Explore our comprehensive collection of technical information that provides valuable guidance and expertise to drive your projects and initiatives. Whether you're looking for in-depth analysis, practical tutorials, or expert perspectives, our Knowledge Hub is your gateway to unlocking the knowledge you need to succeed. Learn about a wide range of topics related to lenses, optical filters, optical systems and cutting-edge technology. From understanding the intricacies of lens design to delving into the latest advances in optical engineering. Please use the search bar below to find topics and more information.
How do Schneider-Kreuznach polarization filters enhance industrial imaging and ensure reliable quality control? Opto's latest case study reveals how these high-performance filters maintain resolution, reduce reflections, and optimize optical particle analysis for precise cleaning validation.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
The best indicator of lens performance — what every buyer must consider when deciding if a specific lens will meet their vision-system needs — is found in a single number: the lens’ modulation transfer function, better known as MTF. But there’s a problem.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
This article explains why simply looking at a Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) plot is not enough to fully evaluate a lens or diagnose imaging issues. While MTF data accounts for all optical aberrations, it doesn’t reveal which specific aberrations are affecting the image. To achieve optimal optical performance, understanding individual aberrations is crucial. The article also discusses various types of aberrations like spherical and chromatic, how they vary with lens settings, and the importance of using ray aberration plots for more accurate analysis.
Learn moreFor pharmaceutical and medical imaging applications there are unique challenges for optics and lens manufacturers. Starting from product lifecycles to DIN ISO Norms.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
The perfect lens may not always be immediately available, which can lead to difficult decisions such as delaying the project for a custom solution or compromising on specifications. A new approach is required: concurrent engineering. By involving experts from the beginning, we can avoid costly trade-offs and fully realise our innovative designs. Let us prioritise the lens and collaborative design to ensure smoother projects with greater potential.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
Technical data sheets for optical lenses are not standardized, allowing vendors to present data in any way they choose, potentially leading to misleading claims and preventing fair comparisons. Generic terms like MTF often lack clarity about what they measure and how they're calculated, leaving buyers to decipher. Even when specifications are governed by standards such as ISO or DIN, they're often poorly understood and leave significant leeway.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
Discover the truth behind the "megapixel" lens myth. By exposing the misconceptions perpetuated by leading manufacturers, we clarify the meaningless nature of this term and empower you to make informed choices for your camera setup. Join us as we demystify lens specifications and uncover the critical parameters that are essential to maximising your camera's potential.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Gregory Hollows
Continuing advances in high-resolution sensors with higher pixel densities and smaller pixels are challenging optics manufacturers to produce lenses with increased performance. To understand how lenses can affect the performance of imaging systems, it is necessary to grasp the physics behind diffraction, lens aperture, focal length, and the wavelength of light.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Gregory Hollows
With pixel sizes of CCD and CMOS image sensors becoming smaller, system integrators must pay careful attention to their choice of optics.
Learn moreBy Dr. Rolf Wartmann
In the last few years, the techniques of noncontact optical measuring technology have experienced a tremendously rapid increase. This has come about, in the first place, because the use of electronic image processing has made it possible to automate whole chains of processes. In the wake of this development, the object-side telecentric lenses have become more and more widely accepted. Their ability to form an image independent of its distance, but always with the same size, is the basic precondition for a successful automatized measurement process. While object-sided telecentrics moved into the center of attention, the image side, i.e., the area between the lens and the camera, disappeared almost completely from view. At the same time, the organization of this side is just as important for highly exact measurement technology as that of the object side.
Learn moreBy Michael Haag
In our pursuit of product improvement, we have ventured into a new path of surface-coating technology. This approach provides novel possibilities for coating optical elements.
Learn moreBy Dr. Karl Lenhardt
Dive into our comprehensive guide as we explore the critical factors to consider when choosing a lens. From image quality to features and beyond, we'll equip you with the knowledge you need to make the right choice for your imaging needs.
Learn moreBy Lothar Völker and Michael Schulz-Grosser
To minimize disruptive reflection losses, optical components such as lenses and eyeglasses are now equipped with highly effective antireflective coatings. However, the measurement methods used in quality control using scanning spectrophotometers are often non-destructive in practice and can hardly be used at arbitrary locations on a curved surface. A special measurement head design in conjunction with a diode array spectrometer provides a solution.
Learn moreBy Stuart W. Singer and Jim Sullivan
The human eye perceives wavelengths between 0.400 μm (blue) and 0.700 μm (red) as white light. Standard lenses are optimized for white light, but issues can arise with non-white light sources in digital camera-based vision systems. Defining lighting requirements early is crucial. A case example using a 75 mm f/3.0 lens is discussed, focusing on selecting wavelengths and achieving desired modulation transfer function (MTF) values.
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