Can't upload here, but an image of the Lens Handbook page can be seen at
tinyurl . com / 7xyf54
It's a 330k jpg, and you will need to take out the four spaces in the address above
"pages 100-111 speaks of the 8mm having been designed for such applications as measurement of cloud cover over 180 degrees"
Despite Olympus' claim, this is nothing specific for the Zuiko 8mm lens, but was originally claimed by Nikon when they introduced this type of lens in 1957 (prototype; I think it was related to the "Year of Meteorology"?). I do not think that many -if any- of the Olympus fisheye lenses were used for this purpose, but these scientific observatories were probably mainly catered for by Nikon, Zeiss, and other specialized companies.
Furthermore, at that time "measurement of cloud cover" was not done with the computer, but by the experienced human eye, which -surprise- can well extrapolate over contrast, brightness, and other optical imperfections.
Laminin wrote:
Furthermore, at that time "measurement of cloud cover" was not done with the computer, but by the experienced human eye, which -surprise- can well extrapolate over contrast, brightness, and other optical imperfections.
Then as now, humans could also just look out the window. If the intent was to approach an ideal recording of cloud cover, I don't think this would be the first lens to choose.
