Lens distortion

Delhi, Ontario

Its interesting how a zoom lens can distort distance. The two images above are of the same bridge, the top image was taken with a 300 mm zoom lens and the lower one with a 17 mm wide angle lens. Clearly the bridge in the lower image looks longer, but it is the same bridge. In fact the lower picture was taken from further out on the bridge than the upper one.

This also causes any defects in the rails to be exaggerated quite a bit, making the rail look much rougher than it really is.

-Tim

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 07-20-2007 | 01:07 PM
Posted in: Picture of the Day