The Two books, I bought both, The Lens and All Its Jobs and The Lens In Action were written by Ray to cover an incredible number of issues of lens and general optical constructions. The books are technical yet written like short vignettes on each subject such as lens design, optics and physics factors, etc.. These books are great for someone not interested in the math but who wants a reasonably deep understanding of optics as applied to photography and a tremendous variety of photographic system like TV, viewfinders, enlargers, etc.. Fascinating information including the basics and beyond without becoming a designers guide. They probably should be reissued by the publisher.

The Two books, I bought both, The Lens and All Its Jobs and The Lens In Action were written by Ray to cover an incredible number of issues of lens and general optical constructions. The books are technical yet written like short vignettes on each subject such as lens design, optics and physics factors, etc.. These books are great for someone not interested in the math but who wants a reasonably deep understanding of optics as applied to photography and a tremendous variety of photographic system like TV, viewfinders, enlargers, etc.. Fascinating information including the basics and beyond without becoming a designers guide. They probably should be reissued by the publisher.

I am an accountant by profession and a Photography enthusiast. I had neumerous questions in my mind on the physics and structures of lenses. I was confused why prime lenses cost so much more than the normal variable focal length lenses, why a large aperture was diff from a smaller aperture. etc. I found my answers and now feel more confident in buying, using and evaluating lenses