What is an "apodization filter"?

[JumboShrimp]

A new Fuji lens (see link below) has this gizmo and wonder if anyone can dumb-down a brief explanation of what/how they do this. Thanks in advance.

http://www.adorama.com/IFJ56XFN.html

 

[dgatwood]

Google is your friend:

http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/54156/how-does-an-apodization-filter-improve-bokeh

 

[deleteme]

So... all that money for a fast lens to get a slow lens with desirable bokeh? :

Sounds like the photo version of bound feet.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Sounds like the photo version of bound feet.

That's a clever pun.

Probably few photographers would care about apodization. I would imagine that astrophotographers would be the primary customer base.