Dynamic rigidity resists external, typically vertical, vibrations like those that occur in the floor as a result of running heavy machinery or personnel walking around a facility. Dynamic rigidity helps to keep vibrations occurring below the table from affecting the surface by dampening vibrations and responding to changes in height or positioning. (See description of pneumatic isolators below.)

In 2006, Leica built a custom 1600mm f/5.6 lens for Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani of Qatar, who paid around $2 million for this exclusive piece. This 132-pound behemoth is the longest focal length Leica has ever made, built specifically for wildlife and nature photography. It’s as much a status symbol as it is a piece of optical art.

In some optical tables, the body may be outfitted with additional active dampening systems, which can detect a change in vibration frequency and respond accordingly.

Supporting the thick, rectangular metal tabletop are four legs, each reinforced with pneumatic vibration dampeners to accommodate virtually imperceptible changes in floor level.

Leica’s APO glass design ensures superior color accuracy and sharpness, even at 1600mm, where most lenses would struggle. It’s probably the most unique lens on this list and one that only the most dedicated Leica collectors will ever have the chance to see in person, let alone use. Learn more about this lens in the video above by Kristian Dowling.

The speed of this lens allowed Kubrick to capture natural candle-lit scenes without additional lighting. It’s the kind of lens that pushes boundaries, allowing photographers to shoot in near-darkness.

Optical tables are extraordinarily rigid and unyielding, preventing any movement even as loads change or vibrations occur in the surrounding area. To ensure that any item placed on an optical table is perfectly balanced for optimal viewing and security during use, optical tables are carefully designed to be as perfectly flat as possible, completely level to prevent tipping or tilting in any direction, and equipped with mounts for optimal surface area to prevent rocking.

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The inner steel structure of the body typically resembles a honey-comb, designed to provide structural support without becoming unmovably heavy. Polymer foams, rubber, and other dampening materials are placed within the honeycomb structure, which helps to dampen outside vibrations and vibrations created by the experiment itself.

Back in 1993, Nikon introduced the 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8.0P IF-ED, a lens that pushes the limits of zoom lenses. Weighing 36 pounds, it has a focal length range of 1200-1700mm, perfect for capturing subjects that are nearly out of reach. It’s the kind of lens that was designed for extreme sports, press, and wildlife photographers who need that extra reach without compromising on quality.

Optical tablesfor sale

In some high-heat applications, optical tables are outfitted with special thermal-treated plates to prevent heat-induced bending.

The legs of an optical table are the final barrier to disruptive vertical vibrations, like those created by personnel walking around or adjacent running machinery. Small vibrations in the floor create vertical vibrations, which in turn change the height of the floor.

For any long-distance photographer, the 2000mm f/11 is both a relic and a masterpiece. The f/11 aperture limits low-light use, but in daylight, it can achieve impressive results. I’ve always been a fan of mirror lenses for their compact size, but this one really takes that concept to another level.

Most top plates are designed with a grid of threaded holes spaced evenly apart to accommodate various devices and platforms. Typically spaced between ½ an inch to an inch apart, and are outfitted to accommodate standard ¼ inch mounting screws.

Released in 1993, the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM is a highly coveted lens with a 1200mm focal length and a unique pedigree. This 36-pound lens was designed for extreme sports and wildlife photographers. Its status as one of the longest focal length autofocus lenses makes it legendary among Canon enthusiasts, especially as Canon produced only around 20 units.

Some optical tables are designed with threaded attachment holes or magnets, used to secure mounts to the tabletop before being calibrated to the precise placement required for the experiment. To increase rigidity, optical tables are not made from the typical plastic, resin, or wood, but instead are made from thick sheets of carbon, steel, or aluminum.

NewportOptical Tables

Zeiss crafted the 50mm f/0.7 Planar in 1966, initially for NASA’s Apollo missions. Stanley Kubrick famously used it to shoot the candle-lit scenes in Barry Lyndon, cementing its legacy in cinematic history. Weighing only 6.2 pounds, it’s not as physically large as others on this list but deserves mention for its groundbreaking f/0.7 aperture, one of the widest ever created.

To absorb vertical vibrations and keep the body/top plate of the table at a consistent, fully level height, optical table legs should be equipped with pneumatic isolators. Legs outfitted with pneumatic isolators contain two air chambers sealed by rubber diaphragms.

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

TMCoptical tables

Optical tables are most commonly used for delicate processes like making prototype devices, examining small components, or performing technical and easily disruptable experiments. Designed to accommodate a variety of components that can be securely mounted to the tabletop, optical tables can be found in a wide range of facilities including laser laboratories, experimental and educational facilities, manufacturing plants, etc.

The optical quality is remarkable; Canon’s L-series construction ensures sharpness and color fidelity, and with USM (Ultrasonic Motor) autofocus, it offers a rare blend of power and usability. I’ve always appreciated how Canon designed this lens with its characteristic reliability and durability. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime piece of equipment, more like owning a collector’s item.

Optical table design is highly purposeful, created to possess both static and dynamic rigidity and isolate/respond to vibrations. Typical workstations and lab tables may possess some of these qualities, but can’t provide the same unyielding stability as an optical table.

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During optical testing, even the slightest movement caused by floor vibrations can cause items to shift. Even the slightest nano millimeter of deviation from the intended placement of an item can render an experiment unusable.

Static rigidity resists and dampens vibrations created by loads placed on the optical tabletop or created during an experiment. Static rigidity enables a tabletop to hold a steady, precisely calibrated alignment without disturbance. Static rigidity is a quality closely associated with high-frequency resonance.

As such, the use of an optical table (or suitable replacement) is standard in optics testing labs, manufacturing facilities, and repair centers.

The purpose of an optical table is to create a stable surface on which to perform experiments, examine components, and create optical tools and equipment.

While these changes might be imperceptible to the human eye, the delicate experiments performed by optical engineers and researchers could easily be disrupted or destroyed by even the most minor movement.

Visit OnePointe Solutions online today to browse our selection of quality lab furniture, and be sure to check out our blog for more information on topics like this and much more.

In photography, size can be everything—especially when it comes to capturing that ultra-zoomed detail or shooting in near darkness. So, let’s dive into eight massive lenses that have earned their place on the list of the largest ever made for photography. These beasts are a mix of engineering marvels and collector’s dreams, and each has a unique story that makes them worthy of this list.

Optical tables are designed to hold optical components in perfect alignment, down to fractional measurements of mere nanometers. On regular and even anti-vibration tables, an individual walking by, a cart being rolled through a hallway, or the slightest flex of the table when you put a heavy object on top could destroy the experiment or force an engineer to begin again entirely.

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At first glance, an optical table may appear as nothing more than a chunky, sturdily built table or workstation thanks to its compact and unassuming design, but delving a bit deeper into the composition of these important tools, you’ll find a carefully refined and highly purposeful set of components.

What makes this lens fascinating is that, despite its size, Nikon managed to include ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, which helps to eliminate chromatic aberration. The internal focus design (IF) makes focusing smoother and prevents the lens from extending, which is a massive benefit in handling. Owning or even handling one of these lenses is a bit of a rare experience, as it’s a lens built in limited quantities and mostly found with collectors or specialized agencies.

The body of an optical table is the platform on which the top plate rests, and makes up the bulk of the table’s weight and function. Typically between 7 and 12 inches thick, the body is intended to provide additional support to the already rigid top plate to hold heavy objects and to reduce horizontal vibrations – like vibration created by machinery on top of the table.

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What’s wild about this lens is its capability to photograph subjects 30 miles away, thanks to a focal length that’s nearly unheard of in standard photography. Since it’s a mirror lens, it’s compact for its reach but sacrifices some sharpness compared to refractor designs. For any photographer who’s managed to try it, it’s a thrill. While I’ve handled some hefty lenses, the 5200mm would be in a league of its own.

Typically made from aluminum or stainless steel, the top plate of an optical table must be extremely rigid and durable to accommodate frequent work and provide a solid, non-flexible work area that won’t warp or flex with changing loads. The top plate may be quite large – sometimes up to three meters – or smaller depending on the needs of a facility, but should always be made from a stiff, high-frequency resonance metal for optimal dampening.

Most optical table bodies are comprised of a combination of steel and additional dampening materials, providing extreme strength with superior vibration absorption.

When working on such a microscopic scale, the smallest and most seemingly insignificant vibrations can be like earthquakes, which is why optical tables were created.

The lens was designed to capture wildlife from an incredibly far distance, a necessity for the client, as it’s not always possible or safe to get close to certain animals. Crafted with APO (apochromatic) glass elements, it reduces chromatic aberrations that can be pronounced at such long focal lengths. The optical quality is remarkable, with sharpness even at f/4, which is quite fast for such a massive lens. I’ve always been intrigued by the lengths some photographers will go to, and this lens embodies that commitment to getting the shot, no matter the distance.

After 16 years of running PhotographyTalk, I’ve seen a lot of questions pop up on repeat. And one that never fails to resurface is all about the largest lenses ever created for photography. You’d think people are prepping for some kind of photography-themed Jeopardy episode: “I’ll take Massive Lenses for 500, Alex!” But, jokes aside, there’s something fascinating about these giants of the lens world that captures people’s imaginations.

This beast of a lens, the Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 1700mm f/4, first entered the scene in 2006 as a custom commission for a wildlife photographer based in Qatar. Weighing in at 256 pounds, it’s a true marvel of optical engineering, made by Carl Zeiss AG. When I think of long telephoto lenses, my mind usually goes to 600mm or 800mm, but Zeiss took it to the extreme with 1700mm, creating a lens that dwarfs most others.

Mounting holes do not run through the top plate and instead are sealed at the bottom to prevent components or small pieces from falling through. Optical tables not outfitted with threaded holes are typically magnetic clamp compatible for an alternative method of securing components.

Optical tables are a type of platform used by optical engineers and manufacturers to stabilize and support items during the process of testing, manufacturing, or repairing the optical elements that make up lasers, microscopes, and other optical devices. Designed to be extremely stiff and rigid, the use of an optical table is intended to minimize the effect of natural vibrations on the alignment of items/elements being examined or created.

Several types and variations of optical tables exist, but all can generally be broken down into three essential components: Top plate, body, and legs.

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When Sigma launched the 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG in 2008, it quickly earned the nickname “Sigmonster.” Weighing about 35 pounds, this lens is one of the few zoom lenses that can maintain an f/2.8 aperture across its range, making it a dream for low-light sports and wildlife photography. It also includes a built-in 2x teleconverter, pushing it up to 1000mm at f/5.6.

This is one lens I’d describe as pure engineering genius. The optical quality is amazing, especially for a lens of this size, and Sigma designed it with APO (apochromatic) glass to reduce chromatic aberration. If you’ve seen this lens in action, you know it turns heads—and probably needs a strong tripod and assistant to help carry it.

The chambers are connected by a small hole, which allows for the transfer of air. Rather than transferring perceptible vibrations upwards and to the body of the table, pneumatic isolator legs pass air from one chamber to the other, raising and lowering the table to keep the surface level.

As discussed in the video above by HDCAMAN, this legendary lens, the Canon 5200mm f/14, was a product of the 1960s and holds a unique place in photography history. At an incredible 220 pounds, this lens is essentially a telescope with a Canon mount, capturing subjects from miles away. Its main application was for surveillance and observatory purposes, making it far from a practical choice for regular photography.

Vibration dampening refers to the decrease in vibration frequency as it travels up through the floor, into the leg, and to the top of the table. Dampening features of optical tables gradually reduce vibrations to prevent them from disrupting positioning, a quality that is accomplished by adding pneumatic isolators to the legs of a table, which respond to varying vibration frequencies to provide real-time stabilization.

Nikon’s Nikkor 2000mm f/11 Reflex, introduced in the 1970s, is a classic mirror lens with an astonishing 2000mm focal length. Weighing 37 pounds, it was initially developed for surveillance and astronomy. The lens’s mirror design means it’s relatively compact for its length, though it has that signature doughnut-shaped bokeh typical of mirror lenses.