Difference between revisions of "Detents"

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{{glossary}}
 
'''Detents''', sometimes referred to as '''click-stops''', are positions on a dial (or a ring around a lens - typically the [[aperture]] ring) at which the control stops readily. This is usually achieved by a captive spring-loaded ball bearing, which settles into one of a series of shallow holes in the mating part.
 
'''Detents''', sometimes referred to as '''click-stops''', are positions on a dial (or a ring around a lens - typically the [[aperture]] ring) at which the control stops readily. This is usually achieved by a captive spring-loaded ball bearing, which settles into one of a series of shallow holes in the mating part.
  
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On the other hand, the presence of detents may make it hard to select values between them.
 
On the other hand, the presence of detents may make it hard to select values between them.
 
 
{{glossary}}
 

Latest revision as of 03:25, 22 March 2023

Glossary Terms

Detents, sometimes referred to as click-stops, are positions on a dial (or a ring around a lens - typically the aperture ring) at which the control stops readily. This is usually achieved by a captive spring-loaded ball bearing, which settles into one of a series of shallow holes in the mating part.

Detents have several advantages. They allow the control to be set repeatably (that is, the position of f/8, say, is the same each time), avoiding small random errors in exposure. They may also prevent the control being accidentally moved after setting. Detents also allow the aperture ring (of a lens without automatic stop-down) to be set without taking the camera from the eye.

On the other hand, the presence of detents may make it hard to select values between them.