Lens matching _

An introduction to pairing a lens with a camera sensor

_ Andrew Kirby, Technical Specialist, Atik Cameras

When choosing a lens there are many factors to consider in order to get the best out of
the camera. In this document, some of the more important parameters will be introduced
and their effect on the image discussed. Some of these parameters, which can mean the
same, or almost the same thing, are used interchangeably within the industry. For example,
Back Focus. These terms can be rather confusing to the uninitiated, so they will be covered
in more detail. This will help users who struggle to understand why the image cannot be
brought to focus. Additionally, some examples of useful calculations are presented that will
assist when making adjustments to the lens.

Types of Lens Mount – The lens mount, or lens adaptor, provides the mechanical interface
between lens and camera. There are a number of different standards, which can make the
task of selecting the correct lens appear overcomplicated. However, broadly speaking,
there are three main groups that will cover the majority of scenarios:

Microscopes and machine vision cameras will often use the C-mount adaptor, as it is very
compact

For those wanting to utilise the wide range of more familiar consumer DSLR lenses, the Nikon
F-mount and the Canon-EF mount are popular, with the option of being able to adjust the
focus electronically.

For other equipment, such as telescopes, the Tamron T-mount is widely used.
When choosing the adaptor, it is important to consider its physical thickness because of the
effect that this will have on being able to focus the lens.

Spacer Ring / Tube – In some circumstances the lens may need to be mounted several
centimetres away from the camera body. In this case it will be necessary to source or
manufacture a spacer.

Imaging Circle – Camera lenses are composed of several circular optical elements.
Therefore, a lens projects the image towards the sensor in the form of a circle.

Above, Figure 1: It is important that the imaging circle is of the appropriate diameter for the size of the sensor

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If the lens has a very small imaging circle, the image will only fall upon a small part of the
sensor and the remainder will be unused (vignetting) Fig1. Conversely, if the imaging circle
is particularly large, the sensor will not be big enough to capture the whole image.

The minimum size for the imaging circle is that which just encompasses the corners of the
sensor. However, this is not necessarily the optimum solution. Lens distortion, particularly
coma, tends to be more evident at the edge of the image. Consequently, it can be
beneficial to specify a lens with a slightly oversized imaging circle so that the information
captured by the sensor is pin sharp across the whole image.

Back Focus Distance – The distance between the centre of the rear lens element and
the imaging sensor Fig 2. This is a useful parameter that will aid you in positioning the lens
relative to the sensor. Unfortunately, it is not always quoted by the manufacturer

Flange Focal distance – The distance between the lens mounting flange and the imaging
sensor. This measurement can be the same or very close to the Back Focus Distance. Be
aware that this measurement is taken before any lens mount or spacer is added.

Left, Figure 2: Diagram

illustrating that, in some
circumstances, there
Flange Focal Distance
can be a difference
between back focus

SENSOR
and flange focal
distance measurements
Back Focus Distance

Focal Length (f) – This is the distance from Fig3(a)

where the light rays converge near the rear of
the lens to the focal plane Fig 3a. For a very
simple lens arrangement, the convergence SENSOR
point can be thought of as being in the
centre of the optical element Fig 3b, where
it is equivalent to the Back Focus Distance.
However, for more complex lens designs, the F

convergence point can reside inside the body

of the lens Fig 3c. In this situation, trying to use
the quoted focal length to judge the correct
position of the lens relative to the sensor can
be rather confusing.
Figure 3: The lens focal length is useful for
calculating estimates of the lens properties.
Attempting to use it as an indicator of where
to position the lens may give misleading results,
particularly with more complex designs

Fig3(b) Fig3(c)
SENSOR

SENSOR

F F

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 We have just discussed three parameters above that all appear to be relatively similar. In
some cases, their values can be quite close, yet still different enough to cause focusing
issues if misapplied. To achieve the correct separation between the lens and the sensor, it
is recommended that you use either the back focus distance or the flange focal distance.
The focal length is best used for calculating estimates of the lens properties.

Working Distance (WD) – This is the spacing between the front of the lens and the object Fig
4. Of particular interest is the Minimum Working Distance, which is the closest point at which
the lens can be placed from the object whilst still allowing the image to be satisfactorily
focused.

F Right, Figure 4:
The working
distance
(WD) is the
separation
between the
lens and the
object Working Distance

F
The working distance of the lens may also be described as a range on the lens focus ring.
Starting from the minimum working distance to infinity. For example, 0.5m - ∞

Cooled cameras – Cameras designed for low light applications, such as fluorescence, utilise
sensors that are thermoelectrically cooled to improve their performance. The sensor is
isolated from the environment by the addition of a sealed external window. The positioning
of this window relative to the sensor is an important consideration. If the window is too close
to the
F
sensor, then ice may form on its outer surface when the cooling is in operation. This
problem can be mitigated by increasing the separation between the two components.
However, this solution can cause problems when trying to utilise certain short focal length
lenses, because the lens and sensor are then subsequently too far apart to achieve focus.
An alternative solution is to specify that the window is heated by an embedded resistive
device which prevents the icing problem without unduly increasing the backfocus.

Field of View (FOV) – the width/height of the scene that the lens is capable of capturing. It
can be quoted as an angle or as a distance Fig 5.

Left, Figure 5:
FOV As an The field of
angular view (FOV)
measurement may be
described
either as an
angle or a
distance
0 measurement

FOV As a distance measurement

F

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The field of view and the focal length are interdependent properties. For example, a fisheye
lens with an exceptionally wide FOV, will have a much shorter focal length compared to a
telephoto lens with a narrow FOV. Incidentally, fisheye lenses can be problematic to utilise
as they have a very short focal length and therefore need to be positioned extremely close
to the sensor.

Focal Ratio (f/Number) – Many lenses will incorporate a variable iris which will let the user
artificially restrict the size of the light cone that enters into the lens. With the iris fully open,
the lens is at its maximum aperture and can accept a wide light cone. This produces a
brighter image, and is known as a ‘fast’ lens. Conversely, with the iris almost closed, the light
cone becomes narrower causing the image to appear considerably dimmer.

On examining the body of the lens, it will be apparent that the aperture adjustment ring,
which controls the iris, has a variety of numerical settings Fig 6. These are the f/numbers that
we can set the lens to. They are also known as ‘f/stops’

f/1, f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22

Despite their unusual Left, Figure 6:

sequence, there is, in fact, a Image of a
lens showing
simple underlying relationship the typical
between the value of the range of
aperture
f/number and the image adjustment
brightness. Moving from one
f/stop to the next largest one
(for example f/8 to f/11) will
halve the image brightness.

The value of these f/numbers, is derived from the ratio of the focal length and lens
diameter:

f/number = lens focal length / lens diameter

In addition to the image brightness, the f/number also influences the depth of field i.e.,
how deep different parts of the image can remain in focus. Low f/numbers generate bright
images, but only objects in a relatively narrow slice are properly in focus. Conversely, high
f/numbers produce dimmer images but the majority of the object is in focus regardless
of distance from the lens. As we will see later with very high-resolution systems, increasing
the f/number to very high values can negatively impact the ability to resolve small objects
because of diffraction effects.

Resolution of the lens – The value of this parameter can be determined by empirical testing.
It is expressed as the number of pairs of lines that can be distinguished from each other.
It is quoted as ‘line pairs per millimetre’ (lp/mm) Fig 7. A very high-resolution lens will allow
very dense regions of lines to be distinguished from each other. In practical terms, the lens
is capable of discerning more detail. Unfortunately, as the density of these lines increases,
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it becomes ever more difficult to clearly differentiate between their black/white edges,
because of the limited contrast available. Therefore, the (lp/mm) value is normally quoted
at a particular contrast level. For example, 40%.

Left, Figure 7:
The lens
resolution can be
determined by its
ability to clearly
visualise reference
line pairs

Some lens retailers are now assigning a megapixel value to their lenses, which is intended
to make the selection process easier i.e., a 5MP lens should be suitable for use with a 5MP
sensor. However, these make assumptions about the size of the sensor and the imaging
circle.

A camera specialist has recommended a camera that would be a good fit for your
application, but how do you begin to choose a lens?

Example, I have an Atik VS60 that uses a Sony ICX694 CCD sensor

This imaging sensor measures 16mm across the diagonal (d)

It is proposed that the camera is going to be mounted inside an enclosure, some 75cm
away from the sample. I.e., the working distance (WD) is between the front of the lens and
the sample is 70cm. The sample is 40cm across, so the FOV is 40cm

What sort of implications will this configuration have on the focal length of the lens that can
be used?

Focal length = (d x WD) / FOV

Converting the measurements to millimetres gives:

Focal length = (16 x 750) / 400 = 30mm

This seems promising as the closest ‘off the shelf item’ is a 28mm traditional DSLR wide angle
lens.

Please bear in mind that this is the predicted focal length, which, as discussed earlier, isn’t
necessarily exactly the same value as the backfocus. However, this lens would seem to be
a good starting point for evaluation, use the quoted back focus distance or flange focal
distance for the lens placement.

If you are intending to image samples in a set configuration i.e., at a similar illumination level
and working distance, then ultimately the lens can probably be of fixed aperture and focus.
By removing unnecessary flexibility in the lens specification, a significant cost saving can be
achieved. However, in the initial experimental phase, when you are trying to establish your
ideal lens, it may be beneficial to try a few lenses of slightly different specification.

Image scale at the sensor

If physical measurements are to be taken from the image, then it is important to have a
lens-sensor combination that is capable of accurately recording sufficient detail.

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For example, consider that we want to use the lens above to examine particles that are
around 0.5 mm in diameter. What size will these particles appear at the sensor?

Size at sensor = (focal length x object size) / working distance

Size at sensor = (30 x 0.5) / 750 = 0.02mm

Which equates to 20µm. Considering the Nyquist sampling theorem that was discussed in a
previous whitepaper, the pixel size of the sensor ought to be 10 µm or perhaps even smaller.
The most common pixel sizes are currently in the range of approximately 3 to 6µm. The
smallest object that we are able to accurately reproduce will be limited by the size of the
pixels. A minuscule object can never appear smaller than the size of the pixel that is used to
record it. Therefore, it might seem attractive to have a sensor with a large number of very
small pixels.

However, so far, we have assumed that the lens is aberration free and its performance is
only limited by diffraction effects. In reality this will not be true and there is likely to be a
significant difference in lens quality according to cost.

Diffraction limited Performance

As a best-case scenario we can explore the behaviour of a theoretically perfect lens that is
only limited by diffraction effects.

As light passes through a circular aperture it creates a circular diffraction pattern known as
an ‘Airy Disk’ Fig 8. It is possible to use this pattern to simulate what happens to a beam of
light when it passes through the lens and is captured by the camera sensor. This will provide
an indication of how the lens behaves at a particular f/number when imaging fine detail.

Left, Figure 8:
Diffraction
of light when
passing through
a circular
aperture causes
the light to be
captured as an
Airy Disk rather
than a well-
defined spot

Estimate the diameter of Airy disk generated for the lens above when the aperture is set
at f/16

As a representative example we will choose green light as it sits in the middle of the visible
spectrum. Its wavelength is approximately 550nm = 0.55µm

At f/16 the diameter of the Airy disk becomes:

Airy disk diameter (dAiry) = 2.44 x wavelength x f/number

dAiry = 2.44 x 0.55 x 16 = 21.5µm

Which is comparable to the diameter of the particles at the sensor, so even very small
objects would appear blurred. In this case the performance of the lens would be the
limiting factor.

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Opening up the iris to increase the aperture to f/8 gives:

dAiry = 2.44 x 0.55 x 8 = 10.7µm

Which is an improvement, but still larger than the typical pixel size. Again, the camera
performance is still greatly affected by the lens.

Opening the iris even further to increase the aperture to f/2 gives:

dAiry = 2.44 x 0.55 x 2 = 2.7µm

The amount of diffraction is considerably reduced and the spot size of the Airy disk at the
sensor is much closer to the typical pixel size. This would be a good lens-sensor combination

In summary, as the diameter of the aperture is reduced by closing the iris, the Airy pattern
gets wider. This has important implications for how we use the lens and whether it is the lens
or the pixel size that limits the ability to resolve small objects. More specifically, increasing
the f/number to improve the depth of field comes at the expense of being able to resolve
very small objects. Similarly, a sensor with very small pixels is best paired with a lens with a
wide aperture.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that smartphone cameras are marketed by advertising

increasingly large numbers of pixels. Given the constraints of their slim cases, are the tiny
lenses used in some of the more affordable devices actually capable of doing their
sensors justice?

Conclusion
Correctly pairing a lens to a camera sensor yields worthwhile performance benefits, and
it also ensures that the solution is cost effective. Consequently, a brief understanding of
some of the terms used to describe the lens specification is useful in order to make an
informed decision. This also reduces the possibility of inadvertently selecting a lens-camera
combination that can never reach focus. Here is a brief list of important points that ought to
be considered during the process:

Positioning the lens at the correct distance relative to the sensor is vital. Take time to get this
right. Some experimentation will probably be necessary.

It is likely that a spacer will be required between the lens and camera.

Ensure that the imaging circle is of the appropriate diameter for the size of the sensor.

Attempting to use a sensor with very small pixels is unlikely to prove worthwhile if you only
have a limited budget for the lens.

Opting for a very expensive lens could be a waste of money if you are only intending to use
it at wide apertures.

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Unit 8 Lodge Farm Barns, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 3LZ, UK. www.atik-cameras.com

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