More than just a camera lens database

LENS-DB.COM

Leicaflex SL2 [MOT]

35mm MF film SLR camera

Specification

Production details:
Announced:1974
Order No.:10021 - silver chrome
10022 - black chrome
10023 - black chrome MOT
System:● Leica R (1964)
Format:
Maximum format:35mm full frame
Film type:135 cartridge-loaded film
Mount and Flange focal distance:Leica R [47mm]
Shutter:
Type:Focal-plane
Model:Mechanical
Speeds:1 - 1/2000 + B
Exposure:
Exposure metering:Through-the-lens (TTL), open-aperture
Exposure modes:Manual
Physical characteristics:
Weight:770g
Dimensions:148x97x57mm
Accessories:
Body cap:14103

Manufacturer description #1

The Leicafiex SL 2 maintains the standard of excellence set by the famous Leicafiex SL and brings Leica precision and the famous "Leica feel" to SLR photography. Wide open, through-the-Iens metering measures a central, circular 7mm diameter area equal to one-sixth the acceptance angle of any lens attached to the camera. The area measured is sufficiently large to integrate typical scene brightness yet selective enough for accurate spot readings. ASA settings range from 8 to 6400.

The Leicafiex SL 2 meter features a greatly extended measuring range... 8 times as sensitive as the Leicafiex SL and equal to the Leica M5. The increased meter sensitivity is especially helpful in low light conditions or with long bellows extensions. Through the use of a secondary mirror behind the reflex mirror a light beam is directed to the photo cell on the inside bottom of the camera. This is a highly precise yet simple system measuring the exact amount of light transmitted to the film plane. Meter operation is accurate to minus 5° F.

The meter needle, shutter speed, and lens opening are displayed in the viewfinder which shows an evenly bright, full image area. This area is 23mmx35mm which corresponds to the size of commercially produced cardboard slides. The viewing screen consists of extra fine microprisms and focusing is possible throughout its entire area. A central split image rangefinder wedge 3mm in diameter surrounded by a 7mm diameter circle of coarse microprisms provides easier focusing especially with wide angle lenses 16mm through 35mm.

With automatic diaphragm double cam Leicaflex lenses the aperture selected (f/1.4 to f-22) is shown ona scale next to the shutter speed scale. Meter needle visibility is greatly enhanced in poor light by pressing a button on the side of the pentaprism which silhouettes the needle against an illuminated panel.

A major feature of the Leicaflex SL 2 is the exceptional brightness of the viewfinder which additionally adds to it's focusing accuracy. Viewfinder magnification with the 50mm lens is 0.86. In addition to the microprism/split image viewfinder screen there are two other choices: a ground glass screen valuable for close-up and telephotography and a standard microprism screen without the split Image rangefinder wedge. Focusing screen preference should be stated when ordering the SL 2.

Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 second to 1 second and Bulb. Intermediate speeds are permitted throughout the entire range except from 1/60 second to 1/30 second and from 1/8 second to 1/4 second. A 9 millisecond shutter travel speed permits electronic flash synchronization at 1/100 second. The Leicaflex SL 2 is equipped with X and M synchronization contacts and also features an X synchronized hot shoe contact in the accessory shoe.

Unlike most SLR cameras, in which the mirror is stopped by striking a strip of foam material cemented to the camera housing, the Leicafiex SL 2 mirror is intercepted part way up by a lever which brings the mirror to a gentle stop, just prior to the shutter release. This effectively eliminates mirror-caused vibration. The Leicaflex SL 2 camera back is securely locked in the closed position by a safety catch. Opening the back is simplicity itself... release the safety catch, pull up the rewind crank, and the back opens. A true rapid-loading system for use with tongued or untongued (bulk-loaded) films is virtually fool proof.

Lens changing on the Leicaflex SL 2 is a rapid operation due to the bayonet lens mount design. The lens lock release button is located on the camera body where it can be comfortably operated with the left thumb. Rapid lens interchangeability is appreciated especially when photographing a constantly changing scene or event.

The Leicafiex SL 2 is the nucleus of a comprehensive photographic system built to traditional Leitz standards of uncompromising quality. For the photographer who demands the finest the Leicaflex SL 2 is the obvious choice.

FEATURES OF THE SL 2:

  • Selective through-the-Iens metering; meter sensitivity equal to the Leica M5.
  • ASA speeds from 8 to 6400.
  • Apertures visible in viewfinder next to shutter speeds when double cam SL lenses are used.
  • Illuminated panel increasing meter needle visibility in low light conditions.
  • Choice of 3 viewfinder screens: split image/microprism, ground glass, or microprism.
  • X-synchronization at 1/100 second; hot shoe outlet in accessory shoe.
  • Secure camera back locking mechanism via safety catch.
  • Black or satin chrome finish.
  • Camera body shape fits in hand beautifully; three position film advance lever.
  • Body mounted lens lock button easily operated with left thumb.
  • Large shutter speed dial permitting speed change without removing eye from finder.
  • Flattened eyepiece permitting excellent viewfinder visibility even for eyeglass wearers.
  • Vibrationless gear dampened instant return mirror.
  • Depth of field preview button.
  • Simple, fool-proof, rapid film loading.
  • Shutter speeds to 1/2000 second; shutter remarkably quiet for an SLR design.
  • Free choice of shutter speed/aperture combinations.
  • Self-timer with 5-10 second delay.
  • Full range of lenses, 16mm through 800mm.
  • Uses new Leitz lenses 16mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R, 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R, and 80mm-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar-R.
  • Custom built feel that only a Leitz instrument has.

The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT incorporates most Leicaflex SL 2 features and is available for purposes requiring single exposures with automatic film transport and shutter wind, sequence photography, time lapse exposures and / or remote operation by cable, radio or other device. The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT is used with Leicaflex motor #14077.

The maximum exposure rate at continuous operation is 3-4 frames per second at appropriate shutter speeds. Film transport and shutter wind occur only at the completion of the exposure no matter what shutter speed is used. The motor, supplied separately, operates from 10 AA batteries or a rechargeable Ni Cad battery pack #98105. The battery pack is easily removed for cold weather operation when the battery should be kept warm while not in use.

The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT is also fully operable without the motor. Manual operation is identical to that of the Leicaflex SL 2, however the SL 2 MOT does not have a self-timer. The SL 2 MOT is supplied in black chrome finish only and is normally supplied with ground glass viewfinder screen.

For applications in sports, news, wildlife, fashion, scientific, sequence and time-lapse photography the motorized SL 2 MOT is ideal. The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT offers the complete versatility of the 35mm format and the traditional excellence of Leitz craftmanship in design and manufacture.

Manufacturer description #2

Single-lens-reflex camera with pentaprism. Hinged back. Eyelets for carrying strap on both sides. Chromium-plated camera top and base plate. 1/4in tripod thread.

Finely-ground micro-prisms ensure very bright viewfinder Image. Sharpness assessment across the entire viewfinder field. Depth-of-fleld button. Central micro-prism ring with additional split-image rangefinder for positive focusing. Combined lens stop/shutter speed display in the viewfinder.

Selective light metering through the lens at full aperture. Built-in CdS exposure meter, which can be switched off. Measuring- and follow pointer visible in the viewfinder. Illuminated measurement read-out for poor lighting conditions. Aperture, shutter speed, and film speed selector coupled from 10- 39 DIN (8-6,400 ASA) PX 625 Mallory battery (replacements from Messrs. Mallory).

Rapid bayonet changer for the lenses.

Click-stop shutter speed dial, the shutter speed set on the dial is visible on a scale in the viewfinder.

Battery test.

Focal plane shutter for 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, (1/100), 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec and time exposures of any duration.

Automatic flash sychronlzatlon for flashbulbs up to 1/250 sec, for electronic flash units up to 1/100 sec.

Separate standard contacts for flashbulbs and electronic flash units. Accessory-shoe contact or contact in the flash unit holder, can be used simultaneously with the other flash contacts.

Adjustable self-timer.

Rapid winding lever with double exposure lock for shutter wind and film transport.

Folding rewind crank.

Rapid film change for all commercially available 35mm films.

Automatic frame counter.

Self-locking camera back.

Film indicator.

Shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

Carrying strap with non-slip pad.

Manufacturer description #3

As LEICAFLEX SL but with additional split-image rangefinder for positive focusing.

Combined shutter speed and lens stop indication in the viewfinder. Sensitivity of exposure meter increased by 3 steps. llluminated measuring read-out for poor lighting conditions. Additional accessory-shoe contact.

Serial No. from 1385001.

Manufacturer description #4

LEICAFLEX SL 2 MOT

As LEICAFLEX SL 2, but without self-timer, and with electrical and mechanical functions for the use of the LEICAFLEX motor.

Baseplate, camera, and motor in black finish. The camera can also be used without motor.

From the Classic Camera magazine (August 1999)

In practice, the Leicaflex SL, drawing from the experience of the "old" Leicaflex, proved to be a well designed and made camera, long lived with its high level technical solutions and a totally original styling, completely different to the rangefinder cameras.

In spite of all this, in an attempt to keep up with the new professional reflex cameras such as the Canon F1 and the Nikon F2, after six years' production, Leica decided to revamp the SL. In 1974, the Leicaflex SL was modified to an extent that - even though the styling was virtually unaltered - the new name of Leicaflex SL2 was deemed necessary.

The new Leicaflex SL2 presents a series of external modifications that make it immediately identifiable, such as the battery recess placed at the front, the swapping of the writing at the front, the safety catch for the camera back and a new lens release button. While on the Leicaflex SL, the "Leicaflex" brand is engraved at the right and the "Leitz Wetzlar" on the other side, the "Leicaflex" name is now engraved at the centre and the "SL2" script on the left hand side.

However, differences between the Leicaflex SL and SL2 are not limited to writing and battery positioning. The Leicaflex SL2 was equipped with a viewfinder light controlled by a switch on the right of the pentaprism, with a flash hotshoe, a new focusing screen with microprism and split image rangefinder and the indication of the aperture value in the viewfinder. Thus modified the Leicaflex SL2 seems ready for a long successful life, but its production run was abruptly stopped after just two years and little more than 20,000 examples.

SL2Mot

Those who expected a standard motorwind connection were to be disappointed because, continuing the rationale of the SL, a black Leicaflex SL2 Mot was presented with a motorwind power socket and minus the self timer. The Leicaflex SL2 Mot carried on with little imagination the aristocratic layout of the old Leicaflex SL Mot. At a time when the competition - as in the Nikon F2 and Topcon Super DM - were offering standard motor wind connections, Leitz continued to consider this option not important and continued to offer separate models, ultimately producing little more than 1,000 Leicaflex SL2 Mot cameras.

The Leicaflex SL2 Mot accepts the same motor wind as the Leicaflex SL Mot even though the motor wind's production run, which carried on until the end of the seventies, is characterised by a few modifications.

Production and serial numbers

Leicaflex SL2 production started with serial number 1369801 and finishes with n° 1446000, a production run of less than 20,000 examples. The Leicaflex SL2 was also characterised by a small initial batch and by two batches of 10,000 examples of the SL2 and SL2 Mot, made in 1974-75 and 1975-76. These were also followed by two small batches in 1976.

In 1976, Leica finally gave in to the lure of electronics and, following an agreement with Japanese company Minolta, started production of the Leica R3 equipped with an electronic metal curtain Leitz Copal shutter. This marked the end of the Leicaflex production and also marked the end of the Leicaflex name.

From the editor

A motorized version, SL2 MOT, became available in 1975. Only 1020 were made, all in black chrome.

Special limited editions (2)

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Copy this code

and paste it here *

0 comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Table of contents
Clickable
Leica R system cameras
Clickable

Copyright © 2012-2024 Evgenii Artemov. All rights reserved. Translation and/or reproduction of website materials in any form, including the Internet, is prohibited without the express written permission of the website owner.

Limitation of liability • Privacy policy • Contact • Donate

Chromatic aberration

There are two kinds of chromatic aberration: longitudinal and lateral. Longitudinal chromatic aberration is a variation in location of the image plane with changes in wave lengths. It produces the image point surrounded by different colors which result in a blurred image in black-and-white pictures. Lateral chromatic aberration is a variation in image size or magnification with wave length. This aberration does not appear at axial image points but toward the surrounding area, proportional to the distance from the center of the image field. Stopping down the lens has only a limited effect on these aberrations.

Spherical aberration

Spherical aberration is caused because the lens is round and the film or image sensor is flat. Light entering the edge of the lens is more severely refracted than light entering the center of the lens. This results in a blurred image, and also causes flare (non-image forming internal reflections). Stopping down the lens minimizes spherical aberration and flare, but introduces diffraction.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism in a lens causes a point in the subject to be reproduced as a line in the image. The effect becomes worse towards the corner of the image. Stopping down the lens has very little effect.

Coma

Coma in a lens causes a circular shape in the subject to be reproduced as an oval shape in the image. Stopping down the lens has almost no effect.

Curvature of field

Curvature of field is the inability of a lens to produce a flat image of a flat subject. The image is formed instead on a curved surface. If the center of the image is in focus, the edges are out of focus and vice versa. Stopping down the lens has a limited effect.

Distortion

Distortion is the inability of a lens to capture lines as straight across the entire image area. Barrel distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to bow toward the center of the image, producing a barrel shape. Pincushion distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to curve in toward the lens axis. Distortion, whether barrel or pincushion type, is caused by differences in magnification; stopping down the lens has no effect at all.

The term "distortion" is also sometimes used instead of the term "aberration". In this case, other types of optical aberrations may also be meant, not necessarily geometric distortion.

Diffraction

Classically, light is thought of as always traveling in straight lines, but in reality, light waves tend to bend around nearby barriers, spreading out in the process. This phenomenon is known as diffraction and occurs when a light wave passes by a corner or through an opening. Diffraction plays a paramount role in limiting the resolving power of any lens.

Doublet

Doublet is a lens design comprised of two elements grouped together. Sometimes the two elements are cemented together, and other times they are separated by an air gap. Examples of this type of lens include achromatic close-up lenses.

Dynamic range

Dynamic range is the maximum range of tones, from darkest shadows to brightest highlights, that can be produced by a device or perceived in an image. Also called tonal range.

Resolving power

Resolving power is the ability of a lens, photographic emulsion or imaging sensor to distinguish fine detail. Resolving power is expressed in terms of lines per millimeter that are distinctly recorded in the final image.

Vignetting

Vignetting is the darkening of the corners of an image relative to the center of the image. There are three types of vignetting: optical, mechanical, and natural vignetting.

Optical vignetting is caused by the physical dimensions of a multi-element lens. Rear elements are shaded by elements in front of them, which reduces the effective lens opening for off-axis incident light. The result is a gradual decrease of the light intensity towards the image periphery. Optical vignetting is sensitive to the aperture and can be completely cured by stopping down the lens. Two or three stops are usually sufficient.

Mechanical vignetting occurs when light beams are partially blocked by external objects such as thick or stacked filters, secondary lenses, and improper lens hoods.

Natural vignetting (also known as natural illumination falloff) is not due to the blocking of light rays. The falloff is approximated by the "cosine fourth" law of illumination falloff. Wide-angle rangefinder designs are particularly prone to natural vignetting. Stopping down the lens cannot cure it.

Flare

Bright shapes or lack of contrast caused when light is scattered by the surface of the lens or reflected off the interior surfaces of the lens barrel. This is most often seen when the lens is pointed toward the sun or another bright light source. Flare can be minimized by using anti-reflection coatings, light baffles, or a lens hood.

Ghosting

Glowing patches of light that appear in a photograph due to lens flare.

Retrofocus design

Design with negative lens group(s) positioned in front of the diaphragm and positive lens group(s) positioned at the rear of the diaphragm. This provides a short focal length with a long back focus or lens-to-film distance, allowing for movement of the reflex mirror in SLR cameras. Sometimes called an inverted telephoto lens.

Anastigmat

A photographic lens completely corrected for the three main optical aberrations: spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism.

By the mid-20th century, the vast majority of lenses were close to being anastigmatic, so most manufacturers stopped including this characteristic in lens names and/or descriptions and focused on advertising other features (anti-reflection coating, for example).

Rectilinear design

Design that does not introduce significant distortion, especially ultra-wide angle lenses that preserve straight lines and do not curve them (unlike a fisheye lens, for instance).

Focus shift

A change in the position of the plane of optimal focus, generally due to a change in focal length when using a zoom lens, and in some lenses, with a change in aperture.

Transmittance

The amount of light that passes through a lens without being either absorbed by the glass or being reflected by glass/air surfaces.

Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)

When optical designers attempt to compare the performance of optical systems, a commonly used measure is the modulation transfer function (MTF).

The components of MTF are:

The MTF of a lens is a measurement of its ability to transfer contrast at a particular resolution from the object to the image. In other words, MTF is a way to incorporate resolution and contrast into a single specification.

Knowing the MTF curves of each photographic lens and camera sensor within a system allows a designer to make the appropriate selection when optimizing for a particular resolution.

Veiling glare

Lens flare that causes loss of contrast over part or all of the image.

Anti-reflection coating

When light enters or exits an uncoated lens approximately 5% of the light is reflected back at each lens-air boundary due to the difference in refractive index. This reflected light causes flare and ghosting, which results in deterioration of image quality. To counter this, a vapor-deposited coating that reduces light reflection is applied to the lens surface. Early coatings consisted of a single thin film with the correct refractive index differences to cancel out reflections. Multi-layer coatings, introduced in the early 1970s, are made up of several such films.

Benefits of anti-reflection coating:

Circular fisheye

Produces a 180° angle of view in all directions (horizontal, vertical and diagonal).

The image circle of the lens is inscribed in the image frame.

Diagonal (full-frame) fisheye

Covers the entire image frame. For this reason diagonal fisheye lenses are often called full-frame fisheyes.

Extension ring

Extension rings can be used singly or in combination to vary the reproduction ratio of lenses. They are mounted between the camera body and the lens. As a rule, the effect becomes stronger the shorter the focal length of the lens in use, and the longer the focal length of the extension ring.

View camera

A large-format camera with a ground-glass viewfinder at the image plane for viewing and focusing. The photographer must stick his head under a cloth hood in order to see the image projected on the ground glass. Because of their 4x5-inch (or larger) negatives, these cameras can produce extremely high-quality results. View cameras also usually support movements.

135 cartridge-loaded film

43.27 24 36
  • Introduced: 1934
  • Frame size: 36 × 24mm
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Diagonal: 43.27mm
  • Area: 864mm2
  • Double perforated
  • 8 perforations per frame

120 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated

220 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

Shutter speed ring with "F" setting

The "F" setting disengages the leaf shutter and is set when using only the focal plane shutter in the camera body.

Catch for disengaging cross-coupling

The shutter and diaphragm settings are cross-coupled so that the diaphragm opens to a corresponding degree when faster shutter speeds are selected. The cross-coupling can be disengaged at the press of a catch.

Cross-coupling button

With the cross-coupling button depressed speed/aperture combinations can be altered without changing the Exposure Value setting.

M & X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for M- and X-settings so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In M-sync, the shutter closes the flash-firing circuit slightly before it is fully open to catch the flash at maximum intensity. The M-setting is used for Class M flash bulbs.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for X-setting so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

14103

Replacement camera body cover, plastic, for all LEICA R-mount cameras.

Unable to follow the link

You are already on the page dedicated to this lens.

Cannot perform comparison

Cannot compare the lens to itself.

Image stabilizer

A technology used for reducing or even eliminating the effects of camera shake. Gyro sensors inside the lens detect camera shake and pass the data to a microcomputer. Then an image stabilization group of elements controlled by the microcomputer moves inside the lens and compensates camera shake in order to keep the image static on the imaging sensor or film.

The technology allows to increase the shutter speed by several stops and shoot handheld in such lighting conditions and at such focal lengths where without image stabilizer you have to use tripod, decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO setting which can lead to blurry and noisy images.

Original name

Lens name as indicated on the lens barrel (usually on the front ring). With lenses from film era, may vary slightly from batch to batch.

Format

Format refers to the shape and size of film or image sensor.

35mm is the common name of the 36x24mm film format or image sensor format. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a diagonal measurement of approximately 43mm. The name originates with the total width of the 135 film which was the primary medium of the format prior to the invention of the full frame digital SLR. Historically the 35mm format was sometimes called small format to distinguish it from the medium and large formats.

APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the film negatives of 25.1x16.7mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

Medium format is a film format or image sensor format larger than 36x24mm (35mm) but smaller than 4x5in (large format).

Angle of view

Angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.

As the focal length changes, the angle of view also changes. The shorter the focal length (eg 18mm), the wider the angle of view. Conversely, the longer the focal length (eg 55mm), the smaller the angle of view.

A camera's angle of view depends not only on the lens, but also on the sensor. Imaging sensors are sometimes smaller than 35mm film frame, and this causes the lens to have a narrower angle of view than with 35mm film, by a certain factor for each sensor (called the crop factor).

This website does not use the angles of view provided by lens manufacturers, but calculates them automatically by the following formula: 114.6 * arctan (21.622 / CF * FL),

where:

CF – crop-factor of a sensor,
FL – focal length of a lens.

Mount

A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a camera body and a lens.

A lens mount may be a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a breech-lock type. Modern camera lens mounts are of the bayonet type, because the bayonet mechanism precisely aligns mechanical and electrical features between lens and body, unlike screw-threaded mounts.

Lens mounts of competing manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony etc.) are always incompatible. In addition to the mechanical and electrical interface variations, the flange focal distance can also be different.

The flange focal distance (FFD) is the distance from the mechanical rear end surface of the lens mount to the focal plane.

Lens construction

Lens construction – a specific arrangement of elements and groups that make up the optical design, including type and size of elements, type of used materials etc.

Element - an individual piece of glass which makes up one component of a photographic lens. Photographic lenses are nearly always built up of multiple such elements.

Group – a cemented together pieces of glass which form a single unit or an individual piece of glass. The advantage is that there is no glass-air surfaces between cemented together pieces of glass, which reduces reflections.

Focal length

The focal length is the factor that determines the size of the image reproduced on the focal plane, picture angle which covers the area of the subject to be photographed, depth of field, etc.

Speed

The largest opening or stop at which a lens can be used is referred to as the speed of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture is, the faster the lens is considered to be. Lenses that offer a large maximum aperture are commonly referred to as fast lenses, and lenses with smaller maximum aperture are regarded as slow.

In low-light situations, having a wider maximum aperture means that you can shoot at a faster shutter speed or work at a lower ISO, or both.

Closest focusing distance

The minimum distance from the focal plane (film or sensor) to the subject where the lens is still able to focus.

Closest working distance

The distance from the front edge of the lens to the subject at the maximum magnification.

Magnification ratio

Determines how large the subject will appear in the final image. Magnification is expressed as a ratio. For example, a magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the image of the subject formed on the film or sensor will be the same size as the subject in real life. For this reason, a 1:1 ratio is often called "life-size".

Manual focus override in autofocus mode

Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

Manual focus override in autofocus mode

Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

Electronic manual focus override is performed in the following way: half-press the shutter button, wait until the camera has finished the autofocusing and then focus manually without releasing the shutter button using the focusing ring.

Manual diaphragm

The diaphragm must be stopped down manually by rotating the detent aperture ring.

Preset diaphragm

The lens has two rings, one is for pre-setting, while the other is for normal diaphragm adjustment. The first ring must be set at the desired aperture, the second ring then should be fully opened for focusing, and turned back for stop down to the pre-set value.

Semi-automatic diaphragm

The lens features spring mechanism in the diaphragm, triggered by the shutter release, which stops down the diaphragm to the pre-set value. The spring needs to be reset manually after each exposure to re-open diaphragm to its maximum value.

Automatic diaphragm

The camera automatically closes the diaphragm down during the shutter operation. On completion of the exposure, the diaphragm re-opens to its maximum value.

Fixed diaphragm

The aperture setting is fixed at F/ on this lens, and cannot be adjusted.

Number of blades

As a general rule, the more blades that are used to create the aperture opening in the lens, the rounder the out-of-focus highlights will be.

Some lenses are designed with curved diaphragm blades, so the roundness of the aperture comes not from the number of blades, but from their shape. However, the fewer blades the diaphragm has, the more difficult it is to form a circle, regardless of rounded edges.

At maximum aperture, the opening will be circular regardless of the number of blades.

Weight

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

Maximum diameter x Length

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

For lenses with collapsible design, the length is indicated for the working (retracted) state.

Weather sealing

A rubber material which is inserted in between each externally exposed part (manual focus and zoom rings, buttons, switch panels etc.) to ensure it is properly sealed against dust and moisture.

Lenses that accept front mounted filters typically do not have gaskets behind the filter mount. It is recommended to use a filter for complete weather resistance when desired.

Fluorine coating

Helps keep lenses clean by reducing the possibility of dust and dirt adhering to the lens and by facilitating cleaning should the need arise. Applied to the outer surface of the front and/or rear lens elements over multi-coatings.

Filters

Lens filters are accessories that can protect lenses from dirt and damage, enhance colors, minimize glare and reflections, and add creative effects to images.

Lens hood

A lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. Flare occurs when stray light strikes the front element of a lens and then bounces around within the lens. This stray light often comes from very bright light sources, such as the sun, bright studio lights, or a bright white background.

The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain cylindrical or conical section to a more complex shape, sometimes called a petal, tulip, or flower hood. This allows the lens hood to block stray light with the higher portions of the lens hood, while allowing more light into the corners of the image through the lowered portions of the hood.

Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because they have a smaller viewing angle than that of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses, as a longer hood would enter the wider field of view of the lens.

Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. In addition, lens hoods can offer some degree of physical protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters increase the effective focal length of lenses. They also usually maintain the closest focusing distance of lenses, thus increasing the magnification significantly. A lens combined with a teleconverter is normally smaller, lighter and cheaper than a "direct" telephoto lens of the same focal length and speed.

Teleconverters are a convenient way of enhancing telephoto capability, but it comes at a cost − reduced maximum aperture. Also, since teleconverters magnify every detail in the image, they logically also magnify residual aberrations of the lens.

Lens caps

Scratched lens surfaces can spoil the definition and contrast of even the finest lenses. Lens covers are the best and most inexpensive protection available against dust, moisture and abrasion. Safeguard lens elements - both front and rear - whenever the lens is not in use.