Transitions Glass: I have been viewing transition glasses ad on TV. I was wondering if perhaps this technic could be incorporated into camera lens. Could save a bunch of money --maybe...

Vern Denman

I have been viewing transition glasses ad on TV. I was wondering if perhaps this technic could be incorporated into camera lens. Could save a bunch of money --maybe not.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

...until you try and take some flash photo's.

"Please hold that pose while my lens corrects itself..." :hunf:

To every solution, there is a problem. ;)

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

SonnyE wrote:

...until you try and take some flash photo's.

"Please hold that pose while my lens corrects itself..." :hunf:

To every solution, there is a problem. ;)

:thumbup:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Vern Denman wrote:

I have been viewing transition glasses ad on TV. I was wondering if perhaps this technic could be incorporated into camera lens. Could save a bunch of money --maybe not.

People I've spoken to who wear them aren't overly enthusiastic. Too slow and not dark enough.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I've been wearing Transition lens eyeglasses with Progressively ground correction for about 30 years. I started when the ophthalmologist said I needed bi-focals and had no problem getting acclimated to them. I have not had any significant problem with either feature, but the transitions NEVER lighten to the point where you would call them 100% clear; they maintain about 10% tint--solar gray or the darker brown doesn't matter--neither one totally clears.

In all this time, I've not noticed them not darkening fast enough; clearing is more of an issue.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Oh, light darkening... my first thought was that you were referring to the line-less lenses that every were is in focus...or not! Progressive Lenses: "graduated range of vision that varies from distant to near,"

Great idea, fore and far on your camera is in focus. Could be done. Close to this and low cost is a half closeup filter.

Example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/981381-REG/kood_fcpsf_85mm_split_field_filter.html

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

JCam wrote:

I've been wearing Transition lens eyeglasses with ... (show quote)

Mine are the progressive lenses of the Varilux brandname with the grey Transitions feature (also the brandname, not a knock-off).
I have no problem at all with the lenses clearing when getting indoors, but there always is a yellowish tint on the lenses.
I was told by two different opticiens now, that this is the anti-glare coating, not the "last bit" of Transitions colour.
The reason I never noticed it before, again according to these two opticiens, was because I had cataracts, which gave my vision a similar yellowish tint.
Next time, no anti-glare coating for me!

mrtobin Loc: North East Ohio

Vern Denman wrote:

I have been viewing transition glasses ad on TV. I was wondering if perhaps this technic could be incorporated into camera lens. Could save a bunch of money --maybe not.

I usually have a hard time finding enough light to take a photo while keeping a decent shutter speed, aperture and low iso. Why would I want my lens to automatically darken in the sunlight?

Of course there are times when I may want to make a long exposure in bright sunlight, that's what nd filters are for.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

JCam wrote:

I've been wearing Transition lens eyeglasses with ... (show quote)

I love mine, but I agree 100%. Like you I have had Transitions, as well as Progressives for years. As you indicated, they darken too slowly for photographic use and take quite a while to lighten to "normal"

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

People I've spoken to who wear them aren't overly enthusiastic. Too slow and not dark enough.

Opinions differ. I love mine, but I was never a fan of very dark sunglasses. The main downside is they don't darken at all while driving, which I assume is due the the properties of the windshields in my cars.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

mwsilvers wrote:

Opinions differ. I love mine, but I was never a fan of very dark sunglasses. The main downside is they don't darken at all while driving, which I assume is due the the properties of the windshields in my cars.

There are some that darken while driving - the main problem where I live, is to find an opticien that carries them.
See this chart: http://www.transitions.com/en-us/why-transitions/comparison-chart/
The XTRActive and DriveWear lenses are the ones for driving.
It seems that most opticiens use the Signature or Vantage lenses.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

While it is an interesting though, transition darkening to your photography lenses, it strikes me that given manufacturers spend millions on research to give the glass the right coatings for the most optimum light capabilities....

Do you really think some aftermarket add-on is going to be better?

I tend to like the old tried and true method of screw on, screw off filters so I can return to the base coatings their research found optimum. ;)

Maybe you could get a clear protective filter, and have it coated, then report back? :shock:

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Vern Denman wrote:

I have been viewing transition glasses ad on TV. I was wondering if perhaps this technic could be incorporated into camera lens. Could save a bunch of money --maybe not.

Maybe not! The effect is not really controllable. As some have said, the change is too slow either direction as well as the lack of control. At least I commend you for trying to think outside the box.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

jerryc41 wrote:

People I've spoken to who wear them aren't overly enthusiastic. Too slow and not dark enough.

And the filtering in windshields sometimes mean they don't transition well while driving.

AndyCE Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Morning Star wrote:

There are some that darken while driving - the main problem where I live, is to find an opticien that carries them.
See this chart: http://www.transitions.com/en-us/why-transitions/comparison-chart/
The XTRActive and DriveWear lenses are the ones for driving.
It seems that most opticiens use the Signature or Vantage lenses.

Yes, the ones I got a few months ago do darken in my car. The last set I had didn't
Andy