Very Cool Camera tech

This is some cool tech, if in fact it works as advertised it would
mean being able to decide which item should be the focus of the
shot... AFTER you take the picture.

from engadget:

http://tinyurl.com/dzqgx

Stanford scientists create “light field camera” for in-focus photos
Posted Nov 4, 2005, 6:00 AM ET by Paul Miller
Related entries: Digital Cameras


Some Stanford computer scientists have created a camera that allows
pictures taken with a wide open aperture to still focus on every
depth of field, allowing for brighter and faster, but still in-focus,
photos. The “light field camera” uses a microlens array that sits
between the main lens and the CCD, and holds 90,000 miniature lenses
which separate the light before it hits the sensor. Software then
manipulates this “expanded light field” to determine where the
light rays would have landed if the camera had been focused at
different depths. The result is an image where each subject has been
digitally refocused. If this all sounds very confusing, it is, but
the point of it all is for better images, especially in demanding
situations such as science or security surveillance, so don’t worry
if this little feature doesn’t start popping up in your local Best
Buy’s camera lineup anytime soon.

http://tinyurl.com/7hkn6