Re[2]: fiber optic pinhole

On Monday, April 09, 2001, Mike Vande Bunt wrote:

> The Polaroid backs use what is called an "image plate" which is thousands of
> optical fibers fused together in a parallel arrangement. An image that is
> focused on one side of the plate is transmitted intact (minus a slight amount
> of brightness) to the other side of the plate. The technology was first
> developed for use in "night vision" scopes. So, yes, fiber optic "cable" IS
> used in 35mm Polaroid backs, but it's one solid piece fused ou of thousands
> of individual strands of glass.
>
> That said, a single optic fiber should be able to serve as a pinhole.

Somewhere on the web are images (portraits IIRC) made using an array
of drinking straws that (I think) functions like the fiber optic
device you describe. The bundle of straws is sized to match the film
medium 1:1, and carefully laid up to keep the "pixels" in order. Each
straw gathers the light from one very narrow angle of view, and
transmits that light to it's own private bit of film. Unlike pinhole
(and lens photography), there is no flip-flopping of the image. Also,
the image isn't enlarged or reduced (unless the straws/fibers were to
get bigger or smaller from end to end). Interesting stuff to
conceive.

-- 
Scott Sellers
mailto:scottsellers@mindspring.com