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Interactive Camera Lens Cross-Section Visualizer
Explore real camera lens designs built from optical patent data. Trace rays through multi-element systems, adjust focus and aperture in real time, inspect individual elements, and analyze chromatic aberrations.
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CARL ZEISS JENA VARIO-PRAKTICAR 35-70mm f/2.7-3.5 MC
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Articles & Guides
Lens Stories from the Manufacturersguide
Jul 27, 2026
A company-by-company index of official lens design and development articles, cross-linked to matching interactive lens diagrams on Surface & Stop.
Spherical Aberration: Start Hereguide
Aug 7, 2026
A brief introduction to spherical aberration and a choice between a concise photographer-focused guide and a full technical treatment.
Cardinal Points of a Lensguide
May 1, 2026
A gentle introduction to focal, principal, and nodal points — the six reference locations that define how any lens forms an image.
Lens Dimensions and Distancesguide
May 1, 2026
A beginner-friendly tour of the five first-order distances — EFL, BFD, FFD, hiatus, and total track — that summarize a lens as a geometric object.
From Achromat to APO: Chromatic Correction, Optical Glass, and the Evolution of Color-Corrected Lensesarticle
Apr 29, 2026
The evolution of chromatic control in lenses
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CARL ZEISS JENA VARIO-PRAKTICAR 35-70mm f/2.7-3.5 MC
Sep 18, 2026
9 ELEMENTS / 8 GROUPS · f ≈ 35.0-65.2 mm (DESIGN) · F/2.7-3.67 (DESIGN)
CARL ZEISS ULTRA PRIME SONNAR T* 135mm T1.9
Sep 18, 2026
8 ELEMENTS / 7 GROUPS · f ≈ 134.3 mm · F/1.8
SONY ZEISS VARIO-SONNAR T* 10.4-37.1mm f/1.8-4.9 (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 / DSC-RX100 II)
Sep 18, 2026
7 elements / 4 groups · Patent design: 11.007-35.426 mm · Patent Fno: 1.860-5.070
SONY ZEISS VARIO-SONNAR T* 14.3-71.5mm f/2.8-4.8 (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1)
Sep 18, 2026
12 PHYSICAL ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS · PATENT f = 14.71-69.8725 mm · MARKETED 14.3-71.5 mm f/2.8-4.8
SONY ZEISS VARIO-SONNAR T* 8.8-73.3mm f/2.8 (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 / DSC-RX10 II)
Sep 18, 2026
14 ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS · f = 9.19-64.68 mm (DESIGN) · F/2.91 (DESIGN)
SONY ZEISS VARIO-SONNAR T* 9-72mm f/2.8-4.5 (Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI / RX100 VII)
Sep 18, 2026
15 ELEMENTS / 12 GROUPS · f ≈ 9.0–66.3 mm (DESIGN) · F/2.97–4.72 (DESIGN)
SCHACHT TRAVENAR 135mm f/3.5
Sep 17, 2026
4 ELEMENTS / 4 GROUPS · ALL-SPHERICAL · 135 FORMAT
View all updates →Patent-derived optical models44 articles & guides on numerous topics