Prime Lens..............
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You are correct. This is a term used with movie cameras. My Arriflex and B&H camera’s have turrets for prime lenses.
But aren't all pens "ink pens" - so why not just "pen"? ;-)
I don't know when fixed focal length lenses became prime lenses. I'm not sure why the word "prime" is associated with fixed focal length lenses. Is it because they are supposed to be better than zooms? My film camera manufacturer's lens brochure divides lenses into categories - fisheye, super wide, wide, standard, telephoto, super telephoto, zoom, and macro. Nary the mention of the word "prime".
The <Wikipedia article> suggests that before the word "prime" was used to mean "not-zoom" (in the context of motion picture cameras), it was first used to distinguish between the "primary" lens and an "accessory" lens, such as a closeup lens or teleconverter. But - if true - that was then, and this is now. Today, I think it is fairly safe to assume that "prime" means "fixed focal length" - but that is an assumption.
Because use defines language, and because usage varies from group-to-group, and from region-to-region, and from time-to-time - is impossible to precisely define many of the words we use.
The commonly used acronym "MF" means whatever the writer intended, and if the reader is unable to divine the exact meaning from context, then confusion can and will result. Is that the fault of the writer for being too lazy to spell out precisely what they are talking about? Or is it the fault of the reader for lacking the intuition to guess the meaning from context? Over on the FujiX-Forum "MF" is much more likely to mean "manual focus" - but on this forum, "medium format" is more common.
It seems like the practitioners of every skill and craft soon lapse into jargon when speaking among themselves. When talking to another photographer, it is easy to assume the listener has learned the same jargon, but that is certainly not always true, especially on a forum like this one, which is both international and intergenerational (tho maybe not so much that last one).
I do wish more members would provide specific information about where they are located. Sometimes it is helpful to have a clue about how much culture and language we might share when trying to communicate.
Because use defines language, and because usage varies from group-to-group, and from region-to-region, and from time-to-time - is impossible to precisely define many of the words we use.
The commonly used acronym "MF" means whatever the writer intended, and if the reader is unable to divine the exact meaning from context, then confusion can and will result. Is that the fault of the writer for being too lazy to spell out precisely what they are talking about? Or is it the fault of the reader for lacking the intuition to guess the meaning from context? Over on the FujiX-Forum "MF" is much more likely to mean "manual focus" - but on this forum, "medium format" is more common.
It seems like the practitioners of every skill and craft soon lapse into jargon when speaking among themselves. When talking to another photographer, it is easy to assume the listener has learned the same jargon, but that is certainly not always true, especially on a forum like this one, which is both international and intergenerational (tho maybe not so much that last one).
I do wish more members would provide specific information about where they are located. Sometimes it is helpful to have a clue about how much culture and language we might share when trying to communicate.
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Even worse, just look at the old geezer D crowd mooning about their "full frame." "To be a "real" photographer, you have to use full frame. But medium format is for rich dentists and poseurs." Sigh....
The mathematics student in me cringes whenever I hear the term. I'm always tempted to retort back - "as in Fibonacci prime?"
I worked selling cameras up until the early 1980s, and I don't ever recall that usage back then. I would guess it was in the early 2000s that I first became aware of it.
Of all the slang terms in photography, it seems one of the least helpful.
The term "Prime lenses" was definitely in use here in the UK by the late 1970s, which coincides with the introduction of better optimised zoom lenses.
One definition of "Prime" which is being missed is in terms of being "the best quality". Somewhere I have a magazine with an article comparing camera manufacturer's Prime lenses to those of third party lens manufacturers, around 1978/9.
Ian
Words can be weird! Bow tie, for instance, denotes a form factor. Necktie denotes a wearing location. A bow tie is worn at the neck but is never called a necktie. Why not just “tie”… for both?
P.S., I’ve heard and used the term @Prime@ since the early 1980’s to distinguish fixed focal length from zoom lenses. Only used that term to denote quality when discussing beef grades, though.
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I question the reason for the very existence of the so-called-tie in any of its variations! Although sometimes - when I want to create the appearance of high-brow sophistication - I wear an ascot (actually, my wife's silk pajamas wrapped around my neck).
You could teach a "Cultural Geography" class.
In all seriousness, you make some interesting points/observations.
There is plenty in your post to support a thread all its own.
Use context to disambiguate.
Why did the baby ink drop cry?
Because its father was in the pen and the ink drop does not know how long the sentence will be.
I question the reason for the very existence of the so-called-tie in any of its variations! Although sometimes - when I want to create the appearance of high-brow sophistication - I wear an ascot (actually, my wife's silk pajamas wrapped around my neck).
Some are fit to be tied.
Coincidence?! , but as we speak I'm filling up my fountain pen! No fountains involved!
Context? Then I have to depict the context (hoping not to confuse)...
Words, words, words, I am so tired...
It also means Mick, someone who has sexual relations with his mother
, although I don't know how it fits in with photography.
It also means Mick, someone who has sexual relations with his mother
So one can figure out what the musical group Mothers Fathers Sister and Brothers [MFSB] really means.
"Taping" is the term that I remember.
The solution is simple, leave the traditional "MF", for "medium format" and continual to refer to the confusional "manual focus" as simply "manual", which is what it has been since the first autofocusing, "auto focus" lenses/cameras.
An alternative abbreviation for lenses/cameras focused by hand and eye, no electronic automation might be had with "manually composed" or "mc"
IMO
Which too many do no understand completely.
I know what you mean Eli, if I see the expression "nifty fifty lenses" again on an internet forum, I will inflict serious injury on someone or something.
When did MF for medium format become traditional? Not a single photographer I ever worked with or knew ever referred to medium format that way, nor have I seen it in books. I never came across that designation until I saw it on internet blogs and forums.
That's interesting,as, as I've always known photography, MF, has always been.for Medium Format, only.
Seriously, I've never heard anyone that I worked or knew in photography refer to "Manual Focus" as an acronym, being used to manual focus spoken or written in the entirety, or shortened to simple "manual".
I suppose, people are like the infinity of multi-verses, in that if you listen to enough of them, you'll hear many different variations, none are impossible, ad nauseam.
MattKing
Moderator
I've mostly encountered MF in the context of the "trilogy": 35mm, MF and LF.
But I would say there seems to be a lot more acronyms around since the internet became predominate.
But I would say there seems to be a lot more acronyms around since the internet became predominate.
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