Zeiss uses new findings from perception theory to optimize distortion in binoculars

by Holger Merlitz

According to an announcement made in August 2024, Zeiss has equipped their new SFL binoculars with distortion curves that are particularly designed in order to minimize both, the globe effect and pincushion distortion. The corresponding link doesn't exist any more, therefore here the screenshot:

This innovation is based on the research presented before on this webpage, and the SFL binocular line thus represents the first practical application of this method [1], once designed to understand and eliminate the globe effect with as little as possible collateral damage in terms of pincushion distortion. The delicate balance between the involved parameters has been made possible after studies of visual perception [2], which proved the existence of a visual barrel distortion, and the compensation of that barrel distortion by a well-chosen amount of pincushion distortion leads to the desired compensation. Thus, the binocular image exhibits a particularly smooth and pleasant panning behavior.

[1] H. Merlitz, "Distortion of binoculars revisited: Does the sweet spot exist?", Journal of the Optical Society of America A 27, 50 (2010)
[2] A.H.J. Oomes, J.J. Koenderink, A.J. Doorn, H. de Ridder, "What are the uncurved lines in our visual field? A fresh look at Helmholtz's checkerboard", Perception 38, p. 1284 (2009).

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Last updated: November 2024