In the field of marine exploration and underwater photography, high-quality image recording is of paramount importance. With the continuous advancement of technology, deep-sea camera technology has also ushered in new development opportunities. This article delves into the innovative design solutions for underwater lenses based on Sony’s ILX-LR1 movement and SEL14F18GM lens, as well as the forward-looking development trends in this field.
As a full-frame expandable system remote camera, the Sony ILX-LR1 boasts powerful performance. Equipped with a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor with approximately 61 million effective pixels, combined with the BIONZ XR™ image processor, its performance is approximately 8 times higher than the previous generation. This not only reduces processing latency but also significantly enhances the processing capabilities for both video and still images. With a native sensitivity range of ISO 100–32000 (expandable to ISO 50–102400), it supports 4K UHD video recording at up to 60fps, as well as professional color modes such as S-Log 3 and HLG, providing a solid hardware foundation for underwater shooting. The SEL14F18GM ultra-wide-angle large-aperture prime G Master lens, with its 14mm focal length, 114° equivalent (35mm format), and F1.8 ultra-large aperture, captures vast underwater scenes, allowing the grandeur and mystery of the deep sea to be fully displayed.
Aiming at the requirements of deep-sea photography, there are currently two highly innovative underwater lens solutions. The first solution involves adding underwater compensation and correction optical path lenses, along with pressure-resistant hemispherical K9 glass, to existing lenses. Pressure-resistant hemispherical K9 glass features excellent optical properties and high compressive strength, protecting the lens in high-pressure deep-sea environments. The underwater compensation and correction optical path lens is crucial: it effectively corrects the refraction and chromatic dispersion of light when propagating in water, ensuring the clarity and color accuracy of the captured images. This solution fully utilizes existing lens resources and achieves underwater shooting functionality through additional accessories, reducing research and development costs and time to a certain extent.
The second solution integrates pressure-resistant hemispherical K9 glass with specially designed underwater lenses. The specially designed underwater lenses can be optimized in terms of lens structure, coating technology, etc., according to the special requirements of underwater shooting. For example, in lens structure, special optical materials and designs may be adopted to further reduce aberrations and chromatic aberrations; in coating technology, more advanced anti-reflective coatings may be developed to reduce light reflection loss on the lens surface and improve light transmittance. Meanwhile, the lenses in both solutions are placed inside a dry chamber, effectively avoiding direct erosion by seawater and ensuring the stability and service life of the lenses.
Looking to the future, underwater lens technology will further develop towards greater intelligence and integration. For instance, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology to achieve intelligent adjustment of functions such as autofocus and automatic white balance, improving shooting efficiency and quality. In terms of materials, the research and development of new optical and pressure-resistant materials will further enhance lens performance and pressure resistance, enabling them to adapt to deeper and more complex underwater environments. Additionally, with the development of 5G technology, real-time transmission of underwater footage will become possible, allowing people to experience the wonders of the deep sea in real time.
In fields such as marine resource development, underwater archaeology, and marine ecological research, the importance of underwater lenses is increasingly prominent. These two innovative underwater lens design solutions and future development trends provide new ideas and directions for the advancement of deep-sea photography technology. It is believed that in the near future, underwater lenses will continue to break through technical bottlenecks, bringing us more splendid deep-sea images.
