What do the letters G, ED, IF and VR stand for?
Chris says… The abbreviations on lenses seem like gobbledygook, but they are important for helping you distinguish one lens from the next. Here are some of the most common:
AF-S An autofocus (AF) lens with a silent-wave motor built into it. It ensures full AF on all Nikon D-SLRs.
D Type of autofocus lens introduced to relay distance information from the lens to the camera body to improve exposure metering. The G-type lenses also do this.
ED Extra-low Dispersion. Uses special glass to minimise colour fringing.
G Nikon lens that lacks an aperture ring (aperture is adjusted by controls on the camera itself).
IF internal focusing. The lens can focus without the length of the lens changing.
VR Vibration reduction. System built into the lens designed to compensate for camera shake.