In the event you’ve ever puzzled why digital camera lenses are so costly, you’ve come to the precise place. High quality glass, significantly telephoto zooms, are laborious on the pockets exactly due to the precision and care that goes into the manufacturing course of.
This fascinating video exhibits the entire course of of creating a Sigma 70-200mm telephoto lens on the Sigma Aizu manufacturing unit in Japan. Surprisingly, loads of the work remains to be finished manually or at the very least semi-manually. It’s additionally surprisingly enjoyable to observe, virtually like a ballet efficiency with intricate and excellent choreography.
How are Digital camera Lenses Made?
The journey begins with the tough grinding course of, the place uncooked glass materials is formed into the fundamental type of the lens. Excessive-quality optical glass is the primary uncooked materials utilized in making digital camera lenses, and it’s chosen for its readability and skill to exactly refract gentle.
This glass is then polished to perfection, and technicians use specialised instruments to verify for imperfections by in search of Newton’s rings to guarantee that the lens meets extraordinarily excessive requirements. The function of precision in digital camera lens manufacturing can’t be overstated, as even the slightest deviation can have an effect on the picture high quality.
Lens Coatings to Improve Picture High quality
After sprucing, the lens undergoes a visible inspection to detect scratches or mud, and any defects are addressed earlier than shifting to the coating course of. The significance of the lens coating is obvious right here, as a skinny layer of vaporized steel compound is utilized at excessive temperatures to scale back glare, enhance gentle transmission, and shield the lens from scratches and environmental injury.
Lens Bonding
Subsequent, the lens bonding course of combines concave and convex lenses to appropriate chromatic aberration, making certain sharp, colour-accurate pictures. The lens is then handled with a black coating to stop inner reflections and scale back gentle interference, additional enhancing optical efficiency.
As soon as inspected, the lens is bonded to a plastic body, referred to as a lens barrel, which is crafted by way of injection moulding utilizing pellets melted at excessive temperatures. Metallic elements are precision-machined by way of cam processing and handled with chemical compounds to boost corrosion resistance.
Remaining Meeting of the Lens
The lens undergoes portray and color filling to guarantee that the markings are clear. That is adopted by assembling the elements, the place all elements are meticulously put collectively. Lastly, the lens is subjected to rigorous assessments for perform, sturdiness, and high quality, together with decision checks utilizing check charts. Then, it’s time for the completed lens to be packaged and shipped to photographers worldwide.
This detailed course of exhibits simply how a lot care goes into making a digital camera lens and proves Sigma’s dedication to excellence and innovation in optical engineering. Watch the video beneath; it’s fairly unimaginable and provides you with a new-found respect in your lenses!
