What do ED, IF, and VR mean on Nikon 55-200mm lenses?
Asked 5/7/2015
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I’m comparing two very similar Nikon DX 55-200mm telephoto zoom lenses and I’m confused by the naming:
- Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G
- Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S VR DX IF-ED
What do the extra terms ED, IF, and VR mean, and what practical difference do they make when using the lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
4
Your confusion is understandable. The lenses are very similar indeed, as noted in comparison / review by Thom Hogan. On Nikkor lenses, "IF" is an acronym for internal focusing - so that using polarizing filters should be easier with the IF-ED lens. But the most significant (and costly) difference is actually considered to be VR, standing for Vibration Reduction, which compensates for your hands shaking, helping to keep longer exposures free from blur caused by that.
Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4390
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On Nikon lenses:
- IF = Internal Focusing. The lens focuses internally, which generally makes it easier to use accessories like polarizing filters because the front of the lens is less likely to rotate during focusing.
- ED = Extra-low Dispersion glass. This is a lens element type used to help reduce optical aberrations such as color fringing.
- VR = Vibration Reduction. This is the biggest practical difference for most users: it helps reduce blur caused by camera shake, especially at the long end of the zoom or in lower light.
So while the lenses are very similar, the VR version is usually the more significant upgrade in real-world use. The IF-ED part describes focusing design and optical construction, while VR adds image stabilization.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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