The system indicates which brand of cameras this lens is designed for. Manufacturers of photographic equipment often use original mounting systems in their cameras that are not always compatible with each other; therefore, for normal use, the lens must be originally designed for the corresponding system. At the same time, note that the actual compatibility will also depend on the mount (see "Bayonet (mount)"). At the same time, one system often includes several mounts (for example, Canon and Nikon); it happens vice versa — one mount can be used in several systems at once (for example,
Micro 4/3 is used by both Olympus and Panasonic). In general, the optimal selection order is as follows: first clarify the compatibility of the lens with the system, then with a specific mount.
Also note that third-party manufacturers (who do not produce cameras and deal only with lenses) often produce models designed for several different systems at once. Such compatibility can be achieved both through a set of adapters (included in the package or sold separately), and through the release of different modifications of the same lens, differing only in mounts. The features of each such model should be specified separately.
The type of mount used to connect the lens to the camera. The name comes from the English "bayonet", meaning "bayonet" and a bayonet-type connection. Bayonet mounts are used in the vast majority of modern digital cameras due to their reliability and ease of use.
Full compatibility of the lens with the camera is guaranteed only if the types of their mounts match. Some mounts are compatible with each other via adapters, but such a connection can limit the capabilities of the lens (for example, it will make it impossible to use autofocus) and is generally not considered optimal. It is worth considering that within the same system (see above) different mounts are often used, which are also incompatible with each other.
So, the manufacturer Canon has mounts
EF-M,
EF-S,
EF,
RF,
RF-S. Leica has
Leica M,
Leica SL,
Leica TL. Nikon has
Nikon 1,
Nikon F,
Nikon Z in its arsenal. Pentax optics are equipped with
Pentax 645,
Pentax K,
Pentax Q. Samsung uses
NX-M and
NX mounts. Sony models include
Sony A and
Sony E. In addition, there are other types of mounts on the market - both branded (
Fujifilm G,
Fujifilm X,
Hasselblad H,
Sigma SA) and universal (
Four Thirds (4/3),
Micro 4/3).
Note that there are lenses that are declared compatible with several mounts at once. This “omnivorousness” can be realized in different ways. For example, some models have a non-standard mount on the lens body, and compatibility with various mounts is ensured through the use of adapters; These adapters can be included in the delivery set or purchased separately. Another option is that the lens is available in several separate modifications, each for its own mount. These details should be clarified before purchasing.
