I have a pretty wicked laser, and I just bought a bunch of mirrors. Help me have fun! [more inside]
posted by MrMoonPie on Nov 24, 2009 - 9 answers

Fourier Optics Filter: Imaging the iphone camera point spread function- possible? [more inside]
posted by Large Marge on Nov 23, 2009 - 3 answers

When a camera is focused on a bright light, there is a "star" flare around that light. I've noticed that in different situations, that flare has a varying number of points... What decides how many point the lens flare has? BONUS QUESTION: I've only ever seen even point counts... Can odd happen?
posted by frwagon on Jun 9, 2009 - 8 answers

Find-that-website filter: Website with a unique explanation of lens focal length with respect to photography and zoom lenses. [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Dec 24, 2008 - 7 answers

What are some of your favourite bokeh lenses and settings for head-and-shoulder portraiture?
posted by johannahdeschanel on Sep 12, 2008 - 19 answers

Where can I buy fiber optic cable in a brick-and-mortar store in NYC? Small quantities only. Thanks.
posted by boots on Aug 1, 2008 - 5 answers

What's the proper name for that kind of image-switching material that switches between two pictures as you tilt it? I mostly associate it with novelty baseball cards, toys, children's books, and so forth. That plastic-y corrugated stuff? If I wanted to order a bunch of postcards printed with it, what am I looking for?
posted by paul_smatatoes on Jun 1, 2008 - 5 answers

Tips for working with optical fibers (stripping, cleaving, aligning, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by Mapes on Apr 3, 2008 - 3 answers

I've noticed that many cars seem to have headlights that change colour depending on angle. Is this deliberate or unintentional, and how do I avoid buying bulbs that do this? [more inside]
posted by le morte de bea arthur on Mar 3, 2008 - 6 answers

Optics geeks: Why do some cameras matte off a rectangle in front of the lens like this? [more inside]
posted by Popular Ethics on Dec 3, 2007 - 12 answers

What can I do with a "ruined" autofocus SLR zoom lens? Anything cool/neat I can turn it into? Any fun optics demonstrations I can do with the lenses inside? [more inside]
posted by kcds on Nov 20, 2007 - 5 answers

Let's say I'm toying with the idea of making my own scanner for negative film. I've found a suitable sensor, and the rest of the mechanism looks manageable. Can I get a suitable light source that will compensate for the orange mask, at a reasonable price? [more inside]
posted by Joakim Ziegler on Sep 20, 2007 - 17 answers

How do hybrid EO/IR systems work in UAV applications? [more inside]
posted by arimathea on Aug 30, 2007 - 2 answers

Optics n00b question: I'm working on an art project wherein I etch drawings onto glass and then project shadows of said srawings onto a wall. I've done this before using an overhead projector as a light source and it worked great. This time around I bought some lights that don't work quite as well... [more inside]
posted by garethspor on May 15, 2007 - 7 answers

I'm interested in fitting odd lenses -- and making custom lenses -- to/for digital cameras and digital video cameras. I'm not terribly concerned with the electronic side of things, so you shouldn't be either. What I'm looking for is a crass/crash course in optics -- something (a book, a video, a class, a kit) that will teach me the basics of optics and allow me to force photocopier lenses, telescopes, and microscopes onto unsuspecting recording devices.
posted by fake on Dec 28, 2006 - 12 answers

2 different cameras, 2 lenses, how can I get the closest possible recreation? [more inside]
posted by tip120 on Dec 13, 2006 - 5 answers

Let's say I find a shiny spherical object and under point lighting, I move it very close to my eye. I then focus on the bright spot, but focus at a distance of 1-2 feet until the patterns are in focus. At this point, it looks like a bad microscope. Am I looking at part of my own eye? Is this a documented phenomenon I could read about?
posted by aye on Oct 21, 2006 - 19 answers

Attention optics geeks: Will a flat water/air port affect a lens' minimum focus distance? [more inside]
posted by Popular Ethics on Apr 20, 2006 - 6 answers

Do children see darkness as "blacker" than adults? [more inside]
posted by Bugbread on Apr 9, 2006 - 21 answers

Re: binoculars. What do I look for and what is the best for my money? We are hiking/mountaineering with kids. [more inside]
posted by snsranch on Jan 30, 2006 - 9 answers

The image on the left side of zeus.com shows a photo of a man with some sort of optical effect partially overlying his head. Any ideas on what caused this? Both a name and a simple explanation if possible? Suggestions I've heard so far include lens flare or reflections on an intervening pane of glass but noone seems entirely sure of it.
posted by edd on Nov 23, 2005 - 10 answers

Selective Depth-of-Field in Six Feet Under, and a question about lens flares. [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Oct 4, 2005 - 12 answers

When I look at something (without my glasses) that's about 100 feet away, it looks a little blurry. If I look at a photo that includes stuff that's 100 feet away from the perspective, it's not blurry, of course, it's just smaller. BUT, if I look in a mirror, let's say a rear view mirror of a car, at something that's 100 feet behind me, it looks blurry, rather than just small. [more inside]
posted by Framer on Jul 19, 2005 - 20 answers

Canon 350D Digital Rebel XT: Should I get it with the kit lense or without? If without, what lense would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Jul 7, 2005 - 10 answers

Pizza induced visual field distortion : When I chew - as on a piece of pizza (or whatever) and stare at a computer screen, especially from it distance, I perceive a "ripple" (or a "flicker") on the screen which is congruent with my chewing action. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by troutfishing on Apr 10, 2004 - 17 answers