English language question

[fredjeang]

I didn't know where to put this thread,

Is there a term in english for a lens aperture mount that is continuous, I mean that does not have any clicks between each aperture value but just a continuous movement exactly like the focus ring ?

Thanks.

[Gary Brown]

I can't recall seeing any specific terms; it's usually just described if necessary. For example, here's a quote from one writeup making that distinction:

“Most old cameras had an aperture scale graduated in full stops but the aperture is continuously variable allowing selection of any intermediate aperture. Click-stopped aperture became a common feature in the 1960s; the aperture scale was usually marked in full stops, but many lenses had a click between two marks, allowing a gradation of one half of a stop.”

(Quoted from here.)

[pixjohn]

Sliding Aperture!

Most copal shutters can be switched to sliding aperture or click aperture. My Prontor shutters also had a switch to change the setting.

[Graham Mitchell]

I've seen the term 'continuous aperture'.

[LKaven]

You would say that the aperture is "continuously variable".  That's a term that is applied in engineering to a number of things, including transmissions and potentiometers.  It should be immediately understandable to English speakers. 

[uaiomex]

I understand "No detents". Does that mean too that the device is "infinitely variable"?
Eduardo

You would say that the aperture is "continuously variable".  That's a term that is applied in engineering to a number of things, including transmissions and potentiometers.  It should be immediately understandable to English speakers. 

[BJNY]

Stepless

[fredjeang]

Yes I also seen stepless.

English is a wonderfull language with so many ways to express a same idea as it appears here.

Thanks for all your imputs.

[Doug Peterson]

I've also seen "continuos aperture" more than the other phrases here (all of which of course would mean the same thing, but I believe are in less common usage).

[Paul Barker]

As well as the above terms, in the video world, I've often seen it referred to as 'de-clicking the iris'. There are a few specialist companies who mod still lenses for video use. i.e. http://www.ducloslenses.com/Duclos_Lenses/Cinemod.html

[mediumcool]

You would say that the aperture is "continuously variable".  That's a term that is applied in engineering to a number of things, including transmissions and potentiometers.  It should be immediately understandable to English speakers. 

Luke has it.