University of California engineers develop thin digital camera, telephoto lens

Engineers at the University of Californa, San Diego have created a very thin digital camera with a unique telephoto lens that folds up like an "origami" (see left), according to an article in What Digital Camera.

The engineers believe the technology could be used for camera phones as well as for unmanned surveillance aircraft and infrared night vision applications.

Eric Tremblay, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and computer engineering at the university's Jacobs School of Engineering, says the imager (sensor?) is seven times more powerful that other lenses with comparable depth, the article reports.

Applicable for camera phones

Joseph Ford, a professor of electrical and computer engineering who oversees the project, says, "This type of miniature camera is very promising for application where you want high resolution images and a short exposure time.  This describes what cell phone cameras want to be when they grow up."

Tremblay doesn't know whether the product will be available for camera phones, although he says he's "hopeful" and thinks there's "a good possibility."

How does it work?

The article says the concept of an origami type of folded lens has been around for hundreds of years.  "It employs the use of mirrors to reduce camera thickness yet retain good light collection and high-resolution capabilities.

"Instead of bending and focusing light as it passes through a series of separate mirrors and lenses, the new folded system bends and focus's light while it is reflected back and forth inside a single 5mm thick optical crystal.  The light is focused as if it were moving through a traditional lens system that is at least seven times thicker."

Comments

[Bunnie]

I want to know the best camera and lens choice for photos at UGA college football games. We sit high. I have been looking a the Nikon D90 and a second lens Nikkor 200-400 F/4 AFS will this work. I don't know if the lens will work with this model. I need to know some other choices too! Willing to put in the time to gain the knowledge by next season. UGA Mom

[Bunnie]

Can I use a AF-S VR zoom nikkor 200-400 mm f/4G with the nikon D90 camera? Football Mom

[guymay]

please help how do i find out if nokia n95i is the highest mega pix cam phone r there better ones made by sony erric ect thanks a heap guy