General spectral camera lens simulation

Figure 1: Three images created with our lens simulation model. From left to right: realistic depth of field and bokeh, fisheye distortion, lens flare artifacts and glare streaks. We present a camera lens simulation model capable of producing advanced photographic phenomena in a general spectral Monte Carlo image rendering system. Our approach incorporates insights from geometrical diffraction theory, from optical engineering, and from glass science. We show how to efficiently simulate all five monochro-matic aberrations, spherical and coma aberration, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion. We also consider chromatic aberration, lateral color and aperture diffraction. The inclusion of Fresnel reflection and lens coatings generates correct lens flares and we present an optimized sampling method for path generation