However, this ideal value is hardly achieved because many optical errors, like chromatic & spherical aberration, coma and astigmatism, and mechanical errors (such as centring errors) etc. additionally reduce the lens resolution. The best optic results can be achieved by stopping down the lens by approximately 2 f-stops.

C-mount camera

The theoretical maximum optical resolution of optics is determined by diffraction effects of light which mainly depend on the wavelength of the light and the slit (aperture). According to the Rayleigh criterion (remaining contrast of approx. 15 per cent), two image points can still be distinguished when the distance of the points dx = 2 * 1.22 * f-stop * wavelength.

Note: For a simple calculation please select a value from the drop-down box. Even when using the drop-down lists own values can be entered. Please use the first entry "user def."!