EE needs help with optics

  • Context: Optical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jtknep
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ccd Lens Optics
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on enhancing the capabilities of a CCD video camera with a fixed lens, specifically the OV2640 model, by adding external lenses to achieve a 4x magnification and focus at a distance of 3.5 meters. Participants suggest using telescope designs that consist of two lenses with specific focal lengths, spaced apart to achieve the desired magnification. Additionally, the use of a teleconverter lens compatible with the existing camera lens is recommended as a potential solution. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding field of view (FOV) and lens spacing for optimal results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic optics principles, including focal lengths and magnification.
  • Familiarity with CCD camera specifications, particularly the OV2640 model.
  • Knowledge of telescope design and configuration.
  • Experience with teleconverter lenses and their compatibility with camera systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research telescope design principles to understand lens configurations for 4x magnification.
  • Explore teleconverter lens options compatible with the OV2640 CCD camera.
  • Investigate the relationship between FOV and lens spacing in optical systems.
  • Learn about the practical applications of external lenses in enhancing camera performance.
USEFUL FOR

Optics enthusiasts, camera hobbyists, and anyone looking to enhance the functionality of CCD cameras through external lens systems.

jtknep
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
Fixed lens limitation
I think this is a simple request but I’ve never been very good at optics and need help. I have a ccd video camera with a fixed lens. Images are in focus from about 20 cm to infinity. It has an angular fov of 60 degrees. Can someone explain how to add external lens(es) to magnify a plane image 4 times and focus at a distance of 3.5 meters? The magnified image can be inverted if necessary. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since your desired image distance seems to be well within an acceptable range for the current camera design, you will want to look a telescope designs with a magnification of 4x. This may be as simple as two lenses with focal lengths f1 and f2. They are spaced apart by f1 + f2 and have a magnification of M=f1/f2=4. Of course it can get more complex, depending on what you care about. The web has tons of information about telescope design, find the stuff that makes sense to you and addresses your problem.
https://www.rocketmime.com/astronomy/Telescope/telescope_eqn.html
 
Reply
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
Are you saying that I should simply put a telescope in front of the existing fixed lens? If so, what is the proper distance from the fixed lens to the first telescope lens? Thanks for your patience with my meager knowledge of this subject.
 
jtknep said:
Are you saying that I should simply put a telescope in front of the existing fixed lens? If so, what is the proper distance from the fixed lens to the first telescope lens? Thanks for your patience with my meager knowledge of this subject.
The short (approximate) answer is that depends on the FOV angle and the diameter of the telescope. You want to capture (or supply) all of the rays that the camera can see. But, as close as practical, to make the telescope design smaller and cheaper.
 
jtknep said:
Can someone explain how to add external lens(es) to magnify a plane image 4 times and focus at a distance of 3.5 meters?
Perhaps you can find a teleconverter lens that's compatible with your existing CCD camera lens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DaveE
renormalize said:
Perhaps you can find a teleconverter lens that's compatible with your existing CCD camera lens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter.
Thanks for the advice. I haven’t been able to find one.
 
jtknep said:
Thanks for the advice. I haven’t been able to find one.
Can you post the make and model of your camera?
 
renormalize said:
Can you post the make and model of your camera?
The model of the camera module is OV2640. There are many suppliers but I can’t determine the actual mfr. Here’s a drawing:
IMG_0455.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Optical Simple optical lens design help (small projector)
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Undergrad How to couple light from a very small source into spectrometer?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Focal length of the eyepiece lens in a compound microscope
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad What Lens to Put In Front of an Complex Lens to Push Focal Plane Back?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Inserting thick lenses into a thin lens system and deducing values
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Optics Research: Focus Light to <5mm, Cheap Lens Solutions
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How to Measure Magnification of a Lens System with Liquid Surface
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
6K
Optical DIY Telescope: Optics Guide for Using Magnifying Glasses
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Image appears outside of q -- Lens Maker's Equation confusion
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Designing a planocovex PMMA lens
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K