Galileo is perhaps best known as the guy who proved Copernicus right about the sun sitting in the center of our solar system. But this proof would have been impossible without the improvements Galileo made to the telescope, which allowed him to see into the world beyond our planet like never before. And it turns out that these instruments might have been more advanced than we’ve ever given Galileo credit for.
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Photography has come a long way since its beginnings, but there are still some amazing things to be discovered by looking at how things worked back then. Inspired by the early days of photography, this lens has been re-engineered from one that was invented in the 19th century.
The team of Lomography have released their Petzval lens, which is supposed to replicate the lens that was originally invented by Joseph Petzval in Vienna, Austria, in 1840. It will work with Nikon F-mount and Canon EF-mount DSLRs.
The original Petzval lens was used to create beautiful portrait shots, and the new lens keeps the same strong color saturation, depth of field, bokeh elements, etc for which the lens was lauded.
Lomography launched their project as a Kickstarter campaign, and it’s been wildly successful so far. They’ve already amassed over $833,000 versus their goal of $100,000 – so this lens will definitely be made. There are 25 days left of funding, but you’ll have to pledge $400(USD) to get yours.
So far 3D video hasn’t taken off like high definition did, but that hasn’t stopped entrepreneurs from exploring its potential. But while most 3D-capable gadgets tout their cutting edginess, the inventors of Poppy did the opposite. The gadget, which allows you to shoot and view 3D videos and images using an iPhone or iPod Touch, is a throwback through and through.
If nothing else, I love how it looks. It’s not shiny, streamlined or made of machined aluminum – it’s a freaking plastic box. Even the way it works is low-tech. The Poppy has no moving or electronic parts. It just uses lenses and mirrors to achieve the 3D effect. The only high tech component of course is your iOS device. The Poppy only works with the iPhone 4, 4S and 5 and the 5th generation iPod Touch.
In the end though, the Poppy is up against the same problem that other 3D gadgets have. It promises a see-it-to-believe-it experience that just can’t be demonstrated or previewed. Still, that hasn’t stopped it from blowing through its Kickstarter goal with almost a month left on its fundraiser. Pledge at least $49 (USD) on Kickstarter to get a Poppy as a reward.
Nikon Corporation has announced that the cumulative number of NIKKOR interchangeable lenses manufactured by the company has reached 80 million.
Nikon (then Nippon Kogaku), launched its single-lens reflex camera “Nikon F” in 1959, and at the same time released the “Nikon F” “NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f / 2″, the first “NIKKOR” lens. Since the launch of this lens, the line-up has been expanded while leading the optics market in Japan and around the world.
This includes the start, in October 2011, of the “Nikon 1″ which increased the pace of sales on NIKKOR lenses. The company reached the milestone of 75 million lenses in early November 2012, and now has already hit the 80 million mark.
Many different lenses have been introduced as part of the company’s new lineups. For example, since the beginning of 2013, as an interchangeable lens for Nikon single-lens reflex cameras, 3 lenses were released including FX format compliant 5x telephoto zoom lens “AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR”.
Regarding the “1 NIKKOR” lens for interchangeable lens advanced camera “Nikon 1″, after 2013, 3 lenses were released including 10X zoom lens “1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4-5.6″.
Nikon is also celebrating the 80th anniversary of the NIKKOR brand which is considered the benchmark by many in the optics and camera industries.
The video below is really interesting and was made to commemorate the brand’s 80th anniversary.
You’re looking at the Sony DEV-50V, an overhauled version of the pricey multi-gadget Sony announced at IFA a few years ago. Meet the new and improved Swiss Army goggles. They’re part 25x zoom digital binoculars, part sophisticated 3D camcorder, and all kinds of crazy expensive. More »
The most dangerous thing about a motorcycle isn’t the motorcycle itself, it’s the distracted drivers around you. We all see people driving down the street in a car weaving all over the place, texting rather than paying attention to what they’re doing. If one of those drivers hits you in your car, you may be angry but odds are you going to be okay. However, if one of those distracted drivers hits you on a motorcycle, there’s a very high likelihood that you won’t be walking away from the accident.
A company called Reevu has created an incredibly cool motorcycle helmet that gives riders eyes in the back of their head. The helmet uses an optical device that’s able to give the rider a view of what’s going on behind them, without distracting them from the road in front of them.
The helmet doesn’t use a camera system or an LCD viewfinder, it uses an optical device that is able to bend light over the top of the wearer’s head allowing them to view what’s behind them on a small mirror inside the helmet.
Those optical elements are coated onto a bulletproof material inside the helmet that also acts as a crumple zone to add additional protection in an accident.
The helmet is made from durable, lightweight polycarbonate materials, and is available in black, matte black, titanium and silver finishes. You can buy the Reevu MSX1 Rear View helmet at Revzilla for $399.99(USD).
Believe it or not, what you’re looking at above is a set of headphones — let’s explain. It’s no secret that Skullcandy has been working to improve its tattered repertoire with headphone junkies for the past two years. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to hear generally favorable opinions about its Jay-Z-endorsed Roc Nation Aviators ($150), and the company has apparently taken notice. Aiming to build on the success it’s had blending sunglasses with headphones, it’s now ready to let loose a “smaller sibling” into the lineup — and we’ve been able to get an exclusive first look and listen.
Without further ado, say hello to the Navigator. Priced at $99, it features a similar aviator-esque style to Jay-Z’s model, albeit in a petite on-ear package — we’d say the design direction this time is even better looking, too. The cans have collapsible earcups with flat earpads and metal construction (just like you’d find on sunglasses), with a faux leather-wrapped headband and a flat tangle-resistant cable (detachable) which houses an iDevice-compatible three-button remote and microphone. Skullcandy is being light on technical details at the moment, but we do know that the headphones will come in a choice of black or black with blue lenses earcups. Interests piqued? The Navigator will officially land at Apple stores tomorrow, where they’ll be an exclusive offering until the end of the month — in the meantime, join us past the break for our initial impressions.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Wearables
Skullcandy unveils Navigator on-ear headphones, we take a first listen to the Aviator’s petite “sibling” originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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3D-printing is awesome, but it has its limits. For the time being, we mostly get static plastic figures, and while resolution is getting better all the time, we’re far from a real replicator future. A new development is bringing us one step closer, however: printable optics. More »
While theme parks and animation come to mind when we think of Disney, it’s clear that the company is investing significant time, money and effort into cool new technologies as well. We’ve already seen Disney’s interactive food concept, and their cool touch interaction system. Now it looks like they’re trying to advance the world of 3D printing by creating digitally-printed optics.
Applying 3D printing techniques to optically clear plastics, Disney Research wants to create custom lenses and illumination devices which can be embedded directly into products.
Using the technique, they could make everything from special light-up eyes for a toy robot to unique illuminated displays for vehicles, to high-tech lighting fixtures and volumetric displays. The technique also could produce something called “light pipes” which could redirect light from one surface to another, similarly to fiber optics.
The video clip below features several other examples of how printed optics could be used:
You can read more details about the technology in Disney Research’s paper on 3D printed optics here [PDF].
[via Core77 via PolkaRobot]
A group of engineers from Disney Research have crafted a new method to create interactive objects using 3D printers. Referred to as “printed optics,” the lure of this technology is the ability to transform inert 3D models into interactive subjects by embedding 3D printed light piping into an object with minimal electronic components. Illuminated by LEDs and mobile projectors, this new breakthrough in optics has the potential to replace LCD and LED screens to display information on smaller interactive devices. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to visualize such a mojo in action, then check out the video after the break. It will enlighten you.
Continue reading Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video)
Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Alt
Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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