lensmontage

Lensmontage is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts within optics and photography. In a general sense, it describes the assembly or combination of lenses to create a compound optical system. This can range from simple magnifying glasses made of two lenses to complex photographic camera lenses composed of many elements. The purpose of such a montage is to correct for aberrations, achieve specific focal lengths, or manipulate image properties like distortion and chromatic aberration.

Within the context of digital imaging and image processing, "lensmontage" might also refer to the digital process of combining multiple images, each captured with a different lens or lens setting, to create a single composite image. This technique is often used in specialized photography to achieve a wider field of view, greater depth of field, or to combine different focal plane information. It is distinct from techniques like panorama stitching, which combines images taken from different viewpoints.

The specific meaning of lensmontage can vary depending on the technical field. In optical engineering, it focuses on the physical arrangement and interaction of lens elements. In digital imaging, it emphasizes the computational assembly of image data. Understanding the context is crucial to interpreting the term accurately. It is not a universally standardized term and may be used more colloquially in some professional circles than others.