We are frequently asked about our opinion on the best lens for various types of cameras. I have to admit, that even as an "old pro" those acronyms on the lenses confuse me. In this article we will attempt to decipher this cryptic code of alphabet soup for you.
The "letter acronyms" of all the camera manufacturers is different, yet many of them mean the same things. To handle all of the camera manufacturers here would take a VERY long article. So we will give you links to the two major ones Nikon and Canon. For other manufacturers, you can visit there websites for further info.
In a lot of ways this article is a follow up to our “glass is god " article. If you haven't read this article, it is a great place to start.
OK so where do you find the "alphabet soup" about your lens? Well the answer is, right on the lens. Nikon displays their lens info near the base or mounting edge of the lens. The alphabet soup is just acronyms that are used by Nikon and other manufacturers to define their lens' special features or capabilities. Some acronyms mean thel lens matches a specific size of recording chip, i.e. D or DX for APS-C style chips. Maybe the acronym means that the lens or works well with a flash or reduces the vibration in your shot. Knowing these acronyms prior to buying your lens will give you a great deal of understanding into the lens' abilities or short comings. If you have purchased a "kit" lens that came with your camera, chances are these lenses aren't the best of the bunch being offered. When you find it necessary to upgrade, that is when you will need to research the abreviated lens statements printed on the barell.
Nikon and Canon has a cipher of sorts on their website although they weren't all that easy to find. I have included links below to both Nikon and Canon's lens classifications for your reference.
Nikon's Alphabet soup link - Click here
Canon's Alphabet soup link - Click here
While the info was difficult to find, the likely reason is that it isn't something that most people even think about, but should. If you have purchased a lens and don't know why you paid what you did, these scales of acronyms will help you to define or better yet justify to a spouse exactly why you paid so much.
Generally speaking the more a lens does, i.e. auto focus, vibration reduction or image stabilization the more it will cost you. Other features include things like chromatic aberration correction, nano crystal technology, Ultra silent motors and even a new one from Nikon, a tripod detection ability that will turn off the VR function in the lens for you when you put the lens on a tripod.
While these "smart lenses" are designed to make your picture taking experience better and easier knowing what your lens is able to do is just as important.
For instance both Nikon and Canon offer a standard or "APS-C" style film sensors on most of their DSLR's. These require a series of lenses that are matched to the smaller APS-C sized chip. The lenses are designated as DX or D and they are great lenses, until you put them onto a camera with one of the "newer" Full Frame 35mm style chips. The full frame sensors are being placed into the upper end DSLR camera like the Canon 5D and Nikon's D700. These chips being larger than the first digital camera chips will cause folks that upgrade to also purchase new lenses in some cases. While the "D" style lenses will work on a full frame camera they will also leave a ring around your photo. Because the lens is throwing a smaller image than the newer 35mm size chips need for coverage, your image will literally fade to black at the edges and the corners when you use the wrong lens.
Knowing your alphabet soup can save you money in these cases but more importantly it will help you make a wise decision, when you buy your next lens. Look for the lens that fits your needs and your photographic experiences. You don't need all the bells and whistles if you never use them so don't pay for them. On the other hand, I don't drive 120 MPH in my car, but it is nice to know that I can if I wanted to. Sometimes having a feature on your camera that is only ever used once is worth the money you paid for it, you be the judge but be informed. - Aloha
