Difference between revisions of "Autofocus"
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| + | '''Autofocus''' is a mechanism in an optical system which automatically changes the optics to focus an image. In a camera, this is used to focus the subject image, through the lens, onto the [[focal plane]] - the film or digital sensor. | ||
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| + | ==Autofocus Methods== | ||
| + | A number of different methods are used for autofocus: | ||
| + | ===Active Systems=== | ||
| + | Active Autofocus sends something towards the subject and analyses the reflection: | ||
| + | * ''Sonar'' - ultrasonic sound is emitted by the camera; this is reflected from the subject back to the camera. The delay between the emitted and reflected sound is measured, giving a distance estimate, and the lens adjusted to this distance. Some [[Polaroid SX-70]] cameras used this system. | ||
| + | * ''Infra-red beam'' - a pulsed infra-red light beam is emitted by the camera and reflected by the subject; the camera has an infra-red receiver set apart from the emitter. Adjusting the angles of emitter and receiver (in concert with moving the lens focus mechanism) and finding a maximum in the amount of light received gives a measure of the distance and a focused image. This method is common on [[compact camera|compact film cameras]]. | ||
| + | ===Passive Systems=== | ||
| + | Passive Autofocus analyses the image arriving at the camera, without transmitting anything towards the subject - except in some cases an "assistance" light is used to illuminate the subject when it is too dark for there to be enough image for focusing. | ||
| + | * ''Image splitting'' - the image is divided into two parts, and these are analysed by an autofocus sensor. This effectively creates a rangefinder - working by comparing light peaks and their phases in the two images. ''SIR'' - Secondary Image Registration is one example of this method. | ||
| + | * ''Contrast analysis'' - the contrast of the image is measured whilst adjusting the focus of the lens - the highest contrast is achieved when the image is in focus. This is more easily implemented in digital cameras, which already have a sensor and a processing system, and some video cameras. | ||
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| + | [[Category: Focusing system]] | ||
Revision as of 03:04, 14 January 2009
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Autofocus is a mechanism in an optical system which automatically changes the optics to focus an image. In a camera, this is used to focus the subject image, through the lens, onto the focal plane - the film or digital sensor.
Autofocus Methods
A number of different methods are used for autofocus:
Active Systems
Active Autofocus sends something towards the subject and analyses the reflection:
- Sonar - ultrasonic sound is emitted by the camera; this is reflected from the subject back to the camera. The delay between the emitted and reflected sound is measured, giving a distance estimate, and the lens adjusted to this distance. Some Polaroid SX-70 cameras used this system.
- Infra-red beam - a pulsed infra-red light beam is emitted by the camera and reflected by the subject; the camera has an infra-red receiver set apart from the emitter. Adjusting the angles of emitter and receiver (in concert with moving the lens focus mechanism) and finding a maximum in the amount of light received gives a measure of the distance and a focused image. This method is common on compact film cameras.
Passive Systems
Passive Autofocus analyses the image arriving at the camera, without transmitting anything towards the subject - except in some cases an "assistance" light is used to illuminate the subject when it is too dark for there to be enough image for focusing.
- Image splitting - the image is divided into two parts, and these are analysed by an autofocus sensor. This effectively creates a rangefinder - working by comparing light peaks and their phases in the two images. SIR - Secondary Image Registration is one example of this method.
- Contrast analysis - the contrast of the image is measured whilst adjusting the focus of the lens - the highest contrast is achieved when the image is in focus. This is more easily implemented in digital cameras, which already have a sensor and a processing system, and some video cameras.
