What does “Non-Mfg” mean for lenses on used camera sites?

Asked 4/3/2012

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I saw categories like “Non-Mfg Zoom Lenses” and “Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Length Lenses” on a used gear site. What does “Non-Mfg” mean in this context?

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Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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It's short for "non-manufacturer". Of course, all lenses have a manufacturer — you can't grow them on trees! — but the expression means that the lens manufacturer is different from the company that makes the cameras the lens is designed for.

This is also known as "third party" (the "first party" being the company and the "second party" being you — or maybe the other way around; in any case "third" is definitely some other company).

If you're looking for lenses for Pentax K mount, for example, lenses made by Tamron, Tokina, or Sigma would be in the "non-mfg" category.

Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1943

14y ago

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

“Non-Mfg” means the lens was not made by the same manufacturer as the camera system it fits. In other words, it refers to a third-party lens.

For example, if you’re shopping for Canon, Nikon, or Pentax-mount lenses, brands like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina would be listed as “Non-Mfg” because they make compatible lenses but are not the camera brand itself.

So:

“Mfg” = the camera system’s own manufacturer
“Non-Mfg” = another company making a compatible lens

“Non-Mfg Zoom Lens” means a third-party zoom lens, and “Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Length Lens” means a third-party prime lens.

What does “Non-Mfg” mean for lenses on used camera sites?

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