Online Tool Takes Guesswork Out of Video Lens Selection


June 29, 2007, Barrington, NJ. - Edmund Optics (EO), the premier provider of optical components and tools, today announced the availability of an online tool for finding the video lens that best matches a customer's imaging application needs. The tool allows customers to specify their ideal lens' characteristics, finds suitable matches among EO's wide inventory of world-class lens systems, and provides customers with a unique five-point rating of each lens to simplify evaluation. The tool also allows customers to search for complete camera-and-lens system combinations.

The EO Lens and Camera Selection Guide takes the guesswork out of the selection process by providing more than a simple parametric search. The selection criteria pages use drop-down menus for many search parameters and include help links that bring up tutorials explaining the fundamental parameters of imaging systems.

Users can search by simply specifying basic parameters such as mounting type, sensor characteristics, field-of-view or focal length of lenses. Users can also constrain their search with free-form advanced parameters such as working distance and mechanical dimensions. The tool then determines which lenses are a good match for the application requirements and presents a list of lenses to the user for further evaluation. Lenses can be ranked by price or by degree of fit to the requirements. Clicking on a lens brings the user to another page that describes the lens in more detail.

The lenses' detail pages summarize in a single location all the information needed for making a selection. To help users evaluate selected lenses, for instance, the tool highlights if and how a lens deviates from the input specifications. It also provides a five-point rating of the lens in terms of its flexibility, working distance, image quality, depth of field, integration features, and cost, simplifying the comparison of lenses. Full information for each lens is made available, including specifications, tested illumination roll off, mechanical drawings, and lists of available accessories. For most lenses, the tool also provides resolution test images allowing users to see lens performance with their own eyes.

Once the user has chosen a lens, ordering is simple. A display at the bottom of the evaluation screen gives the catalog number and price, indicates if a unit is in stock, and provides a link to add the selection to the user's shopping cart.

Price and Availability
The free EO Camera and Lens Selection Guide can be found on-line at www.edmundoptics.com/selectionguide .

About EO:
Edmund Optics (EO) is a leading producer of optics, imaging, and photonics technology for R&D, electronics, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and military markets around the globe. EO is the world's largest supplier of off-the-shelf optical components. Customers can purchase items by contacting EO at 1-800-363-1992, via the catalog, or via the website at www.edmundoptics.com

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