Sorry Rik, it was intended to be tongue in cheek... I probably should have added a confused smiley after it.

Could it be as simple as which side you look through?

I agree that this is not a developed or mature technology and calling it a professional model is far from truth. But, it will be interesting to see how this technology develops over time. I find it interesting that it uses a fixed f2 lens and a relatively small sensor of 7.5-10.5mm. Quoting the reso...

"Objects held nearly flush with the lens appeared perfectly in focus — and yet still let you refocus on other objects across the room."

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/lytro-brings ... 57720.html

The TG-3 may not be a panacea. "The new Focus Stacking function captures eight different shots continuously, while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. It extracts and merges only those areas of each image that are in focus and produces a single photo with a focus that spans sev...

Be careful using an eraser to clean contacts, as it removes the very thin gold plating. Contact cleaner is a safer choice.

How much load does the device have to carry?

I was pleased to see that our craft had hit the news this morning.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bugging-ou ... slideshow/

While the Canon 5D Mkii can digitize to 14 bits, the dynamic range is given at around 11.7 EV, or 70.2 db. This is because dynamic range is actually limited by sensor noise. A Google search for Canon 5D will bring up many articles regarding dynamic range.

Easily done, low cost way to get started. http://micro.sci-toys.com/eyepiece_photography

The full download of "Practical Optical System Layout / And Use of Stock Lenses", by Warren J. Smith (McGraw-Hill 1997) can be found here.
[Admin edit: probable malware!]

This will allow viewing and capture on a PC.

http://www.directron.com/impactvcb.html?gsear=1

Just a few days ago, this post described a home made adapter for a SZ7. The concept would be the same for your scope, with minor differences at the scope end.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=19485

Steve,

A small dab of flat black on a lens (or mirror) flaw will prevent dispersion. I have used this technique many times and it always worked well for me.

Gene

In the article, distortions, astigmatism and coma are stated as not being present in the flat lens design. Note that there is no mention of chromatic aberration. Also, note the statement “Operating at telecom wavelengths (i.e., the range commonly used in fiber-optic communications), the new device i...