Camera Lenses for Motion Picture Photography

IT IS possible that no other product of human ingenuity, which is so widely used as the lens, is less understood or more prolific in giving birth to fantastic notions. It seems probable that one reason for this may lie in the fact that our complete knowledge of the geometry of image formation is so recent. Another reason probably lies in the relatively small number of people who are trained in the science of lens design. It is not unlikely that the world's supply of people who could design a useful photographic objective starting with nothing but a glass catalog and a table of logarithms or a computing machine, would fall far short of filling this room. Another reason certainly lies in the too often fantastic claims of the manufacturers. The optical industry, although insignificant in total volume of business in comparison with the motion picture industry, steel, or motors has been and still is highly competitive. Hence we have many kinds of lenses which hard-working advertising men have to try to sell. It should not be surprising if some of the less responsible invent some literature which may slightly mislead the uninformed nor is it to be expected that there will not be many people who are convinced thereby, and who enthusiastically believe they see the proof of the claims in the results they obtain.

Print ISSN

0096-6460

Published

1928-04

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J10226