Cover photo by GAMI
※ Contributed magazine article by cizucu-certified writer masa.
From film to digital, the development of modern cameras has been supported by the accumulation of various technologies.
Modern digital cameras, created through advancements not only by camera and lens manufacturers like Sony and Canon but also in manufacturing equipment and elemental technologies, are truly a culmination of technological innovation.
These technological advancements have also given rise to new photography experiences and creative techniques.
Mass Production of Aspherical Lenses
One of the significant differences between vintage lenses and modern lenses is the adoption of aspherical lenses. Aspherical lenses help suppress optical aberrations and improve image quality, but their mass production was challenging, making them rare for many years.
In recent years, the common method for producing aspherical lenses used in interchangeable lens cameras involves pressing molten glass preforms at high temperatures. However, during the pressing process, the molds deteriorate due to heat, which posed durability challenges in the past.
Photo by yuki
Recently, advancements in mold durability and reductions in glass melting temperatures have made it possible to widely adopt lenses with multiple aspherical elements.
The Rise of Back-Illuminated CMOS Sensors
Technological advancements are not limited to optics but also extend to the semiconductor field. In image sensors, which convert light captured by lenses into images, back-illuminated CMOS sensors have become a recent trend. Compared to traditional front-illuminated sensors, back-illuminated sensors are not obstructed by wiring, enabling higher sensitivity and better noise resistance, allowing for the design of more robust cameras.
Photo by moouoo
When back-illuminated CMOS sensors were first developed, their cost was a significant challenge. However, with advancements in semiconductor manufacturing technology, it became possible to cut larger wafers and produce numerous chips simultaneously, leading to stable pricing and widespread adoption.
Image Stabilization Technology from Other Fields
While advancements in lens and sensor manufacturing technology have improved image quality, the image stabilization units that support this quality have also evolved steadily. Image stabilization technology can be divided into two aspects: detecting camera shake and correcting it.
Photo by masa
The angular sensors used for "detection" leverage automatic flight technology employed in the aerospace field. For "correction," piezoelectric actuators are commonly used. These piezoelectric elements are created by applying thin-film deposition techniques from semiconductor manufacturing, showcasing how advancements in semiconductor technology have been utilized here as well.
