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 Latent ImageThe exposed but undeveloped image on a digital photosensitive surface.
LatitudeHow much variation an emulsion allows while still delivering acceptable exposures, i.e. how "forgiving" a film is to exposure error or deliberate under and over exposure. Also applied to the range of brightness, including shadow detail, that a film can record in a single image before the highlights are washed out or the shadows become muddy.
LCDLiquid Crystal Display. An information display method. Usually used for external Displays on cameras, speedlights or other electronic devices like flat screen computer monitors.
Leaf ShutterCamera shutter located in the lens. Utilizes a spring with the aperture control device to control the exposure time. Useful because it can be synched with a flash at any speed.
LEDLight Emitting Diode. An information display method. Usually used for viewfinder displays since it can be seen in the dark.
LensAn optical device used to control and focus light.
Lens CoatingsThin anti-reflective materials applied to the surface of a lens in one or multiple layers, to help reduce light reflection and increase amount of transmitted light. Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC) has been improved to Nikon Super Integrated Coating (NSIC) to further enhance the performance of its optical lens elements. This new multi-layer lens coating helps to reduce ghosting and flare to a negligible level, minimizes reflection in the wider wavelength range and achieves superior color balance and reproduction. Especially effective for lenses with a large number of elements, like our Zoom-Nikkors.
Lens Drive SystemsThere are two different types of AF lens drive systems offered: One system utilizes a motor located inside the camera, which autofocuses the lens via a drive shaft. The other system, utilizes a motor inside the lens.
Lens Hood/ShadeA lens addition, ring or tube in front of the lens used to minimize lens "flare" or unwanted light from reaching the lens.
Lens SpeedRefers to the maximum aperture of a lens. One with a wide aperture is called "fast". e.g. a f/1.4 lens, transmitting more light than a "slow" lens, e.g. a f/5.6 lens.
(Visible) LightRadiated energy which forms that portion of the spectrum visible to the human eye, from 400 nanometers in the ultraviolet frontier to 700 in the infra-red boundary.
Light BoxA device for viewing film. Constructed of a light source (usually sunlight balanced fluorescent) behind a glass or plastic surface on which the film is placed for viewing.
Light MeterA light sensitive device used for evaluating the amount of light in a scene for exposure. There are four types: Incidental meter, reflective meter, flash meter and spot meter
LoupeA small magnifying glass for viewing slides, negatives and contact sheets. Commonly 8X to 10X.
Low KeyAs applied to an image, it refers to one with overall dark tones. A good low key image nevertheless shows detail and contrast.
LuminanceThe brightness of a surface determined by the amount of light it emits or reflects.
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M/AFocusing mode on some AF-Nikkor lenses allowing for switching from automatic to manual focusing with virtually no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring on the lens.
Macro photographyCommonly, close up digital photography. Specifically, any digital photography where the level of magnification is 1:1 (life-size) or larger. A Nikkor lens capable of this magnification or thereabout has a "Micro" designation. When the magnification is still considerable but smaller than 1:2, e.g. 1:4, it is said to have "Macro" capability.
Manual CameraA camera without autofocus capability. AF lenses can be used on them but will required to be focused by hand.
Manual ModeMode by which the Auto capabilities of an Auto body are disabled and the user is free to manually set both aperture and shutter speed by himself, guided by the meter if he chooses to do so.
MagnificationThe size of an image relative to that of the subject as expressed in a ratio.
Matte FieldA textured surface that disperses light to form a clear image, and is used in viewfinder optical systems.
Matrix MeteringAdvanced camera exposure metering system. Digital Cameras with this metering mode use a multi segment sensor a computer and an extensive scene data bank. A great method to insure a high success probability to correct exposure under most lighting situations. Contrary to popular belief, this includes backlit subjects and tricky scenes with the sun in them.
MediaMaterial that information is written to and stored on. Digital photography storage media includes CompactFlash cards and CDs.
MegabyteA measurement of data storage equal to 1024 kilobytes (KB).
MegapixelOne million pixels
MeterAny measuring device. In digital photography it usually refers to a light meter although it could refer to a color meter.
MicroprismA small number of prisms located on the focusing screens. The microprisms break down out-of-focus images into small segments and appears fuzzy, allowing focusing on subjects without distinct lines.
Micro Nikkor LensA Nikkor lens specifically designed for high magnification macro digital photography, distortion free, capable of a ratio between 1:1 (life size) and 1:2, unaided by other accessories.
Mirror LensA lens, which uses mirrors, as well as lens optics to control and focus an image. Usually a telephoto lens. These catadioptric lenses were designed to allow for shorter barrels.
Mirror LockupA function to manually bring the reflex mirror up to further reduce camera shake or vibration, eliminating the "slap" of the mirror at the time of exposure.
ModeType of exposure method used by a camera, e.g., Manual mode (M), Aperture Priority mode (A), picture mode, flash mode, etc.
MonochromaticTending towards one color.
MonopodSingle legged camera support. Good substitution for handholding, never for a tripod.
Motor DriveA device for automatically wind and rewind the film in a camera. Most contemporary cameras have them built-in. Also called motor winders or speed winders.
MTFModulation Transfer Function. Basically the comparison between a graph with a set of lines, gradually increasing in width and spacing, and the reproduced image made with the lens tested for performance. One of standard tests made by lens manufacturers.
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NASNikon acquisition Syndrome, It is manifested by a feverish desire to own everything and anything which has a Nikon logo. Five decades of research have found no cure, not even acute pauperism, a heavy handed spouse, or hypnosis work. Post-hypnotic suggestions such as "Will it make you a better digital photographer?" get soon discarded as irrelevant when not idiotic, making the victim inmune to common vaccines such as logic, some strong home remedies and witchcraft.
NDNeutral Density. Term used to describe filters that absorb all visible light to a given degree. Not having a color effect, they can be used both in color and B&W photography.
NegativeA processed piece of film where the image is reversed so that the shadows are light and the highlights are dark.
Neutral Density FilterA dark filter that attaches to a lens in order to control the amount of light reaching the film.
Newton RingsColored, ring-shaped patterns that appear between two transparent tightly pressed surfaces like glass or film. Caused by moisture between the surfaces refracting the light.
Ni-CdNickel-Cadmium, or Ni-Cad, rechargeable battery that should be completely discharged before it is recharged.
Ni-MHNickel Metal Hydride rechargeable battery that does not need to be completely discharged before it can be recharged.
Normal LensA lens where the focal length is approximately equal to the diagonal of the film size it's being used for. This is also representative of the field of view of human sight. In 35mm format it is approximately 50mm, in medium format approximately 90mm, in 4x5 approximately 200mm.
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OrthochromaticRelating to, or producing tone values of light and shade in a digital photo that correspond to natural tones. Also, sensitive to all colors except red.
OTFOff-the-Film meter reading that measures light reflected from the surface of the film during exposure.
Over-ExposureLight sensitive material that has been exposed to more light than desirable for a good image.
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PanchromaticPhoto material that is sensitive to all colors that the human eye can perceive.
PanningThe act of following a moving subject with the camera while releasing the shutter.
PanoramicIn digital photography, an image proportionally more rectangular than a 35mm film frame. Also, a type of camera for exposing film in a panoramic format.
ParallaxIn rangefinder cameras, the difference between the image seen by the lens and the viewfinder. The discrepancy increases as the subject moves closer to the camera. This does not occur in SLR cameras
PC Nikkor LensA specialized lens for architectural digital photography, with perspective control through barrel lateral shifting relative to the film or sensor plane, eliminating the need for the camera to be tilted, to maintain vertical lines parallel, without converging or Keystoning.
PentaprismA prism in an SLR camera that allows the digital photographer to view the image while it is being focused.
PerspectiveThe visual representation of three-dimensional space in a two dimensional medium. Three dimensions are implied by converging lines and a focal point.
PhotofloodTungsten light source with a metal reflector. Typically either 5500K or 3200K.
PhotographyFrom the Greek digital photos and Graphos, light writing or writing with light. The mix of art, craft and science for the creation of images on a light sensitive surface (such as film or a CCD).
PICTA Macintosh graphic imaging file format using a pct extension (*.pct). May contain object-oriented and bitmapped graphics.
Pinhole CameraA camera with a fixed aperture made by poking a hole in a piece of metal. Usually made from a small enclosed container such as an oatmeal box or small tin.
PixelContraction of Picture and Element. Any of the small discrete elements that together constitute an image (as on a computer or television screen or CRT), or any of the detecting elements of a charge-coupled device used as an optical sensor in a digital camera. Each one has a specific color and is contiguous to the next to form a color image.
PlaneAn imaginary line, flat area or field which lies perpendicular to the optical axis.
PolarizationUse of polarizing filters to control the direction light travels. The effects are minimizing glare and reflections and saturation of colors, especially in landscapes.
Polarizing FilterTwo pieces of polarizing material which rotate on an axis so that the polarizing effect can be increased or decreased.
Portrait LensUsually a lens with a moderately long focal length (80 to 135mm in 35mm cameras). Sometimes they have slight diffusing glass.
PositiveA digital photo image in which the light areas correspond to light areas in the subject, and the dark areas correspond to the shadow areas in the subject. Also called a slide, transparency or color reversal.
PosterizationBanding or lack of continuous tones in an image. Can be a deliberate effect or, more commonly, a result of over-manipulation or compression in a digital image.
PPIPixels per square inch. The greater the number, the better the image quality.
Preset FocusThe act of focusing at a predetermined distance to shoot a moving subject as it goes by the focus point. A technique employed with both manual lenses and when locking focus with auto lenses in anticipation of fast moving subjects. Freeze Focus is a feature by which the shutter is automatically actuated when the subject reaches the preset focus point.
Primary ColorsRed, yellow and blue, the three colors which combined make white light.
Prime LensA lens with a single, fixed focal length; not a zoom lens.
Principal PointA point from where the focal length of the lens is measured. Normally located at the center of the lens. However, compound lenses have two principal points, and the location of these principal points cannot be determined by appearance.
PrismA piece of transparent material (i.e., glass or plastic) that is capable of bending light.
ProcessingIn photography, chemical process where a latent photographic image is converted to a stable visible image.
ProjectorA device used to enlarge images by focusing light through them onto a flat surface.
PullingTo overexpose and underdevelop film to effectively reduce its speed.
PushingTo underexpose and overdevelop film it to effectively increase its speed.
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QVGAQuarter Video Graphics Array. A reduced resolution of 320x240 pixels occupying a very small amount of storage space. Practical size for capturing sequences of 30fps.
Quasi-fisheyeA lens or lens attachment producing an image that covers the entire frame.
A true fisheye lens circular image is completely within the frame.
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