A simple question about lenses

Terry Again · Jul 9, 2008

Hi,
On the end of the lens where the light starts to go through there are the brand and some other code. Could some tell me what it means? And how it effects taking a picture?
Thanks for any replies,

Terry

srs5694 · Jul 9, 2008

What appears around the lens varies from one lens to another. Generally you'll see a brand name, serial number, maximum aperture (f/2.8, say, often expressed as 1:2.8), and focal length (such as 35mm). The maximum aperture determines how "fast" the lens is, and therefore how low a light level you can shoot in with a given film speed. The smaller the number the faster the lens, so an f/2.8 lens is faster than an f/4 lens. The focal length determines whether the lens is a telephoto, wide angle, or "normal" lens. For 35mm, 50mm is considered normal; smaller focal lengths are wide angle and longer ones are telephoto.

keithwms · Jul 9, 2008

Well I imagine you will see a focal length and an f/# or "speed' of the lens. Note that the f/# is often written as a ratio rather than f/.... for example f/2 is written 1:2.

P.S. I see that I repeated some info above....

srs5694 · Jul 9, 2008

Oh, one more thing: You're likely to see a filter size, which is also measured in mm, but is usually shown on the lens with a leading symbol that looks like an "O" with a line through it. On many normal lenses, the filter size is very similar to the focal length, but seldom identical.

MattKing · Jul 9, 2008

If a lens is a zoom lens, most likely the focal length range will show. Many zooms have a maximum f/stop that varies with the focal length. Typically, the range of maximum f/stops will be shown. As an example: 1:3.5 - 4.8

You might also see a country of manufacture, or a trade name that designates the lens line, or some codes that might indicate either where in the line the lens fits, or how many elements it has. It will vary with brand, and sometimes with date of manufacture.

As an example, Olympus lenses for their OM cameras are "Zuiko" lenses. Minolta lenses may be "Rokkor" lenses, etc.

If you have a particular example in mind, either post a picture, or describe the writing, and someone here most likely will be happy to translate.

Matt

Christopher Walrath · Jul 9, 2008

I'd say you guys pert near covered it.

Terry Again · Jul 11, 2008

Christopher Walrath said:
I'd say you guys pert near covered it.

I'd say too If I knew what I was talking about though now I do about the markings. I have to learn how to use the lens to my advantage trying to take a picture under certain situations. There in is the skill!! Thanks for all the replys!!

Ralph Javins · Jul 19, 2008

Hello, Terry;

Nice to see that you are still here.

The question is a valid question. For many people, the routine "codes" we understand and take for granted may not be all that obvious to someone just picking up the lens and reading the engraving. There are even more obscure "codes" found there such as "Planar," "Sonnar," "Tessar," "Anastigmat," and others which refer to the optical formula and construction of the lens.

If another question comes up, ask again. There might even be some books to be recommended as a source for further information.

Terry, in looking at the things you have written, it is not clear that you truly qualify for the use of the question that follows your signature.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

Anupam Basu · Jul 19, 2008

On modern SLR lenses you will also find a bunch of codes - usually manufacturer specific - which indicate features of the lens, what kind of focus, image stabilized or not etc. Stuff like G AF-S ED-IF VR etc.

Terry Again · Jul 19, 2008

Ralph Javins said:
Hello, Terry;

Nice to see that you are still here.
Terry, in looking at the things you have written, it is not clear that you truly qualify for the use of the question that follows your signature.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

All I can say is how do I make it clear I'm really brain damaged? The accident where I became that way made the TV and Paper(s) in Minnieapolis,Mn. One might be able to find out the names and web page address and search the archives for Dec.21-22 1999 Is the reading or seeing enough? I hope so! If I were to say COME STAY WITH YOU!! And you got to see and hear me talk and the meds I take to be able to comunicate at the level I do!! What I've written so far has taken 10-15 minutes

Ralph Javins · Jul 19, 2008

Hello, Terry;

Yes, I do know about what happened to you. My comment to you is related to the level that you communicate on with the printed word. Your mastery of the computer keyboard is quite evident. While the accident in which you were involved did affect you very strongly physically, it has not shown any great effect on your logic and communication skills, as evidenced by your writing. Terry, that is a good thing.

I also point out to you that Stephen Hawking communicates with a special eyelid actuated keyboard and screen or speech synthesizer. He also does take some time to put his thoughts into a form that we can receive, but this does not affect his logic and it really has not affected his sense of humor.

Keep going, Terry. You are doing fine. We are the ones who need to slow down a little and listen to what you are trying to say to us.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

A simple question about lenses

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