Photography

Questions tagged [lens-design]

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Of and relating to the specifics of lens construction and manufacture.

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What are the production cost breakdowns for lenses?

I am very curious to know what the breakdown is for lens production costs. This information is hard to come by, and I am unable to find any reliable sources. Obviously, I can't just email Canon to ...
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user77983
7 votes
1 answer
205 views

1960s-1990s third party lenses - why was the "lowest tier" cheaper to make?

From a retrospective, it seems that there were a couple of mid-tier makers/importers like Vivitar, Sigma, Tamron, Soligor ... and that there was a plethora of small brands (for example, one brand ...
rackandboneman
  • 7,142
10 votes
3 answers
454 views

How can I know if two lenses have interchangeable elements?

This simple question might have a not so simple answer, and I want to ask it about a single lense, but assume that would be off topic, because I'd basically be asking 'should I buy this to repair my ...
Hellreaver
  • 201
4 votes
1 answer
160 views

Why do CCTV and pro camcorder lenses often have vignettes, and apertures that can be fully closed?

I noticed this on both CCTV and "TV lens" C-mount lenses. Is this for manual black level calibration, or protecting some early sensor or *icon tube style from wear, or entirely another reason? It ...
rackandboneman
  • 7,142
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why are all the mirrorless full-frame 35mm f/1.4 lenses so big?

The Sony FE, Nikon Z and Canon R mounts all have flange distances shorter than the Leica M mount, yet Leica has the compact Summilux 35m f/1.4 design whereas the above's comparably speced lenses are ...
PancakesForMe
  • 31
10 votes
4 answers
2k views

Why do prime lenses have multiple lens elements?

If I look up the specifications of my 50 mm lens, it says that it has 8 lens elements, in 7 groups. Why is this, why not just a single lens element with a 50 mm focal distance?
Orbit
  • 1,512
1 vote
4 answers
603 views

Are all prime lenses designed so that the same DoF scale applies at any focusing distance? If so, why?

This question is about the mapping between the angular position of the focusing ring and the focusing distance. This mapping could be anything but the design of prime lenses seems to be such that a ...
Come Raczy
  • 129
12 votes
3 answers
5k views

Does a large mount diameter really allow design advantages for large aperture lenses?

To keep the conversation simple, please focus only on native lens design for the mount. So with the recent Nikon mirrorless announcement, Nikon has been touting the bigger mount. I am no expert in ...
georgekhaidas
  • 121
1 vote
3 answers
552 views

What does the value of 'exit pupil' represent on a lens datasheet?

On this datasheet of the Kowa LM25HC lens I have access to, there is a number called exit pupil, which equals -57.9 mm. What does this number represent? This is not a question about what the exit ...
relatively_random
  • 283
13 votes
4 answers
5k views

How do manufacturers get to high (83x) zoom levels on hybrid cameras?

Obviously the biggest hybrid zoom on the market (Nikon Coolpix P900 I think) does not range from actual 24 mm to 2 meters in physical length, but what kind of optical systems do manufacturers use to ...
Chimel31
  • 131
5 votes
4 answers
1k views

What tiny lens to shorten the focus on a tiny camera?

I'm trying to set up a tiny camera for a tiny science experiment. The camera is an OmniVision OVM6211: It's pretty much a 3mm cube, containing the image sensor and all the lenses. It has a 90º FOV ...
Rocketmagnet
  • 153
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

What does "Di III" in a Tamron lens model name mean?

A Tamron "Di" (Digitally Integrated) lens is a lens optimized for digital cameras including those with 36x24mm 'full frame' sensors. A Tamron "Di II" (Digitally Integrated II) lens is a lens ...
Michael C
  • 172k
6 votes
3 answers
242 views

How does sensor size affect minimum front element size for a given f-stop and focal length?

Does the sensor size affect the needed size of the front element given a focal length and f-stop? My intuition tells me that a bigger image circle would require a bigger front element to maintain the ...
lijat
  • 1,571
5 votes
3 answers
703 views

Why would lens be much longer than its focal length?

I accidentally saw Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 lens and noted that it is rather large for its focal length. Here's the first review of this lens search offered - looks like it's 107 millimeters long. Given ...
sharptooth
  • 1,059
5 votes
4 answers
395 views

A thin camera and a thin lens with a large glass element

After seeing these 3D designs, I was wondering if a camera that is thin could possibly have such a large piece of glass in the lens (given the lens piece doesn't expand when powered on). As far as I ...
MicroMachine
  • 1,577
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Where can I find a mechanical drawing of the Canon EF Mount?

This is my first question-post. First of all my final goal is to build a simple but functional objective. I was inspired by this video: DIY Camera Lens (I don't hope to make something so neat the ...
tron_ccp
  • 41
1 vote
2 answers
359 views

Why do we not see super zoom lenses starting in wide angle?

While a common zoom lens might be 24-70mm and there are super zooms with ranges like 24-240mm I have yet to find a lens that starts in ultra wide angle and goes up to normal focal range. For example a ...
lijat
  • 1,571
1 vote
2 answers
353 views

Why is the kit zoom lens for Olympus so much smaller than that for Nikon?

I am currently considering buying either an Olympus OM-D EM-10 mark ii or a Nikon D3400. As a beginner I thought I would stick to the kit lenses for a while, and have seen that the specs of both kit ...
user5227744
  • 301
3 votes
1 answer
246 views

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....
lijat
  • 1,571
-2 votes
2 answers
231 views

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 ...
Michael C
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10 votes
2 answers
34k views

What is the difference between the Canon 55-250 IS II and 55-250 IS STM lenses?

I am a beginner in DSLR, and would like to purchase another lens other than the kit lens (18-55mm STM) that came with my Rebel T5i/D700. After much googling, and reading of blogs, I have decided to ...
kaushal
  • 111
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

50mm mirror lens. Does one exist?

I like the bokeh and limitations of mirror lenses. I however, also love my 50mm 1.4. Does a 50mm mirror lens exist? I searched but could not find one. If not 50mm what is the closest to 50mm one can ...
10 Replies
  • 549
2 votes
1 answer
191 views

What type of lens element is this?

I pulled apart a microscope objective lens to clean it. I was using it to take photos and noticed they were coming out blurry/cloudy. Turns out the first two lens elements were "cemented" together. ...
voices
  • 615
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

Why do lenses for larger sensors tend to have shallower angles?

Why do different (mirrorless) cameras + provided lenses all seem to end up with a 24 mm 35-mm-equivalent focal length? The fixed-lens Canon Powershot G5X has a 1" sensor (actually 8.80 mm high) with ...
gerrit
  • 1,490
1 vote
2 answers
358 views

How would apodization impact landscape photography?

I'm considering purchasing the Sony FE 100mm f2.8 STF GM OSS which just looks and feels incredible to me. I haven't been able to find any reviews, articles, or conversations though discussing the ...
RyanFromGDSE
  • 2,447
1 vote
3 answers
325 views

Is focal length internal or external? [duplicate]

I just wanted to check because I've encountered various distinctly different assertions. I was originally taught that focal length referred to the optimum distance from subject| ←→|lens, where ...
voices
  • 615
4 votes
1 answer
781 views

Helios 44 M - knurled knob with red W or M marking - purpose?

Edit: question modified for future googlers after discovering it's an M not a W. I recently bought one of the many varieties of tricked-up Helios you can find on eBay - fake anamorphic bokeh & ...
Tetsujin
  • 21.6k
1 vote
1 answer
151 views

Why is Auto on aperture rings near the smallest aperture?

This is something that has puzzled me for a while and it always seems counter-intuitive. When a lens has an aperture ring with an auto position (A), it is always (at least on 3 systems that I have ...
Itai
  • 102k
1 vote
0 answers
122 views

What causes swirling in bokeh? [duplicate]

The East German antique lens, Zeiss Biotar 75mm, is famous for producing a swirling, water-like bokeh as illustrated in the photo below: What optical materials and/or design cause this effect, which ...
Clickety Ricket
  • 1,814
0 votes
2 answers
665 views

What does "Kit DFIN III" means in CANON EOS 750D?

I have search around for "Kit DFIN III", but didnot find any reference. What is the difference between CANON EOS 750D Kit DFIN III SLR 24.2 Megapixel with lens 18-55 mm f / 5.6, 7.7 cm Touchscreen, ...
JharPaat
  • 103
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why did typical number of iris blades decrease from the 1950s to the 1970s and 80s?

I have in my collection a number of 1950s "silver" lenses, and they all have a high number of iris blades: 10, some even 12. On the other hand lenses from the end of manual focus era (late 1970s to ...
Jindra Lacko
  • 5,960
0 votes
6 answers
648 views

Why is there no lens that is perfect for any situation? [duplicate]

My friend was talking about the 28mm, 70mm, and 200mm Nikon primes that he considers to be the "holy trinity" of lenses. Another friend asked why not just make a single 28-200mm zoom lens instead? I ...
Ryan
  • 1,135
7 votes
3 answers
8k views

What's the opposite of a fisheye lens?

A fisheye lens is an extremely wide-angle lens that is purposely designed to have extreme barrel distortion. Is there such a thing as a lens purposely designed to have pincushion distortion? What ...
MathematicalOrchid
  • 2,797
5 votes
2 answers
266 views

Do lens optics/formulas, of the same lens model number, get updated as it is being produced?

Context I've noticed that the Nikon 105/2.5 has a long history of having many different versions from Sonnar v Gauss design to coatings and different blade counts for the aperture. Most of these ...
unsignedzero
  • 2,043
1 vote
2 answers
265 views

What are the technical limitations that prevent lens manufacturers from producing 70-300mm f2.8?

70-300 f2.8 lenses don't seem to exist. What are the reasons behind that?
Taiki
  • 113
2 votes
3 answers
6k views

Are there any 24-70 2.8 lens with no length change in zooming?

I'm planning to buy a 24-70 f/2.8 lens for my Canon 7D. I need a lens that won't increase its length while zooming (like the Canon 70-200mm series). Is there such a lens in any brand?
Bineesh
  • 143
3 votes
1 answer
622 views

Is there any rhyme or reason to the order of zoom and focus rings on lenses?

I have 3 zoom lenses, 2 Nikkors & a Tamron. AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR [the kit lens] Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD MACRO 1:2 All except the 24-...
Tetsujin
  • 21.6k
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the highest (slowest) f-number in a produced lens?

Kind of what it says on the tin. There's plenty of questions on Photography.SE about the fastest lens out there, but let's go the other way - what's the highest (non-infinite) f-number on a production ...
Sebastian Lenartowicz
  • 235
0 votes
1 answer
878 views

Is there a List of Canon EF Push/Pull zoom lenses?

Is there a list of all push/pull zooms that Canon has manufactured for the EF mount? I do know the following ones: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6 ...
bardiir
  • 183
8 votes
3 answers
3k views

What are groups and elements in lenses?

I hear people talking about groups and elements in lenses, but I am not sure what they mean. Could someone please explain?
L.Halfpenny
  • 513
10 votes
5 answers
2k views

Is a two-prime lens possible? E.g. 35mm and 50mm

I really like prime lenses for their simplicity, zooming with my feet. I prefer it to a zoom lens because of this simplicity. But I do carry both a 35mm and 50mm because I do two different things ...
Igor Nadj
  • 315
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why do some telephoto zoom lenses physically extend while others don't?

The kit lens that came with my canon is an 18-135mm lens, but I hardly ever use it because I prefer my prime lens (I know a lot more about prime lenses than zoom lenses). One of my friends has a 24-...
Ryan
  • 1,135
1 vote
1 answer
332 views

Which lens coatings reduce internal reflection?

I've used the Pentax Super Takumar 50 f1.4 and love the lens but notices that in certain lightning situations I get a yellow blur in the shape of the a lens blade. Using my hand I can sometimes stop ...
unsignedzero
  • 2,043
9 votes
4 answers
1k views

What motivated lens makers to now use 1/3 f-stops rather than say 1/4 or 1/2 stops?

I've noticed that many older lens have just hard f-stops for lens (2, 2.8, etc). However, since the aperture wheel for some is continuous you can "stop" are some arbitrary point and shoot. From my ...
unsignedzero
  • 2,043
2 votes
1 answer
239 views

What would be the reason to not include VR/IS in a telephoto lens?

A recently released Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED doesn't have VR. It surprises me a lot. I understand that there is little interest in having VR/IS in fast 35mm or 50mm lenses, but here, we are talking ...
Arseni Mourzenko
  • 4,378
1 vote
1 answer
462 views

Why do old-school catadioptric lenses have a fixed aperture?

Pretty much what it says on the tin. As far as I can tell, catadioptric telephoto lenses (operating on a similar principle to many telescopes; using mirrors rather than refraction) fell out of favour ...
Sebastian Lenartowicz
  • 235
3 votes
3 answers
332 views

What's the purpose of these notches where the front of the lens case meets the side?

Here's a close-up of a Leica DC Vario Summilux. Note where the arrow points. This part is not movable—it's just a part of the lens's casing structure. The side surface is crossed by the front surface ...
sharptooth
  • 1,059
3 votes
1 answer
448 views

Limits of camera lens capabilities [closed]

I read that the canon 35mm f/2 IS is the lowest aperture lens that also has IS. Is this because a stabilizer at any lower F-stop is not possible, or just because it is just currently outside of our ...
Ryan
  • 1,135
10 votes
4 answers
3k views

What is the advantage of a lens with a curved focal plane?

In this answer it is noted that: many lenses intended specifically for portraits or fisheye lenses, are designed to have a spherical field of focus What advantages does having a spherical (or ...
Philip Kendall♦
  • 20.5k
1 vote
1 answer
179 views

What is the difference between these lenses? [duplicate]

I was looking at Canon lenses and I saw that there were a lot of different 35mm f/1.4 lenses that varied greatly in price and I'd like to know why there is such a huge range of prices for a single ...
Ryan
  • 1,135

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