Hypothetical Lens Design

I am pretty sure this idea would be hard to implement and has a whole pile of issues, but I am wondering as a "bored on Monday" mental exercise if would provide any advantages.

Would spinning lenses at high speed help? I imagine it would have the effect of averaging some imperfections if fast enough (so fast that the shutter doesn't freeze the motion).

Is this just a hair brained idea, or could it provide an advantage if you could get around a whole pile of other issues?

are you thinking about a gatling gun arrangement?

joeseph wrote in post #17102501
are you thinking about a gatling gun arrangement?

Not quite, but you could build a prime based zoom lens like that

Thinking spinning actual lens elements.

FlyingPete wrote in post #17102514
Not quite, but you could build a prime based zoom lens like that

Already been done: http://www.mrmartinweb​.com …amera/movie/bh1​34talg.jpg

I'd imagine you'd simply soften the whole image with any imperfection in the glass now covering the whole image.

Not to mention you'd have to be able to drive a piece of glass a full rotation in 1/8000th of a second (or 480,000rpm) for most camera bodies from what is likely to be a standing start, or pre-engaged like IS which would in itself likely need considerable power if you're using it a lot. A bit extreme to expect it to hold together. Any slight misalignment (drop) or balance issue then your lens would explode with glass and metal shrapnel.

Higher quality glass may be cheap/easier/safer :P

Lloydd wrote in post #17103984
I'd imagine you'd simply soften the whole image with any imperfection in the glass now covering the whole image.

Not to mention you'd have to be able to drive a piece of glass a full rotation in 1/8000th of a second (or 480,000rpm) for most camera bodies from what is likely to be a standing start, or pre-engaged like IS which would in itself likely need considerable power if you're using it a lot. A bit extreme to expect it to hold together. Any slight misalignment (drop) or balance issue then your lens would explode with glass and metal shrapnel.

Higher quality glass may be cheap/easier/safer :P

Hmmm, that is quite something to achieve, there is the gyroscope factor at play too, ever picked up a hard drive whilst its running? You could be doing a panning shot and the camera will end up smacking you in the face

Interesting idea!