Editing Simple lens (section)

{{Short description|Simple optical device}}
In [[optics]], a '''simple lens''' or '''singlet lens''' is a [[lens (optics)|lens]] consisting of a single simple element. Typical examples include a [[magnifying glass]] or a lens in a pair of simple [[glasses|reading glasses]].<ref>[http://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/~wjh/teaching/mo/slides/lens/lens.pdf Operation of Simple Lens - University of Edinburgh]</ref>

Simple lenses are prone to [[aberration in optical systems|aberrations]], especially [[chromatic aberration]]. They cannot be used for precise imaging and make poor [[camera lens]]es.  They are commonly used for [[laser]] applications, however, where the beams are both [[monochromatic]] (minimizing chromatic aberration) and narrow (minimizing [[spherical aberration]]).

Some [[camera]]s  with [[Focus free lens|fixed lenses]] have been made using a simple lens, usually a [[meniscus lens]] with the convex face facing outward. In such examples the lens [[aperture]] is made small and in some cases (such as the [[Kodak]] [[Brownie (camera)|Brownie 127]] camera), the [[photographic film|film]] plane is curved to reduce the impact of aberrations.