Linsenwert

Linsenwert is a German term that translates roughly as “lens value.” It is not a standard term in contemporary optics and is attested only sporadically in historical or niche German-language sources. The word combines Linsen (lenses) with Wert (value), and as such may function as an informal descriptor rather than a precise technical parameter.

In usage, Linsenwert appears mainly in older catalogues, handbooks, or workshop notes where it denotes an overall assessment of a lens, sometimes loosely associated with its optical performance such as sharpness, brightness, or contrast. Because there is no formal definition, its meaning varies by author and period. In modern optical engineering and photography practice, preferred terms to specify a lens’s optical power or characteristics are Brennweite (focal length) and Dioptrie (diopters), or metrics such as modulation transfer function.

Possible interpretations include: (1) refractive power of a lens approximated by its dioptric value; (2) a qualitative rating used by vendors or technicians; (3) a historically used shorthand for imaging performance. The lack of standardization means that clarification is often required when Linsenwert appears in source material.

See also: Brennweite, Dioptrie, Linsenqualität, Optik, Fotografie.