6 minute read
Lens Names Explained
Your guide to understanding Fujinon lens names and what they tell you about X Series and GFX System lens features
If you are new to photography, lens names can be confusing. However, while all those letters and numbers might seem intimidating at first, once you learn what they mean, they become very helpful.
In this article, we will decode Fujinon lens names, breaking them down into sections and providing a comprehensive guide to what each part means, what the letters stand for, and what features they represent.
Before we begin, it is important to note that Fujinon is the brand name given to all our first-party optics, so it precedes every camera lens made by the Fujifilm family.
How to read lens names
As you can see in Figure 1, lens names can be split into four different sections. Each of these sections represents a different aspect of the lens’s specification. Below we explain them in more detail and outline how they may vary.
1. Lens Series
Fujifilm interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras are split into two formats: X Series and GFX System. The fundamental difference is that X Series cameras use an APS-C imaging sensor, while GFX System cameras use a larger format sensor. This means they use different lens mounts, namely X Mount and G Mount.
The letters found in section one represent the lens series. This provides information on the camera format and lens mount that the lens is compatible with, as follows:
XF = X Series lens
Mount: X Mount
Example: FUJINON XF23mmF2 R WR
XC = X Series Compact lens
Mount: X Mount
Example: FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ
MKX = X Series Cinema lens
Mount: X Mount
Example: FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9
GF = GFX System lens
Mount: G Mount
Example: FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR
FUJIFILM X-H2S featuring the X-Trans CMOS 5 HS APS-C sensor
2. Focal length
Section two states the lens’s focal length in millimeters. From this section it is also possible to determine whether the optic is a prime lens or zoom lens. A prime lens will include a single focal length, such as ‘50mm’. A zoom lens will include a variable focal range, such as ‘18-55mm’.
Examples: FUJINON XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR (prime) and FUJINON XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS (zoom)
Photo 2022 © Alison Conklin | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF20-35mmF4 R WR, 1/125 sec at F4, ISO 400
3. Maximum Aperture
Section three states the maximum aperture of the lens, which has a direct effect on how much light is transmitted. Aperture is measured in F-stops – hence the preceding letter ‘F’.
For zoom lenses, the aperture can be shown as a single value or an aperture range. This makes it possible to determine whether the lens has a constant aperture or variable aperture.
With variable aperture lenses, generally light gathering capability ramps down as the user zooms in from wide to telephoto. For example, with XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS; at 18mm the maximum aperture is F2.8, at 35mm the maximum aperture is F3.6, and at 55mm the maximum aperture is F4.
Examples: FUJINON XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR (constant) and FUJINON XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS (variable)
For cinema lenses, light transmission is measured in T-stops, hence the inclusion of the letter ‘T’ in cinema lens names. Filmmaking requires much more accurate light transmission measurement than photography, therefore a T-stop is a measurement of the amount of light actually hitting the camera’s sensor, rather than the size of the aperture in the lens.
Example: FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9
Photo 2022 © Alison Conklin | FUJIFILM GFX50S II and FUJINON GF20-35mmF4 R WR, 1/320 sec at F4, ISO 500
4. Lens Features
The letters listed in section four represent the additional features the lens possesses, which often varies between different lens models. These correspond as follows:
General:
R = Aperture ring
Example: FUJINON XF18mmF2 R
R means the lens features an external dial that allows photographers to adjust the aperture without using the dials, buttons, or menus on the camera body.
LM = Linear motor
Example: FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
LM means the lens features a linear-style motor for driving the lens’s autofocus that offers increased speed and reduced noise.
OIS = Optical Image Stabilization
Example: FUJINON XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR
OIS means the lens features a built-in image stabilization system in which gyroscopic sensors and motors are used to calculate and counteract lens movement, reducing blur caused by camera shake.
PZ = Power Zoom
Example: FUJINON XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR
PZ means the lens features an electronic zoom mechanism rather than a manual zoom ring. This helps the user achieve a smooth and consistent zoom, especially helpful when recording video.
WR = Weather Resistance
Example: FUJINON XF50mmF1.0 R WR
WR means the lens is resistant against moisture, dust particles, and certain temperatures.
Specialist:
Macro = Suitable for Macro Photography
Examples: FUJINON XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro
Macro means the lens can focus closer than regular lenses, enabling highly detailed close-up photography.
T/S = Tilt Shift
Example: FUJINON GF30mmF5.6 T/S
T/S means the lens can adjust focal plane (tilt) and perspective (shift) – great for architecture and panoramas.
APD = Apodization Filter
Example: FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R APD
APD means the lens features a built-in apodization filter that produces smoother bokeh and enhances subject separation for stunning portraiture.
TC = Teleconverter
Examples: FUJINON XF2X TC WR and FUJINON GF1.4X TC WR
TC stands for teleconverter, which can be found in the same category as lenses, but is actually a lens accessory because it cannot be used alone. Teleconverters attach between the lens and the camera to increase focal length and provide additional magnification.
Not all Fujinon lenses are compatible with teleconverters, so be sure to check the compatibility charts at the links below before making a purchase.
XF1.4X TC WR compatibility chart | XF2X TC WR compatibility chart | GF1.4X TC WR compatibility chart
Additional Notations
While not part of the official lens name, there are a number of other notations that you may have seen printed on the rim of Fujinon lenses. These are listed below:
Aspherical Lens
An aspherical lens is a lens element with a curvature that is not spherical.
Aspherical lenses make it possible to direct rays of light hitting the outside of the lens element to the same point as rays of light hitting the center of the lens element. This increases sharpness and minimizes imperfections, especially at wider apertures.
Super EBC and Nano-GI
Super Electron Beam Coating (Super EBC) is Fujifilm’s proprietary multi-layer lens coating. It is designed to minimize flare and ghosting for maximum light transmission and image quality. Additionally, you may see Nano-GI mentioned, which is a lens coating designed to improve the refractive index of the lens, increasing clarity.
⌀ = Filter Size
The ⌀ symbol on the lens rim denotes the filter size the lens is compatible with. The ⌀ symbol is always followed by a number, which is a measurement in millimeters of the filter’s diameter.
Hopefully now you have a good understanding of what Fujinon lens names mean. Browse the full lineup at the FUJIFILM Store.
If you would like to learn more, explore the rest of our Fundamentals of Photography series, or browse all the content on Exposure Center for education, inspiration, and insight from the world of photography.
