Few lens makers can declare a lineup as big and numerous as Nikon’s. Its legendary F-mount for film-based and digital SLRs has been in steady manufacturing since 1959, together with the newer Z-mount particularly for mirrorless cameras that launched in 2018. The attraction of the Nikon system is apparent: by permitting the interchangeability of optical designs produced throughout eight many years, the Nikon photographer has unprecedented freedom in selecting the perfect lens for his or her craft. There’s just one downside. To be able to keep the cohesive id of the F-mount, Nikon has altered the designs of its numerous lenses over time so as to add – and generally to take away – sure options. Because of this, whereas almost each F-mount lens works on almost each F-mount digital camera (extra on the pesky exceptions in a bit), which options you get with which gear will not be all the time self-evident. The sophisticated lens designations that function on the barrel of all Nikon glass, together with newer Z lenses, are supposed to mitigate this downside. Nevertheless, resulting from poor documentation and the sheer wealth of codes and abbreviations shaped over time, loads of photographers discover them extra complicated than useful. If that features you, you’ve come to the correct place. Let’s demystify Nikon’s lens system, as soon as and for all! Whether or not you’re attempting up to now your newly acquired Nikon glass or simply want to know what options are hiding beneath these embossed letters, the next information ought to reply all of your questions on Nikon’s dizzying lens base. The F Mount For this overview, I shall be continuing chronologically, ranging from the very first F-mount lenses Nikon produced within the late 50s and early 60s and shifting in direction of the current day. After all, be happy to skip by to whichever part pursuits you most.
Early F-Mount Lenses, approx. 1959-1964 This group consists of nearly the whole thing of the lineup that Nikon launched together with the unique Nikon F SLR in 1959. Lenses made throughout this time will nonetheless have “Nippon Kogaku” engraved on them, as the corporate didn’t formally change its identify to Nikon till a lot later. The focal size markings on earlier examples had been additionally spelled out in centimeters, not in millimeters as ultimately turned the fashionable commonplace. T, Q, P, H, S, O, N, D, UD One telltale signal that you simply’re coping with an early F-mount lens is the presence of any of those letters following the NIKKOR lens identify. For instance, there may be the NIKKOR-Q Auto f/3.5 13.5cm (135mm) telephoto prime, or the NIKKOR-S Auto f/2.8 3.5cm (35mm) wide-angle prime. These letters, within the order above, correspond to tres, quattro, penta, hepta, septa, octo, novem, decem, and undecim. In case your Latin will not be fairly what it was once, these names are equal to the numbers three to eleven, denoting the variety of lens components. Nikon largely stopped utilizing this method of declaring the lens components in its designs by the early 70s, although some specialty lenses, notably telephotos, continued to be labeled on this method for fairly a while afterward. Auto You might need additionally seen that lots of earlier NIKKOR lenses have an “Auto” moniker engraved on the barrel that’s curiously absent from later designs. The explanation for that is somewhat easy: “Auto” denoted the presence of an computerized diaphragm mechanism, i.e. the power of the lens to cease all the way down to the taking aperture and return by itself as quickly as you press the shutter. Almost the entire authentic lenses launched for the Nikon F between 1959 and the early 60s had been “computerized” lenses, with the notable exception of some uncommon oddities just like the very first model of the NIKKOR-T f/4 10.5cm (105mm). These specialty lenses had for use wide-open whereas focusing, then stopped down manually and opened again up after taking every image. Evidently, the trouble concerned in utilizing a lens like this with an SLR digital camera meant that quickly sufficient, all NIKKOR lenses had been totally computerized. By the mid-60s, this made the extra “Auto” engraving superfluous. Micro A few of the earliest Nikon Micro lenses had been unveiled together with the remainder of the unique F lineup, too. Regardless of the complicated naming alternative, there may be nothing that radically distinguishes what Nikon calls a Micro lens from what the remainder of the world is aware of as a Macro lens, i.e. a close-up lens designed for top magnification and reproductions at very quick distances.
PC One other very early Nikon innovation, the unique PC-NIKKOR was launched method again in 1961, changing into the primary 35mm lens with perspective management to succeed in digital camera retailer cabinets. By using a tilt-shift mechanism, PC lenses can emulate most of the bellows actions of large-format cameras and manipulate depth of discipline and perspective far more intricately than what is feasible on a standard SLR lens. After all, any PC lens remains to be going to be restricted by the pure shortcomings of a small 35mm body in comparison with the huge potentialities of large-format pictures – however for people who use them, the trade-offs in dimension, weight, practicality, and ease of use are greater than value it. F-Mount, Pre-AI Lenses, approx. 1965-1977 Round 1965 (not in a wonderfully uniform trend, sadly), Nikon revamped their lens designations, beginning to retire lots of the outdated terminology and introducing a bunch of latest lettered abbreviations. Lenses from this time interval are generally known as Pre-AI, to differentiate them from the AI line that was launched proper after. From a purely technical standpoint although, observe that each one NIKKORs produced earlier than 1977 must be thought-about Pre-AI designs. ·C A number of Nikon lenses from the early 70s bore a ·C (observe the small dot) proper after the lens component code, for instance as within the NIKKOR-S·C Auto f/1.4 50mm quick prime. This image communicates the presence of multicoating on the lens components.
On the time, multicoating was a recent and costly innovation that stood out for the enhancements intimately rendition and flare resistance it might convey, particularly to lenses with vast apertures and really giant glass surfaces. As earlier than, Nikon capitalized on this by proudly declaring the usage of multicoating on a lot of its lenses, earlier than ultimately retiring the ·C code as multicoating turned a comparatively commonplace facet of contemporary lens designs. GN One explicit NIKKOR prime lens, the GN Auto NIKKOR·C f/2.8 45mm made between 1968 and 1977, additionally options the distinctive GN moniker, which stands for Information Quantity. The Information Quantity is a price that’s used when manually computing flash publicity settings. This distinctive pancake lens was designed to make flash pictures simpler for professionals by together with an computerized coupling between the aperture and the lens. As flash publicity varies primarily based on distance, this drastically streamlined the method of setting and metering with flash bulbs. Ok In 1974, your complete Nikon lens vary was re-issued with a brand new appear and feel. Ditching scalloped naked metallic and brilliant chrome for smooth, painted lens barrels with a definite waffle sample on the aperture rings and thicker, rubberized focus rings, the ‘Ok’ collection inaugurated the look that will change into probably the most iconic and long-lived for manual-focus Nikon lenses. Be aware that, whereas loads of lenses obtained small optical revisions as they had been up to date to the ‘Ok’ scheme, many didn’t. It’s additionally value noting that no ‘Ok’ lens was really ever labeled as such bodily; the code solely exists in Nikon’s up to date brochures, press releases, and different materials. F-Mount AI Lenses, 1977-1980 In 1977, Nikon issued the most important mechanical revamp of their lens lineup but, one that will for the primary time convey up the now-perennial subject of cross-compatibility between lenses and digital camera our bodies of various mannequin years. The AI (quick for Computerized Indexing) function has been considered one of Nikon’s most heavily-requested options ever for the reason that early days of the Nikon F, and never with out good purpose.
On all pre-1977 lenses and Nikon cameras, there was no mechanical linkage to speak lens info to the digital camera when utilizing a prism head with a built-in mild meter. Regardless of introducing one of many first profitable bayonet lens mount designs, which simply permits for such a linkage in distinction to easier screw mounts, Nikon had not carried out the function early on. Subsequently, utilizing a Nikon lens with a metered Nikon digital camera required one to carry out what has been affectionately (or derisively, relying on whom you ask) termed the “Nikon shuffle”: upon mounting the lens, the photographer should shortly rotate the aperture ring to its minimal and most f-stops to “inform” the digital camera what sort of lens is mounted. This modified in 1977 with the AI system. Now, AI lenses featured somewhat ridge behind the aperture ring that reached to contact a pin related to the sunshine meter. This addition eliminated the need for the Nikon shuffle and at last introduced the Nikon lens system in step with different SLR methods out there through the 70s. A consequence of this radical improve was that Nikon meter prisms made for F-series cameras earlier than the introduction of AI would solely work with pre-AI lenses, not with the brand new AI variations. For the reason that geometry of the lens mount itself was not modified with the brand new AI commonplace, although, all Nikon cameras made earlier than 1977 can nonetheless mount AI lenses with out subject. Aside from the meter coupling ridge on the again, AI lenses look suspiciously much like pre-AI ‘Ok’ lenses. Eagle-eyed photographers might discover that lenses that got here with computerized indexing from the manufacturing facility have a second set of smaller, white-on-black f-numbers imprinted on their aperture rings. This was to facilitate a so-called Judas window, whereby many Nikon cameras of the late 70s would use a hidden mirror to show chosen apertures inside the viewfinder. Since we’re speaking about Nikon although, it could’t be that easy. Loads of pre-AI lenses (together with the earlier-look pre-Ok variations from the early 60s) had been despatched again to the Nikon manufacturing facility to be transformed to the AI commonplace, a program that Nikon continued to supply properly into the 80s. That’s along with third events that additionally provided conversions and a few artful photographers that tried the job themselves with various outcomes. Most of the time, such a conversion included the addition of these little further f-numbers on the aperture ring, making identification much more tough with out checking the serial quantity. Be aware that each one AI lenses are multicoated, so the ·C image was by no means used previous 1977. Nevertheless, many AI conversions, particularly these not finished by Nikon in-house, left the lens components with their authentic single coatings. Relying on the historical past of your lens, that may make it difficult to determine precisely what coating was used. The obvious colour of the reflective coating on the entrance component should offer you a clue: single coatings have a tendency to provide off hotter hues of orange and pink, whereas multicoated lenses prefer to mirror blues, greens, and purple.
At this time, whether or not a lens conforms to the AI commonplace or not is ever extra vital for many who want to shoot classic glass on their trendy Nikon cameras. The overwhelming majority of Nikon DSLRs provide bodily compatibility solely with AI lenses and newer, as they depend on the coupling ridge that computerized indexing lenses possess. Pre-AI lenses, with their totally different lens mount construction, can really injury newer cameras! The one exception up to now is the distinctive Nikon Df from 2013, which had a barely altered lens mount with a retractable metering pin to permit mounting even the very oldest NIKKORs relationship again to 1959. ED Beginning with the AI system, some Nikon telephotos obtained a further ED designation, quick for Further-low Dispersion. This means the usage of specialised glass components that cut back chromatic aberration, a perennial downside with high-focal size lenses. ED is without doubt one of the few Nikon lens designations that has neither modified in its spelling nor in its that means ever since its introduction within the mid-to-late 70s. IF Someday through the AI period, Nikon additionally started experimenting with inside focusing, which has been labeled IF on lens barrels ever since. In a lens with inside focusing, the entrance component doesn’t transfer forwards and backwards as the main focus ring rotates. Solely the interior components change place to find out focus, therefore the identify. Inside focusing improves minimal focus distances whereas stopping focus respiratory results, enhancing weight stability throughout quick autofocus situations, and permitting the lens itself to be constructed extra light-weight. As a result of this particularly affords a sensible profit in giant telephotos, IF may be very generally mixed with the ED designation to kind ED-IF. Nevertheless, the 2 will not be strictly associated, and IF lenses with out ED glass exist as properly.
F-Mount AI-S Lenses, 1981-2020 The AI commonplace was mildly up to date in 1981 and renamed AI-S to offer enhanced compatibility with a few of Nikon’s extra superior cameras of the 80s. By including a small notch that Nikon known as the focal size indexing ridge while standardizing the throw of the aperture rings, these AI-S lenses made potential a number of the first makes use of of digital shutter precedence and program automation in high-end Nikon cameras just like the FA. As a result of digital SLRs don’t use the identical mechanism for shutter precedence and program mode, the distinction between AI and AI-S lenses has change into irrelevant for many up to date Nikon photographers. Do observe that whereas AI-S lenses had been formally changed in 1986, they stayed in manufacturing for a few years after that, with the final of the lot solely ceasing manufacturing in 2020. Due to that, most AI-S variations of well-liked AI lenses are way more widespread than earlier non-S counterparts. F-Mount AF Lenses, 1986-1995 In 1986, Nikon lastly launched their fully-fledged autofocus lens lineup together with the brand-new, all-electronic F-501 digital camera. This ushered in a brand new age for Nikon, and in consequence, autofocus cameras would from right here on out use totally totally different lenses than their manual-focus counterparts. Properly, nearly. The reality is that a big portion of Nikon’s autofocus designs, particularly the early AF lenses, had been optically equivalent or on the very least clearly derived from earlier AI-S lenses, which in flip might as a rule hint their lineage again to the unique Auto lenses of the early 60s. For instance, the favored AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 quick prime is predicated on the identical optical recipe because the older NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 AI handbook lens, with the outside barrel and the autofocus system being the most important adjustments. The AF lenses are a number of the most minimal in the entire F-mount lineup by way of their externally seen lens designations. Aside from the plain, giant AF print and the same old focal size and aperture markings together with the serial quantity, lenses from this collection are very plain and understated in look. However, they continue to be immediately recognizable due to their all-black paint job, rounded-edge design, and the depth-of-field scales embedded beneath a small glass window, which changed the painted scales used earlier than on all prior lenses.
Talking of which, the looks of those lenses was a supply of nice controversy when the AF collection made its debut. The unusually excessive use of plastic of their building, together with the surprisingly skinny, mild, and flimsy handbook focus rings, drew nice criticism from skilled photographers. AF-N (Additionally AF-n or AFn) That’s the reason the AF lineup was swiftly revised round 1990. The textured, rubberized focus grips of the sooner AI lenses made a triumphant return, changing the skinny plastic rings of the preliminary AF lenses. It was additionally with this refresh that the small change to lock the lens aperture to the minimal setting to be used with twin-dial digital camera controls was standardized throughout the vary. Earlier AF lenses had a mix of various switches, knobs, and small levers in numerous areas that some discovered extra complicated than sensible. By making slight changes to supplies and building, Nikon additionally tried to alleviate the sooner considerations about flimsy construct high quality. Aside from these adjustments, AF-N lenses are equivalent to early AF designs, they usually had been by no means individually branded or marketed as such. DC Nikon solely ever made two DC lenses, however to some, they symbolize the holy grail in all of SLR lens design. The AF NIKKOR 105mm f/2 DC and its sibling, the AF NIKKOR 135mm f/2 DC, each share a really comparable bodily look and comparable, portrait-friendly focal lengths. Their distinctive moniker spells out Defocus Management, a singular function Nikon experimentally launched on these lenses through the early 90s. With Defocus Management, the photographer can seamlessly alter the diploma of background separation by the use of a further ring on the lens. This makes the DC siblings the one Nikon lenses ever made, and actually, the one SLR lenses ever mass-produced, that allow you to immediately and seamlessly alter bokeh, or background defocus results, with a devoted management.
Be aware that each of those had been later re-released as AF-D lenses (see under). F-Mount AF-D Lenses, 1996-Current One other refresh occurred a couple of years later with the discharge of improved AF-D lenses. Although optically as soon as once more unchanged from their predecessors and sporting the design language beforehand showcased by the revised AFn collection, these fashions made an vital improve. By barely altering the way in which the lens mounts to the digital camera, AF-D models now talk focus distance info to the meter, which permits options like 3D Matrix metering and superior flash metering. Whereas the overwhelming majority of the AF-D lineup has been discontinued by now, as of this writing a couple of extensively well-liked lenses such because the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D stay out there on the market from Nikon’s on-line retailer. AF-D lenses are clearly designated to be distinguished from earlier AF-only lenses – as soon as in giant print on the barrel, and as soon as extra in smaller print across the filter ring. F-Mount AF-S Lenses, 1998-Current In direction of the tip of the millennium, Nikon introduced a significant innovation within the discipline of autofocus lens design that modified the way in which Nikon lenses and cameras dealt with fairly considerably. Through the use of an ultrasonic motor not in contrast to Canon’s older USM design, AF-S lenses (quick for AutoFocus Silent Wave Motor) pack the autofocus mechanism into the lens barrel.
That is in full distinction to all earlier AF lenses, which relied on a motor positioned contained in the digital camera to actuate the focusing mechanism remotely by a system of screws and gears. The AF-S line is designed to be considerably quieter than the screw-based system. It additionally removes the component of various autofocus efficiency throughout totally different digital camera our bodies, as your complete AF system is now totally self-contained and unbiased of the digital camera itself. This design resolution quickly enabled the creation of low cost, entry-level digital cameras just like the Nikon D60, which fully lack a built-in motor and are thus unable to robotically focus non-AF-S lenses. Together with the mechanical change, AF-S lenses debuted a brand new look, with a grey paint job and compact plastic physique designs which are simply distinguishable from the sooner black fashion of AF-D and AF fashions. The depth-of-field scale inside its glass housing remained for a lot of lenses, however the on-barrel lens designations now appeared surrounding it within the type of a centered plaque with gold letters as an alternative of easy white, painted graphics. AF-G Most, if not the entire AF-S lenses launched for the reason that yr 2000 have been AF-G lenses as properly. This usually creates confusion as to the place AF-S lenses cease and AF-G lenses start. The reply is that the connection between the 2 will not be considered one of predecessor and successor, reminiscent of with the AF-D and AF-S, for instance. Slightly, AF-G refers to lenses which have undergone one vital ergonomic change: the elimination of the aperture ring. As twin-dial controls turned massively extra widespread, particularly with the fast adoption of digital pictures, and because the weight of lenses continued to extend as a result of inside focusing motors regardless of the usage of mild plastics, AF-G lenses posed a technique for Nikon to maintain the majority of their optics in verify.
As a result of lack of a handbook lens ring, AF-G lenses is not going to work on any digital camera that doesn’t have a body-mounted dial for aperture management. Whereas most AF-G lenses are additionally AF-S as a result of time they had been made, many will not be. For instance, the AF NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6G is definitely an AF-D lens, even when it’s lacking the additional “D” mark on the barrel. FX and DX From 2002 onward, Nikon break up their lens lineup in two to raised accommodate the rising variety of digital photographers (who, again then, solely had a alternative of APS-C format sensors). Aside from the brand new identify, FX lenses are the identical as all older Nikon lenses. Since full-frame sensors are equivalent to the 35mm movie format in dimensions, FX lenses proceed to be made to the identical specs as earlier than. Nevertheless, the new-for-2002 DX lenses had been designed from scratch. With a smaller picture circle becoming the scale of the APS-C sensor, DX lenses are general extra compact and light-weight than their FX counterparts. Because the discount in materials prices permits them to be offered for lower than conventional Nikon lenses, DX has been persistently marketed in direction of newbie photographers and amateurs, whereas FX is these days thought-about a extra upmarket, skilled label – considerably ironic contemplating that earlier than the 2000s, all Nikon lenses had been technically FX. VR Many AF-S lenses, particularly telephoto zooms, these days sport the VR function, proudly declared in gold on their barrel. This stands for Vibration Discount, and it’s Nikon’s analog to Canon’s Picture Stabilization.
The precept is similar: by using advantageous sensors embedded within the lens, a collection of small motors delicately alter the interior lens components to compensate for handheld movement, thereby decreasing digital camera shake and blur. On all VR lenses, Vibration Discount may be toggled on and off by the use of a change on the facet of the lens. N Many more recent Nikon lenses additionally function a further ‘N’ label, which is unquestionably to not be confused with the older ‘N’ designation that was utilized to nine-element Nikon lenses within the Sixties! As a substitute, this ‘N’ stands for Nano Crystal Coating, a particular coating developed particularly by Nikon for a few of their premium AF-S lenses. In comparison with conventional multicoating, Nano Crystal Coating higher fights glare, ghosting, and flaring in harsh mild circumstances and improves distinction. FL Solely utilized in a couple of, high-end telephotos, FL stands for Fluorite Lens. Because the identify implies, this designates the presence of lens components crafted with fluorite to mitigate chromatic aberration and different optical defects. Fluorite additionally has the benefit of being lighter than standard glass, making its (costly) use notably engaging for big lenses with many inside components. TC Once more a sight principally encountered on high-end telephoto lenses, TC signifies the presence of a built-in teleconverter integral to the lens.
With the usage of an exterior lever or change, this teleconverter may be toggled on or off, permitting for elevated versatility and even greater long-distance attain with out leading to an excessively cumbersome lens. E For the reason that 2010s, Nikon has been providing a choose variety of AF-S lenses with superior electromagnetic diaphragms. These lenses are identifiable by the massive, golden ‘E’ on their barrel. Some great benefits of an electromagnetic diaphragm principally come down to hurry, stability, and precision throughout high-speed capturing. When utilizing computerized publicity and firing in burst mode, an electromagnetic diaphragm could make changes to aperture settings far more shortly and reliably than a mechanical aperture actuated by digital camera or lens electronics. Due to that, most ‘E’ Nikon lenses are comparatively specialised telephotos meant for sports activities, motion, and wildlife pictures. An ideal instance is the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR. Taking a look at such a lens, you may discover that, whereas ‘E’ lenses do have aperture rings, they’re left unmarked as a result of electromagnetic nature of the mechanism. This prevents their use on many older cameras. In actual fact, even loads of trendy Nikon DSLRs are incompatible with ‘E’ lenses, together with the outdated flagship D2, D200, D3000, D80, and others. No Nikon 35mm SLRs work with electromagnetic diaphragm lenses, both – the aperture will refuse to cease down and keep completely open if used on such cameras. Nevertheless, nearly all Nikon DSLRs made since about 2010, together with each full-frame DSLR, ought to work with out subject. PF PF stands for Part Fresnel, and it’s the newest and biggest of Nikon’s particular lens components designed to cut back optical artifacts. It makes use of a particular, skinny fresnel-type component to cut back weight and dimension in complicated telephoto lenses whereas enhancing chromatic aberration and noise efficiency.
F-Mount AF-P Lenses, 2016-Current Using a brand new, so-called stepper motor, Nikon’s recent AF-P lenses promise even quieter and sooner autofocus operation in comparison with the AF-S system. Launched as an preliminary complement of 4 lenses, the brand new AF-P design instantly brought about controversy because it massively sophisticated compatibility with present Nikon DSLR our bodies, far more so than any lens line earlier than it. To get an in depth overview of the state of affairs, I like to recommend you seek the advice of Thom Hogan’s information on the AF-P system. By way of technical specs, the AF-P lenses additionally differ from their predecessors by a change to focus-by-wire: the handbook focus ring now not includes a mechanical linkage, and as an alternative merely communicates to the digital camera electronically. Nikon has not considerably expanded the AF-P system past a handful of entry-level zooms focused at amateurs. With the shrinkage and gradual erosion of the DSLR market, it’s unlikely that we’ll see many extra AF-P lenses crop up sooner or later, at the very least for the F-mount. The Z-Mount Fortunately, the entire numerous designations and codes launched over the lengthy historical past of the F-Mount have largely been stored for the Z-Mount, so Nikon has managed to current some sense of continuity. Nevertheless, Z-Mount lenses do function some distinctive labels of their very own, which have brought about some confusion through the still-short historical past of the system. Under, you’ll discover a complete overview of those.
S As soon as once more, this designation ought to positively not be confused with the outdated capital ‘S’ that described seven-element lenses within the outdated NIKKOR-Auto days. As a substitute, NIKKOR Z lenses that show the daring, silver ‘S’ on their black barrels are a part of the elusive S-Line, an expensive trim degree far more so than a particular function per se. Consider the BMW ‘M’ label, and also you wouldn’t be too far off. In response to the official Nikon web site, the ‘S’ stands for “Superior efficiency and backbone”, “Refined options”, and “Specialised applied sciences”. Rolls proper off the tongue, doesn’t it? SE A couple of ‘SE’ lenses additionally exist — as an illustration, the NIKKOR Z 28mm f.2.8 SE. These are Particular Version lenses (unrelated to the S-Line) that had been restyled in a trend much like outdated AI lenses to suit the look of the Nikon FM-esque Zfc digital camera. Aside from the looks, SE lenses are equivalent to the non-SE lenses they’re primarily based on. MC One exception to the continuity between F-mount and Z-mount lenses, MC is now assigned to macro lenses, which had been beforehand merely labeled Micro. Why this label was altered will not be clear, however the nature and technical design of Nikon’s macro (or micro) lenses haven’t considerably modified in any case.
Should you’ve made it to the tip of this information, congrats! It’s best to now have a working understanding of all the varied lens codes and shorthands that Nikon has made use of all through the model’s lengthy historical past. That wasn’t so arduous, was it?
