Abstract: A residual aberration controller arranged in the optical path of an image-forming light beam to create an aesthetic effect in an otherwise sharp image by selectively introducing residual aberrations into the wavefront of the image-forming light beam. The residual aberration controller is adjustable between a first configuration that provides either no substantial change or a relatively small aesthetic change to the otherwise sharp image and a second configuration that provides a substantial change to the sharp image to create the aesthetic effect. Aesthetic effects can include, to varying degrees, flare, bokeh, image softening, anamorphic and related effects that are desirable in certain imaging applications but that are difficult to produce in a quick and reversible manner. The residual aberration controller can be combined with almost any type of objective lens to achieve aesthetic imaging effects quickly, affordably and reversibly by a simple adjustment and without defocus.

Abstract: The objective lens has multiple focal lengths within a focal length interval and a relatively small focal-length ratio in a range from 1.05 to 2.75, and a travel-to-focal-length ratio in a range from 0.05 to 0.4. The objective lens has three main lens groups that define a negative-positive-positive optical system configuration. The first lens group has a rearward lens sub-group that is axially movable for focusing so that the lens length stays the same during focusing. The objective lenses use optical compensation rather than mechanical compensation to move between the design focal lengths each having an in-focus image. This simplifies operation while increasing reliability and reducing cost. A small set of one or more of the objective lenses can be used to replace a large set of prime lenses each having a single focal length, so that fewer lenses are needed to cover the same focal length span.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective lens systems (100LS) and methods for forming a set of anamorphic objective lens assemblies (100(i)) having different focal lengths (FLY) and that utilize a front anamorphic section (20) and a set of two or more non-anamorphic sections (50(i)). The non-anamorphic sections are optically matched to the front anamorphic section and their front ends (52) are configured to be easily attached to and detached from the back end (24) of the front anamorphic section to create the anamorphic objective lens assemblies having the different focal lengths. Because the anamorphic objective lens system uses only a single front anamorphic section and multiple non-anamorphic attachments, the cost of having multiple anamorphic objective lens assemblies is substantially reduced as compared to using individual anamorphic objective lenses for each of the desired focal lengths.

Abstract: The objective lens has multiple focal lengths within a focal length interval and a relatively small focal-length ratio in a range from 1.05 to 2.75, and a travel-to-focal-length ratio in a range from 0.5 to 0.4. The objective lens has three main lens groups that define a negative-positive-positive optical system configuration. The first lens group has a rearward lens sub-group that is axially movable for focusing so that the lens length stays the same during focusing. The objective lenses use optical compensation rather than mechanical compensation to move between the design focal lengths each having an in-focus image. This simplifies operation while increasing reliability and reducing cost. A small set of one or more of the objective lenses can be used to replace a large set of prime lenses each having a single focal length, so that fewer lenses are needed to cover the same focal length span.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective lens systems (100LS) and methods for forming a set of anamorphic objective lens assemblies (100(i)) having different focal lengths (FLY) and that utilize a front anamorphic section (20) and a set of two or more non-anamorphic sections (50(i)). The non-anamorphic sections are optically matched to the front anamorphic section and their front ends (52) are configured to be easily attached to and detached from the back end (24) of the front anamorphic section to create the anamorphic objective lens assemblies having the different focal lengths. Because the anamorphic objective lens system uses only a single front anamorphic section and multiple non-anamorphic attachments, the cost of having multiple anamorphic objective lens assemblies is substantially reduced as compared to using individual anamorphic objective lenses for each of the desired focal lengths.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective lens comprising, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group and a positive (+) spherical third lens group wherein an aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical third lens group such that the anamorphic objective lens creates a traditional elliptical bokeh of out of focus objects. Both spherical lens groups contain spherical refractive optical surfaces and the anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The negative spherical first lens group may provide focusing.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective zoom lens includes, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) power spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group, spherical third lens group preferably having positive (+) power, a variable power spherical fourth lens group and a positive (+) power spherical fifth lens group. The aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical fifth lens group. All spherical lens groups contain spherical and piano refractive optical surfaces. The anamorphic second lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The spherical first lens group may provide focusing. The variable power spherical fourth lens group provides zooming. The spherical third and fifth lens groups may provide compensation for thermal defocus.

Abstract: A high performance zoom lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The zoom lens systems includes a movable lens group and a variable power stationary lens group employing liquid optics to provide optical performance over the zoom focal length range at focus distances from close to infinity. The system also provides relatively high quality imaging capability over a wide range of focal lengths and zoom settings.

Abstract: A lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The lens system employs liquid optics to provide stabilization of an image. A liquid lens cell provides stabilization of the image. A second liquid lens cell may provide stabilization in another direction. A third liquid lens cell may liquid lens cells may provide compensation for changes in the focus position.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective lens comprising, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group and a positive (+) spherical third lens group wherein an aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical third lens group such that the anamorphic objective lens creates a traditional elliptical bokeh of out of focus objects. Both spherical lens groups contain spherical refractive optical surfaces and the anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The negative spherical first lens group may provide focusing.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective lens comprising, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group and a positive (+) spherical third lens group wherein an aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical third lens group. Both spherical lens groups contain spherical refractive optical surfaces and the anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The negative spherical first lens group may provide focusing.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective zoom lens includes, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) power spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group, spherical third lens group preferably having positive (+) power, a variable power spherical fourth lens group and a positive (+) power spherical fifth lens group. The aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical fifth lens group. All spherical lens groups contain spherical and piano refractive optical surfaces. The anamorphic second lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The spherical first lens group may provide focusing. The variable power spherical fourth lens group provides zooming. The spherical third and fifth lens groups may provide compensation for thermal defocus.

Abstract: Liquid lens cells are used in a compound variable power optical system that forms an intermediate image between the object and the final image. A first variable power optical component is located between the object and an intermediate real image. The first variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the intermediate real image. A second variable power optical component is located between the intermediate real image and the final image. The second variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the final image. At least one of the first and second variable power optical components is stationary on the optical axis and comprises at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the optical system.

Abstract: A zoom lens including, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: first lens group with negative power; an aperture stop; a second lens group with positive power; a third lens group with positive power; and a fourth lens group. The second and third lens groups and the aperture stop are axially movable for zooming. At least one lens element in the first lens group is moveable to provide for focusing. The aperture stop moves independently of the lens groups during zooming and has a clear aperture that changes size during zooming.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective zoom lens includes, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) power spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group, spherical third lens group preferably having positive (+) power, a variable power spherical fourth lens group and a positive (+) power spherical fifth lens group. The aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical fifth lens group. All spherical lens groups contain spherical and plano refractive optical surfaces. The anamorphic second lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The spherical first lens group may provide focusing. The variable power spherical fourth lens group provides zooming.

Abstract: Liquid lens cells are used in a variable power optical system. In one embodiment, the variable power optical system includes three liquid lens cell groups, wherein at least two of the lens cell groups are configured to provide a zoom function and at least one of the lens cell groups is configured to control an incident angle of light rays on an image surface.

Abstract: The anamorphic objective zoom lens includes, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) power spherical first lens group; an anamorphic lens group, spherical second lens group preferably having positive (+) power, a variable power spherical third lens group and a positive (+) power spherical fourth lens group. The aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical fourth lens group. All spherical lens groups contain spherical and plano refractive optical surfaces. The anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The spherical first lens group may provide focusing. The variable power spherical third lens group provides zooming.

Abstract: A three-mirror anastigmatic with at least one non-rotationally symmetric mirror is disclosed. The at least one non-rotationally symmetric mirror may be an electroformed mirror shell having a non-rotationally symmetric reflective surface formed by a correspondingly shaped mandrel.

Abstract: Liquid lens cells are used in a variable power optical system. In one embodiment, the variable power optical system includes three liquid lens cell groups, wherein at least two of the lens cell groups are configured to provide a zoom function and at least one of the lens cell groups is configured to control an incident angle of light rays on an image surface.

Abstract: Liquid lens cells are used in a variable power optical system. In one embodiment, a stop is located between a first lens group comprising at least a first liquid lens cell and a second lens group comprising at least a second liquid lens cell. In one embodiment, a liquid lens cell controls an incident angle of light rays on an image surface.