Abstract: A camera positioning mechanism including a secondary pan mechanism for rotating the camera about a secondary pan axis, the secondary pan mechanism is mounted on the tilt mechanism and the camera is mounted on the secondary pan mechanism.

Abstract: Video assist control systems and methods for use in film/video production environments are presented which provide a link between production and post-production by storing and managing both recorded media and production information. Multiple video signals (including audio) may be selectively received and simultaneously digitally recorded and stored, along with time code information, with near instantaneous playback capability for multiple current and past recordings. Database functionality is incorporated to provide for entry and storage of information associated with each recording. The database provides searching capabilities to locate and retrieve past recordings, based on stored information, for playback review, editing and assembly of recordings or portions thereof.

Abstract: A thermal compensation system for an optical lens that has a focus adjustment with visible focus distance numerals and a juxtaposed index line for identifying the focus distance. The index line is provided on an internal ring slidably mounted to rotate circumferentially with respect to a barrel portion of the optical lens that includes the focus distance numerals. An actuator mounted within the optical lens includes a wax motor that is responsive to temperature changes and mechanical lever that engages both the wax motor and the ring for causing circumferential movement of a ring in response to actuation movement of the wax motor as caused by temperature changes. Further, an adjustment cam is provided for adjusting the relative positions of the wax motor and lever for calibrating the temperature responsive movements of the ring bearing the index line.

Abstract: A high performance zoom lens system formed by multiple focus lens groups, multiple zoom lens groups and single auxiliary lens group aligned in that order on a common optical axis and arranged to collect radiation emanating from an object space and deliver that radiation to an axially stationary real image in an image space, such as on a film plane or video CCD. The multiple focus lens groups comprise a first focus lens group of negative optical power that is axially movable and contains at least one non-spherical, non-plano, optically refractive surface, and a second focus lens group of positive optical power that is axially movable. The multiple zoom lens groups comprise a first zoom lens group of negative optical power that is axially movable, and a second zoom lens group of positive optical power that is axially movable and contains an optical stop or iris.

Abstract: A detachable filter holder for receiving interchangeable light filters includes mounting means protruding from a holder body. An elastomeric, adjustable attachment means is disposed about the mounting means in order to detachably mount the filter holder onto a light source, a reflector surrounding the light source, or a camera lens. In two embodiments, the mounting means includes a first leg and an opposing second leg. Preferably, each leg has an inclined surface or a flange for maintaining the adjustable attachment means in its compressive disposition. In another embodiment, the mounting means includes a plurality of rods whereon the adjustable attachment means may be selectively secured.

Abstract: A shoulder-mounted, camera support device having adjustable support bar or bar segments and hand grip assemblies which allow the camera operator to easily adjust positions of the bars and hand grip assemblies. In its preferred configuration, grip position may be adjusted by the operator in a variety of manners without having to release the grip handle by rotating the grip handle thereby unlocking the grip assembly, moving the grip assembly and handle to a desired position and orientation, and then rotating the grip handle thereby locking the grip assembly and handle in place at the desired position and orientation.

Abstract: A variable length telescoping viewfinder for cameras that provides a variably adjustable eye viewing distance relative to the camera without changing the focus or magnification of the scene being photographed throughout the telescoping movement of the viewfinder. The light rays of the real image supplied to the viewfinder directly or indirectly from the camera are passed through a field lens, Pechan prism, relay lens system forming collimated light rays from the fixed front module to the movable rear module wherein lens elements form an intermediate image that is viewed through an eyepiece lens group. The front module is weakly powered and of a substantial effective optical length because of the inclusion of the Pechan prism. The image forming lens group of the rear module is weakly powered whereby relative telescopic movement between the front and rear modules does not adversely affect the location, focus or magnification of the intermediate image throughout the range of movement.

Abstract: A video monitoring system for a movie film camera usable with either spherical or anamorphic lenses wherein conventional, unmodified video monitors and recorders may be used. A video camera is positioned in the film camera to receive an image directly from the camera lens without interposing either a ground glass for imaging or an optical deanamorphosing lens. The anamorphic image, which is horizontally squeezed (such as by a factor of 2), that is received by the video camera then is electronically processed to deanamorphose the image by producing an analog video signal to a video monitor that displays the properly proportioned image in the middle one-half of the monitor screen and produces black areas or strips across the top one quarter and bottom one quarter of the screen. The horizontal lines of the video picture are electronically interpolated for enhancing the picture.

Abstract: A shutter system for a movie camera or the like for controlling the film exposure including a main shutter wheel rotatably mounted on main drive shaft driven by a first motor and at least one adjustable shutter wheel positioned adjacent to and coaxially rotating with the main shutter wheel, the adjustable shutter wheel being mounted on a secondary shaft independently driven by a second motor. Both the aperture (determined by the relative positions of the shutter wheels of the main shutter wheel and adjustable shutter wheel) and the shutter speed are set by a controller which regulates the speed of each of the motors.

Abstract: A camera system including a matte box assembly for use on cameras for supporting a plurality of filters, the matte box assembly includes a support bracket which supports the matte box and which (1) axially translates toward and away from the lens and (2) in a separate action, once it has been axially translated to a given position away from the lens, the support bracket pivots 90.degree. away from the lens. The assembly includes a crank arm for actuating both the axial translation and the pivoting action sequentially.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for adjusting the timing of a camera in the reverse mode while allowing for separate adjustment of the timing in the forward mode. In a preferred embodiment, an external switch is provided which when actuated switches the camera between the timing setting for the forward direction and the timing setting for the reverse direction. A helical driven gear which engages a drive gear driven by the motor is axially translatable between a first position corresponding to the forward direction and a second position corresponding to the reverse direction. Since it is a helical gear, the amount of axial translation adjusts the relative angular position of the shutter with respect to the frame advance mechanism.

Abstract: A video assist system operates in parallel with a motion-picture camera by recording and scanning periodic frames of the motion-picture image. Each recorded frame is transferred to intermediate storage where data from that frame may be processed at a rate which is independent of the motion-picture capture rate. Data for each recorded frame is translated into an intermediate signal format in which each line of a television ("TV") image signal is transmitted at a standard TV signal rate, but in which an entire frame is transmitted at the motion-picture capture rate. The intermediate signal format is presented to a frame buffer which allows conversion to a standard TV signal format.

Abstract: A shutter system for a movie camera or the like which controls the exposure of film including a main shutter wheel rotatably mounted on an axis and first and second adjustable shutter wheels positioned adjacent to and coaxially rotating therewith. The first and second adjustable shutter wheels may selectively pivot relative to the main shutter wheel in opposite angular directions so as to close off a portion or all of the arcuate apertures within the main shutter wheel.

Abstract: The camera support system includes a support column and a boom arm mounted for pivotal movement on the support column by means of a fulcrum unit. The boom arm includes extension members which are detachably interconnectable thereto for selectively changing the length of the boom arm. The extension members when not used in the boom arm being optionally interconnected in the support column to increase the height of the column. The fulcrum unit is interchangeable with an interface unit for directly mounting a camera to the top of the support column for monopod type operation. A base assembly for the support column of the system includes interchangeable feet, rollers or casters whose heights can be individually adjusted.

Abstract: A matte box assembly for a movie camera wherein a front frame is slidably and pivotally supported from iris rods extending from the camera parallel to the lens. A plurality of filter holder modules are provided with mating dovetail slots on their front and rear vertical surfaces for allowing quick assembly and disassembly of any number and type of filter holder modules to each other and to the frame. A light shield module is similarly assembled to the filter holder modules by dovetail slots and fits over the lens in the camera-ready position of the matte box assembly. Locking mechanisms releasably attach each module to the next adjacent module for maintaining alignment and position. One or more of the modules may have a rotatable construction for rotating the front relative to the back.

Abstract: An apparatus for pivotally mounting a film magazine to a motion picture camera which enables the film magazine to be slidably pivoted from a position wherein the film magazine is mounted substantially on top of the camera to a position wherein the film magazine is mounted substantially on the rear of the camera. Light shield means are provided to close off the adjustment aperture in the motion picture camera housing which permits the slidable pivoting motion. Brake means are provided for securing the mounting bracket in the selected pivoted position. Extraneous light is prevented from entering the motion picture camera by light securing members mounted between the camera body and the flexible light shield members.

Abstract: In a video camera, "shading ears" resulting from charge build-up beyond the ends of the scan lines of the normally scanned area of a camera tube target are eliminated by applying a voltage pulse to a lens electrode of the camera tube, the timing, amplitude, duration, and shape of the pulse being predetermined to extend the scan lines, and also to de-focus the electron beam.

Abstract: A film magazine is provided adapted for running the film stored therein either forward or backward. A first brake within the film magazine provides a drag torque on the supply hub when the supply hub rotates in the forward direction but not when it is rotating in a backward direction. In addition, a second brake is provided for exerting a drag torque on the take-up reel when the take-up reel is rotating in a backward direction, but not when it is running forward.The brakes and motors within the film magazine are adapted so as to keep tension on the film at all time.

Abstract: A zoom indicating apparatus for a video zoom camera that provides a viewfinder raster display of a scene within the field of view of the camera superimposes upon the raster display a zoom frame that indicates the portion of the scene that would be within the field of view of the camera at its maximum zoom setting. The apparatus converts a zoom setting signal from the camera to a signal corresponding to the magnification at that zoom setting, employs the magnification signal for generating zoom frame signals which define the size and location of the zoom frame on the display, and combines the zoom frame signals with the video signal from the camera to form a composite video signal that is applied to the display. The apparatus automatically adjusts the position of the zoom frame on the display so as to compensate for misalignment between the optical axis of the camera lens and the center of the scanned image on the camera sensor tubes.

Abstract: A lens system is provided for being coupled to a camera. The lens system has two prime lenses for receiving light from objects being filmed. Light passing through the prime lenses is reflected by a pair of prisms and a pair of mirrors to a relay lens. Light from the relay lens is used to expose the film in a conventional movie camera so that the image from one prime lens is recorded above the image from the other prime lens. Each film frame is divided in half, one half storing the image recorded by one prime lens, the other half storing the image recorded by the other prime lens. The two prime lenses are displaced both vertically and horizontally. As the two prime lenses are focused by being moved horizontally, one of the prime lenses moves vertically to insure that the object being focused on appears at the same height within its half frame as the object appears in the half frame storing the image from the other prime lens.