Designed and written by Geoff Cable & Gary Crouch from the

LENS GUIDE
Focus Motors Magnification
Some autofocus lenses Most DSLR cameras are
have a built-in motor to crop sensor and not ‘full
drive the autofocus frame’ and will not
mechanism whereas display the same field of
some others are driven view with the same focal
by motors in the camera length lens.
body. For Nikon & Sony
Lenses with their own DSLR’s magnify the
motors focus quicker focal length by 1.5 to get
the full frame equivalent
and 1.6 for Canon
Full Frame
Compatibility Filter Thread Lens Mounts cameras.
A small thread is located Each camera body manufacturer
Lenses designed for full Maximum
on the inside edge of the has its own design of lens mount
frame cameras can usually Aperture
end of the lens. This and most are not compatible
be used on crop sensor Wider apertures let in
facilitates the with others, e.g. a Canon lens
cameras, however the more light to allow you
attachment of a variety mount will not fit a Nikon camera
opposite is not usually the to increase shutter
of filters or attachments body.
case because the area of speed for motion-
to the lens. Independent lens manufacturers
light projected from a crop freezing shots. They
The thread and filter make lens mounts to fit the
sensor lens is not big enough also allow you to create
diameters are measured different manufacturers, e.g. a
to cover the full frame sensor. a shallow depth of field.
in mm. Sigma lens with Canon mount.

LENS TYPES EXPLAINED

Wide Angle Zoom Telephoto Zoom Super Zoom

Standard Zoom Fixed Focal Macro
The true definition of a Shorter zoom lenses will
Most DSLR’s come Fixed focal length A true macro Wide Angle Zoom lenses
Telephoto lens is a lens that have superior image
with a standard lenses, also known as lens is designed allow you to capture a
gives a longer effective focal quality, however a
zoom lens, also Prime lenses, usually to magnify a wide angle of view,
length than the physical distance super zoom lens is
known as a ‘kit lens’, offer superior image very small enabling you to get
from the back lens surface to the handy when needing to
with a moderate quality and wider subject to 1:1 more into the shot.
cameras sensor. shoot from a distance.
zoom range, 18- apertures. size or bigger Wide Angle Lenses are
For shooting wildlife and sport a Do not expect pin-sharp
55mm, for example. A 50mm lens is (life size). perfect for landscape
telephoto is the lens of choice. In quality or the ability to
These lenses are excellent for low Macro lenses and architecture
addition short telephoto lenses develop large prints
adequate for most light photography, come in various photography. from super zoom
are ideal for portraits.
purposes, however 85-105mm is great focal lengths and Most popular lenses are
Telephoto lenses can magnify images and aberration
there are for portraits and a additional 10-20mm and 12-24mm
camera shake (the slight is common amongst the
alternatives that 300mm+ telephoto extension tubes ranges. cheaper range of lenses.
movements of your hands when
offer superior image lens is ideal for can be used for holding the camera freehand) so
quality sports shoots greater consider one with image
magnification.
stabilization.

MANUFACTURERS LENS ABBREVIATIONS GUIDE

AD Tamron Anomalous elements DG Sigma's designation for all lenses FE Tokina floating element lens N Nikon's Nano Crystal Coating SWD Olympus Supersonic Wave Drive

AF-DC Nikon defocus feature Di Tamron lenses for full -frame sensors G Nikon lenses without an aperture ring OS Sigma's Optically Stabilised lenses SWM Nikon lenses with a Silent Wave motor

AF-S Nikon lenses with silent wave motor Di-II Tamron lenses designed for APS-C HF Sigma Helical Focusing PRO Tokina's professional range of lenses TS-E Canon Tilt and shift lens

APO Sigma Apochromatic lenses DO Canon diffractive optical element lenses HID Tamron’s High Index Dispersion glass RF Sigma & Nikon Rear Focusing UD Canon Ultra Low Dispersion glass

ASL Tamron lenses featuring aspherical elements DT Sony lenses for ASP-C sized sensors HLD Tokina low dispersion glass SD Tokina's Super Low Dispersion element USM Canon lenses with an Ultrasonic Motor

ASP Sigma lenses featuring aspherical elements DX Nikon's designation for digital lenses HSM Sigma's hypersonic motor SDM Pentax's Sonic Direct Drive motor VC Tamron's Vibration Compensation

AT-X Tokina's advanced Technology Extra Pro ED Low Dispersion elements IF Internal Focusing SF Canon lenses with Soft-focus feature VR Nikon's Vibration Reduction feature

CRC Nikon's Close range Corrections system EF Canon's full-frame lenses IRF Tokina's Internal Rear Focusing lenses SHM Tamron's Super Hybrid Mount XR Tamron Extra Refractive Index glass

D Nikon lenses that communicate distance info EF-S Canon lenses for ASP-C sized sensors IS Canon's Image Stabilized lenses SIC Nikon's Super Integrated Coating ZL Tamron's Zoom Lock feature

DA Pentax lenses optimised for ASP-C sensors EX Sigma's 'Excellent' range L Canon's 'Luxury' range of lenses SLD Sigma Super Low Dispersion elements

DC Sigma's designation for digital lenses FC Tokina's Focus Clutch mechanism LD Tamron Low Dispersion glass SP Tamron's Super Performance range

DF Sigma lenses with dual focus facility FE Canon's fish eye lenses M-OIS Mega Optical Image Stabilisation SSM Sony/Minolta Supersonic Motor lenses

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