[mpolyanskiy]

Hi!
This is Mikhail Polyanskiy, laser scientist and (occasionally) optical designer.
Interested in many things. Right now - in optical properties of different materials (developing a refractive index database web-site RefractiveIndex.INFO). And I will really appreciate any useful information or other feedback... Thanks!

[alexander]

Optics is not something that gets commonly discussed here, though its a shame, fascinating subject it is, if you ask me.

So are you Russian (well consider that with the former soviet republics, as well) or Polish? In either case, how much do you know about LOMO? I actually know, or rather used to know some people that used to work there in R&D

Many interests is a cunning trait of almost everyone here, btw

Welcome to Hypography, the only place you know, which puts optics from theory to practice.... From taking 14 elements and calculating the distances between them, to checking how the lens manufacturer did it, and finally snapping some photos

[mpolyanskiy]

Hi Alexander,

You are right, I am Russian, but I don't know much about LOMO... Well, they produce some spectroscopic devices and used to produce cameras (LOMO compact is quite famous for "lomography")...

Anyway, thanks for welcome me here

[alexander]

Yeah, they are probably even better known for their military optics for sights, binoculars and various other things (like lenses for satellites, in the mid 80s that allowed spy satellites to read bill boards, then in the late 80s to read newspapers), and they used to make some of the best lenses for telescopes as well. Back in the 80s they had made photochromic lenses that would change in under 10 seconds. They were to be used in tank sighting mechanism... to think that today even the best transitions you can get (that are plastic, with photochromic elements mixed into the plastic) will take 60 seconds to change and LOMO doing that stuff in under 10, back in the late 80s... it's amazing to just wonder what they are up to now

There were a few people that said they were Russian that posted intros, you however are the first Russkiy that replied to me though, great not to feel alone, and not that i do, anyways

Hope you post some cool stuff

[mpolyanskiy]

1) Well, you know, the military stuff and the stuff what you can buy is two completely different things... I would not be surprised if some other optical companies produce the equipment with comparable characteristics on special order...

2) Ok, I'll try to do my best in posting interesting stuff