Of and relating to the specifics of lens construction and manufacture.
Questions tagged [lens-design]
267 questions
23
votes
2 answers
Are there any secrets in lens design?
Lens manufacturers usually share diagrams like this for their products. However, they conspicuously omit specifications that would allow one to completely analyze the optical system, like the power of each element and the exact spacings between…
feetwet
- 3,603
- 2
- 26
- 60
10
votes
2 answers
Do cine lenses have any significant advantages for still photography?
A number of manufacturers, including Canon and Zeiss, make cine-optimised lenses for still photography mounts (e.g. EF). For reasons well-covered elsewhere, these lenses are stupendously expensive, mostly for reasons which aren't particularly…
Philip Kendall
- 21,867
- 6
- 67
- 101
3
votes
1 answer
What focal length make compact lens design easiest?
What is the focal length where it is easiest to build compact lenses?
I have seen, when looking for compact lenses for several systems, that they tend to be in the normal to moderate wide angle range. With both shorter and longer focal length lenses…
lijat
- 1,591
- 1
- 14
- 26
3
votes
2 answers
Why are lenses like the 40mm small and lightweight, but get larger and heavier as they get wider or narrower?
The 40mm/2.8 seems to be the smallest lens one can make.
Also, why are f/2.8 lenses small and lightweight, but get larger and heavier as they get wider or narrower?
Are these two things by physical limitation or by design? By design long long ago?…
William C
- 1,524
- 2
- 13
- 19
3
votes
4 answers
Do strongly vignetted parts of a lens imaging circle gain depth of field?
Usually, vignetting in a lens (when not caused by glass losses, intentional graded filters or sensor issues) is explained as being a consequence of the effective aperture being smaller in corner areas, due to more light hitting the lens barrel…
rackandboneman
- 7,212
- 19
- 32
2
votes
2 answers
What are the differences between pictures shot with spherical and aspherical lenses?
I read about some differences between spherical and aspherical lenses. Mostly about geometry though. I was wondering what is the difference on the pictures.
How are the pictures of an aspherical lens different?
I see some lenses being advertised as…
papadi
- 121
- 4
2
votes
1 answer
Is ROHS environmental theater the reason some lenses are only available as manual focus versions?
Classic lens designs often used glasses containing lead, thorium, cadmium and similar dopants.
These materials are rather taboo in what counts as electrical equipment and accessories in many locations these days, or at least the exemptions are…
rackandboneman
- 7,212
- 19
- 32
1
vote
1 answer
What's with these petal-shaped lens hoods?
In the last decade or so, I've seen more and more lens hoods for long lenses that aren't simply round in front. I was reminded of that by this answer, which shows the inside of a neatly packed camera bag. In particularly, here is the telephoto…
Olin Lathrop
- 17,402
- 1
- 32
- 68
-2
votes
2 answers
Is there a universal "safe" torque to use on the focus and zoom rings of all cinema lenses?
Is there a single torque amount that can be used at which all focus rings on all lenses can be moved that will allow a stepper motor to move the focus ring to adjust focus of all lenses without risking damage to any lens?
If one is designing an…
Michael C
- 175,039
- 10
- 209
- 561