Tagged Questions
3
votes
3answers
212 views
What does it mean that a lens is x millimeters?
Every lens has different focal length in terms of millimeter so if I have a 100mm lens, what does that refer to? Does it mean the length of the lens itself is going to be 4 inches long, or does this ...
7
votes
3answers
332 views
What are ED elements?
I find that some lenses are indicated with the letters "ED", referring to some special type of lens element. What are ED elements, and what advantages do they bring?
Note that this question isn't ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
What is “infinity focus”?
I have been reading a bit about astrophotography and the term infinity focus keeps coming up. What is infinity focus and how do you set the camera to infinity focus?
2
votes
1answer
590 views
How does the quantity of elements and blades in a lens affect the optics?
I am trying to get a greater understanding of how lenses work. Basically I bought this lens, the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6:
The construction has really fascinated me. 14 Elements in 10 Groups?! What ...
6
votes
1answer
240 views
What does “distortion <XX%” mean in lens specs?
I'm going to buy a lens and I would like to understand what "distortion <XX%" means.
It's a vari-focal 10-60mm lens, and mentions distortion <12-1%. According to my understanding, at 10mm focal ...
23
votes
3answers
5k views
What does the number of elements and groups in a lens mean?
All lens specifications include a statement of how many elements the lens contains, and in how many groups, for example:
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300 mm 1:4,5-5,6G: 17 elements in 12 groups (two ...
82
votes
6answers
6k views
What is bokeh, exactly?
I understand that "bokeh" refers to out-of-focus areas of an image — but there is obviously more to it than that. What does the term mean exactly? How well is bokeh really understood? Is it purely ...
12
votes
3answers
368 views
What is Chromatic Aberration?
What is Chromatic Aberration? Is it a physical part of the lens, or just an optical illusion?
19
votes
4answers
1k views
What is focal length and how does it affect my photos?
What is focal-length? Are focal-length and zoom synonymous? How does the focal length of a photo affect it?
