flourite lens at DVinfo.net

Michael Bendixen · June 8th, 2004, 09:41 PM

Can anyone tell me about what this means. I've read some info on past threads but I'd like some more. Also, how does it compare with the lens of the PD-170, which I heard is also a Canon?

Ken Tanaka · June 8th, 2004, 09:58 PM

Flourite is a naturally occurring crystal that's mined in various places around the world. Canon has a patented process and design for incorporating optical elements made of flourite in some of their high-end lenses (ex: some of their "L" series photo lenses and, of course, the GL2's lens) to minimize distortions. You can read a short blurb about it here.

I don't know about the 170's lens, but I doubt it's made by Canon. The optical image stabilizing ("SuperSteadyShot") might very well be a Canon product.

Michael Bendixen · June 9th, 2004, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the info and link Ken. I've read similar info about flourite from Canon before, but I wonder the distortions it minimizes are noticeable or is it just a marketing ploy?

Jeff Donald · June 9th, 2004, 05:39 PM

Fluorite reduces all types of chromatic aberrations. Nikon uses ED (extra low dispersion) glass. It works about the same, different material.

Ken Tanaka · June 9th, 2004, 06:50 PM

Fine photography, and particularly the physics of light diffraction, is an extremely complex field. While Canon's marketing strategy certainly touts their use of flourite, it's not fluff. It's an expensive and intricate process that's offered only on Canon's high-end lenses and that truly aids in producing some magnificent results. If you want some casual testimony, look around at an event that draws professional photographers. How many white-barreled lenses do you see? Each of those, and many of the black barrels, is a Canon 'L' series lens.

Of course such a high quality lens would generally be overkill for taking just-fooling-around photos at relatively low resolution.

Jeff Price · June 10th, 2004, 09:45 AM

Fluorite is also used in some of the more esoteric branches of photography. For example, photography in the near UV. Nikon makes a specialty lens for just this application. It costs $5,000 and is made out of fluorite.

Some of the top of the line spotting scopes are also made with either fluorite lenses or ED glass. All to pass through the "truest" frequencies of light and reduce aberrations (and, yes, it is noticeable under the proper conditions).

Hagop Matossian · June 10th, 2004, 08:59 PM

good old canon.

June 8th, 2004, 09:41 PM	#1
Michael Bendixen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 109	flourite lens Can anyone tell me about what this means. I've read some info on past threads but I'd like some more. Also, how does it compare with the lens of the PD-170, which I heard is also a Canon?

June 8th, 2004, 09:58 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Flourite is a naturally occurring crystal that's mined in various places around the world. Canon has a patented process and design for incorporating optical elements made of flourite in some of their high-end lenses (ex: some of their "L" series photo lenses and, of course, the GL2's lens) to minimize distortions. You can read a short blurb about it here. I don't know about the 170's lens, but I doubt it's made by Canon. The optical image stabilizing ("SuperSteadyShot") might very well be a Canon product. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 9th, 2004, 05:39 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Fluorite reduces all types of chromatic aberrations. Nikon uses ED (extra low dispersion) glass. It works about the same, different material. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 9th, 2004, 06:50 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Fine photography, and particularly the physics of light diffraction, is an extremely complex field. While Canon's marketing strategy certainly touts their use of flourite, it's not fluff. It's an expensive and intricate process that's offered only on Canon's high-end lenses and that truly aids in producing some magnificent results. If you want some casual testimony, look around at an event that draws professional photographers. How many white-barreled lenses do you see? Each of those, and many of the black barrels, is a Canon 'L' series lens. Of course such a high quality lens would generally be overkill for taking just-fooling-around photos at relatively low resolution. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 10th, 2004, 09:45 AM	#6
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	Fluorite is also used in some of the more esoteric branches of photography. For example, photography in the near UV. Nikon makes a specialty lens for just this application. It costs $5,000 and is made out of fluorite. Some of the top of the line spotting scopes are also made with either fluorite lenses or ED glass. All to pass through the "truest" frequencies of light and reduce aberrations (and, yes, it is noticeable under the proper conditions). __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

June 9th, 2004, 04:36 PM	#3
Michael Bendixen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 109	Thanks for the info and link Ken. I've read similar info about flourite from Canon before, but I wonder the distortions it minimizes are noticeable or is it just a marketing ploy?

June 10th, 2004, 08:59 PM	#7
Hagop Matossian Woodyfang Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: London/Nicosia Posts: 125	good old canon. __________________ 10 films online http://www.undeadarmy.org STOP PRESS!! http://www.honeyweasel.com STOP PRESS!! Lighting Cameraman / Director / Producer / Music Producer / DJ / Web Designer / Visualist / Media Student / IT Tutor / Digital Artist W00dy See, W00dy d00...