K Lens GmbH is a spin-off of the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science founded in Saarbrücken in 2016 and, their first product, the K Lens One, it’s a lens that turns any camera into a bright field or 3D camera.
The company is famous for developing a light-field imaging method invented and patented by their own team and employs 30 people with key skills in computer vision, 3D and artificial intelligence.
Lightfield or 3D information allows for new output formats on 3D displays (stereo, holographic or lightfield displays) or in web links (e.g. changes in perspective or focus units), likewise, it allows for new forms of image processing. images on classic 2D media with the help of depth information, such as flexible management of sharpness / blur or color gradation in real form of depth, as well as separation of image planes and objects.
The process in use on the K Lens One, works in both photo and video mode and is aimed at enthusiasts of creativity and innovation in the prosumer segment who want to create new looks and take their artwork to a new level.
The first version of the K Lens One has a focal length of 80 mm and it’s compatible with all full frame cameras.
Story behind the making of K Lens One
We humans see in 3D, but unfortunately our recording devices – until now – can only capture the world in 2D, however with innovative technology, the company aims to break these boundaries making the benefits of computational photography fully available on professional cameras to enable maximum immersion in the image content experience.
With this goal in mind, and this desire to innovate and revolutionize, the company was rewarded, going to win it Start-up Award at photokina 2018.
The light field function is created integrating a kaleidoscope-like tunnel of mirrors into the lens (hence the name K Lens), so 9 perspectives are recorded simultaneously on the sensor slightly different than a scene.
The use of the K Lens therefore generates data that alternatively could also be generated with 9 cameras that are directed simultaneously on a scene, consequently in this case the installation is obviously simpler and more intuitive.
With the help of the software offered by the company, these 9 perspectives are merged into a 3D image, with this which can be output as point cloud or as an RGB image, which is extended by a depth channel (RGBD).
This channel can then be used as a layer or mask, which is applied directly or can still be edited beforehand, however an introductory video on all the operation can be found here.
The development of the goal is carried out in cooperation with Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, which will also take care of the production, while instead theThe in-house developed software allows for all common output formats (eg TIFF, JPEG for photos and EXR for video).
The data can then be further processed in all common programs (Photoshop, Premiere, Nuke etc.), however cn the third generation prototype available today, the capabilities can be fully demonstrated.
The market launch will happen inOctober 2021 via a pre-order campaign on the Kickstarter platform (delivery Q2 2022), with lhardware that has been developed and will go into production once ordered.
As part of the ordering process, customers can specify the type of camera, on top of which the company will ship the lens with an appropriate mount.
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