cameras, and they can also be used for cameras with an APS-C sensor.
DA (Digital) - specially designed lenses for cameras with APS-C sensor.
DA-L (Digital, Plastic) - a lens similar to the DA, light version, the bayonet is made of plastic.
DA * (Digital, Pentax's "L") - a professional line of lenses, in a dust and moisture proof housing.
AL (Aspherical lens) - the lens contains aspherical elements to eliminate chromatic aberrations.
IF (Internal focus) - the focusing of this lens occurs by moving the inner lens group. The front lens does not extend and does not rotate.
PZ (Power Zoom) - motor drive zoom.
AF (Autofocus) - lenses with autofocus system.
SDM (Sonic Direct drive Motor) - lenses with a built-in ultrasonic motor.
SMC (Super Multi Coating) - a lens with a multi-layer coating that protects against reflections and unwanted highlights.
HD (High Definition) - enlightenment, which allows to increase the clarity and sharpness of the picture when shooting in backlight. Used in new generation lenses instead of SMC.
ED - the lens design contains elements with ultra-low distortion.
AW, WR (All Weather, Water resist) - design, protected from the penetration of water or moisture into the body.
Quick-shift is a lens design that allows a photographer to easily shift the focus ring to manual adjustment of focus without having to turn on manual mode. At the same time, there is no focus mode switch on the lens.
K-series - lens mount mount K.
A-series is a Pentax A mount lens; the old bayonet is not used in modern cameras.
F, FA - lens for a full-frame camera, equipped with a diaphragm control ring.
FA J - full-frame autofocus lens without aperture ring.
Limited - limited edition lenses, compact design.

Sigma

EX - lens expensive series. Lenses of this brand have improved optical and mechanical characteristics.
ASP (Aspherical Lens) - Aspherical elements are used in the lens to reduce size and improve performance.
APO (Apochromatic) - the lens is designed using low-dispersion glass to minimize color distortion.
OS (Optical Stabilizer) - built-in optical image stabilization, allows you to shoot at longer exposures.
HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) - a lens with an integrated ultrasonic motor, such motors are faster and quieter than their counterparts.
RF (Rear Focus) - this lens is equipped with a focusing system using rear lens groups.
IF (Internal Focus) - while focusing, internal lens groups are moved. Monoblock lens.
Conv (APO Teleconverter EX) - can be used with APO Teleconverter.
DG (DG Lens) — объективы с широкими углами и большой диафрагмой, используются для камер с полнокадровым сенсором.
DC (DC Lens) — объективы разработанные для фотоаппаратов с APS-C матрицей.
DN (Digital Neo) – новая серия объективов Sigma, предназначенная для беззеркальных камер с сенсорами APS-C и фотоаппаратов стандарта Микро 4:3.
RMC — обозначение мультипросветления

Tokina

AS (Asperical Optics) — в объективе используются асферические элементы для уменьшения аберраций.
F&R (Aspherical F&R) — объективе сконструирован с использованием асферического элемент типа F&R. За счёт использования этой технологии достигается превосходное качество изображения с равномерно светлыми краями и скорректированной сферической аберрацией.
SD (Super Low Dispersion) — в конструкцию объектива входят низкодисперсные элементы, используется для устранения хроматических аберраций.
HLD (High refraction, Low dispersion) — технология для предотвращения возникновению хроматической аберрации, часто являющейся проблемой широкоугольных объективов.
MC (Multi-Coating) — специальное прозрачное антибликовое многослойное покрытие , защищающее от отражений и нежелательных бликов, технология применяется для повышения резкости и цветопередачи.
FE (Floating Element) — специальная система плавающих элементов которые перемещаются при изменении фокусного расстояния, снижая астигматизм объектива.
IF (Internal Focus) — система внутренней фокусировки, в процессе фокусировки двигается внутренняя группа линз, внешние части объектива не вращаются.
IRF (Internal Rear Focus System) — во время фокусировки двигается задняя группа линз.
FC (Focus Clutch) — объектив с механизмом фиксации фокуса.
AT-X (Advanced Technology — Extra) — объективы с переменной диафрагмой для современных зеркальных камер.
PRO — объективы профессиональной линейки, с постоянной диафрагмой, которые дороже и качественнее.
One Touch FC — система, применяемая в объективах Tokina AT-X PRO, для переключения между автоматической и ручной фокусировкой происходит с помощью перемещения кольца фокусировки.
DC — в объективе установлен ультразвуковой мотор, более быстрый и тихий чем аналоги.
DX — кропнутый объектив, создан специально для камер с матрицей APS-C.
FX — объектив для полнокадровых камер, может быть использован на камерах с матрицей APS-C.
M (Macro) — объектив предназначен для макросъёмки.

Tamron

Di (Digital) — обозначает новое поколение объективов, специально приспособленных к требованиям цифровых зеркальных фотокамер.
Di II (Digital-II) — эта серия объективов создана специально для использования в цифровых камерах с APS-C матрицей.
Di III (Digital-III) — данные объективы предназначены для байонета Micro 4/3.
SP (Super Performance) — это линия объективов, отвечающих самым высоким дизайнерским требованиям и отличным техническим параметрам.
ASL (Aspherical) — для устранения сферических аберрации и искажения объектив оснащён асферическими элементами.
LD (Low Dispersion) — Элементы LD изготавливаются из специального стекла, обладающего чрезвычайно низким коэффициентом цветового рассеяния. В результате обеспечивается эффективная компенсация хроматической аберрации.
AD (Anomalous Dispersion) — объектив оснащён стеклом с аномальным рассеянием. Позволяет эффективно компенсировать осевые хроматические аберрации у телеобъективов, а также боковые хроматические аберрации у широкоугольных объективов традиционной конструкции.
HID is a glass element in the lens that allows minimizing chromatic aberration along the axis and in the corners of the field of the frame.
IF (Internal Focusing) - the lens is designed with an internal focusing system.
ZL (Zoom Lock) - the extreme distance from which focusing is possible, allows you to perform macro photography in the Megazoom range (28-200 mm = 1: 4; 28-300 mm = 1: 2.9 and 24-135 mm = 1: 3.3).
SHM is a light and extremely durable mechanism from Tamron, based on special plastic and stainless steel reinforcement, for mounting the lens on the camera.
USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) - an ultrasonic motor is built into the lens.
BIM (Built-In Motor) - built-in motor, will allow the lens to be used on Nikon cameras not equipped with a “screwdriver”.
VC (Vibration Compensation) - the lens is equipped with a stabilization system, allows you to shoot at longer shutter speeds, and reduce the effect of camera shake when shooting.
PZD (Piezo Drive) - piezoelectric auto-focus drive.
XR ( eXtra Refraction ) - lenses using high refractive index glass lenses.

Samyang

CS (Crop Size) - an abbreviation indicates that the lens belongs to sprinkled cameras.
AS (Aspherical Lense) - one or several aspherical elements are present in the design of the lens. They are used to reduce chromatic aberration and improve the quality of the picture.
H-ASP (Hybrid Aspherical Lenses) - the designation of hybrid aspherical lenses. That is, they are not based on glass, but plastic.
ED (Extra Low Dispersion) - indicates that the optical scheme of the lens used lenses with ultra-low dispersion, which provide excellent sharpness and contrast of the image on all apertures of the diaphragm.
NCS (Nano Coating System) - the designation of nanocrystalline anti-reflective coating.
HR stands for lenses that are made of glass with a high refractive index.
UMC (Ultra Multi Coating) - multi-layer enlightenment technology. Thanks to the UMC coating, the loss of light that passes through the air gap and glass is reduced.
AE (Auto Exposure) - the designation can be found only on lenses sharpened by Nikon cameras. It implies the presence of a chip in the lens, which is responsible for the automatic exposure mode (works in modes A, S and P).
TS (Tilt-Shift) - abbreviation indicates correction of perspective distortion.
IF (Internal Focusing) - indicates the internal focus, that is, during the focusing process, the front lens unit remains stationary and the lens does not change its physical dimensions. Moves the internal lens unit.
Reflex - the designation of the mirror-lens (catadioptric) lens with manual focus.
Cine (Cinematography) - designation that the lens is designed for video. Its diaphragm and focus rings have teeth for more convenient control of parameters in the process of shooting.
VDSLR (Video DSLR) is the same as in the previous paragraph. The glass in this case is sharpened for use with mirrors and is focused on video shooting. On the lens body, the focusing scale and the distance are rotated 90 degrees. The marking of the diaphragm is indicated in T-feet.

Notes

↑ Canon Inc. EF35-80mm f / 4-5.6 PZ (Unreferenced) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 18, 2016.
↑ Canon Inc. EF35-70mm f / 3.5-4.5A ( Unidentified ) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 24, 2016.
↑ Canon Inc. EF135mm f / 2.8 Soft Focus (with Softfocus mechanism) (Unidentified) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 18, 2016.
↑ Nikon, as you understand, 2003 , p. 135.
↑ Lars Holst Hansen. AI-S Compatibility Chart (Eng.) . The Nikkor Resources . Photography in Malaysia. The appeal date is January 1, 2015.

Literature

B. Bakst, I. Bazhan. "Nikon", how do you understand ?. - M.,: “Photocurrier”, 2003. - p. 134-150. - 156 s. - ISBN 5-7853-0351-5 .

Links

Official international site Tamron (eng.)
Tamron Official Website (English )
Official Russian site tamron.rf (rus.)
European website Tamron (eng.) (Him.) (Isp.)
Russian site Sigma
Sigma website (eng.)
Sigma Lens Search System
Sigma DP-1 Announcement
The official website of the company Tokina
TokinaLens (eng.)
The official website of the company Tokina in Russia
Official website of Sony Alpha (rus.)
Pentax representative office in Russia (rus.)
Canon official website in Russia (rus.)
Nikon official website in Russia (rus.)
Glossary of terms for NIKKOR lenses
Interpretation of lens designations (Project - amateur photographer)

[canonmuseum_1st-1] Canon Inc. EF35-80mm f / 4-5.6 PZ (Unreferenced) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 18, 2016.

[canonmuseum_2nd-2] Canon Inc. EF35-70mm f / 3.5-4.5A ( Unidentified ) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 24, 2016.

[canonmuseum_3rd-3] Canon Inc. EF135mm f / 2.8 Soft Focus (with Softfocus mechanism) (Unidentified) . Canon Camera Museum . The appeal date is May 18, 2016.

[_e55f0c64147e7510-4] Nikon, as you understand, 2003 , p. 135.

[5] Lars Holst Hansen. AI-S Compatibility Chart (Eng.) . The Nikkor Resources . Photography in Malaysia. The appeal date is January 1, 2015.