---
title: "What is the difference between auto iris and direct drive lenses?"  
description: "What is the difference between auto iris and direct drive lenses?"  
author: "Mukul Goenka"  
published: 2022-05-24  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97590/what-is-the-difference-between-auto-iris-and-direct-drive-lenses  
category: "troubleshooting"  
tags: ["troubleshooting", "cctv camera"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is the difference between auto iris and direct drive lenses?

What is the [difference](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/398/difference-between-object-type-and-var-type) between [auto](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/95900/know-about-chevrolet-silverado-rst-engine) iris and [direct](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104491/what-is-the-impact-of-the-direct-benefit-transfer-scheme) drive lenses?

## Answers

### Answer by Hitesh Vohra

- An **Auto Iris lens** adjusts its iris automatically in response to changes in scene illumination levels. An amplifier drives the motor that opens and shuts the iris by processing a little electronic signal that changes with the light level.
- This Amplifier is not present in a **Direct Drive 'DD'** lens, and it can only be used with a camera that has one.
- The possible output options will be listed in a camera's datasheet.
- Because the driving amplifier is in the camera, the smallest auto-iris lenses have few circuitry within. These 'direct drive' (DD) lenses feature a built-in cable that connects to the camera and usually has a square 4-pin connector port.

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**Read More: [What is video termination?](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97592/what-is-video-termination)**


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97590/what-is-the-difference-between-auto-iris-and-direct-drive-lenses

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