Detents, sometimes referred to as "click-stops", represent positions on a dial at which movement is locked. Detents are a welcome addition to manual lenses where the f-stop markings can be vague in relation to the indicator on the dial.
This dial has detents at roughly every 30 degrees. One detent = a 1/3 EV change (or 1/2 or 1 EV).
Generally the lens has detents (or stops) at the standard ƒ-numbers. Newer cameras will often have electronic controls of the aperture, some kind of dial or button that you manipulate to change the setting.
Tilting the standards is a smooth and easy operation. Swings and shifts suffer a little from Toyo's overly heavy detent syndrome. The rather heavy detents can make setting very slight swing or shift movement a bit difficult.
They have index, or degree, marks so you can rotate the camera just the right amount between shots. Some even have detents every few degrees so the camera snaps into place at the exact position.
Geared controls, positive and well placed locks, spirit levels, various scales, zero detents, smooth operation, rear focussing (very important for macro work), etc.., all help. If complicated adjustments are used, a yaw-free design might help.
 See also: Camera, Film, View, Stops, Lenses
  
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