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**pentageek** · 02-06-2017, 02:38 PM - **1 Like**

Technically inclined Pentaxians may want to check the story about metalens. In short, the team at Harvard came up with idea of completely flat (!) and thin (!!) lenses, which actually are not 'lenses' any longer as principle of operation is different. Will it lead to a revolution in optical equipment? I think nobody, including inventors, can tell it at the moment, but the story is interesting nevertheless. Try to imagine Bigma reduced to thin piece of glass

**PJ1** · 02-06-2017, 04:45 PM

Fascinating stuff. It might end up as "photography, but not as we know it." Thanks for posting this.

Rupert · 02-06-2017, 07:29 PM

There are so many things out there in the future that we can't even imagine today. It is all moving so fast we hardly notice anymore. Pretty amazing stuff is being developed in so many areas. Exciting...and for old guys, kind of scary?

Regards!

**Digitalis** · 02-06-2017, 07:44 PM

A novel approach, but as can be seen with their model: there are a lot of internal reflections, backscattering and diffraction - which is problematic with such a design.

Simen1 · 02-07-2017, 12:56 AM

Metalenses is maybe decades from being mature and ready for the commercial market. As for now, they are mostly a physics curiosity show off thing. Not very useful. In addition to those problems Digtitalis mentions, they are highly dependent on wavelength. They only work well in terms of resolution in laser light. Making them work for a broader spectrum will sacrifice resolution.

**TER-OR** · 02-07-2017, 06:40 AM

it's likely a hybrid system will roll out first, with metalensing replacing the zooming elements. We are living in the beginning of a revolution in materials sciences. This will be interesting to watch.

pete-tarmigan · 02-07-2017, 07:00 AM

I guess we'll see commercially available Fresnel elements in super-telephoto lenses before we see a metalens. Has any lens manufacturer brought a fresnel lens for a DSLR yet?

BrianR · 02-07-2017, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

I guess we'll see commercially available Fresnel elements in super-telephoto lenses before we see a metalens. Has any lens manufacturer brought a fresnel lens for a DSLR yet?

Like these?

AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR | Interchangeable Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM

Nikon uses the designation PF - Phase Fresnel, Canon uses DO - Diffractive Optics. There are a few other models by each manufacturer with those designations.

**Apet-Sure** · 02-07-2017, 10:21 AM

I'm going to start saving for a K minus 1 200 megapixel camera with 400mm f1.2 pancake lens.

**pentageek** · 02-07-2017, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Apet-Sure

200 megapixel camera

Don't be afraid to dream big - why not 200 gigapixel camera?

But seriously - metalens are at very early stage of development, but I hope we will see some serious practical implementations soon (i.e. in few years).

**TER-OR** · 02-07-2017, 02:07 PM

I thought that had been announced already?
SCOOP! Changes in Ricoh/Pentax Full Frame Plans! | New Camera News

02-06-2017, 02:38 PM - 1 Like	#1
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Metalens - revolutionary concept in optics Technically inclined Pentaxians may want to check the story about metalens. In short, the team at Harvard came up with idea of completely flat (!) and thin (!!) lenses, which actually are not 'lenses' any longer as principle of operation is different. Will it lead to a revolution in optical equipment? I think nobody, including inventors, can tell it at the moment, but the story is interesting nevertheless. Try to imagine Bigma reduced to thin piece of glass

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02-06-2017, 04:45 PM	#2
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,487	Fascinating stuff. It might end up as "photography, but not as we know it." Thanks for posting this.

02-06-2017, 07:29 PM	#3
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	There are so many things out there in the future that we can't even imagine today. It is all moving so fast we hardly notice anymore. Pretty amazing stuff is being developed in so many areas. Exciting...and for old guys, kind of scary? Regards!

02-06-2017, 07:44 PM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	A novel approach, but as can be seen with their model: there are a lot of internal reflections, backscattering and diffraction - which is problematic with such a design.

02-07-2017, 12:56 AM	#5
Simen1 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 1,031	Metalenses is maybe decades from being mature and ready for the commercial market. As for now, they are mostly a physics curiosity show off thing. Not very useful. In addition to those problems Digtitalis mentions, they are highly dependent on wavelength. They only work well in terms of resolution in laser light. Making them work for a broader spectrum will sacrifice resolution.

02-07-2017, 06:40 AM	#6
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	it's likely a hybrid system will roll out first, with metalensing replacing the zooming elements. We are living in the beginning of a revolution in materials sciences. This will be interesting to watch.

02-07-2017, 07:00 AM	#7
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	I guess we'll see commercially available Fresnel elements in super-telephoto lenses before we see a metalens. Has any lens manufacturer brought a fresnel lens for a DSLR yet?

02-07-2017, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#8
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan I guess we'll see commercially available Fresnel elements in super-telephoto lenses before we see a metalens. Has any lens manufacturer brought a fresnel lens for a DSLR yet? Like these? AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR \| Interchangeable Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Nikon uses the designation PF - Phase Fresnel, Canon uses DO - Diffractive Optics. There are a few other models by each manufacturer with those designations.

02-07-2017, 10:21 AM	#9
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	I'm going to start saving for a K minus 1 200 megapixel camera with 400mm f1.2 pancake lens.

02-07-2017, 10:33 AM	#10
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420 Original Poster	Originally posted by Apet-Sure 200 megapixel camera Don't be afraid to dream big - why not 200 gigapixel camera? But seriously - metalens are at very early stage of development, but I hope we will see some serious practical implementations soon (i.e. in few years).

02-07-2017, 02:07 PM	#11
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I thought that had been announced already? SCOOP! Changes in Ricoh/Pentax Full Frame Plans! \| New Camera News

Metalens - revolutionary concept in optics

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