Questions regarding Nikon lens designations

Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way? I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Thanks so much!
G

"greg" wrote in message
news:ybtTc.101367$M95.32431@pd7tw1no...
Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones
I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way?
I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but
they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty
good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is
the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Thanks so much!
G



IF = Internal Focus (lens doesn't change length as you focus)
ED = Extra-low Dispersion glass (elements can be thinner but must be to
higher tolerances, that, plus material cost causes greater cost)

"greg" wrote in message
news:ybtTc.101367$M95.32431@pd7tw1no...
Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones
I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way?
I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but
they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty
good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is
the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Thanks so much!
G



IF = Internal Focus (lens doesn't change length as you focus)
ED = Extra-low Dispersion glass (elements can be thinner but must be to
higher tolerances, that, plus material cost causes greater cost)

"greg" wrote in message news:ybtTc.101367$M95.32431@pd7tw1no...

Why not ask Nikon directly?

Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way? I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Thanks so much!
G

"greg" writes:

Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way? I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

ED glass is "extra-low dispersion". Combining glass with different
dispersion characteristics in the same design is how "acromatic" and
later "apochromatic" lenses (various degrees of claims to be without
color fringing) are designed.

Stumbled across this site while verifying a couple of these, you may
find it useful
http://www.maxwell.com.au/photo/nikon/nikkor/nomenclature/.

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

Internal focus. Means the lens doesn't change size, I believe. Not
important for anything I can think of.

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

Dunno.

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Also dunno.

(And the site I mentioned doesn't seem to know either.)
--
David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/
RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/
Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/
Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/

"greg" writes:

Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way? I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

ED glass is "extra-low dispersion". Combining glass with different
dispersion characteristics in the same design is how "acromatic" and
later "apochromatic" lenses (various degrees of claims to be without
color fringing) are designed.

Stumbled across this site while verifying a couple of these, you may
find it useful
http://www.maxwell.com.au/photo/nikon/nikkor/nomenclature/.

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

Internal focus. Means the lens doesn't change size, I believe. Not
important for anything I can think of.

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

Dunno.

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Also dunno.

(And the site I mentioned doesn't seem to know either.)
--
David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/
RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/
Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/
Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/

"greg" writes:

Hi folks,

I'm trying to learn more about Nikon lenses (the ones I have and the ones I
don't). Some questions:

1) I guess that ED glass is "better" than non-ED glass, but in what way? I
ask because Nikon offers things like a 14mm f/2.8 ED lens ($1300), but they
also offer a 28mm f/1.4 non-ED lens ($1695). An f/1.4 lens is a pretty good
lens, no? And $1700 isn't cheap. So what AREN'T they getting with this
non-ED lens?

ED glass is "extra-low dispersion". Combining glass with different
dispersion characteristics in the same design is how "acromatic" and
later "apochromatic" lenses (various degrees of claims to be without
color fringing) are designed.

Stumbled across this site while verifying a couple of these, you may
find it useful
http://www.maxwell.com.au/photo/nikon/nikkor/nomenclature/.

2) What does "IF" mean? And therefore, what is the difference between ED
lenses, IF lenses, and ED-IF lenses?

Internal focus. Means the lens doesn't change size, I believe. Not
important for anything I can think of.

3) On the Nikon website lens listing, some lenses are listed as ED-IF
(300mm f/2.8 ED-IF) and some are IF-ED (400mm f/2.8 IF-ED). Is there a
difference, or just a typo?

Dunno.

4) I understand the difference between AF and AF-S lenses. But what is the
difference between AF-S and AF-S II lenses?

Also dunno.

(And the site I mentioned doesn't seem to know either.)
--
David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/
RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/
Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/
Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/