focal plane
Where focus lands
The focal plane is the flat surface where light rays converge to form a sharp image—the plane of focus.
In cameras, the sensor or film sits at the focal plane.
In telescopes and microscopes, it's where the image appears clearest.
The shutter sits just in front of the focal plane.
Objects at different distances from a lens have different focal planes, which is why adjusting focus means moving elements until the subject aligns with this plane.
Hinged window covering
- sensorInput-detecting device
- filmMovie or coating
- exposureState of being unprotected
- autofocusSelf-adjusting lens clarity
viewfinder · ground glass · live view · rangefinder · bellows · tilt-shift · large format · medium format
Light-focusing curved glass
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- refractionWave bending between media
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
- bokehAesthetic quality of defocus
diopter · conjugate · magnification · collimation · registration · diffraction · achromatic · astigmatism
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- perpendicularAt right angles
registration · collimation · true · square · leveling · fine-tuning · centering · positioning
State of being understandable
- acuitySharpness of mind or sight
- definitionStatement of meaning
- crispnessSnappy, firm texture
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
sharpness · blur · softness · fall-off · transition zone · grain · noise
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- interferometerInstrument measuring wave interference
- detectorDevice that senses
eyepiece · objective · condenser · stage · reticle · crosshairs · thermal imaging · infrared sensor
shutter
Hinged window covering
autofocus · viewfinder · ground glass · live view · rangefinder · bellows · tilt-shift · large format · medium format · mirrorless
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- refractionWave bending between media
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
bokeh · diopter · conjugate · magnification · collimation · registration · diffraction · achromatic · astigmatism
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- parallelEquidistant at all points
perpendicular · registration · collimation · true · square · leveling · fine-tuning · centering · positioning · tolerance
clarity
State of being understandable
- acuitySharpness of mind or sight
- definitionStatement of meaning
- crispnessSnappy, firm texture
resolution · sharpness · blur · softness · fall-off · transition zone · grain · noise
microscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- interferometerInstrument measuring wave interference
detector · eyepiece · objective · condenser · stage · reticle · crosshairs · thermal imaging · infrared sensor
- photographycamera, photo, flash, lens, shooting
- photography termsunderexposed, overexposed, exposure time, fisheye lens, fisheye
- microscopymicroscope, objective lens, compound microscope, eyepiece, compound microscopes
- radio telescopesradio telescope, dish, parabolic reflector, dish antenna, antenna array
- focusconcentration, attention, concentrate, mindfulness, hyperfocus
- telescopesrefractor, reflector, Newtonian, Gregorian, space telescope