Zooming In

I think we humans are naturally curious. This is usually a good thing in my book, especially when out for a stroll to clear the mind and get a bit of exercise. For example, you might be walking along a trail and come upon a blooming wildflower. Like me, if it is unfamiliar, you might stop and bend down to get a closer look, a "zooming in" on the flower of sorts. Of course at this point, while zoomed in, I would probably pull out my camera and take a few pictures and make some notes. And thanks to the invention of the zoom lens, and its nearly universal adoption by camera manufacturers over the past 25 years, we know what zooming in means - and if you don't, it can be found in the dictionary!

The key feature of a zoom lens is that it maintains focus while changing focal length (zooming in or out). The first zoom lens was patented in 1902 and used on a commercial movie in 1927. But it was not until 1959 that the first zoom lens for still photography became available. But it was expensive, large, and heavy. Around 1980, zoom lenses for 35 mm still cameras became lighter and much more affordable. When digital cameras replaced film cameras, most were equipped with zoom lenses, solidifying the concept of zooming in and out in both still and movie cameras.

This zooming concept was and is extensively used in the commercial movie industry. And remember those shoulder busting VHS camcorders? You may recall trying to watch home movies that seemed to endlessly zoom in and out on a subject. Along with the constant panning, it was a good recipe for a migraine! But the zooming concept of going from a wide view to a close up view (or close to wide) was here to stay, and over the years it has thankfully improved and is now used sparingly by most!

For the nature lover, the zoom lens gives us photographers an opportunity to provide more context to a subject. For example, the macro shot below, at bottom, shows us an interesting fungus, but provides no view of its world. The sequence of additional, zoomed out photos offer a bit more information with each level of zoom. This familiar Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) colony is living on a fallen oak tree at Champoeg State Park.

It would be difficult to give credit to one individual for the zoom lens invention, or even the concept. However, this post is a hats off to all those involved over the years, and there are many indeed, especially as the lenses were perfected and improved. For more zoom lens history, check the links in this article: Who Invented the Zoom Lens?

Footnote:

One interesting historical use of the zooming concept was created on film by the National Film Board of Canada in 1968, called Cosmic Zoom. I first saw this groundbreaking, short animated film in 1974 at a film festival while living in Boston. At only eight minutes you can now watch it online and appreciate the non-digital challenges encountered in making this fun movie. Follow the link below to watch. For the mathematically inclined among you, a similar movie was made in 1977 called The Powers of Ten and is on YouTube.

More Links:

Cosmic Zoom Movie

Powers of Ten Movie