Applied Photographic Optics, Third Edition (Paperback)

by Sidney Ray BSc MSc ASIS HonFBIPP FMPA HonFRPS (Author) "The efficient and effective use of visual media such as photography, film, video and digital imaging is enhanced by an understanding and working knowledge of..." (more)
Key Phrases: lens conjugate equation, aerial lenses, equivalent focal plane, New York, Photonics Spectra, Focal Press (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Reviews of the first edition:

'Thorough, comprehensive, and well organised, this book deserves a place in any technical university or large public library. Highly recommended.'
American Library Association .....

'For any establishment involved with photographic, projection or video technology, and for anyone concerned with the teaching of photographic optics, as well as for the dedicated photographic enthusiast, this is an essential.'
British Journal of Photography .....

'There can hardly be any aspect of photography that is not mentioned somewhere and all photographers should find this a useful reference for recent developments..'
The Photographic Journal ......

'Applied Photographic Optics is a tour de force. For students and those technically minded, it is a book well worth having.'
Hotshoe International ..... -- Review

Review
Reviews of the first edition:

'Thorough, comprehensive, and well organised, this book deserves a place in any technical university or large public library. Highly recommended.'
American Library Association .....

'For any establishment involved with photographic, projection or video technology, and for anyone concerned with the teaching of photographic optics, as well as for the dedicated photographic enthusiast, this is an essential.'
British Journal of Photography .....

'There can hardly be any aspect of photography that is not mentioned somewhere and all photographers should find this a useful reference for recent developments..'
The Photographic Journal ......

'Applied Photographic Optics is a tour de force. For students and those technically minded, it is a book well worth having.'
Hotshoe International .....



See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 680 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240515404
• ISBN-13: 978-0240515403
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #678,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you want sensibly to know on photographic optics, October 8, 2007

By	Ben "Ben" (Frankfurt) - See all my reviews

I have an older (second) edition of this book, and I use it regularily for reference. It is comprehensive and covers everything imaginable about photographic optics. It does skip basics and a reader without deeper prior knowlegde would do good, to read a solid optics book beforehand (the old books by Conrady are to be recommended). Mathematics is not overly complicated, highschool knowledge should be sufficient - but one can learn a lot from this book, even without going into the details of the formulae presented. Sidney Ray is a great teacher with a precise and clear language.

If I miss something, it is mainly all the specifics about digital imaging. At least the second edition is very thin on this... But it lays very solid foundations and serves as a venerable reference even in our digital imaging age. Applied Photographic Optics does not cover things like colour and the scope is very focused. So it is really not a substitute for a general optics or colour book (like Hunt's "The Reproduction of Colour").

For many readers the much shorter "The Photographic lens" by the same author might be a good and much cheaper alternative. But it won't go into detail as much and might leave the reader with the wish to learn more - then Applied Photographic Optics is the logical next step.

To my (limited) knowledge, there is no other current book, that could be a sensible alternative to this classic.

4.0 out of 5 stars Expensive, but worth it when you need it, May 20, 2007

By	Richard F. Lyon (Silicon Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you have an amateur interest in photographic optics, there are excellent books for a lot less money. But if you really need the most in-depth information in a wide range of detailed topics and applications, this one is well worth the price. Though for $150 you'd think they'd throw in a hard cover, wouldn't you?