Knowledge of abbreviations and the ability and https://www.artlook.us/service/wedding-proposal-photography/ to decipher them is useful to any photographer, because they denote valuable information. This is also useful for beginners, who will find it much easier to choose a technique for themselves and work with it. I have already managed to explain all the brief abbreviations on Nikon lenses, now it’s time to talk about the topic – marking canon lenses.

In the world of photography, a decent amount of different terms and foreign words are often hidden behind abbreviations. The most important of them are already indicated on the camera or lens, and the rest can be found by digging in the detailed product description or in my article below.

Fastening. For canon, it is indicated by the letters EF, sometimes S or M is added. The differences between them are significant: in the first case, that is, the EF lens can work with almost all cameras, including full-frame ones, and in the second, that is, EF-S – only with cropped, equipped with APC-S matrices. The EF-M lens is designed for mirrorless cameras.
The aperture property for which f is responsible. Depending on its specific value, optics can have high aperture, medium, low. The wider the aperture opens, the more light penetrates inside, the brighter the frame can be obtained even in the dark. Aperture is highly valued, it largely determines the cost of optics.
The focal length is F, measured in millimeters (mm). The two-three-digit number related to this characteristic is one of the main parameters of the optical device. F happens constant and variable, small and big. The latter fact, in turn, divides the lenses into wide-angle, standard (portrait) and telephoto – each for its own purposes.
Motor type. The internal engine associated with the camera’s autofocus can be different. So, USM is a ring motor, which is characterized by speed, accuracy, and noiselessness. It is on most canon optics. If you have STM, then this is a stepper motor, recommended for shooting videos, as it significantly reduces the accompanying noise and vibration.
Stabilization (IS). If you have it, then you’re in luck: not a terrible slight camera shake, which often reduces the clarity and detail of the photo. The presence of a stabilizer in the order increases the price of the goods.
AF and MF – enable auto and manual focus. By the way, the focus ring itself is nearby.
We also note a rarer abbreviation, mainly belonging to fancy lens models.

Numbers I, II and III. They are of no fundamental importance, they only inform the user about the generation of optics in a particular series.
Macro – a specially designed lens for creating enlarged photos of objects, in other words – macro photography. High demands are placed on such photographic equipment in terms of lens quality, so their often high price is not surprising.
High quality – L. A category of expensive, luxury lenses equipped with low distortion glasses, they are also considered dust and moisture resistant.
Softfocus is an optic that can create softness in the frame. At the moment, it is not relevant, since photo editors are capable of any effects, including this one.
TS-E – optical instruments for creative people. Alas, the focus on them is directed only manually, there is no stabilization, but there is the possibility of tilting or shifting it. They are also called Tilt Shift lenses.

So that there are no additional questions left and to dilute the theory with a practical part, let’s analyze the Canon EF 85mm f / 1.8 USM lens. We carefully study its name, read from left to right: 1- EF, type of attachment (and compatibility) of optics and camera; 2 – 85mm, fixed focal length, while the lens can be used in portrait photography; 3 – f / 1.8, maximum open aperture, excellent aperture; and 4 – USM motor type.