Abstract: An optical component protector, comprising a transparent plate, configured to be mounted in front of an optical component to be protected and a plenum chamber, connected to a top edge of a transparent plate wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive a supply of gas from a gas supply and provide a curtain of the gas across a surface of the transparent plate that is on an opposite side of the transparent plate from the optical component.

Abstract: An optical component protector, comprising a transparent plate, configured to be mounted in front of an optical component to be protected and a plenum chamber, connected to a top edge of a transparent plate wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive a supply of gas from a gas supply and provide a curtain of the gas across a surface of the transparent plate that is on an opposite side of the transparent plate from the optical component.

Abstract: An optical component protector, comprising a transparent plate, configured to be mounted in front of an optical component to be protected and a plenum chamber, connected to a top edge of a transparent plate wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive a supply of gas from a gas supply and provide a curtain of the gas across a surface of the transparent plate that is on an opposite side of the transparent plate from the optical component.

Abstract: An optical component protector, comprising a transparent plate, configured to be mounted in front of an optical component to be protected and a plenum chamber, connected to a top edge of a transparent plate wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive a supply of gas from a gas supply and provide a curtain of the gas across a surface of the transparent plate that is on an opposite side of the transparent plate from the optical component.

Abstract: A utility arm includes a first arm, terminating in first universal joint, locked by a first piston, and a second arm, terminating in second universal joint, locked by a second piston. These are joined by an intermediate joint positioned between the first universal joint and second universal joint, and there is a locking means on the intermediate joint. The intermediate joint has a first housing, with a first pressure piece having an inclined surface which abuts the first piston, the first pressure piece having a conical or frustoconical surface a second housing, with a second pressure piece having an inclined surface which abuts the second piston, the second pressure piece having a conical or frustoconical surface.

Abstract: A follow focus, comprising a main bridge including a transmission housing and an output gear, a removable arm including an input gear and a lens turning gear or an interface capable of receiving a lens gear, an axial securement means that is operable by hand to engage to prevent axial movement between the arm and the transmission housing, and disengages to allow the arm to be rotated and/or removed, such that between the arm and the main bridge there is provided a first engagement element having a substantially axial face having projections and a second engagement element substantially axial face having corresponding indentations, wherein either the first or the second engagement element has a threaded outer circumference and may be fixably rotated, and wherein the first engagement element is borne by the arm, and the second engagement element is borne on the transmission housing such that the axial securement means may be operated to secure the arm to the main bridge so that the projections and corresponding

Abstract: A retaining mechanism for removeably holding an optical filter in a frame, comprising a catch, and an actuator moveable in a first direction which acts on the catch to move the catch in a second direction, different from the first direction, from a first position capable of engaging with an optical filter in the frame to a second position incapable of engaging with the optical filter.

Abstract: A matte box system for a camera is presented, including one or more filter rings each capable of accommodating a filter or filter holder, the filter rings each having a substantially planar forward face and a substantially planar rear face, one face having one or more bearing elements and the other face having a corresponding bearing surface adapted to engage with the bearing element. The bearing surface includes one or more circular or arcuate channels, and the bearing element including a spring-loaded or otherwise biased surface that protrudes from the face and is urged in a generally axial direction to engage with the bearing surface such that the bearing surface and bearing element of consecutive filter rings allow the filter rings to independently rotate about the optical axis, while resisting radial movement of the filter rings.

Abstract: A matte box system for a camera is presented, including one or more filter rings each capable of accommodating a filter or filter holder, the filter rings each having a substantially planar forward face and a substantially planar rear face, one face having one or more bearing elements and the other face having a corresponding bearing surface adapted to engage with the bearing element. The bearing surface includes one or more circular or arcuate channels, and the bearing element including a spring-loaded or otherwise biased surface that protrudes from the face and is urged in a generally axial direction to engage with the bearing surface such that the bearing surface and bearing element of consecutive filter rings allow the filter rings to independently rotate about the optical axis, while resisting radial movement of the filter rings.