The word "tessar" is spelled with two consonants at the beginning (t and s), followed by two vowels (e and a) and another consonant (r) at the end. The spelling of the word follows the IPA phonetic transcription, which represents the sounds of the word. In IPA, "t" is represented as [t], "s" as [s], "e" as [ɛ], "a" as [ə], and "r" as [ɹ]. Together, they make the word "tessar" [tɛsəɹ], which can be pronounced as either "TEH-sahr" or "TESS-ahr."
Tessar is a term used in the field of photography to describe a specific type of camera lens design. The word is derived from the Greek word "tessares," meaning four, as the Tessar lens typically consists of four individual lens elements arranged in a specific configuration.
The Tessar lens design was first introduced by renowned German lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss in the early 20th century. It is characterized by its simplicity and the use of four lens elements that are arranged in a specific pattern to provide sharp and high-quality images. The lens elements are typically made of glass and are carefully calculated to minimize various optical aberrations, such as distortion and chromatic aberration.
The Tessar lens design is known for its compact size, lightweight construction, and excellent sharpness across the entire image frame. It offers a relatively wide maximum aperture, allowing for good low-light performance and creative control over depth of field. Tessar lenses are widely used in various photography applications, including portrait, landscape, and street photography.
Over the years, the Tessar lens design has undergone various improvements and modifications, such as the incorporation of aspherical elements and multi-coating technology to further enhance image quality and reduce flare and ghosting. It remains a popular choice among photographers due to its optical performance, versatility, and relatively affordable price.
The word "tessar" originates from the Greek word "tessares", which means "four". It is derived from the Indo-European root "kwetwer", meaning "four" or "square". The term "tessar" specifically refers to a four-element photographic lens design developed by the German optics manufacturer Carl Zeiss. The term was trademarked by Zeiss for their lenses in 1902.