Lenses & optics
Lenses & optics guides
Focal length, field of view, telecentric optics, mounts and resolution: picking the lens that makes the measurement possible.
Lenses & optics · Explainer
SWIR lens and UV lens basics: what changes outside visible light
Why a SWIR lens or UV lens differs from a visible lens: glass transmission, coatings, focus shift, diffraction and pixel size, and when a normal lens is enough.
Lenses & optics · Guide
M12 lens selection for board cameras: format, focal length and IR cut
Choose an M12 (S-mount) lens for a board camera: sensor format, focal length, fixed aperture, distortion, IR cut filters, chief ray angle and focus locking.
Lenses & optics · Explainer
360 degree inspection lens: inner wall, outer wall and bore imaging
How 360 degree inspection lenses image the outer wall of a cylinder or the inside of a bore in one shot, how to unwrap the ring image, and their size limits.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Lens sensor format: 1/1.8 inch, 2/3 inch and 1 inch lenses explained
What 1/1.8, 2/3, 1 and 1.1 inch lens formats really measure, how to match a machine vision lens to your sensor, and what the megapixel rating means.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Large format machine vision lens: M58 and M72 for 65 MP and up
How to pick a lens for 31 to 151 MP cameras: image circle vs sensor diagonal, M42, M58, M72 and F-mount, flange back length mismatches and focal length.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Line scan lens selection for 4K, 8K and 16K cameras
Choose a line scan lens from sensor length, pixel size and field of view: image circle, lp/mm, magnification, working distance, mounts and depth of field.
Lenses & optics · Guide
When you need a telecentric lens for gauging
Why a standard lens mis-measures parts that move or vary in height, how a telecentric lens fixes it, and how to choose magnification, field and lighting.
Lenses & optics · Guide
How to choose a machine vision lens focal length
Work out the focal length from sensor width, field of view and working distance, then check close focus, resolution and distortion. With a calculator.
Lenses & optics · Guide
M12 lens selection for board cameras: format, focal length and IR cut
Choose an M12 (S-mount) lens for a board camera: sensor format, focal length, fixed aperture, distortion, IR cut filters, chief ray angle and focus locking.
Lenses & optics · Explainer
360 degree inspection lens: inner wall, outer wall and bore imaging
How 360 degree inspection lenses image the outer wall of a cylinder or the inside of a bore in one shot, how to unwrap the ring image, and their size limits.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Lens sensor format: 1/1.8 inch, 2/3 inch and 1 inch lenses explained
What 1/1.8, 2/3, 1 and 1.1 inch lens formats really measure, how to match a machine vision lens to your sensor, and what the megapixel rating means.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Large format machine vision lens: M58 and M72 for 65 MP and up
How to pick a lens for 31 to 151 MP cameras: image circle vs sensor diagonal, M42, M58, M72 and F-mount, flange back length mismatches and focal length.
Lenses & optics · Guide
Line scan lens selection for 4K, 8K and 16K cameras
Choose a line scan lens from sensor length, pixel size and field of view: image circle, lp/mm, magnification, working distance, mounts and depth of field.
Lenses & optics · Guide
When you need a telecentric lens for gauging
Why a standard lens mis-measures parts that move or vary in height, how a telecentric lens fixes it, and how to choose magnification, field and lighting.
Lenses & optics · Guide
How to choose a machine vision lens focal length
Work out the focal length from sensor width, field of view and working distance, then check close focus, resolution and distortion. With a calculator.
Shop: Lenses · All guides