Lenses and Optics for Cinema
How cinema lenses shape the image: image formation, focal length and perspective, f-stops and T-stops, depth of field and hyperfocal distance, prime sets and zooms, anamorphic optics, lens character, coverage and large format, filtration, focus pulling and lens data, and lens testing and prep.
CINE-210 Year 2 3 credits 12 lessons · 5 h 5 min
Offered by HSM University · Cinematography
What you'll learn
- Explain how lenses form images using refraction, the thin lens equation and magnification, and compare cinema and stills lenses
- Calculate fields of view, classify focal lengths by format and use camera distance to control perspective
- Explain f-stops and T-stops, the effects of aperture on image quality and bokeh, and choose working stops
- Calculate depth of field, hyperfocal distance and depth of focus, and use shallow and deep focus creatively
- Evaluate prime lens sets, modern and vintage families, rehoused and specialty lenses for a production
- Explain zoom lens design, parfocal operation, zoom ratios and zoom moves including the dolly zoom
- Explain anamorphic optics, squeeze factors, front and rear designs and the anamorphic look
- Describe lens character in terms of aberrations, contrast, flare, bokeh, distortion and breathing
- Match lenses to sensor modes using image circles, understand vignetting and use expanders and focal reducers
- Select and apply ND, IRND, polarizing, graduated, diffusion and close-up filtration
- Plan and execute focus pulls with marks, lens control systems, distance tools and lens metadata
- Test and prepare lenses for production and present a lens plan and test report
Course content
12 lessons · 5 h 5 min total · final exam
- 1 How lenses form images 25 min · quiz
- 2 Focal length, field of view and perspective 25 min · quiz
- 3 Aperture, f-stops and T-stops 27 min · quiz
- 4 Depth of field, hyperfocal distance and focus 24 min · quiz
- 5 Prime lenses and cinema lens sets 25 min · quiz
- 6 Zoom lenses 27 min · quiz
- 7 Anamorphic lenses 24 min · quiz
- 8 Lens character: aberrations, flare and breathing 27 min · quiz
- 9 Coverage, image circles and large format 26 min · quiz
- 10 Filtration and lens accessories 25 min · quiz
- 11 Focus pulling and lens data 25 min · quiz
- 12 Lens testing, camera prep and capstone 25 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
How cinema lenses shape the image: image formation, focal length and perspective, f-stops and T-stops, depth of field and hyperfocal distance, prime sets and zooms, anamorphic optics, lens character, coverage and large format, filtration, focus pulling and lens data, and lens testing and prep.
Part of the Film & Photography stream, typically taken in year 2.