Glossary of Photography Terms

Photography is full of jargon. Here are some straightforward guides for making sense of it.


Fishermen on Galata Bridge Istanbul

What is a Fast Lens?

Get to grips with fast lenses–what they are, how they work and why they’re so popular among photographers. Learn what defines a fast lens, the benefits of shooting with one, and good lenses to start with. Plus, discover some lens gotchas to watch out for.

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Sony Lens Codes Explained

Sony uses a bunch of confusing codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

What is a Prime Lens?

You might have heard recommendations that if you want the fastest and sharpest lenses you should use prime lenses. So what is a prime lens?

Pentax Logo Header Image

Pentax Lens Codes Guide

Pentax has used a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Zeiss Logo Header

Zeiss Lens Codes Guide

Zeiss uses a bunch of codes and distinctive names n naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Tokina Logo Header

Tokina Lens Codes Guide

Tokina uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Tamron Logo Header Image

Tamron Lens Codes Guide

Tamron uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Prime Lens

Sigma Lens Codes Guide

Sigma uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s an explanation of what they mean.

Fujifilm XF 50mm f1.0 R WR Lens. Photo by David Coleman " havecamerawilltravel.com

Fujifilm Lens Codes

Fujifilm uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm lens

Nikon Lens Codes

Nikon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Canon EOS Rebel T7. Photo by David Coleman " havecamerawilltravel.com

Canon Lens Codes Guide

Canon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Native vs Extended ISO

Native vs Extended ISO Range Explained

Many digital cameras these days come with impressive ISO ranges. But if you look at the specs more closely, they’ll often break it down into native ISO and extended ISO. Here’s an explanation of what that means.

Focal Plane Mark Camera

What is a Camera’s Focal Plane Mark?

Wondering what that odd, tiny mark you often see on the top of cameras is? It’s shown as a circle with a line through it. It’s the focal plane mark. Here’s what it’s used for.

Camera Hot Shoe

What is a Camera’s Hot Shoe?

Discover what the hot shoe on your camera does and find accessories to fit in it. From a physical mounting point to electrical connection, explore the basics of the hot shoe and why a cover is helpful to protect it.