Aberrations
Causes completely blurred images. There are six types of aberrations: spherical, coma, astigmatism, curvature of field, distortion and chromatic.
Used to prevent autofocus operation once the subject is in focus.
The sensor used to detect focus in cameras equipped with autofocus operation.
ASA
Abbreviation for American Standards Association. In conjunction with a number, e.g., ASA 400, refers to film "speed" or sensitivity. The higher the number, the more sensitive the film.
Not a continuous curve. Refers to elements in lenses which have been designed to compensate for distortion by having different curves on individual elements. Allows for a more compact lens.
An optical defect that causes light rays from an off-axis point to form images at different positions.
APO
Apochromatic. Having the ability to bring all colors of the visible spectrum to a common plane of focus, within close tolerances, usually refer to a lens with such superior color correction. Also refer to "ED", "LD", "SD", "UD".
Aperture Priority
An exposure mode on an automatic or autofocus camera that lets you set the aperture while the camera sets the shutter speed for proper exposure. If you change the aperture, or the light level changes, the shutter speed changes automatically. Apart from the sport or action arena, aperture priority is the most common & effective automatic preference in photography. It can also explained as automatic exposure system in which the lens aperture is set by the photographer, and the camera sets the shutter speed. Can be used in the stop-down mode with any lens that does not interfere with the metering system.
Aspect Ratio
The ratio of width to height in photographic prints - 2:3 in 35 mm pictures to produce photographs most commonly measuring 3.5 x 5 inches or 4 x 6 inches; Advanced Photo System cameras deliver three aspect ratios as selected by the user.
AF-I & AF-S lenses
Nikon's new series of AF lenses, involves the integration of coreless motors into their super telephoto lenses. This gives these lenses quick, ultra quiet autofocus operations. While the AF-S lenses housing a silent wave motor for even quicker and quiet operations than the AF-I lenses, which was being in the stage of being replaced by the newer series.
The available light completely surrounding a subject. Light already existing in an indoor or outdoor setting that is not caused by any illumination supplied by the photographer.
Light coming from behind the photo subject. Can cause underexposure of the main subject with autoexposure systems.
Unsharp. Caused by inaccurate focus or excessive movement of the camera or subject.
A word, of Japanese origin, used to describe the out-of-focus elements in an image (e.g., "That image has nice bokeh.").
Practice of varying exposure to insure accurate exposure of a given subject; e.g., exposing "one stop under" and "one stop over".
Shutter speed setting where the shutter stays open as long as the shutter release is depressed. Usually indicated by a B on the shutter speed selector.
Barrel Distortion
Straight lines are bowed in at the edges of the picture frame re sembling the sides of a barrel; pres ent in small amounts in some wideangle or wideangle-zoom lenses, bu~ uncorrected in fisheye lenses.
Balance
Placement of colors, light and dark masses, or large and small objects in a picture to create harmony and equilibrium. Description applied to color films to indicate their ability to produce acceptable color response in various types of lighting. The films normally available are balanced for daylight (550~6000K photo lamps (3400K) or studio lamps (3200K).
Balanced Fill-Flash :
A type of TTL auto flash operation which uses the camera's exposure meter to control ambient light exposure settings, integrated with flash exposure control. That is, flash output level is automatically compensated to balance with ambient light, resulting in a better exposure for both subject and background.
Bounce Lighting
Flash or tungsten light bounced off a reflector (such as the ceiling or walls) or attachment that fits on the flash (like the LumiQuest's Pocket Bouncer) to give the effect of natural or available light.
Bracket flash
Often called handle mount flash. It comprised of one arm of the L-shaped bracket extends under the camera body and uses the camera's tripod socket to mount the camera on the bracket. The vertical arm of the bracket serves as a handle and mounts a flash unit in an accessory shoe often on top of the handle portion, but there are other methods. Flash mounted in a bracket usually requires a separate electrical cord to make the electrical connection between camera body and flash unit.
A cable device for releasing the shutter. Usually used for slow shutter speeds when the camera must remain absolutely still.
Coma
Where light rays pass through an off-axis point causing the lens to focus at different points causing blur.
Used to allow the camera to continue focusing as long as the shutter release is slightly pressed. This allows an AF camera to take a picture even if the picture is not in focus. Used for taking pictures of fast moving subjects. Also known as "Continuous Predictive Autofocus" or "Predictive Autofocus".
The difference between light and dark values. Usually refers to the gradation between black and white. Fewer gray values are described as "high contrast." Many shades of gray are low contrast. Or another way to explain, a difference in visual brilliance between one part of the image and another; without contrast, there would be no such thing as a visible image; a line in a photograph is visible only because it is either darker or lighter in tone than the background; every distinguishable part of the image is the result of a contrast in tonal values.
To enlarge an image so that parts are cut or left off the print.
When light rays passing through a lens tend to focus on a curved plane rather than a flat plane resulting in images that are not sharp.
Camera shake.
Movement of camera caused by unsteady hold or support, vibration, etc., leading, particularly at slower shutter speeds, to a blurred image on the film. It is a major cause of un-sharp pictures, especially with long focus lenses.
CCD
Electronic sensor used by all autofocus cameras, capable of detecting subject contrast; also an image-receiving device for video camera.
Color temperature.
Description of the color of a light-source by comparing it with the color of light emitted by a (theoretical) perfect radiator at a particular temperature expressed in Kelvin’s (K). Thus "photographic daylight" has a color temperature of about 5500K. Photographic tungsten lights have color temperatures of either 3400K or 3200K depending on their construction.
Better known as chrominance signal-to-noise ratio. A measure of how accurately the color signals are reproduced. Poor chroma signal-to-noise ratios are evidenced in color fringing on edges of objects and what appears to be thousands of moving dots in large areas of highly saturated colors (especially red).
AF Nikkor lenses that send Distance Information to some of Nikon's top cameras, Used for 3D Color Matrix Metering or 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash (with Nikon SB 27/SB 26/SB 25 Speedlight). Some third party lens manufacturers are catching up to supply with compatible functions lenses too.
Electronic flash designed to work with the meter and exposure system of a specific camera.
The distance between the farthest and nearest points which are in focus. "Depth-of-field" can also be used to describe the zone of acceptable sharpness before and behind a given focused subject. DOF varies according to numerous factors such as lens focal length, aperture, shooting distance, etc.
Bounced light. Light "refracts" off opaque materials softening and blurring an image.
Material that softens and "diffuses" light in order to soften the edges in an image.
Light rays of different wavelengths deviate different amounts through a lens causing a rainbow effect around points and edges.
Optically, where straight lines are not rendered perfectly straight in a focused image. The two types of "distortion" are barrel and pincushion. Even if the other possible aberrations were totally eliminated, images could result that still have a distorted appearance. For an example, an rectangle may appear as a barrel or pin cushion-shaped object. A lens aberration which does not affect the sharpness of the image, but alters the shape of objects; the inability of a lens to render straight lines perfectly straight; does not improve by stopping down the lens; there are two types of distortion:
Barrel: Straight lines are bowed in at the edges of the picture frame re sembling the sides of a barrel; present in small amounts in some wideangle or wideangle-zoom lenses, but uncorrected in fisheye lenses.
Pincushion: The opposite of barrel distortion; straight lines are bowed in toward the middle to resemble the sides of a pincushion; present in small amounts in some telephoto and telephoto-zoom lenses
Diffuse Lighting
Lighting that is low or moderate in contrast, such as on an overcast day.
Diffusing
Softening detail in a print with a diffusion disk or other material that scatters light.
DPI
Dots per inch: a measure of image resolution
ED (Extra Low Dispersion) Glass
A glass developed and trademarked by Nikon Corporation, used in telephoto lenses to obtain optimum correction to help prevent chromatic aberration. These lenses are resistant to temperature changes, preventing focus shift problems in lenses that use calcium fluorite crystal elements.
Designation for Canon EOS system autofocus lenses.
The amount of light that reaches film or the combination of f-stop and shutter speed that controls the amount of light. Also used to describe an exposed piece of film.
Hollow metal tubes used to extend the length of a lens. Used for "macro" or close-up photography.
EV
Exposure value. Method of quantifying scene brightness. Most of these value apply to metering cells, how high or low eg. a metering that can handles from EV1-EV21 means a metering system that can measure brightness level from just above the light level of a candle light to a brightly sunlight scene on a beach. Camera metering can handle more weakly on a spot meter than, say, a center weighted average metering system. EV is commonly used in black & White photographic process. At ISO 100, the combination of a one-second shutter speed and an aperture of F1.4 is defined as EV1. The camera may be used only within the EV range of the exposure meter. For example, the exposure metering range s from EV0 to EV20 can be used on a camera, means the camera's meter can handle broader range of exposure latitude.
Exposure compensation :
Exposure compensation for available light is activated by changing the shutter speed and/or lens aperture. This is done by using AE L AF-L (Auto Exposure/Autofocus Lock) button or exposure compensation button, or by Auto Exposure Bracketing . In flash photography with a dedicated TTL Speedliqht exposure compensation can also be performed by varying the amount of flash output. Camera-originated exposure compensation affects both the foreground subject and the background; variations in flash output amount affect only the foreground.
Exposure factor.
A figure by which the exposure indicated for an average subject and/or processing should be multiplied to allow for non-average conditions. Usually applied to filters. Occasionally to lighting. Processing, etc Not normally used with through-the-lens exposure meters.
Exposure Latitude
The range of camera exposures from underexposure to overexposure that will produce acceptable pictures from a specific film.
Exposure Meter
An instrument with a light-sensitive cell that measures the light reflected from or falling on a subject, used as an aid for selecting the exposure setting. The same as a light meter.
Numbers on the outside of the lens corresponding to the aperture opening. The larger the number (e.g., F/22), the smaller the opening of the lens; the smaller the number (e.g., F/2.8) the larger the opening of the lens. The f-number is equal to the focal length divided by the aperture diameter.
Transparent lens attachments used to change the color, or other characteristics, of an image. They are used both on the camera and in the darkroom.
Super wide-angle lens. Angle of view can approach 180 degrees. Nearly infinite depth- of-field.
A camera with a non-removable, non-zoom lens. The lens focal length can't, therefore, be changed.
Reflected light from lens elements, metal, etc. Appears as a non-uniform haze or bright spots on the film. Usually occurs when bright light (sun) enters the lens.
Artificial light source. Usually camera mounted but also larger studio models called strobes.
The shutter speed that corresponds to the timing of the flash. Any faster and the shutter won't be open for the duration of the flash. Any shorter and subject movement might cause blur.
The distance between the back lens element and the focal plane. In 35mm format, lenses with a focal length of approximately 50mm are called normal (standard), lenses 35mm and shorter are called wide-angle, and lenses with a focal length of more than approximately 70mm are called telephoto lenses.
The area of the camera where the lens focuses on the film.
A shutter placed just off the surface the focal plane.
The point on the optical axis where light rays form a sharp image of a subject. An ideal lens would allow light rays to reflect from a subject, travel through the optical axis and converge to a point after they pass through the lens.
To move the lens, or film, in relation to the focal plane in order to record a sharp image on the film.
Three basic types of focus modes exist for AF cameras: Single servo AF, Continuous AF and Manual AF. Different cameras may use different nomenclature to identify these modes.
A camera mode where the shutter cannot be released until the subject is in focus.
Where the camera's microprocessor (computer) analyzes a moving subject's speed, anticipates the position of the subject at the exact moment of exposure, and focuses the lens based on this information.
Fill-flash :
A method of flash photography that combines flash illumination and ambient light, but does not attempt to balance these two types of illumination. Also see "balance fill flash".
Fill-In Light
Additional light from a lamp, flash, or reflector; used to soften or fill in the shadows or dark picture areas caused by the brighter main light. Called fill-in flash when electronic flash is used. Also see Balanced Fill-Flash.
Flash shooting distance range :
The distance range over which a flash can effectively provide light. Flash shooting distance range is controlled by the amount of flash output available. Each automatic Speedlight's flash output varies from maximum duration to minimum duration Close-up subjects will require lower (to minimum) output while more distant subjects will require more light up to the maximum output. The flash shooting distance range varies with the aperture, film speed, etc.Al so see Guide Number.
Flat
Too low in contrast. The range in density in a negative or print is too short or in some cases, reflecting the low resolution produced by a low quality lens.
Flat Lighting
Lighting that produces very little contrast or modeling on the subject plus a minimum of shadows.
Front-Curtain Sync :
The flash fires an instant after the front curtain of a focal plane shutter has completed its travel across the film plane. This is the way the camera operates with the flash sync mode at Normal Sync.
Ghost images
Bright spots of light, often taking the shape of the aperture, which appear in the camera viewfinder or in the final photograph when a lens is pointed at a bright light like the sun; controllable through the use of multilayer coating of the lens elements.
GN (Guide number)
Used to express the power output of the flash unit. It indicates the power of a flash in relation to ISO film speed. Guide numbers are quoted in either meters or feet. Guide numbers are used to calculate the f/stop for correct exposure as follows: Number calculated by multiplying proper flash exposure aperture by the subject distance.
Grain.
Minute metallic silver deposit, forming in quantity the photographic image. The individual grain is never visible, even in an enlargement, but the random nature of their distribution in the emulsion causes over-lapping, or clumping, which can lead to graininess in the final image. Also cross check with below for graininess.
Graininess
The sand-like or granular appearance of a negative, print, or slide. Graininess becomes more pronounced with faster film and the degree of enlargement.
Grey card (18% Grey Card).
Tone used as representative of mid-tone of average subject. The standard grey card reflects 18 per cent of the light falling on it.
A high contrast image consisting mostly of highlights with little shadow detail.
The closest point at which a camera can be focused where the depth of field includes infinity.
Highlights
Small, very bright part of image or object. Highlights should generally be pure white, although the term is sometimes used to describe the lightest tones of a picture, which, in that case, may need to contain some detail.
Hot Shoe
Usually rest around the pentaprism of the camera (but some were designed around the film rewind knob). It has an electrical contact which mated with a contact in the mounting foot of the flash unit. This allows the camera to fire the flash at the proper time without any other electrical connections between flash and camera. The fitting on a camera that holds a small portable flash. It has an electrical contact that aligns with the contact on the flash unit's "foot" and fires the flash when you press the shutter release. This direct flash-to-camera contact eliminates the need for a PC cord. Some referred it as accessory shoe. Modern flash demand more than just the main electrical contact and often has more dedicated functions such as TTL control, viewfinder ready light etc.and thus, you will find more secondary contacts other than the main.
Handle Mount flash
Also often referred as bracket flash. It comprised of one arm of the L-shaped bracket extends under the camera body and uses the camera's tripod socket to mount the camera on the bracket. The vertical arm of the bracket serves as a handle and mounts a flash unit in an accessory shoe often on top of the handle portion, but there are other methods. Flash mounted in a bracket usually requires a separate electrical cord to make the electrical connection between camera body and flash unit.
The area at which a lens forms a sharp image, i.e., the film plane if, and when focused correctly.
Light measured as it falls on a surface, rather than light reflected from a surface. Measured from the subject, not the camera.
In relation to camera focus: the horizon.
Light not visible with the human eye. Measured at the red end of the spectrum, it can be photographed with special film.
A system used where the internal elements in the lens are the only parts that move during focusing. This prevents the physical length of the lens from changing, allows for faster focus, reduces aberrations, and allows for ease of use for filters that require specific alignment such as polarizers, graduated, etc.
Stands for "Image Stabilizer". This is available in some Canon EF lenses and compensates for camera shake allowing slower shutter speeds.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national Standards bodies from some 130 countries, one from each country. ISO is a non- governmental organization established in 1947. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. ISO's work results in international agreements, which are published as International Standards. "ISO" is not an acronym, it is a word, derived from the Greek isos, meaning "equal", which is the root of the prefix "iso-" that occurs in a host of terms, such as "isometric" (of equal measure or dimensions) and "isonomy" (equality of laws, or of people before the law).
Inverted telephoto lens.
Lens constructed so that the back focus (distance from rear of lens to film) is greater than the focal length of the lens. This construction allows room for mirror movement when short focus lenses are fitted to SLR cameras.
K
Kelvin. A scale use to measure the color temperature. 5000 K refer to normal daylight.
LD
Low dispersion glass, or UD (ultra low dispersion) or SD (Super Low dispersion), please refer to "ED", basically, refers to optically superior glass - price too! Dispersion sometimes also refer as "color fringing".
Lens aberration
Optical flaws which are present in small amounts in all photographic lenses; made up of chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, curvature of field, distortion, etc.; a perfect lens would show the image of a point as a point and a straight line as a straight line, but in practice, lenses are never perfect: they reproduce a point as a patch and a straight line as a more or less curved band; most of the trouble is caused by aberrations, inherent in the lens construction; it's the job of the lens designer to control most of the aberrations as much as possible by combining a number of single lenses in such a way that the aberrations of one lens tend to be cancelled out by opposing aberrations in the others.
Lens Shade/hood
A collar or hood at the front of a lens that keeps unwanted light from striking the lens and causing image flare. May be attached or detachable, and should be sized to the particular lens to avoid vignetting.
Lens Speed
The largest lens opening (smallest f-number) at which a lens can be set. A fast lens transmits more light and has a larger opening than a slow lens. Determined by the maximum aperture of the lens in relation to its focal length; the "speed" of a lens is relative: a 400 mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 is considered extremely fast, while a 28mm f/3.5 lens is thought to be relatively slow.
Lighting ratio
The ratio of the brightness of light falling on the subject from the main (key) light and other (fill) lights. A ratio of about 3:1 is normal for color photography, greater ratios may be used for effect in black-and-white work.
Limiting aperture.
The actual size of the aperture formed by the iris diaphragm at any setting. Determines, but usually differs from, the effective aperture.
Long-focus.
Lens of relatively long focal length designed to provide a narrower angle of view than the normal or standard lens, which generally has an angle of view, expressed on the diagonal of the film format, of about 45 degrees The long focus lens thus takes in less of the view in front of it but on an enlarged scale.
Macro Lens
A lens that provides continuous focusing from infinity to extreme close-ups, often to a reproduction ratio of 1:2 (half life-size) or 1:1 (life-size). Nikon's version for their "macro" is "micro", eg. 105mm F2.8 Micro-Nikkor.
Micro lens
A lens for close-up photography; designed to focus continuously from infinity down to a reproduction ratio of 1: 2, or with a matched extension ring or teleconverter down to 1: 1; available in normal or telephoto focal lengths to provide a variety of free working distances; with the exception of Nikon, this type of lens is called a "Micro Nikkor" lens. Also see above, Macro or Makro (Usually for German origin lenses)..
Macro photography
The process of taking photographs of small objects with regular photographic lenses at reproduction ratios of 1X or greater; also referred to as "photomacrography. "
Magnification ratio
Ratio that express greatest possible on film magnifying power of the lens. Used commonly on the macro setting of the zoom lenses, macro lens or with bellows.
Manual:
User selects both shutter speed and aperture, following or ignoring the meter's recommendations to achieve the desired exposure.
Manual flash :
Flash output is controlled manually in manual flash mode unlike in auto flash mode, where flash output power varies automatically according to the selected aperture. Some Speedlights, example like the Nikon SB 27, SB 26, SB-25. SB-24 and SB 20, provide selectable manual outputs (full, 1/2, l/4, 1/8, l/16 etc.), while others provide full manual output only.
Maximum aperture
The widest aperture which the diaphragm is capable of opening up to; it is engraved on the lens in this manner; 1: 1.4.
Multilayer coating
The depositing of multiple coats of anti-reflective materials on a lens surface to reduce ghost images and flare produced by internal reflections and insure faithful color rendition; in the Nikon Integrated Coating system, the number of layers is determined by the type of optical glass and the position of the element in the lens design.
ND-Neutral Density. Usually applies on filter, filtration that can effectively reduce the amount of light passes to the film. In some filters, half ND filters can be very effective to lower the contrast, esp the sky to achieve more balance effect. Lens like reflex lenses, where its aperture is fixed, ND filter can be the only way to play around with exposures. Certain 617 format is providing with a central ND filter.
Normal Lens
A lens that makes the image in a photograph appear in perspective similar to that of the original scene (approximately 45°). A normal lens has a shorter focal length and a wider field of view than a telephoto lens, and a longer focal length and narrower field of view than a wide-angle lens. Normal lenses corresponding to that portion of human vision in which we can discern sharp detail; technically defined as a lens whose focal length is approximately equal to the diagonal of the film frame; in 35mm photography, the diagonal measures 43mm, but in practice, lenses with focal lengths from 50mm to 60mm are considered normal.
Overexposure
A condition in which too much light reaches the film, producing a dense negative or a very bright/light print or slide.
Panning
Moving the camera so that the image of a moving object remains in the same relative position in the viewfinder as you take a picture. The eventual effect creates a strong sense of movement.
Panorama
A broad view, usually scenic.
PC Cords
The purpose of sync cords is to allow the camera to control the flash, so the flash fires at the correct time. Other common names for electrical cords to connect flash to camera are PC cord, sync cord and synch cord. One type of electrical connector on camera bodies is called a PC socket, whence the name, PC cord. Sync and synch are both intended to be abbreviations of the word synchronization.
PC Terminal/PC socket
Some older flash units may not have a hot shoe on the flash unit and would need cable connection to fire timely. It is a threaded collar surrounding the center electrical part of the socket. Some flash cords have a connector that makes electrical contact with the center part of the socket and is held securely in place by a threaded ring which screws into the outer part of the socket on the camera body. It is another alternative way to sync the electronic flash on the camera. Some of the modern autofocus cameras have omitted this feature on the body. It can also be used to activate another flash unit via sync cord in a multiple flash setup. PC sockets and common PC cords fit together by pushing the connector on the cord into the socket on the camera. It remains connected only because of friction.
PC (photographic 1)
Prontor/Compur. The clip on socket of the flash mode terminal.
PC (photographic 2)
Perspective control. Also known as tilt or shift lenses. Lenses that allow for correction of linear distortion resulting from high or low camera angle. Most are with gear or sliding mechanism and most require manual metering.
Perspective
The rendition of apparent space in a flat photograph, i.e., how far the foreground and background appear to be separated from each other; determined by only one factor: the camera-to-subject distance; if objects appear in their normal size relations, the perspective is considered "normal"; if the foreground objects are much larger than the ones in the background, the perspective is considered "exaggerated"; when there is little difference in size between foreground and background, we say the perspective looks "compressed."
Photolamp (3400K).
Photographic lamp giving more light than a normal lamp of the same wattage, at the expense of filament life. Often referred to by the trade mark Photo Hood. Are used with type A color films.
Picture angle
The angle of coverage of a lens usually measured across the diagonal of the picture frame; varies with focal length: the longer the focal length, the narrower the picture angle; the shorter the focal length, the wider the picture angle. Telephoto ratio Is derived by dividing the distance from the front vertex of a lens to the front vertex by the focal length. The smaller the telephoto ratio, the smaller the total length of the lens.
Pincushion Distortion
The opposite of barrel distortion; straight lines are bowed in toward the middle to resemble the sides of a pincushion; present in small amounts in some telephoto and telephoto-zoom lenses.
Polarizing Screen (Filter)
A filter that transmits light travelling in one plane while absorbing light travelling in other planes. When placed on a camera lens or on light sources, it can eliminate undesirable reflections from a subject such as water, glass, or other objects with shiny surfaces. This filter also darkens blue sky.
Polarized light.
Light waves vibrating in one plane only as opposed to the multi-directional vibrations of normal rays. Natural effect produced by some reflecting surfaces, such as glass, water, polished wood, etc., but can also be simulated by placing a special screen in front of the light source. The transmission of polarized light is restrained by using a screen at an angle to the plane of polarization.
Program Exposure
An exposure mode on an automatic or autofocus camera that automatically sets both the aperture and the shutter speed for proper exposure.
Programmed Auto:
Camera sets both shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure.
Rangefinder
Instrument for measuring distances from a given point, usually based on slightly separated views of the scene provided by mirrors or prisms. May be built into non-reflex cameras. Single-lens reflexes may have prismatic rangefinders built into their focusing screens. The Leica and the Contax G2 still keep the flag up in this areas.
Rear-Curtain Sync:
Flash fires an instant before the second (rear) curtain of the focal plane shutter begins to move. When slow shutter speeds are used, this feature can create a blur effect from the ambient light, i.e., a flowing- light patterns following a moving subject with subject movement frozen at the end of the light flow. (See "Front-Curtain Sync".) Most mid range and top flight auto camera models have this feature.
Refractive index
A technical term used to describe the effect of a lens in causing light rays to bend; important aspect in lens design.
Reflector
Any device used to reflect light onto a subject to improve balance of exposure (contrast). Another way is to use fill in flash.
Relative aperture.
Numerical expression of effective aperture, also known as f-number. Obtained by dividing focal length by diameter of effective aperture.
Release-Priority :
For autofocus, shutter can be released anytime (i.e., even when subject is not in focus). Helps you avoid missed opportunities when you are not concerned with absolute focusing precision, terms apply primarily for Nikon.
Reciprocity
Most films are designed to be exposed within a certain range of exposure times-usually between 1/15 second to 1/1000 second. When exposure times fall outside of this range-becoming either significantly longer or shorter-a film's characteristics may change. Loss of effective film speed, contrast changes, and (with color films) color shifts are the three common results. These changes are called reciprocity effect. Generally, as a quick reference, exposure beyond one second needs to compensate for this characteristic of film.
Resolution
The ability of a lens to discern small detail; in photography, the image resolution in the final photograph depends on the resolving power of the sensitive emulsion and on that of the lensóthe two are not related, but the effective resolution is a function of both; for reasonably accurate photographic measurements of lens resolution, the sensitive material must therefore have a much greater resolving power than the lens.
RGB
The red, green & blue, the black is simulated color. CMYK is the four primary colors.
The time it takes for a strobe or battery-pack to recharge enough that it can power a flash burst.
Light meter reading made by pointing the meter towards the subject. It will vary depending on the subject as different materials reflect different amounts of light.
Saturation
An attribute of perceived color, or the percentage of hue in a color. Saturated colors are called vivid, strong, or deep. Desaturated colors are called dull, weak, or washed out.
Selective Focus
Choosing a lens opening that produces a shallow depth of field. Usually this is used to isolate a subject by causing most other elements in the scene to be blurred.
Sharpness
A term used to describe the ability of a lens to render fine detail clearly; dependent on the contrast and resolution of a lens and varies with the f/stop; in general, a lens is sharpest at the middle apertures. Also technically can be explained as clarity of the photographic image in terms of focus and contrast. Largely subjective but can be measured to some extent by assessing adjacency effects, i.e. the abruptness of the change in density between adjoining areas of different tone value.
Shutter
Blades, a curtain, plate, or some other movable cover in a camera that controls the time during which light reaches the film.
Shutter Priority
An exposure mode on an automatic or autofocus camera that lets you select the desired shutter speed; the camera sets the aperture for proper exposure. If you change the shutter speed, or the light level changes, the camera adjusts the aperture automatically.
Sidelighting
Light striking the subject from the side relative to the position of the camera; produces shadows and highlights to create modeling on the subject.
Single Servo AF (Nikon's term)
Once the subject is in focus, focus is locked. Useful for recomposing the picture.
Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR) Camera
A type of camera that allows you to see through the camera's lens as you look in the camera's viewfinder. Other camera functions, such as light metering and flash control, also operate through the camera's lens.
Slave Unit
Accessory flash "slave" units are available to fire multiple flash units without multiple electrical connections to the camera. These units sense the light output of the first flash, which is mounted in the camera hot shoe, or cord-connected to the camera. When the light output is sensed, the slave unit triggers a second flash unit that is connected only to the slave. Additional slaves and flash units can be used, if needed.
Slow Sync
A flash technique for using the flash at a slow shutter speed. Flash shooting in dim light or at night at a fast shutter speed often results in a flash-illuminated subject against a dark background. Using a slower shutter speed with the flash brings out the background details in the picture. Use of a slow shutter speed with Rear-Curtain Sync is particularly effective for illustrating the movement of a stream of light. Can be of very creative if put to good use.
Stopping Down
Changing the lens aperture to a smaller opening; for example, from f/8 to f/11. Some lenses, like PC lens or attachment with a none dedicated bellow on macro photography, stop down exposure metering is required for correct reading. To decrease the size of aperture in a lens, e.g., to stop down from f3.5 to f16. Increases depth-of-field.
Stop-down metering.
TTL metering in which the light is measured at the picture-taking aperture. As the meter just measures the light passing through the lens, there is no need for any lens-camera interconnections.
Studio lamps (3200K).
Tungsten or tungsten halogen lamps designed for studio use. Have a longer life than photo lamps, but a lower specific output and color temperature. Are used with type B films.
Sync Cords
The purpose of sync cords is to allow the camera to control the flash, so the flash fires at the correct time. Other common names for electrical cords to connect flash to camera are PC cord, sync cord and synch cord. One type of electrical connector on camera bodies is called a PC socket, whence the name, PC cord. Sync and synch are both intended to be abbreviations of the word synchronization.
Sync Delay
All electronic flash units require X sync, but flashbulbs require a time delay between firing the flash and opening the camera shutter. The optimum delay varies among flashbulb types, but you will get much of the flashbulb light through the shutter and onto the film even if delay is not exactly correct. Firing delay for flashbulbs is indicated by code letters:
"F"- fast; "M"- medium; "MF" - medium fast; "S" - slow
Sync Socket
Often called "PC terminal" or "PC Socket". Most older manual focus SLR camera bodies have this standard PC sockets which have a threaded collar surrounding the center electrical part of the socket. Some older flash units may not have a hot shoe on the flash unit and would need cable connection to fire the flash (sync) timely with the shutter. Some flash cords have a connector that makes electrical contact with the center part of the socket and is held securely in place by a threaded ring which screws into the outer part of the socket on the camera body. It is also use for multiple flash setup (non-TTL or manual) where the secondary flash can be used via a sync cord to fire at the same time.
Sync speed :
Exposure time with a focal-plane shutter is measured from the instant the first curtain is released, to begin its travel across the frame, until the instant the second curtain is released, to begin its travel across the frame. When the first curtain reaches the end of its travel, the film frame is uncovered as far as the first curtain is concerned, so it closes the electrical contacts for X sync and fires the flash instantly. Shutter speed at which the entire f iIm frame is exposed when the flash s fired in flash shooting. Most modern camera with vertical travel shutter curtain have faster flash sync speed like 1/250 sec. or slower, some top camera model like Nikon F5, changeable to 1/300 sec. with the Custom Setting.
A light meter, which takes its reading at an angle of 1 to 8 degrees. Used for the Zone System or to determine the reflective values of specific elements in a scene.
An optical device used to increase the effective focal length of a lens. It is mounted between the camera and the lens and usually comes in two different sizes: 1.4X and 2.0X. A 1.4X teleconverter increases focal length by 1.4 times, while a 2.0X increases focal length by 2.0 times. The aperture of the lens is also increased by the same amount as the focal length is increased. For example, a 2.0X teleconverter increases focal length of a 200mm lens to 400mm; however, the aperture of F/2.8 is decreased to F/5.6.
Telephoto Lens
A lens that makes a subject appear larger on film than does a normal lens at the same camera-to-subject distance. A telephoto lens has a longer focal length and narrower field of view than a normal lens and have a shallower depth of field than wide angle lenses. But it can do isolation of subject and have a longer reach without going near to the subject. Life can be very difficult in sports and wildlife photography. Telephoto lens whose focal length is longer than the diagonal of the film frame; in 35mm photography, lenses longer than 50-5Bmm; also referred to as a "long" lens.Tone
In photography, usually refers to the gray values in an image.
A collapsible camera support with three legs.
Refers to flash or exposure metering which is read "through the lens" at the film plane.
Tungsten Light
Light from regular room lamps and ceiling fixtures, not fluorescent. Images produced under this light source can be extremely warm, in fact excessive warmth. Need some color balance filtration or flash to neutralize that.
Through-The-Lens Focusing
Viewing a scene to be photographed through the same lens that admits light to the film. Through-the-lens viewing, as in a single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera, while focusing and composing a picture, eliminates parallax.
Through-The-Lens Metering
Meter built into the camera determines exposure for the scene by reading light that passes through the lens during picture-taking. Most SLR cameras have built-in meters which measure light after it has passed through the lens, a feature that enables exposure readings to be taken from the actual image about to be recorded on film, whatever the lens angle of view and regardless of whether a filter is used or not.
TTL auto flash :
The camera's light sensor measures flash illumination, as reflected by the subject on the film and shuts off the flash where measurement indicates a correct exposure. Because the sensor that controls the flash receives light through the lens TTL auto flash can be used for bounce flash photography, fill flash, multiple flash photography, etc. An additional advantage of TTL auto flash is that it enables you to use a wide range of aperture settings, while ensuring correct exposure.
Time Exposure
A comparatively long exposure made in seconds or minutes.
Tone
The degree of lightness or darkness in any given area of a print; also referred to as value. Cold tones (bluish) and warm tones (reddish) refer to the color of the image in both black-and-white and color photographs.
UD
Ultra Low dispersion lens, pls refer to ED, LD sections.
Ultra-wide angle lens.
Extra-wide angle lens, usually those with an angle of view greater than 90°. For 35 mm cameras the description usually applies to lenses of shorter focal length than about 24 mm.
Underexposure
A condition in which too little light reaches the film, producing a thin negative, a dark slide, or a muddy-looking print.
Unipod
Also refer as monopod.A one-legged support used to hold the camera steady. Also see "tripod".
UV
The ultra violet ray. This is beyond the visible spectrum i.e. it's invisible electromagnetic radiation of the sunlight. UV lenses is very expensive, only Nikon has a offering in its Nikkor lens line.
Filter used to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light reaching film. Ultraviolet light can cause an image to appear hazy.
Variable focus lens.
Lens of which the focal length can be continuously varied between set limits. The lens must be refocused with each change in focal length.
Viewfinder.
Device or system indicating the field of view encompassed by the camera lens. The term is sometimes used as a description of the type of camera that does not use reflex or "straight-through" viewing systems and therefore has to have a separate viewfinder.
Vignetting
Underexposure of image corners produced deliberately by shading or unintentionally by inappropriate equipment, such as unsuitable lens hood or badly designed lens. A common fault of wide-angle lenses, owing to reflection cut-off, etc. of some of the very oblique rays. May be caused in some long-focus lenses by the length of the lens barrel.
Wide-Angle Lens
A lens that has a shorter focal length and a wider field of view (includes more subject area) than a normal lens.Also can explained as a lens whose focal length is shorter than the diagonal of the film frame; in 35mm photography, lenses shorter than 50mm; also referred to as a "short" lens.
WS
Watt per second. For flash mode, the measurement of electrical energy in the flash.x
Zoom Lens
A lens in which you adjust the focal length over a wide range of focal lengths. Substituting lenses of many focal lengths. Zoom lenses whose focal length is continuously variable over a certain range without a change in focus; its focal length is changed by operating a separate zoom or a combination focusing/zoom ring; difficult type of lens to design and manufacture, very useful for the photographer on a budget or one who likes to travel light.
Megapixel
A unit equal to one million pixels. The higher the resolution, the more pixels in an image and therefore the greater the image quality. An image file that is 1 megapixel (MP) can make a photo realistic print of 5 x 7 inches; a 2 MP file can make an 8 x 10-inch print; a 3 MP file can make an 11 x 14-inch print.
DPI—Dots Per Inch. Number of dots a printer or device (like a monitor) can display per linear inch. For example, most laser printers have a resolution of 300 dpi, most monitors 72 dpi, most PostScript image setters 1200 to 2450 dpi. Photo quality inkjet printers now range from 1200 to 2400 dpi.
PPI—Pixels Per Inch. The number of pixels per linear inch is used to describe image resolution. A higher ppi means more image detail and correlates to higher image quality. Monitors display images at 72 ppi, inkjet printers require at least 150 ppi to produce photo realistic prints.
IMAGE RESOLUTION
The amount of data stored in an image file, measured in pixels per inch (ppi).
MOIRÉ PATTERN
An unwanted and undesirable pattern in color printing, resulting from incorrect screen angles of overprinting halftones. Often seen in images of certain fabrics and television images of a line pattern. Moiré patterns can be minimized with the use of proper screen angles.
In digital photography unwanted moiré patterns can be removed in software
RAW FORMAT
A relatively recent method of capturing digital images. A RAW image file contains processed data from the image sensor of a camera. It consists of data written to the camera’s memory and needs to be interpreted by specialized software, then re-saved in a normal format, like JPEG or TIFF.
The benefit of RAW is that it is closest to the original image and uncompressed. The disadvantages are that a RAW file is much larger.
A RAW image is usually closest to the original picture in the sense that it preserves exactly what the camera’s sensor captured.
RESAMPLE
To change the resolution of an image. Resampling down discards pixel information in an image … the image remains sharp; resampling up adds pixel information through interpolation… sharpness can suffer.
SATURATION
The amount of grey in a color. More grey in a color means lower saturation; less grey in a color means higher saturation.
CCD:
Charge-coupled device. The sensor array that makes up the imaging surface of the digicam. The more sensors a CCD has, the higher the image resolution will be.
CMOS:
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. Used in some digicams instead of CCDs because they have low power requirements and are less expensive.
CMYK:
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. The colors that are mixed to print pictures on paper. Most ink-jet and dye-sublimation printers use combinations of these colors to reproduce images.
Color Temperature:
A method of describing the qualities of warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish) light and measuring it in Degrees Kelvin (°K).
EXIF:
Exchangeable Image File. The JPEG compression mode used by most digicams.
Focal Length Equivalency:
Since most users are familiar with 35mm camera lenses, digicam lens specs are frequently stated in those terms. For example, a digicam lens that zooms from 9.2mm to 28mm would be described as 36mm to 110mm (equiv).
Interpolation:
The process of adding or subtracting pixels to an image (usually in an imaging program) to increase or reduce its size at a desired resolution. Also known as resampling or upsampling and downsampling. Interpolation changes the file size of the image. See also: "Resizing."
ISO Equivalency: A measure of the digicam’s sensitivity to light using conventional film speeds as a yardstick. Most digicams have fixed ISO (International Standards Organization) equivalents but others can be set to sensitivities ranging from 80—640 to achieve adequate exposure under different lighting conditions.
Blown Highlights
In digital photography terminology, blown highlights are areas of a photo that are so bright they are pure white.
A digital camera can record 256 shades of brightness, from "0" (pure black) to "255" (pure white). Every pixel captured is assigned a brightness value.
When it comes to editing, software can add to, or subtract from this value to make a photo brighter or darker. E.g. it can add "10" to every pixel to make the photo brighter.
However, if a pixel already has the value of "255", it can go no higher. No detail can be found in these areas of a photo and they end up pure white. These areas are called blown highlights.
Film grain
Film grain is not really digital photography terminology - the digital photography equivalent is noise.
Film grain is the small speckles that show up on photographs. Film contains tiny granules of light sensitive material. The more sensitive the film is, the larger these granules are.
When a film negative (especially from sensitive film) is enlarged onto photographic paper (in order to make a print), the tiny grains get enlarged too, and become visible.
The effect of film grain is often considered to be artistic, and it is sometimes put back into digital images (using software) for artistic purposes.
Lossy/Lossless files
When a digital camera takes a photo, the image data is stored on a memory card as a computer file. If the data is stored fully, the file is called a lossless file. These files are quite large in size. The most common type of lossless file in use are TIFFs.
To cut down on large file sizes, the camera can throw away parts of the data that the human eye probably won’t notice anyway. These files are called lossy. The most common type of lossy file are JPEGs. Caution should be taken when using JPEGs if image quality is important.
NB: mp3 music files work in a similar way. The original, complete music file, is stripped down leaving only the bits that the human ear is sensitive to left behind.
Metadata
When a digital camera captures an image it records two things in the file that is saved - image data itself, and data about that data (confusing, isn't it?). The "about the image" data is called "metadata". The information it contains varies from camera to camera, but typically includes, amongst other things, information such as date, time, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and file type.
This information can be useful when trying to find photos later (because you can search for your images by date), and helps to improve digital photography because the photographer can work out what combinations of shutter speed and aperture work well.
Noise
In digital photography terminology, noise is the digital equivalent of film grain. It shows up on digital photographs as small colored blotches, usually in the darker areas of an image. Noise often goes overlooked in snapshots, but becomes very obvious if enlargements are made.
Noise is worse in digital photos taken in low light. It can be removed to some extent by software, but a better quality digital camera will usually produce less noise in the first place.
Whereas film grain can add atmosphere to a photograph, digital noise is generally considered to be unattractive. Digital photographers looking for a "grainy" effect aim to start with a clean image (i.e. free from digital noise), and then add the grain effect afterwards using software.
Prime Lens
The opposite of a zoom lens, prime lenses have one fixed focal length. They represent the best quality of lens available, but have the big drawback in that they cannot 'zoom in' to a subject.
Purple Fringing
In digital photography terminology, purple fringing is an undesirable purple "rim" that surrounds areas of high contrast in a digital image.
It's very obvious when photographing people against a bright (but not deep blue) sky.
The reasons for purple fringing aren't clear, although it is generally accepted that poor quality lenses and poor quality sensors make it worse.
Gamut
The total range of colors reproduced by a device such as a digital camera, scanner or printer.
Histogram
A graphic representation of the range of tones from dark to light in a photo. Many digital cameras include a histogram feature to facilitate a precise check on the exposure of the photo.
AE - Auto Exposure
When the camera is set to this mode, it will automatically set all the required modes for the light conditions. I.e. Shutter speed, aperture and white balance. The 3 types are:
- Program Mode. The camera will choose the shutter speed and aperture automatically, effectively making your SLR a "point-and-shoot". It will normally assign a shutter speed of 60th of a second or higher if possible.
- Aperture Priority. You choose the aperture setting and the camera will automatically choose the shutter speed according to the lighting conditions. Best setting for controlling the depth of field.
- Shutter Priority. You choose the shutter speed and the camera will select the correct aperture as long as there is enough light. Good for sports or action photography where you need control over the shutter speeds.
AE Lock.
This enables you to lock the current exposure reading and re-frame the shot using the same setting. A half-press of the shutter is normally required to activate this function, fully pressing only when you want to capture the image.
Aliasing.
This is an effect caused by sampling an image at to low a rate. It causes rapid change (high texture) areas of an image to appear as a slow change in the sample image. Once this has happened, it is extremely difficult to reproduce the original image from the sample.
Blooming.
An effect caused by overexposing a CCD or sensor to too much light. This can cause distortions of the subject and/or color.
The act of adjusting the color of one device to match that of another. For example when you match the calibration of your screen to that of your printer to ensure what you see is what you print. It is also used in the film SLR's Canon EOS-3 and EOS 5 which have eye-controlled focusing. You calibrate the cameras focusing to where your eye is looking in the viewfinder. (Some fighter planes also have this. The missile follows the trajectory of the pilot's eye).
Center -Weighted.
Term used to describe an automatic exposure system that uses just the centre portion of the image to adjust the overall value. So in effect, the exposure will be weighted to what you see towards the centre of your viewfinder.
Color Cast.
This is a very unwanted tint of one color in an image caused by the wrong amount of Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. It can be corrected using your editing software.
Color Space.
Digital cameras use known color profiles to generate their images. The most common is sRGB or Adobe RGB. This along with all of the other camera data is stored in the Exif header of the Jpeg file. The color space information ensures that graphic programs and printers have a reference to the color profile that the camera used at the time of taking the exposure.
Gamma .
Measure of the amount of contrast in an image according to the properties of a gradation curve. High contrast = High Gamma and Low = Low.
Gamma Correction.
With reference to displaying an image accurately on a computer screen, Gamma correction controls the overall brightness of an image. Images which are not properly corrected can look either too dark or bleached out.
ICC Profile.
"The International Color Consortium" is a group that sets the standard guidelines for color management in the imaging world. Most monitors, printers and scanners (as well as digital cameras), usually come with a driver disc for Windows and Mac systems that includes ICC profiles for that particular device. Color profiles simply let one piece of hardware or software know how another device or image has created its colors and how they should be interpreted or reproduced.
Matrix Metering.
Most digicams have a matrix metering option which uses 256 areas of the frame to calculate the best overall exposure value.
Pixelization.
The stair stepped appearance of a curved or angled line in digital imaging. The smaller the pixels, and the greater their number, the less apparent the "pixelization" of the image. Also known as the "jaggies".
Red-Eye.
An effect caused by an electronic flash reflecting off the retina at the back of the eye making it look red. Compact cameras with the flash located close to the lens suffer the worst from this problem. Professional photographers use a bracket to hold an external flash unit above and off to the side of the lens to eliminate red-eye. It can also be easily reduced using most post-editing software.
Skylight Filter.
This is an Ultra Violet absorbing filter that helps overcome the abundance of blue in outdoor photographs. Not really necessary in digital photography as the camera's white balance system adjusts for the color temperature of the scene. You can also use them to protect the camera's lens from scratching, fingerprints or dirt.
Slow Sync.
A flash mode in some digicams that opens the shutter for a longer than normal period and fires the flash just before it closes. Is used for illuminating a foreground subject, but allowing a darker background to also be well exposed. Good for night time shots of buildings with people in the foreground.
Spot Metering.
The camera's auto exposure system is focused on a very small area in the centre of the viewfinder to adjust the overall exposure value just for that area.
True Color. Color that has a depth of 24-bits per pixel and a total of 16.7 million colors.
Unsharp Masking
(Unsharp Mask). The process by which the apparent detail and sharpness of an image is increased. Generally accomplished by the input scanner or through computer manipulation using editing software.
Refers to the adjustment of the brightness of the red, green and blue components, so that the brightest object in the image appears white.
AWB: Automatic white balance
BG: Background
DPR: DPReview
DOF: Depth of Field
F-stop: Aperture(Ap)
HDR: High dynamic range
ND: Neutral density filter
TTL: Through the lens
VF: Viewfinder
VR: Vibration Reduction
WB: White balance
ACR-Adobe Camera RAW - the RAW image editor that's bundled with Adobe Photoshop
EV-Exposure Value
OOF - out of focus
PP - post production or post processing
SOOC - straight out of camera (meaning no post processing)
OCIRSUOTO: "Oh crap, I really screwed up on that one!"
PS-Photoshop - photo editing program considered by many to be the "gold standard"
PSE-Photoshop Elements - "little brother" of Photoshop
PSP-Paintshop Pro - similar to Photoshop but less expensive
SP-Shutter Priority
Nikon Info
Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
All photographs are made with light, composed of many colors of the spectrum. With panchromatic black-and-white and all color films, it is essential that both blue and red light rays be brought to focus at the same plane; otherwise, color "fringing" and unsharpness will be evident. Because different wavelengths of light are bent at slightly different angles as they pass through normal optical glass, the longer the focal length of the lens, the longer the individual light rays have to travel inside the lens and the more the discrepancy in focus. While modern techniques used to correct this "chromatic aberration" are effective with normal and wideangle lenses, telephoto lenses magnify even the slightest variation in focus between the red and blue light rays, leading many photographers to assume that no long telephoto or super-telephoto lens could equal a "shorter" lens in sharpness and color correction.
But Nikon overcame this obstacle by developing a new type of glass, called Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass. Especially designed to keep red and blue in focus, ED glass produces superior color correction and has led to the creation of a whole new generation of high-performance telephoto and super-telephoto lenses.
ED-series lenses are not sensitive to changes in temperature, so the problem of focus shift inherent in lenses employing calcium fluorite-crystal elements is avoided. Moreover, ED glass is hard and scratch resistant, permitting its use in exposed front and rear lens elements. Nikon's ED-series of lenses, ranging from 180mm to 1200mm, represents a major advance in photographic technology. They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their large maximum apertures ED lenses are in fact so highly color-corrected that the traditional infrared focusing index is not engraved on some of them. Sharp focus extends even into the infrared wavelength range! And for the photographer used to lugging around heavy conventional telephotos ED lenses have the additional benefit of permitting the length of the lens to be reduced substantially. All ED Nikkor can be identified by a gold band around the lens barrel.
Close-Range Correction System.
Most lenses are primarily designed to perform best at medium distances to infinity. When focused at extremely close distances, their image quality tends to deteriorate. This was a problem especially with large-aperture lenses having semi-symmetrical designs. To overcome this problem, Nikon invented the Close-Range Correction (CRC) System, sometimes called the "Floating Element" system. With CRC, the lens elements shift position in relation to each other, so that at close shooting distances curvature of field is reduced to the bare minimum in the case of wide-angle lenses, while spherical aberration is virtually eliminated in the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 and the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4. The result of this ingenious design is a series of lenses which offer an increased focusing range with exceptional picture quality throughout.
D-type AF Nikkor lenses ( Only apply to Nikon User ):
AF Nikkor lenses that send Distance Information to the F5's micro-computer. Used for 3D Color Matrix Metering or 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash (with Nikon SB 28/27/SB 26/SB 25 Speedlight or other updated units).
Matrix Metering system :
Originated from the multi-segment metering system first used successfully in the 1983's Nikon FA. An advanced exposure metering system using a multi-segment sensor and computer. Available in the F5 and other Nikon SLRs such as the Nikon F90X/N90s, F90-series/N90, F70-series/N70, F-601/N6006, F 601M/N6000, F50 series/N50, F-401x/N5005, F4 series and F 801s/N8008s cameras. 3D Color Matrix Metering: With Multi Meter Finder DP-30 and D-type AF Nikkor lenses 3D Color Matrix Metering is automatically activated with the F5. With the classic techniques of evaluating for 18% reflectance, factors such as brightness and contrast are primarily used to determine exposure. In addition, it is essential to evaluate each scene's esthetic factors such as color to get the best exposure. The shadows of a building cool with blue. A panoramic landscape with a bright blue sky. Or a winter scene covered with pristine white snow. The F5's 3D Color Matrix Meter * evaluates not only each scene's brightness and contrast but, using a special Red Green Blue (RGB) sensor, it also evaluates the scene's colors. Then its powerful micro-computer and database together guide it to unequaled exposure control.
* Currently, 3D Color Matrix Meter will work only with F5 & with D-type Nikkor lenses, other new Nikon models should roll out to fully utilized this exclusive features.
Nikon Integrated Coating.
In years past, the reflection of light off the surfaces of individual lens elements and the absorption of light into the glass itself caused a multitude of problems, including ghost images, flare, poor contrast, and unfaithful color rendition. Great strides forward were made in the early 1970's when various camera companies began applying multiple layers of microscopically thin anti-reflective materials to the lens elements.
However, unlike other manufacturers who indiscriminately apply the same number of coatings to each and every lens element regardless of its type or the glass used, Nikon's multilayer coating process is integrated into the design of the particular lens. Just the right number of coatings are applied to each lens element in a vacuum chamber to match the lens type and glass used. The result is a dramatic increase in image contrast and actual light transmission and a corresponding reduction in flare caused by internal reflections. But more importantly, uniform color balance from lens to lens is achieved throughout the entire Nikkor and Nikon Series E line-up. Yes, Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC) is not an easy process, but then optical excellence demands nothing less.
Silent Wave Motor :
The Silent Wave Motor focuses internal lens elements using ultrasonic traveling waves which are converted to rotational energy. This advanced, high-torque motor system is extremely powerful, driving autofocus elements with instant startup, and with exceptionally effective stopping action for superb total response, resulting in high-speed autofocusing with added accuracy, it works and combined with newly designed Nikon autofocus of Focus Tracking as well)
Nikon Lens Info
A -- The original bayonet lens type (1959). Manual focus lens. Considered Pre-AI
ADR -- Aperture Direct Readout. A fancy way of saying that aperture scale can be seen directly by the cameras that have overhanding prisms (ala F4, F5). Started with AI lenses in 1977.
AF-I -- An autofocus lens with an Integrated, coreless focus motor (1992). All AF-I lenses are D-type, but some older bodies can't autofocus with them (N60, N8008).
AF-S -- An autofocus lens with a Silent wave, integrated, coreless focus motor (1996). Basically an update to AF-I. Some older bodies can't autofocus with them (N60, N8008). Some newer bodies (D40, D40x) can only autofocus with them.
AI -- Aperture Indexing (1977). Manual focus lens.
AI-P -- An AI lens variant (1988) that was "chipped" to send data to the camera.
AI-S -- A variant of AI designed to be used with Program and Shutter-priority exposure modes (1982). Manual focus lens. Distinguished by smallest aperture being printed in orange and a small scoop on the bayonet flange, which transmits aperture info. Otherwise same as AI.
ASP -- Lens has aspherical elements in its optic design. Aspherical lenses eliminate coma and other types of lens aberrations by using complex curves in the design of lens elements.
C -- A lens coating type (Nikon Integrated Coating) for Pre-AI lenses. Distinguished by a C after the lens designation and a black filter ring.
CRC -- Close Range Correction, means that the lens was designs to provide superior focusing at close distances and with flat fields.
D -- (1992) Adds distance information to the data transmitted to the camera via chip. Distinguished by the D or G after the lens designation.
DC -- Defocus Control lens, allows the photographer to change the degree of spherical aberration in the out-of-focus areas to provide for better bokeh.
DX -- (2003) Indicates a lens designed to cover the smaller image circle of the digital camera bodies. May still work on 35mm bodies at some focal lengths.
E -- A special type of AI lens (1977) introduced with the consumer-oriented EM body. Says Nikon Series E on the lens. Light in weight, plastic in construction, but optically good.
ED -- Extra-low Dispersion element(s) used in the lens.
FX -- (2007) 35mm full frame digital sensor. While Nikon doesn't explicitly use this acronym yet with lenses, it has used it casually to refer to lenses that cover the full 35mm film (and FX digital sensor) frame, as opposed to lenses that cover smaller imaging sizes, such as DX or IX.
G -- Removes the aperture ring from a D-type lens. Thus needs to be used on camera with Command dial control of apertures. With some older cameras (N90s, for example), can be used in Program or Shutter-priority exposure mode, though.
IF -- Lens uses internal focusing rather than moving or turning outer elements.
IX -- Lenses for the Pronea system (Advanced Photo System). Can't be used on the 35mm or digital bodies.
K -- Another Pre-AI lens type, this time with rubber focus rings.
N -- Originally, the actual designation used for the first AI lenses; beginning in 2005 it now stands for Nano Crystal Coat, a special type of flare reduction coating applied to newer lenses.
N (gold emblem)-- Nano coating. A crystalline coating that eliminates internal lens element reflections, reducing ghosting and flare.
NIC -- Nikon Integrated Coating. A fancy way of referring to Nikon's glass coating system, which is used to help reduce flare and ghosting.
PC -- Perspective Control lens, allows the front of the lens to be shifted relative to the rest of the lens to correct for perspective. All PC lenses are either AI or AI-P in type.
RF -- Rear Focusing, means that lens achieves focusing by moving the rear elements; similar to IF.
SIC -- Super Integrated Coating, a multi-layer flare reduction coating, usually applied to the more complex zoom lenses.
SWM -- Silent Wave Motor. This is the motor in the lens used in AF-I and AF-S lenses.
UW -- Underwater lenses, destined for the Nikonos systems.
VR -- Vibration Reduction lens, corrects for camera movement during exposure. VR function only works on post F5 cameras (e.g., not F4, N90s, N60, N70, N8008). Lately, Nikon has been using a VRII designation to indicate some advances to the vibration reduction system.
