Chapter 4. THE SCIENCE OF LENSES
HOW LENSESWORK
HOW THE LENS COMMUNICATES WITH THE CAMERA
CANON LENS TECHNOLOGIES
FOCAL LENGTH AND APERTURE EFFECTS
WHAT MAKES A LENS GOOD?
WHAT IS AN MTF CHART?
©Bob Schilereff
Without a lens, a camera is little more than a light-absorbing machine incapable of producing anything really useful. In comparison to a camera's extensive and complex technology and mechanics, you might think a lens is relatively simple; however, lenses encompass a tremendous history of technological and scientific research and application that dates back to the first telescopes and microscopes invented in the 1600s.
This chapter is all about the science and technology behind how lenses work, and why they work so well. Having a basic understanding of these ideas can help you as you expand your photography skills and select new and/or better lenses for your collection.
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