The Weighty History Of Camera Lenses

The weight of camera lenses has been a topic of discussion for many photographers. While camera bodies are becoming smaller with the advent of mirrorless technology, lenses seem to be getting heavier. A study by Photography Life analysed the weights of 733 lenses released since 2000 and found that the median weight of lenses has indeed increased over time. This is despite the fact that the average weight of lenses dipped around 2013 with the introduction of smaller mirrorless lenses.

So, why are lenses getting heavier? It comes down to a combination of physics, user demands and technical developments. Longer focal lengths and larger maximum apertures require bigger lenses. The addition of autofocus motors, image stabilisation and other technical improvements also contribute to the weight. Manufacturers are also under pressure to improve optical performance, reduce vignetting and chromatic aberration, and increase sharpness, often requiring more lens elements and thus adding weight.

It's worth noting that this trend towards heavier lenses is not universal. Some companies, like Nikon, have released f/4 lenses that are relatively lightweight. Additionally, vintage lenses tend to be smaller and lighter, although they may not offer the same optical performance and features as modern lenses.

Modern lenses have more lens elements, which add weight

The increase in lens elements can be attributed to advancements in lens design software, which often solves problems by adding more elements. This has resulted in modern lenses having significantly more elements than their older counterparts. For example, the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 has 17 lens elements, while the Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.2, an older lens, has only 8. This increase in lens elements can lead to a significant increase in weight.

Another factor contributing to the weight of modern lenses is the inclusion of autofocus motors and circuitry. While older lenses were manual-focus, modern lenses require additional components for autofocus capabilities, adding to their overall weight.

Furthermore, consumer demand for larger maximum aperture lenses has also played a role in the increasing weight of modern lenses. Larger apertures require larger front elements, which contribute to the overall size and weight of the lens.

The weight of modern lenses can also be attributed to the need for more robust mechanical structures. As lenses become more complex, with additional elements and features, the supporting structure must be stronger to hold all the components in place. This can lead to an increase in weight, especially for lenses with image stabilisation or vibration reduction features.

Additionally, the advent of very high-resolution sensors has driven manufacturers to improve lens resolution and correction for optical aberrations. This has resulted in the use of different types of glass, larger elements, or a combination of both, all of which contribute to the overall weight of the lens.

While mirrorless cameras were initially marketed as being smaller and lighter, the addition of new features and improvements in optical performance has led to an increase in the size and weight of their lenses as well. This trend is evident across various lens categories, including Micro Four Thirds and Fuji X series lenses, which are known for their lightweight and compact designs.

Older lenses were not as good, and modern lenses have solved many of their problems

The autofocus on older lenses was often unreliable, and the image was rarely sharp across the entire frame. Modern lenses have improved autofocus systems, and the image is sharp from corner to corner. This has been achieved by adding more lens elements, which has also added size and weight.

Older lenses also suffered from heavy vignetting and distortion. Vignetting is when the brightness and saturation of an image decrease towards the periphery, and distortion is when the image appears warped. Modern lenses have improved optics that correct for these issues, but again, this has resulted in the addition of more lens elements, increasing weight.

Another issue with older lenses was a lack of image stabilisation. Image stabilisation helps to counteract the user's wobble and is now a standard feature in modern lenses, further contributing to their weight.

Finally, older lenses were often prime lenses, whereas modern lenses are more likely to be zoom lenses. Zoom lenses have more lens elements and moving parts, making them significantly heavier than prime lenses.

While older lenses may have had a certain charm, modern lenses have improved optics and features that deliver better performance. The addition of these new features has inevitably led to an increase in weight.

Autofocus motors and circuitry add bulk

The autofocus motor in a camera lens is responsible for moving the lens elements to focus on the subject. This motor can be large and heavy, especially in lenses with multiple focus groups. Additionally, the circuitry needed to control the autofocus system adds further bulk to the lens.

The inclusion of autofocus is not the only factor that contributes to the bulk of modern lenses. Other factors include the laws of physics, sensor size, focal length, aperture, and the number of lens elements. The size of the sensor and the focal length of the lens determine the size of the projected light circle relative to the rectangular size of the sensor. This is done to avoid cutting off the corners of the image.

The aperture of the lens, which is the opening through which light enters the lens, also plays a role in determining the size of the lens. A larger aperture requires a larger front element, which can increase the overall size and weight of the lens.

Furthermore, the number of lens elements can also impact the size and weight of the lens. Modern lenses have more lens elements than older lenses to improve optical performance and correct for aberrations. Each additional lens element adds weight and bulk to the lens.

While the inclusion of autofocus is not the sole reason for the bulk of modern lenses, it is a significant contributing factor. Manufacturers continue to add new features and improve optical performance, resulting in larger and heavier lenses over time.

Image stabilisation adds weight

Modern lenses are heavy due to the inclusion of image stabilisation technology. As users put manufacturers under more pressure for higher-quality optics, manufacturers have responded by adding more components to lenses, increasing their weight.

Image stabilisation is one such component that has been added to lenses to improve their performance. This technology helps to counteract the effects of camera shake, resulting in sharper images. While it improves image quality, it also adds weight to the lens.

The addition of image stabilisation is part of a broader trend in lens design. Manufacturers are constantly working to improve the optical performance of their lenses by correcting for issues such as vignetting and chromatic aberration. This is achieved by adding more lens elements, which also contributes to the overall weight of the lens.

The weight of lenses has become a notable issue for photographers, who have noticed the increasing weight of their camera bags despite carrying the same amount of equipment. While mirrorless cameras were initially marketed as a lighter alternative, the addition of new features and components has led to an increase in weight for these systems as well.

It is important to note that the weight of lenses is not solely due to image stabilisation. Other factors, such as autofocus motors, larger apertures, and longer focal lengths, also contribute to the overall weight. Additionally, the push for higher-quality optics and the increasing resolution of sensors have driven manufacturers to improve optical performance, often resulting in heavier lenses.

Higher-resolution sensors have motivated manufacturers to improve resolution, increasing lens size

The weight of old camera lenses can be attributed to various factors, including the number of lens elements, autofocus motors, image stabilization, and zoom capabilities. However, the question also prompts a discussion about the benefits of high-resolution sensors and their impact on lens design. Let's delve into this topic and explore how higher-resolution sensors have influenced manufacturers to improve resolution, potentially contributing to an increase in lens size.

Higher-resolution sensors in digital cameras have driven manufacturers to enhance image quality, and this has indeed led to an increase in lens size. This trend is evident in the ongoing "megapixel race" among camera brands. The pursuit of higher megapixel counts on sensors demands more from lenses in terms of optical performance. To achieve superior image quality, manufacturers have incorporated additional lens elements, more complex optical designs, and advanced features like autofocus and image stabilization. These factors collectively contribute to larger and heavier lenses.

The relationship between sensor resolution and lens performance is intricate. As sensors become more dense with pixels, they capture finer details, exposing any flaws in the lens. Aberrations, such as chromatic aberrations related to color accuracy, and monochromatic aberrations stemming from lens design, become more pronounced on higher-resolution sensors. To address these issues, lens designers have turned to complex optical solutions, often involving multiple lens elements.

The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2, for instance, boasts 17 lens elements, contributing to its substantial weight and size. This complexity ensures that the lens can deliver exceptional performance, meeting the demands of high-resolution sensors. Similarly, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2, while slightly more compact, still falls into the category of heavier lenses. These modern lenses are designed to achieve "crazy corner-to-corner sharpness" and eliminate color fringing, which are critical factors for high-resolution photography.

The pursuit of higher-resolution sensors has also influenced the design of autofocus systems. Modern lenses, like the Nikon Z series, feature autofocus mechanisms that move groups of lens elements to achieve precise focus. This adds to the overall weight and size of the lens. Additionally, the inclusion of multiple autofocus motors, as seen in some lenses, further contributes to the bulk.

Image stabilization is another feature that has become increasingly prevalent in modern lenses. While it enhances image quality, especially in low-light conditions, it also adds weight and complexity to the lens design.

In summary, the push for higher-resolution sensors has indeed motivated manufacturers to improve resolution and overall image quality. This has resulted in the incorporation of more lens elements, advanced optical designs, and sophisticated features. Consequently, lens size has increased to accommodate these improvements. While this may seem like a drawback, it is important to recognize that these larger lenses are capable of delivering exceptional image quality, meeting the demands of modern high-resolution sensors.

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