Edward Lai

Here's the shooting info: Canon 5DsR + EF100mm macro + MFO prototype ISO200, f/20, 1/125

A picture taken with one of the 1st MFO prototypes in May, 2024. The one below is cropped. Edward

The MFO-1 (Midrange Focus Optimizer) was inspired by Dr. Alex Mustard and Ryan Canon. Ryan and I have been discussing quite often on how much our optical products elevate image quality, in terms of improved resolution as well as better color rendition, over a flat port or dome port - being able to reduce most of the aberrations induced by the glass/water interface of the port surface. So much so that we believes even if we build an add-on lens that only corrects aberrations (has no dioptric power at all) may well become a very useful product. I kept that idea in mind for quite some time......some how my instinct tells me something is lacking, as a stand alone lens. It was until the end of 2023 when Alex suggested a low power macro lens that I thought I got the answer, and decided to build some prototypes to find out how good these would work, by combining their ideas. In April/May this year both Alex and I were diving with the first 2 prototypes, and we came out with these observations: - Image quality is far better than shooting through a flat port. - Literally no noticeable focus hunting as the MFO converts the focus range of the camera lens. - (for Nikon Z105mm macro) focus range converted to 125mm-1100mm. - Slightly increases magnification at MFD (Nikon Z105mm macro ~1.2X; Canon RF100mm macro ~1.6X). Also, the first 2 prototypes had a bit more magnification power hence only focus to ~350mm and ~500mm respectively. Both Alex and I were very amazed of how versatile these lenses were but a larger focus range would be more useful, while magnification isn't that important. So another round of 2 prototypes having ~800mm and ~1000mm far focus targets were build and sent to a few dealers for final testing. At the end, most of us regarded it no sense making 2 very similar lenses so the ~1000mm one was chosen and named MFO-1. There is no MFO-2 at this moment. Right now our engineers are busy measuring data with different camera lenses, and we will upload these data soon. The MFO-1 will be shipping end of November. Alex T (our UK dealer) and Aey (our Thai dealer) have some very nice pictures from MFO-1 test batch lenses on Facebook. I believe a few more dealers will be uploading soon...... I am very thankful that Dr. Alex Mustard suggested a very inspirational and versatile lens to our society. This opens up another window of creativity. Edward

Thanks to Dr. Mustard for sharing some of the first images of our new SMC-3 ! What I wanted to achieve was to make use of the experience I accumulated over the years to improve one of the best macro lens even further. While maintaining the same magnification, with the use of some extreme glass material (very high refractive index and special dispersion character), I was able to reduce 1/3 of the weight of the original SMC-1, 40% of the thickness, while increased the longest working distance by 8mm. Theoretically, internal reflection has been eliminated. Yet to be confirmed from extensive field tests. Edward

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