What is autofocus?

Autofocus is a technology that utilizes the principle of light reflection from an object, where the reflected light is detected by the sensor of a camera or other optical device, and through specific algorithms and mechanisms, the focal length of the lens is automatically adjusted so that the object being photographed or observed can be clearly imaged.

Focus Display

Out of focus.                                                        Focus.

Example 1: In the microscopy industry

• Improve observation efficiency: When using a microscope, especially when observing complex biological samples or analyzing the microstructure of materials, manual focusing often requires a lot of time and effort to find a clear imaging plane. The auto-focus function can quickly and accurately find the optimal focal distance, greatly saving observation time and improving work efficiency. For example, in pathology analysis, doctors need to observe a large number of cell sections, and the auto-focus microscope allows them to obtain clear images for diagnosis faster.

• Enhanced image stability: During prolonged observation, the image may be out of focus due to factors such as sample movement and changes in ambient temperature. The autofocus system monitors and adjusts the focus in real time to ensure that the image remains clear and stable, which is conducive to continuous observation and recording of the sample over a long period of time. For example, in cell culture experiments, the growth process of cells needs to be tracked for a long period of time, and autofocus can ensure the clarity of the cell image during the entire observation process.

• Easy to operate and popularize: For some people who are not familiar with the operation of microscope, manual focusing may be difficult and inaccurate focusing may easily occur. The auto-focus function lowers the operation threshold of microscope, enabling more people to use microscope for observation and research easily, which is conducive to the application and popularization of microscope technology in a wider range of fields.

• Improved imaging quality: Autofocus systems often incorporate advanced optical sensors and algorithms that can more accurately detect image clarity, allowing for more accurate focusing and higher quality images. This is especially important for scientific research that requires high-precision image analysis, such as in nanomaterials research, where clear images help to accurately analyze the structure and properties of materials.

Example 2: In the optical lens industry

• Enhance Shooting Success: In photography, fast and accurate autofocus ensures that clear images are captured in the moment of shooting, especially when shooting sports objects such as athletes at sporting events and birds in flight. The autofocus lens can quickly track the movement of the object and adjust the focus in real time, which greatly improves the success rate of shooting and allows the photographer to capture the moment more easily.

• Optimize user experience: For ordinary photographers, the autofocus function makes the shooting process easier and more convenient. They don't need to spend a lot of time and effort to manually adjust the focus, just point the lens at the subject and press the shutter to get a clear photo. This makes photography more interesting and easy to learn, attracting more people to participate in photography activities.

• Adapt to a variety of shooting scenarios: Different shooting scenarios have different focusing requirements, and AF lenses can automatically adjust their focusing strategies according to the characteristics of the environment and the shooting object. For example, in low-light conditions, some autofocus lenses can still maintain good focus performance by enhancing focus signals and optimizing algorithms; when shooting a large scene, the autofocus system can quickly scan the entire screen to find the focal point and focus accurately.

• Promoting technological development: The continuous development of autofocus technology has driven innovation in the optical lens industry. In order to achieve faster and more accurate autofocus, lens manufacturers continue to develop new optical materials, improve lens structure, optimize focusing algorithms, etc., which drives the technical level of the entire optical lens industry and promotes the progress of photography technology.