some earlier ef lenses has an 'A' after the aperture range.eg.EF 35-70,3.5-4.5A.What does it mean?

-- albert chris (a@d.com), March 02, 2002

Answers

I could be wrong (1980s were a long time ago), but I seem to recall that the letter "A" indicated the lens was AF only. That is, it lacked a manual focus ring, AF/M switch and distance window. I believe this was a cost saving measure and was only used on a few budget lenses.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), March 02, 2002.

puppy face is correct. only 2 lenses were made with this A designation and both were made between 1987-1990 they were the 100-200f4.5a and the 35-70f3.5-4.5a, these were inexpensive lenses that gave beginners the ability to afford ef lenses. the performance of these lenses was surprisingly good, although mechanically they were just so-so.

-- joe cap (joemocap@yahoo.com), March 03, 2002.