Technical book on camera lenses -- Suggestions?

Are there any good books on camera lenses which explain LoCA, coma, lens coatings, aperture blading, etc., and are not meant for lens designers?

icor1031 wrote in post #19012085
Are there any good books on camera lenses which explain LoCA, coma, lens coatings, aperture blading, etc., and are not meant for lens designers?

Since your interest is of such a technical nature I believe much of what's out there would be for the designers. You might find something in specific repair manuals. If you could explain the goal of your question that might get more of a response.

sapearl wrote in post #19012589
If you could explain the goal of your question that might get more of a response.

To perfect my knowledge of all things photography. For example, if I know about coma, i might choose one lens over another in the case that I'm doing astrophotography.

I've found that at least from books, there's almost nothing left for me to learn as far as the practice of photography.

icor1031 wrote in post #19012757
To perfect my knowledge of all things photography. For example, if I know about coma, i might choose one lens over another in the case that I'm doing astrophotography.

I've found that at least from books, there's almost nothing left for me to learn as far as the practice of photography.

Knowledge for its own sake is a good thing, which can be very satisfying.

However if you want to do something like astrophotography I think you may be going about this the wrong way. Likely there are more desirable features for such a lens so you would pick a lens with certain high specs and the proper focal length. This would be found in the Astronomy area or similar forums dedicated to it. But for such a specific book that discusses the features/components of a lens, I'd suggest talking to a bookstore manager, or survey any number of online sources that go into detail. There are plenty.

Great that you have interest in learning more about the science behind photography, but you would be unfortunately pushing against a rope in trying to see and compare specifications about the coma in any lens design!

Some of the topics that you inquired about are somewhat esoteric...

• number of blades in the diaphram: it is what it is...you might be sacrificing detail resolution and contrast in favor of a lens design with 8 blades vs. one with only 7 blades! For decades it simply did not matter to buyers about how many blades; then one year some company decided to make a big thing about 'circular highlights' rather than 5 or 6 sided highlights...a marketing differentiator created in the minds of the buyers.
  
• lens coatings: you have no control over what was selected, it is what it is. Different coatings exist for different wavelengths of light, and the lens designers pick the coatings so that the colors converge at the focal plane to the maxium extent achievable within the fabrication budget for the lens
  

Wilt wrote in post #19012783
Great that you have interest in learning more about the science behind photography, but you would be unfortunately pushing against a rope in trying to see and compare specifications about the coma in any lens design!

Some of the topics that you inquired about are somewhat esoteric...

• number of blades in the diaphram: it is what it is...you might be sacrificing detail resolution and contrast in favor of a lens design with 8 blades vs. one with only 7 blades! For decades it simply did not matter to buyers about how many blades; then one year some company decided to make a big thing about 'circular highlights' rather than 5 or 6 sided highlights...a marketing differentiator created in the minds of the buyers.
  
• lens coatings: you have no control over what was selected, it is what it is. Different coatings exist for different wavelengths of light, and the lens designers pick the coatings so that the colors converge at the focal plane to the maxium extent achievable within the fabrication budget for the lens
  

I'll give examples of how my current knowledge is helpful.

If you have an odd number of blades, then you double (minus or plus one, depending on how you look at it) the number of source flares when you're not shooting wide open.
And if your lens' blades are rounded, you may not experience those flares at all. So without knowing this, I might get frustrated because even though I might want those flares, they're not happening.

Lens coating can make a huge difference in lens flare. If I have a problem with flare in the scene that I want to capture, then I know where to look: for lenses which use very modern coatings (and maybe some older lenses?)

Knowledge of such things may not offer a major advantage, but they're not as useless as they might seem.

Regarding coatings, see here: https://youtu.be/fjJnk​lEUn1I?t=69

Wilt wrote in post #19012783
Great that you have interest in learning more about the science behind photography, but you would be unfortunately pushing against a rope in trying to see and compare specifications about the coma in any lens design!

Some of the topics that you inquired about are somewhat esoteric...

• number of blades in the diaphram: it is what it is...you might be sacrificing detail resolution and contrast in favor of a lens design with 8 blades vs. one with only 7 blades! For decades it simply did not matter to buyers about how many blades; then one year some company decided to make a big thing about 'circular highlights' rather than 5 or 6 sided highlights...a marketing differentiator created in the minds of the buyers.
  
• lens coatings: you have no control over what was selected, it is what it is. Different coatings exist for different wavelengths of light, and the lens designers pick the coatings so that the colors converge at the focal plane to the maxium extent achievable within the fabrication budget for the lens
  

Wilt makes some excellent points here. It's great you want to learn more about the science behind it but the task could be daunting without a better starting point.

On a more practical level, have you checked out Lens Review area of POTN? There's a ton of info going back at least five years which not only includes some lens specifications but it also shows you real world results from those optics. You'll be able to see samples of flare or other "artistic" qualities that no scientific table could ever convey. I enjoy reading gear specs too, but the numbers won't actually show you how beautiful the image can me. That's the subjective nature of art and creativity.

If you find a particular lens you like, check out the manufacturer's site for more info. Fred Miranda and DPReview could also supplement this info. On the subject of particular coatings, you may want to take a deep dive on the Zeiss or even Corning sites. As far as reference books go though that's a tough one.

Lensrentals.com has a good resource...see https://www.lensrental​s.com …seven-deadly-aberrations/

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I do think it is good that you want to learn these things. . Nothing wrong with that at all.

However, I have found that most learning comes when it is not just "book learning", but when it is mixed with actual experience. . Most learning in photography comes from the result of having an actual problem, and then solving it.

For instance, if you shoot astrophotography in various conditions over the course of months, and the images all have something about them that you don't like, then you would have a problem to solve, as you would endeavor to figure out why the images have a problem and then how to correct it. . This is how real learning takes place. . Trying to learn things before you actually go out and do them may be good in theory, but in reality it usually just doesn't work out, and the photographer is no better off despite all of the theorizing and book study.

When someone wants to learn about something, the two main ways they can pursue knowledge is:

1: . read about it and research via books and videos and tutorials and by talking with others who know about it

2: . get out and do the thing you want to learn about, make lots of mistakes, and figure ou thow to correct the mistakes ...... make more mistakes and figure those out, repeat, repeat, repeat

People who do #1 often don't get any better at the thing they want to learn.

People who do #2 are the ones that become extremely proficient and amass an amazing array of knowledge on the topic.

So I guess what I'm saying is that you would probably gain much useful knowledge about lens flare and coatings and aperture blades and everything else if you were out shooting a whole lot and then combining book study with your actual experience and results. . That has a way of fixing things in your mind that will never occur as a result of book learning alone.

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Here's an article you might find interesting.
https://www.artphotoac​ademy.com/the-leica-look/

Here's an interesting video with Peter Karbe
https://vimeo.com/4179​7143

icor1031 wrote in post #19012085
Are there any good books on camera lenses which explain LoCA, coma, lens coatings, aperture blading, etc., and are not meant for lens designers?

Some years ago I owned the first edition of this book, which I have since given away. It was well written and helpful.
It is now available in a second edition. I don't know if it answers your questions, but amazon will let you look inside...

https://www.amazon.com …sc=1&ref_=lv_ov​_lig_dp_it

Another book that might be useful to you is Canon Lens Work III. Canon no longer publishes this book, and the latest version
was (I believe) from 2013. At times you can find it on amazon or ebay. Or perhaps in download version if you search the internet.

I have not read Lens Work so I don't know if it will be useful to you. Perhaps others can comment.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #19015519
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Another book that might be useful to you is Canon Lens Work III. Canon no longer publishes this book, and the latest version
was (I believe) from 2013. At times you can find it on amazon or ebay. Or perhaps in download version if you search the internet.

I have not read Lens Work so I don't know if it will be useful to you. Perhaps others can comment.
.

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Canon USA sent me a copy of Lens Work several years ago. . It was out of the blue - got home one day and it had arrived it the mail. . I'm sure I still have it lying around or in a box somewhere (have moved twice since then). . If I find it I would be glad to give it to the OP.


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Perfectly Frank wrote in post #19015519
Some years ago I owned the first edition of this book, which I have since given away. It was well written and helpful.
It is now available in a second edition. I don't know if it answers your questions, but amazon will let you look inside...

https://www.amazon.com …sc=1&ref_=lv_ov​_lig_dp_it

Another book that might be useful to you is Canon Lens Work III. Canon no longer publishes this book, and the latest version
was (I believe) from 2013. At times you can find it on amazon or ebay. Or perhaps in download version if you search the internet.

I have not read Lens Work so I don't know if it will be useful to you. Perhaps others can comment.

Based on the title, that linked book looks excellent.

I'll look more at both of the books that you recommended. Thank you.

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Here is another book on the topic, entitled:

The Lens: A Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer

https://www.amazon.com …hotographer/dp/​1933952970

And here is the publisher's description:

Which lens should I buy for my camera?

It's such a simple question, but choosing the right lens or lenses is actually one of the most important photographic decisions you can make. Nothing affects the quality of a photo more than the lens. It's no longer just about the megapixels-it's the glass that makes all the difference!

Many first-time buyers of DSLRs don't venture past the basic lens included in the box. While some are reluctant to spend more money, others are confused by all the buzzwords or are overwhelmed by all the choices out there. It's really a shame, because interchangeable lenses give you amazing scope for quality photography.

Take in vast sweeping scenes with a wide angle lens. Capture faraway birds with a telephoto lens. Examine the tiniest detail of a flower with a macro lens. Record the perfect portrait with a prime lens. Anything is possible when you choose the right lens for the job!

This book isn't a simple catalogue of available lenses. New products are coming out all the time, and comparing specific lenses can be difficult. Instead, author N.K. Guy gives you all the information you need to make smart buying decisions. Optical technology is demystified, arcane terminology is decoded, and practical tips are provided.

The Lens will help you build the perfect lens collection to suit your needs-now and in the future.

It is difficult to tell from that description whether or not the content is technical enough for you. . I have been trying to figure out how to contact the author, N. K. Guy, to ask him some questions for you. . However, for some reason it is very difficult to find direct contact information for him. . Frustrating.


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Tom Reichner wrote in post #19015529
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Canon USA sent me a copy of Lens Work several years ago. . It was out of the blue - got home one day and it had arrived it the mail. . I'm sure I still have it lying around or in a box somewhere (have moved twice since then). . If I find it I would be glad to give it to the OP.

.

https://www.amazon.com …1582566929&s=bo​oks&sr=1-4

This?