What do the Nikon lens letters “D” and “G” mean?
Asked 12/27/2010
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I’m comparing Nikon lenses such as the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G. What do the “D” and “G” designations mean, and why does that matter when choosing or using the lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
G means "gelded" which means there is no aperture ring and so the aperture can only be adjusted on the camera itself. D means "distance information" and helps the camera to know what it is focusing on based on distance.
Originally by user706. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user706
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On Nikon lenses, D and G refer to different features:
- D = Distance information. A D-type lens reports subject distance information to the camera, which can help with exposure/flash metering.
- G = a lens without an aperture ring. Aperture is controlled only from the camera body.
Why it matters:
- A G lens depends on the camera for aperture control, so compatibility with older bodies can be more limited.
- A D lens includes distance reporting, which can be useful for metering, especially with flash.
These letters do not by themselves tell you everything about autofocus motor type, optical quality, or whether one lens is “better” overall—they mainly describe those specific design features.
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