Curiosity: Optor exhibited a new 100mm lens that is just 5mm thick!

The image you see on top shows an actual 100mm “Metalens” that is just 5mm thick. It has been displayed by the company Optor at the Nexty Electronics booth at CEATEC 2024 (Source: DC.watch).

What is a Metalens?

A metalens is a device that can achieve the same effect as a regular lens by arranging cylindrical lenses on a flat surface. As you can see from this image (see below), The metalens is made up of an infinite number of lenses of different heights. This is done using an X-ray microscope, so the individual pillars can be seen:

Canon, Samsung and others are working on, and it is expected to make lenses significantly thinner. However, there are technical challenges to overcome, and it will be some time before it can be used as a camera lens.

The company claims that the resolution is equivalent to that of a normal lens, and that aberrations are also corrected. Normally, lens aberrations are corrected by combining multiple aspherical lenses, but this can be done with a single metalens, which makes it possible to make the entire lens unit thinner.
However, in principle, the method relies on the diffraction phenomenon, which causes color bleeding. Because this is a physical phenomenon caused by diffraction optics, the issue of how to deal with this bleeding becomes an issue:


Image shows the bleeding effect

For camera lenses, the company expects that by using multiple pieces of glass in addition to metalens, it will be possible to reduce the number of glass pieces used up to now while suppressing chromatic aberration, making the lens thinner and smaller.


A wide-angle lens with a focal length of 30 mm

Compared to regular glasses, metalens can change the focal length within a single lens by altering the wavefront, so one application could be to use a thin lens for both near and far vision depending on the viewing angle.

The company has already established a mass production system, and after the announcement at CEATEC, it plans to begin rolling out the technology to the market. Going forward, the company plans to make the device even thinner and to aim for a wide range of applications, such as camera lenses.

To summarize:

This technology is amazing, but it will be quite a while before we see lenses like this for our mirrorless cameras. But we are getting closer and closer to my dream of a 20-200mm f/2.8 pancake lens :)

Sony Tidbits…


Sony ZV-E10 II Full Hands On Review

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
What Even is a ‘Cinema’ Lens, Anyway? (PetaPixel).
Best Cage for Sony A7C II (Smallrig Cage + DJI Mic 2) by Camera Mellow.
SmallRig Introduces New Wireless Follow Focus Lite Kit (Explora).
Tamron 50-300mm f4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD lens review (Christopher Frost)
Did Smartphones Just KILL Photography? (Enrico Tartarotti)
7 Tips for Better Wildlife Photos (42West).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our SonyAlphaForum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group. Sony A1 group. Sony A9 series group. Sony A7r series group. Sony A7s series group. Sony A7 series group.

New Airtag Holder for Camera Straps

If you wanna protect your camera you now have a new solution: The new Airtag Holder for Camera Straps is now available for $17 on Amazon (Click here). You can place your Apple Airtag inside the case and attach it on your camera strap.

Key Features:

  • IPX8 Waterproof:Protects Airtag and battery even under extreme conditions.
  • No Hanging : We have incorporated a self-threading screw design from our patent application that can penetrate any collar measuring 0.20″/5mm or less (99% of straps can be penetrated, except for some exceptionally thick leather collars).
  • Ultra-Secure:Construction made of indestructible fiber-reinforced ABS composite.
  • Easy to install :Customized screws, not easy for thieves to open(patent pending).
  • Package includes AirTag case holder 2 pack(AirTag not included)+welcome guide+a lifetime warranty+and our friendlycustomer service.

Superdeal: The Apple Airtag 4-pack got a $30 discount at Amazon US (Click here).

Sony Tidbits…


Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB vs Sony GM | 95% of the GM for 40% of the price

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Shooting wildlife with Sony (Sony Europe).
iMac and Mac Mini, Built for Apple Intelligence (42West).
Six Great Tips For Travel Landscape Photos (Matti Sulanto).
Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D Review: A Fun Lens That Has Some Tradeoffs (PetaPixel).
RODE Announces New VideoMic Me-C+ with iOS Compatibility (Explora).
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Review at Opticallimits

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our SonyAlphaForum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group. Sony A1 group. Sony A9 series group. Sony A7r series group. Sony A7s series group. Sony A7 series group.

Sony Tidbits…


TINY PANCAKE LENSES: Funleader vs Viltrox 28mm!

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Hilarious study shows GEN-Z wants film cameras but have little clue how those work! (MirrorlessRumors).
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Review at Opticallimits
TTArtisans 7.5mm f/2 Fisheye (APS-C) lens review (Christopher Frost).
Tamron reports Vietnam production expansion to reduce China risk (Dclife).
5 Hybrid Cameras to Gift (Explora).
10 Specialized Lenses for Different Photography Niches (42West).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our SonyAlphaForum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group. Sony A1 group. Sony A9 series group. Sony A7r series group. Sony A7s series group. Sony A7 series group.