Lens Calculator

The tool helps you find the right lenses and the necessary accessories for your optical system. To start the calculation, please fill in the input fields as precisely as possible. The calculator strictly follows predefined parameters. This means that even slight variations – as little as 0.1 mm – can lead to potentially suitable lenses being excluded from the results.

 

• Input Your Parameters: Specify your sensor, object width/height, working distance, and/or desired magnification.
• Select Mount & Filter: Define your camera mount and any optical filters you intend to use.
• Calculate Solutions: The system instantly computes and displays a list of compatible Schneider-Kreuznach lenses.
• Detailed Accessory Chains: For each lens solution, view the precise accessory chain required, including extension tubes, adapters, and Unifoc systems.
• Explore & Export: Compare solutions, view technical drawings, download datasheets and STEP files, and save your complete calculation as a PDF.

• Sensor: Select your camera sensor from the list (standard formats, specific manufacturer models, or enter a custom size).
• Working Distance (WD): Ensure the dropdown is set to "WD" and enter your desired working distance in millimeters. This is the distance from the front edge of the lens to the object.
• Object Width / Height: Define the dimensions of the area you want to capture. One value is sufficient.

Based on this input, the calculator determines the required magnification and searches for suitable lenses. This mode is ideal if you have a fixed working distance and need to achieve a specific field of view.

• Sensor: Select your camera sensor.
• Working Distance (WD): Enter the desired working distance (set dropdown to "WD"). You may also leave this field blank, which will provide a larger list of possible lenses.
• Magnification: Enter the desired optical magnification. The object width and height fields will be deactivated, as they are implied by the magnification.

This mode is useful when magnification is a key requirement for your application and the working distance is also important.

• Sensor: Select your camera sensor.
• Focal Length (FL): Change the dropdown next to the working distance field from "WD" to "Focal length", and enter the desired focal length of the lens.
• Object Width / Height or Magnification: Complete your input either by specifying your object’s dimensions or by directly entering the required magnification.

This mode is especially useful if you already have a specific focal length in mind or want to work with specific lens types and determine the resulting working distance.

• Camera Mount: Choose your camera’s mount type (e.g., C-Mount, F-Mount). For many common mounts, the flange distance (distance from the camera’s mounting flange to the sensor) is automatically filled into the "Camera Flange (mm)" field and set to read-only.
• Custom Mounts: If your mount does not have a predefined flange distance (e.g., M42x1), please enter the flange distance manually.
• Optical Filters: If you wish to use an optical filter (e.g., bandpass), select it from the list. The calculator will include it in the accessory setup and recommend the appropriate filter size.

After entering all relevant parameters, click "Calculate system".

• Results Table: The calculator will display a list of potentially suitable lenses. Key parameters such as effective focal length, resulting magnification, required extension rings, effective working distance, flange focal distance, object-to-image distance, and object-to-camera distance are clearly shown.
• Accessory Chain: Click on the name of a lens (indicated by a "+" symbol) to view the detailed accessory chain for the selected optical setup. This expanded view shows all components in sequence, from the (optional) filter to the lens, any extension rings or adapters, and the camera mount.
• UNIFOC Options (if available): For lenses requiring a UNIFOC focusing helicoid (e.g., PYRITE series), a dropdown will appear here. You can choose between different UNIFOC types, which affect focus range and total system length. The table and accessory chain update accordingly.