Ultravidvinkler

Ultravidvinkler is a term used in photography to describe ultra-wide-angle optical systems that produce extremely wide fields of view. In Nordic languages, ultravidvinklar denotes ultra-wide-angle lenses or setups, and the plural form is used when referring to this category of lenses. They are designed to capture broad scenes with relatively short focal lengths, and they are commonly used in landscape, architectural, interior, and astrophotography, as well as in virtual reality capture and 360-degree imaging.

The defining characteristic of ultravidvinklar is their wide field of view, which often comes at the cost of perspective distortion and edge sharpness. Many ultravidvinklar aim to preserve straight lines (rectilinear designs), while others adopt fisheye projections that intentionally bend geometry to maximize coverage. Distortion, vignetting, and reduced corner sharpness are common challenges, mitigated by advanced optical designs, aspherical elements, low-dispersion glass, and software correction. Some designs include a shift or tilt to control perspective and parallax, particularly for architectural work.

Applications include landscape and architecture photography, interior photography where space is constrained, astrophotography for capturing large sky swaths, and virtual reality or 360-degree image production. Handling considerations include potential parallax in close-range scenes, the need for sturdy housings in rugged environments, and the trade-offs between maximum field of view and optical quality.

See also: ultra-wide lens, fisheye lens, field of view, perspective distortion, rectilinear projection.