How to use this website
Website structure
Our website is a catalog of photographic systems. A system is a collection of cameras, interchangeable lenses, flashes and other accessories designed for them. Each system, camera or lens has its own page on our website.
For example:
- Canon EOS - A popular 35mm full frame SLR system consisting of Canon EOS series SLR cameras (both film and digital), Canon EF series lenses, Speedlight flashguns, adapters and other products [Please note that there are also Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc. lenses designed for the Canon EF mount, but these are third-party lenses that cannot be considered part of the Canon EOS system. We do not display such lenses on the system pages, but of course they are recorded in our database].
- Canon EOS 650 - Canon’s first EOS camera.
- Canon EF 50mm F/1L USM - One of the first lenses for the Canon EOS system. World’s fastest autofocus standard prime lens for 35mm full-frame SLR cameras.
- Tamron SP 45mm F/1.8 Di [VC] USD F013 - One of the best fast standard lenses designed for 35mm full-frame SLR cameras, including but not limited to Canon EOS cameras.
There are currently 125 autofocus and popular manual focus systems in the database, so you have plenty to choose from. Please do not perceive our website as specializing only in vintage manual focus lenses - we pay equal attention to both vintage and modern photographic systems.
In the section "Timeline", the systems are sorted by manufacturer and date of introduction to the market.
In the section "Systems", the systems are sorted alphabetically.
The section "Collections" contains thematic lists of lenses based on some feature (for example, ultra-fast lenses, pancake lenses, etc.).
The section "Lenses" provides more possibilities for finding lenses. In particular, it allows you to find third-party lenses designed for your camera, and/or display only lenses of a certain type (for example, macro lenses).
Finally, the section "Genres" allows you to find suitable lenses for your camera by a particular genre of photography.
Just like any other website, we have a search bar. However, the search is carried out only by lens names, focal lengths and speeds. Don't try to search for any phrases from lens descriptions - nothing will be found.
Lens names
On our website, lens names are recorded in the database as they appear on the lens barrel. The only exception we make is for focal length (range) and speed. In whatever form they appear on the lens barrel, we always bring them to the following format: XXmm F/x.x, where "XX" is the focal length in mm, and "x.x" is the speed. For example, 50mm F/1.4 or 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6. Wherein we always omit trailing zeros after the decimal point. For example, Canon Lens EF 50mm 1:1.0 L Ultrasonic is recorded in our database as Canon EF 50mm F/1L USM (also note that there is no space between 1 and L).
Search rules
- Specify a brand name or a lens series (case does not matter);
- If you are looking for a prime lens, specify the focal length (for example, 50mm). If you are looking for a zoom lens, specify the focal length range (for example, 24-70mm);
- (Optionally) If you are looking for a lens or lenses with a specific speed, then specify the exact value. Valid formats are F/1.8, F1.8, or 1:1.8.
Separate each of the three components above with a space.
You can also improve your search query with keywords that may appear in the lens names. Don't forget to separate these keywords with spaces too.
NOTE: There is no need to include the qualifying words like "lens", "zoom", "wide", "tele", etc. in the search query, whether in singular or plural form. Also, do not indicate lens mount, lens type, or a format.
The more complex your search query, the less likely you will get results.
Ideally, your search query should look something like this:
You can type "cz" instead of Carl Zeiss or ZEISS, "czj" instead of Carl Zeiss Jena, "cv" instead of Cosina Voigtlander, and "sk" instead of Schneider-Kreuznach.
You can search for LEICA cameras and lenses not only by their names, focal lengths and speeds, but also by Order Numbers. For example:
- Type "11891" in the search bar and press "Enter" to find Leica Summilux-M 50mm F/1.4 ASPH. [I].
- Or type "10572" (don't forget to check the "cameras" radio button) to find Leica M7 Titanium "50 Jahre LEICA M System".
Lens lists
As you visit the website, you will have to deal with lists of lenses. Here is a short description of them.
Model history
In the "Model history" list, lenses are displayed in chronological order: the lower a lens is in the list, the later it was released. The lens you are at is highlighted in blue. Special limited editions are indented. A change in the background hue indicates a change in the optical design. For example:
| ■Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D | A | 6 - 5 | 0.45m | ⌀52 | 2002 ● | |
| ■Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G | A | 7 - 6 | 0.45m | ⌀58 | 2011 ● | |
| ■Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Special Edition | A | 7 - 6 | 0.45m | ⌀58 | 2013 ● | |
| —Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Special Gold Edition (1000 units) | 2014 ● | |||||
Immediately after the column with the lens name, there is a column that indicates the type of diaphragm, then the optical formula (number of elements - number of groups), the closest focusing distance in meters, the type and size of filters, and, finally, the year when the lens was announced.
Diaphragm types:
| M | Manual | P | Preset |
| S | Semi-automatic | A | Automatic |
| -- | Fixed | ||
Filter types (where xx is a filter size):
| ⌀xx or Exx | Screw-type | (⌀xx) or (Exx) | Rear screw-type |
| Bxx | Bayonet-type | (Bxx) | Rear/internal bayonet-type |
| Axx | Clip-on | (Dxx) | Rear drop-in |
| Sxx | Series | (G) | Rear gelatin |
| Built-in | Built-in | -- | Not available |
Lenses with similar focal length (range)
Lenses in this list are always sorted by manufacturer name. A comparison feature is available for autofocus lenses: click on the "Compare" link and the website will display a list of advantages and disadvantages of a lens compared to the lens you are at. The comparison is done automatically and based on the lens specification. Next to "Compare" are columns with the number of advantages (green) and disadvantages (red).
Miscellaneous conventions in lists
Production status:
| Recently announced | ● | In production | ● | Discontinued | ● |
The "Pro" mark indicates that the lens is a professional model.
| Sony FE 400mm F/2.8 GM OSS [SEL400F28GM] | Pro | 2018 ● |
The ones that are highlighted in blue in the lists (except for the "Model history" list) are the lenses recommended by the website.
| Sony FE 50mm F/2.5 G [SEL50F25G] • ⌀49 | 2021 ● | |
