Length or lengths printed in mm on lens

(Common acronym or term printed on cameras.)

Numeric information printed as mm (millimetres) on a lens indicates the focal length of the lens if it’s a prime (fixed focal length) lens or the focal length range if it’s a zoom lens.

For example, 85mm means that the lens is a prime lens with a focal length of 85mm. 70-200mm means that the lens is a zoom lens capable of zooming from a focal length of 70mm through to 200mm.

If the Ø symbol is printed before the numeric information then it’s an indication of filter diameter, not focal length.

cf. filter diameter (Ø), focal length, prime lens, zoom lens.

Entry last updated 2002-04-20. Term 1401 of 1487.

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