pincushiondistorsioon

Pincushion distortion is a type of optical distortion where straight lines that are not parallel to the optical axis appear to be curved inwards towards the center of the image. This effect is most noticeable at the edges of the frame. The name "pincushion" comes from the visual appearance of the distortion, which resembles the shape of a pincushion. It is essentially the opposite of barrel distortion, where straight lines bulge outwards.

This distortion is commonly found in lenses, particularly those with wide apertures or in certain types of telephoto lenses. It is more prevalent in simpler lens designs and can be a characteristic of older camera lenses. Factors such as the focal length of the lens and its design influence the degree of pincushion distortion.

In digital imaging, pincushion distortion can be corrected through software processing. Image editing applications often have tools that allow users to adjust for this type of distortion, restoring straight lines to their original form. Understanding pincushion distortion is important for photographers and videographers when choosing lenses or when post-processing images to ensure accurate representation of the scene.