Interpretation of photography introductory knowledge

Interpretation of Introduction to Photography 20 15

Every friend who owns a camera and likes photography has gone through a process from not knowing which camera to buy to gradually understanding his own needs and buying on demand. I believe that after you know something about cameras, you should be able to deal with the questions raised by people around you, right? Which brand of camera is better, Canon Nikon, Portrait, Micro Single or SLR? Such problems, but there is another problem that often bothers the little whites, and that is how to choose the lens.

? The focal length aperture scaling method is universal.

For different manufacturers, the lens function may be different, but the expression of focal length and aperture is basically similar. In terms of focal length, fixed-focus lenses often use a single value, such as a 50mm lens, while zoom lenses will mark values at both ends of the focal length, such as a 24-70mm lens; In terms of aperture, a fixed-focus lens usually uses a single numerical value to indicate its aperture, such as a 50mm f/ 1.2 lens, a zoom lens uses a single numerical value, such as a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, while a non-constant aperture lens has two numerical values to indicate the maximum aperture of its wide-angle end and telephoto end, such as 18-65438+.

It is not easy for beginners to read the name of a shot quickly.

Different brands of lenses have relatively fixed focal length and aperture expressions.

Next, I believe that the most troublesome thing for beginners is some terms in the lens name. AF-S、EF-S、STM、USM、VR？ Everyone should have seen these words, but presumably many people still don't know what they mean. This time, I will take you to understand the literal meaning of the lens names of mainstream manufacturers, so that you can have a basic understanding of the lens. In order to facilitate your understanding and practical application, we chose some lens products from four manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fuji) as the discussion objects, and mainly explained their naming habits and other characteristics.

? Canon lens naming is more regular.

Let's start with the Canon lens. Canon, as the world's leading manufacturer of camera and lens products, has made many achievements in lens manufacturing, and naturally has certain standards for lens classification. Its lens name can be roughly divided into four parts: 1, the type of lens; 2. focal length; 3. Maximum aperture; 4. Lens characteristics. In addition, the arrangement order is also regular. Generally, the sequence of lenses is 1 to 4. If there are many symbols representing lens characteristics, such as the lens name of EF 70-200mm f/2.8L is II USM, then these characteristic symbols will be arranged at the end in turn.

Canon lenses follow a certain order in naming.

In terms of lens types, Canon lenses usually use different prefixes to distinguish the bayonet and function of lenses. Canon EF lens usually includes EF lens, EF-S lens, TS-E lens and MP-E lens, among which EF lens is basically suitable for the existing SLR camera products of Canon EOS system, EF-S lens is suitable for Canon APS-C digital SLR camera (S stands for small image circle), TS-E lens is a shift axis lens, and the magnification of MP-E lens is 65438+. Others include EF-M lens and CN-E lens. EF-M lens is suitable for Canon EOS-M series mirrorless cameras, and CN-E lens is the focal plane of Canon cinema EOS series.

Common Classification Methods of Canon SLR Lens

After that, let's take a look at the way Canon lens expresses its characteristics. Its common signs are lens level, lens technology, anti-shake, focus motor and lens version. In terms of lens grading, Canon usually uses the letter L(Luxury, meaning luxury) to indicate the lens grading. Canon's advanced lenses usually have this logo, which is usually marked behind the aperture value. L-class lens, which is often called red circle lens, has better optical quality and higher price than Canon ordinary lens. In addition, IS on the lens stands for image stabilizer, which is what we usually call lens anti-shake.

Expression of canon lens characteristics

As we all know, the lens can complete the auto-focus function, which is inseparable from the focus motor in the lens. However, there are different types of focus motors. Take Canon as an example. What is the general lens marked? USM？ The caption says that the lens is equipped with an ultrasonic motor, and? STM？ Indicates that the lens is equipped with a stepping motor. If the motor type is not specified, it indicates that the lens is equipped with a common DC motor or a ring motor. Among them, USM motors are mostly used in Canon's advanced lenses, while STM motors recently come out are mainly used in cheap lenses to replace ordinary motor products in the past.

Canon ultrasonic motors are usually equipped on higher-end lens products.

Canon DO lens for lens

The most famous appearance of Canon lens is its red circle (L-class lens) design, but some people may have seen the product with green circle in Canon lens, that is, Canon DO lens. DO(Diffractive Optics) lens, also known as multi-layer diffractive optical lens, is mainly characterized by further reducing the size of the lens body at the same focal length. At present, Canon has two lenses using DO technology, namely, the EF 400mm f/4 DO is USM (big green) and the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO is USM (small green).

? Nikon lens parameters are the most detailed.

After Canon, let's talk about Nikon. Nikon is also the world's leading manufacturer of digital, optical and imaging products. Its predecessor was Japan Optical Industry Co., Ltd., and it is conceivable that it has a high enough standard in camera lens. However, in terms of lens naming, the author thinks that the naming of Nikon lens is slightly more complicated than other brands, which can be roughly divided into the following parts: autofocus type, special function, designer (that is, Nicole), focal length aperture, aperture control mode, ed use or not, and.

Nikon AF-I 300mm f/2.8D is one of the few AF-I lenses in existence.

First of all, let's take a look at the types of autofocus, which are divided into AF, AF-I and AF-S. AF stands for this lens to support fuselage-driven autofocus. AF-I stands for the built-in focus motor of this lens; AF-S indicates that this lens is an autofocus lens with a built-in SWM (silent wave motor, commonly known as ultrasonic motor) focusing motor. Unlike Canon's EF and EF-S, Nikon uses AF and AF-S to indicate the type of lens autofocus. In addition, Nikon also applied ultrasonic motors in the frame header of APS-C, such as Nikon AF-S DX18-55 mm F/3.5-5.6 G ED, etc.

Some of Nikon's APS-C frame lenses also adopt the design of ultrasonic motors.

Then we will talk about the lens aperture control mode, which is generally distinguished by D, G and E, and is usually marked behind the lens aperture value. Among them, the D lens is different from the other two, it has an aperture ring design, while the G lens cancels the traditional aperture ring design and adjusts the aperture through the body control (so the older Nikon body cannot support the aperture adjustment of the G lens); E lens refers to the built-in electromagnetic aperture, which can be controlled by the electronic signal of the fuselage, and its response to the signal of the fuselage is better than that of G lens.

The difference between D and G lenses is not only reflected in whether there is an aperture ring or not.

Nikon's finished electromagnetic aperture technology exhibited in 2065 438+03 CES (that is, the design adopted by E lens).

For lens technology and lens material, Nikon usually shows the lens name in detail. Usually, the ED in the lens name means that the lens has ED (ultra-low dispersion) lenses, which can greatly reduce the dispersion brought by the prism. At the same time, Nikon also has super ED lens, which is currently used for AF-Nichols 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 g ED VR and AF AF-S Nichols 200mm f/2G ED VR II. In addition, it will also indicate the focusing method used by the lens. Among them, the lens marked with the word IF adopts internal focus, and the lens length will not change when the lens is focused, which is very important for the lens sealing design.

Compared with Canon's concise style, the naming of Nikon lens is more detailed and complicated.

Finally, let's take a look at the meanings of other characters in Nikon lens names. The lens is distinguished by DX and FX on the corresponding frame of the fuselage. DX is suitable for Nikon APS-C format camera and FX is suitable for Nikon full-frame camera. Whether the lens is anti-shake is usually marked with VR, indicating that the lens has anti-shake function; It is worth mentioning that some of Nikon's lenses are marked with PF, which means that the lenses adopt Fresnel phase lenses, and the chromatic aberration can be effectively compensated by light diffraction, while reducing the number of lenses and the lens size, similar to Canon DO lenses.

? Sony lens bayonet manufacturer segmentation.

After Canon Nikon, let's talk about Sony lens. As a rising star in the camera industry, Sony's achievements in lens products are not as much as those of Canon Nikon, but through the acquisition of Minolta's camera department and cooperation with Zeiss, it also has a number of high-quality lens groups, but this also makes Gensonnie lenses more complicated than other manufacturers. In terms of naming, Sony's own lens is basically similar to G lens, while Sony Zeiss lens will indicate the structure adopted by the lens, and we will look down on other aspects.

Sony lens classification is more complicated.

Let's talk about lens classification first. Seen from the bayonet, Sony is divided into a bayonet and e bayonet, and both bayonet lenses are divided into Quan Huafu and APS-C format. Among them, the A-mount lens has no bayonet label, and the A-mount lens in APS-C format will be marked with DT to distinguish it. For E-mount, APS-C E-mount lens is marked with the letter E, while Quan Huafu E-mount lens will be marked with the word FE.

Commonly used bayonet of Sony interchangeable lens digital camera

Let's see how Sony subdivides the lens. Similar to Canon and Nikon, Sony also marks the lens classification after the aperture value, which is mainly divided into no logo, G logo and ZA logo. Usually Sony's own lenses don't have any logo, and they are generally cheap lenses or camera lenses; The lens with G logo is Sony Minolta lens, which locates high-end in Sony lens; The lens with ZA logo is Sony's top lens. Sony officials have said that only Sony Zeiss lenses will be marked with ZA logo. However, although the positioning of G lens is slightly lower, the workmanship and materials of G lens and ZA lens are top-notch.

Sony lenses commonly use autofocus motors.

With the development of camera lens technology today, mainstream lens manufacturers have reached a certain level of technology and technology, so they are actually similar in some general technologies. For example, anti-shake, Sony lens also has anti-shake technology, but each name is different and needs to be distinguished. We already know that Canon is anti-shake, Nikon is VR anti-shake, and Sony's lens anti-shake is called OSS, which is an optical stabilization system.

Sony OSS anti-shake system

Finally, talk about the difference between Sony lens and focus motor. According to the types of motors, Sony lens motors are usually divided into Sam and SSM, which look very similar, but they are quite different. SAM(Smooth Autofocus Motor) is called Smooth Autofocus Motor, which is similar to the design of Canon STM motor. Compared with ordinary motors, it is more accurate, faster and quieter. SSM(Super Sonic Wave Motor) is Sony's ultrasonic motor, which can realize silent and fast response autofocus. SAM motor is generally used for APS-C frame lens or low-end lens, while SSM motor is basically standard for Sony high-end lens.

? The concise naming technology of Fuji lens is unique.

Finally, let's take a look at Fuji lens. As early as 195 1, fujifilm Company officially put into camera lens production, and its product line covers lens products of various formats. In terms of lens naming, the author thinks that the naming method of Fuji Dragon lens is very similar to that of Canon lens. Lens type-focal length aperture-lens characteristics? The naming method of, and the arrangement order is relatively fixed, so it is easier to identify. Let's analyze it in detail.

The positioning of Fuji XC and XF lenses is different.

In order, the first is the lens type. Because the main X system of digital Fuji camera is APS-C frame, its X system lens products are not divided into XC and XF. Among them, XC lens is a low-end lens with low price and general quality, usually made of plastic, and is often sold together with Fuji low-end models; The XF lens is positioned at the high end and has a wide focal length distribution. The lens body is usually made of all metal, with good workmanship and excellent quality.

Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 lens has no aperture ring design of other XF lenses.

After talking about the lens level, let's take a look at the lens characteristics. Compared with other manufacturers' lenses, Fuji lens has a significant difference, that is, most of its XF series lenses have aperture ring design to adjust the aperture. Interestingly, however, the aperture ring design of Fuji XF series lenses is not a traditional manual aperture adjustment, but an electronic aperture design that is adjusted on the lens. This method can not only enhance the interest of operation, but also ensure the operability of Fuji X system. In my opinion, this is a very clever approach. Fuji XF lenses with this aperture adjustment function will have an R mark, which is usually located behind the aperture value. At present, only XF 27mm f/2.8 lens does not have this design.

Fuji XF lens group usually has an aperture ring design.

Then talk about the motor of Fuji lens. Different from other manufacturers, Fuji lens does not adopt the design of ultrasonic motor, and the focusing motor used in its lens is mostly linear focusing motor or stepping motor. Through the author's research, it is found that in the name of Fuji lens, the words LM are all linear motor designs, while those not marked are mostly stepping motors (that is, designs similar to Canon STM motors). Whether in aperture adjustment or focusing motor, we can see that Fuji camera system is very individual.

The anti-shake technology of Fuji lens is called OIS.

Talk about other characteristics. Like other manufacturers, Fuji lens also has its own anti-shake technology, but naturally it has its own name. Fuji's lens anti-shake is called OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer). When you see OIS on Fuji lens, it has the function of optical image stabilization. In addition, in order to meet the protection requirements of X-system cameras, more and more XF lenses are equipped with dustproof and splash-proof functions. Usually Fuji uses WR (weather resistance) to indicate that the lens has weather resistance.

Fuji XF 56mm f/ 1.2 R APD lens is a very unique lens.

Finally, I would like to mention a special lens of Fuji, that is, Fuji XF 56mm f/ 1.2 R APD lens. Among them, APD (apodization filter) is what we commonly call apodization filter? Soft focus lens? Only one lens of Fuji has this logo, and the built-in APD filter can present a smoother shooting effect, making the subject more prominent and creative.

In short, when interpreting the lens names of different manufacturers, many aspects of recognition and technology are actually similar, mainly to find out the meaning of some characters in the lens names, which not only helps to understand the parameter information of different lenses, but also helps you to buy a suitable lens.

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