Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

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Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby stubbsy on Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:11 am

While I'm not an absolute beginner I'm still constantly learning (and will probably only stop when I stop breathing). I understand some of the jargon Nikon uses for their lenses (so I'm cool on what VR means), but other things like AI and AF and MF have always confused me for some reason and don't even start me on what ED or CRC might mean. The best I could manage was to know AF meant Autofocus :?

So I decided to research this and post the details here. Of course the first thing I found is that someone else has done it already.

So for the skinny on what all that Nikon lens jargon means go to THIS excellent link on Ken Rockwell's site
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Re: Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby Greg B on Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:57 am

stubbsy wrote:I understand some of the jargon Nikon uses for their lenses (so I'm cool on what VR means), but other things like AI and AF and MF have always confused me for some reason and don't even start me on what ED or CRC might mean. The best I could manage was to know AF meant Autofocus :?


Me too, thanks for that very interesting link!
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Postby Mr Darcy on Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:08 pm

Thanks for the heads up

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Postby Slider on Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:08 pm

Good link. Thanks for the heads up Peter :D
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Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby Big Monkey on Sat Jul 28, 2007 6:54 pm

A great link for any beginner in Photography............like me! :D
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Postby Bluebell on Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:29 pm

Thanks for that link. :D Got my first Nikon (D80) this week so that's going to be very helpful for me too.
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Postby fozzie on Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:52 pm

Peter - thank you for this.

I managed to win on ebay.CA a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI lens in mint condition at a very reasonable price. It is currently in transit Sydney/Adelaide, so I should have it Monday. Looking forward to using it manually on my D2x.

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Re: Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby mansunzz on Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:34 pm

thanks for link. it helps alot.
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Re: Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby phillipb on Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:43 pm

Thanks peter, that's quite comprehensive, they don't mention the xi lenses used in the advantix film cameras, but there's probably not too many of them around.
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Re: Nikon lens jargon explained: AI, AF, VR, ED etc

Postby aim54x on Tue May 20, 2008 12:27 am

phillipb wrote:Thanks peter, that's quite comprehensive, they don't mention the xi lenses used in the advantix film cameras, but there's probably not too many of them around.


XI lenses actually dont work on normal nikon bodies, their lens elements protrude into the camera itself, so dont worry too much about them, only remember to stay away from them unless you have a APS SLR.
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