novice question: Prime lens

[richliow]

Why is prime lens called prime lens?

......why the word prime?
why not contrast lens?
why not "something something" lens?

[tunster]

Because of its FIXED focal length.

[richliow]

Originally Posted by tunster Because of its FIXED focal length.

or rather, i should ask," why the choice of the word PRIME to describe prime lens?"

[tunster]

Similar question to "Why is Compact Disc uses COMPACT to describe?" or "Why is Personal Computer uses Personal?"..... It's just a name!

[2.8photography]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_lens

"This use of the term "prime lens" is an example of a retronym. Early in photography only primary camera lenses were available, and were merely called "lenses" or "objectives". Later, "auxiliary" lenses were available, which usually fit in front of the front element of the primary, or "prime" lens."

[Churchwolf]

Originally Posted by tunster Similar question to "Why is Compact Disc uses COMPACT to describe?" or "Why is Personal Computer uses Personal?"..... It's just a name!

That's a pretty obvious question.

"Compact" disc, refers to the disc with such an huge storage capacity (for the time) being so small. ie. Compact.

A "Personal" computer is called such because with the advent of such machines it represented the first time that a single individual could affordably purchase such a machine. Hence it is a "personal" computer.

The names actually do have a meaning. That is why they were chosen.

[richliow]

Originally Posted by tunster Similar question to "Why is Compact Disc uses COMPACT to describe?" or "Why is Personal Computer uses Personal?"..... It's just a name!

Not really true, cos if a name is just a name.....
then we need nothing remotely a name.....
There must have been some tot processes which influence why Prime is used for prime lens.

[tunster]

Originally Posted by Churchwolf That's a pretty obvious question. "Compact" disc, refers to the disc with such an huge storage capacity (for the time) being so small. ie. Compact. A "Personal" computer is called such because with the advent of such machines it represented the first time that a single individual could affordably purchase such a machine. Hence it is a "personal" computer. The names actually do have a meaning. That is why they were chosen.

GOTCHA!!! I thought nobody ever understand my references....