Stuff That’s Cool: Light Field Camera Eliminates Focusing [VIDEO]

How many times have you tried to take a picture with your digital camera, only to have it come out wrong? Sometimes, the shutter delay makes you miss the moment you were trying to capture. Other times, the auto-focus completely freaks out, and that hilarious picture of all your friends turns out to be a crystal clear image of...the wall behind them. Am I right?

Of course I'm right.  Unruly focus and shutter delay are things that amateur and professional photographers alike struggle with.

Being a bit of a photo enthusiast myself, I was absolutely stoked to come across news of a completely new type of camera.  The Lytro Light Field Camera doesn't need to focus.  It captures everything in the image with crystal clarity.

The basic premise of Lytro’s technology is pretty simple: The camera captures all the information it possibly can about the field of light in front of it. You then get a digital photo that is adjustable in an almost infinite number of ways. You can focus anywhere in the picture, change the light levels — and presuming you’re using a device with a 3-D ready screen — even create a picture you can tilt and shift in three dimensions.

[via Mashable.]

In addition, the lack of an auto-focus motor means the camera's shutter can close immediately when you press the button to snap your picture; so there is absolutely no shutter delay.

So all in all, every picture taken with this camera captures the exact moment the user wants to capture, and in perfect focus.  Photographers everywhere, rejoice!

Below is an example of the kind of control you have over photos taken with this camera.  Click anywhere on the image to adjust the focus.  SO COOL!

Lytro is currently taking pre-orders for the cameras on its Web site, and they should start shipping in early 2012.  The 8GB models can hold 350 light field photos, and will run you $399.  The red 16GB version can hold 750 photos, and will cost you a cool $499.

Check out a video about this cool gadget below. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to update my Christmas Wish List (emphasis on the "WISH")!