Optics - Lenses are precision components primarily designed to focus or diverge light, depending on their design. These lenses play a crucial role in various optical systems by manipulating light to enhance the image quality or achieve specific visual effects. The main functions of optical lenses include focusing light to form clear images, as seen in cameras and microscopes, or spreading light as required in lighting systems to illuminate broader areas.
The main uses of optical lenses span across numerous fields such as photography, where they are integral to focusing and controlling the light entering the camera; in medical devices like microscopes and endoscopes, where they provide the ability to see fine details of small or internal structures; and in consumer electronics, notably in smartphones and virtual reality headsets, where they help achieve clarity and depth in visual displays. Key characteristics of these lenses include their material composition, typically glass or plastic, and their shape, which determines their optical properties. Renowned manufacturers in this domain include Nikon, Canon, and Zeiss, among others..