Zoom lenses are not often used in deployed machine vision applications but can be very useful when prototyping or for use in feasibility work.

By nature, zoom lenses allow the magnification (focal length) to be adjusted and thus the optical resolution to change.  If the final set up is unknown this can be very useful, but it adds complication to setting up and zoom optics generally have many compromises in comparison with fixed focal length equivalents.

One of the key things to ensure when using zoom lenses is that they are correctly back-focused.  This ensures that focus is maintained as the lens is zoomed in and out.  This is often not trivial as the back-focus has to be adjusted very accurately to the nearest 0.01 of a millimetre or less.  This prevents their practical use with extension tubes or similar.

F-mount zoom lenses come in standard and motorised versions for use with large sensor cameras. These lenses are generally optimised for use in the visible spectrum but some models are also IR corrected.
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