ine-Vision Lenses 101 – Why Optics Drive Data Quality
Your camera is only as good as the glass in front of it. A machine-vision lens shapes every downstream metric: resolution, contrast, edge sharpness, and spectral fidelity. Begin with the sensor format (e.g., 1.1″, 2/3″) and choose a lens that fully illuminates it—vignetting wastes pixels. Focal length sets the field of view (FoV): shorter for large scenes, longer for tight inspection. Working distance (WD) matters because magnification changes with WD on conventional lenses, altering pixel size and calibration.
Key performance parameters:
| Parameter | What it Impacts | Target Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) | Edge contrast | ≥ 60 lp/mm @ 30 % |
| Distortion | Dimensional accuracy | < 0.1 % (metrology) |
| Relative illumination | Uniformity | > 90 % center-to-corner |
*Typical for modern C-mount optics.
Finally, check spectral coatings if you work with NIR or UV, and match the aperture (F-number) to your lighting budget. Remember: swapping lenses late in a project costs far more than engineering a solid optical stack from day one.
