Abstract: A real image viewfinder includes an objective lens, a variator, an image reflecting optic unit, and an eyepiece lens that define a first optical path in which a first real image plane is located between the objective lens and the eyepiece lens, and can be viewed through the eyepiece lens. The reflecting optic unit is movable to compensate for variations in the position of the first real image focal plane such that the real image focal plane moves simultaneously with movement of the reflecting optic unit and also is adapted to define a second optical path through the viewfinder such that a second real image plane is located at the focal plane of the eyepiece lens, where an information display can be located.

Abstract: A lens system is provided which has a plurality of lens systems each having a Dove prism and a lens for imaging the light received from its Dove prism on the image field of a CCD camera. Each lens system views a different scene and images that scene on a different portion of the image field. The Dove prisms rotate the scenes so that they can be of maximum size on the image field.

Abstract: A zoom lens particularly suitable for use in a camera using small format film has two moving lens groups, a front negative group and a rear positive group. The rear positive group has a stop, a positive component and a negative component movable as a unit. The positive and negative components are substantially separated, for example, by more than 30 percent of the length of the lens in the wide angle position.

Abstract: A multiple lens element macrolens system operative as a single lens has a high light transmission value and a wide field of view of an object to be viewed. The macrolens system provides a long object working distance and an extended back focal distance to an image plane. An object group of lens elements is spaced by a substantial axial gap from an image group of lens elements. The gap and the working and back focal distances facilitate inclusion of various auxiliary components into an optical instrument which incorporates the macrolens system.

Abstract: A play set for children that allows a child to take correctly framed, focused and illuminated photographs of dolls, action figures or the like, in a life-like play setting. A camera support frame receives a removable, standard camera and aims its lens, through a close-up diopter lens attached to the frame, at the play setting in proper focus. The play setting includes a wall support for a changeable backdrop and a stage for positioning the dolls or figures in front of the chosen backdrop. The frame for the camera is spaced a fixed distance from the wall and stage to set a depth of field to encompass the backdrop and the dolls and figures in the stage area. Illumination of the stage area including the dolls and figures and the backdrop is provided in several alternative ways. Glare off the backdrop and figures resulting if the camera's simple flash unit is used to directly illuminate the play setting is reduced by configuring the camera supporting frame to tilt the camera relative to the backdrop.

Abstract: A zoom camera lens which is particularly compact, has a small number of elements and is capable of good performance at relatively wide aperture has a front negative lens group, a middle positive lens group and a rear negative lens group. The rear negative lens group has a focal length not more than 1.25 times the focal length of the middle positive lens group. Preferably, the lens has seven or eight elements and is designed without the use of aspheres.

Abstract: A compact Galilean-type zoom finder suitable for compact cameras, and the like whose zoom ratio is about 2. The zoom finder is comprised of four units having negative, negative, positive and negative refractive powers in order from an object side and a movable framing window. The first and the fourth lens units are fixed and the second and the third lens units are moved to perform zooming. The moving framing window helps to delineate the field of view.

Abstract: A dual function viewfinder presents to a photographer the frame of a picture being taken by the camera having the viewfinder and enables the photographer to point the camera to the center of the frame. The frame is outlined by the front perimeter of an opening which extends between the rear and the front of the camera. Centered within the opening is a tubular member which blocks a portion of the field of view except when the camera is pointed so that the pupil of the photographer's eye is centered. The line of sight from the pupil to the center of the framed field of view is then along the axis of the tubular member. This condition is indicated by the walls of the member becoming virtually imperceptible to the photographer. No refracting optical elements, such as lenses, are required in the viewfinder; making the viewfinder low in cost and, therefore, especially suitable for single use cameras.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting an overhead projector to use photographic slides includes a fresnel disk that shortens the illumination convergence point to match the focal length of a typical slide projector. The apparatus includes a base that covers the platen of the overhead projector to prevent illumination spillover, and supports projection optics over an aperture that admits illumination for projecting magnified images of slides onto a vertical viewing surface.

Abstract: A compact Galilean-type zoom finder suitable for compact cameras, and the like whose zoom ratio is about 2. The zoom finder is comprised of four units having negative, negative, positive and negative refractive powers in order from an object side and a movable fixed aperture framing window. The first and the fourth lens units are fixed and the second and the third lens units are moved to perform zooming. The moving framing window helps to delineate the field of view.

Abstract: A real image zooming viewfinder comprising three optical units with refracting optical power and an additional moving reflective optical unit. Zooming is accomplished by moving one of the refractive optical units and the additional reflective optical unit or by moving the first and the second optical units. The need for field lens is eliminated by having the first and the second unit cooperate to make the finder system telecentric with respect to principal rays at the intermediate image plane.

Abstract: A real image zooming viewfinder comprising three optical units with refracting optical power and an additional moving reflective optical unit. Zooming is accomplished by moving one of the refractive optical units and the additional reflective optical unit. A parallax correction can be achieved by moving laterally a first optical unit with refractive power.

Abstract: A real image zooming viewfinder has an internal real image that drifts between two optical components. The field mask is placed at the internal image location and is of a thickness equal to or greater than the drift distance.

Abstract: A real image viewfinder with an objective having movable focusing lens(es) and a field lens at the end thereof furtherest from the field of view, an eyepiece lens and image inverting optics, preferably in the form of a Type II Porro prism wherein the real image is focused to fall on a surface of the field lens, which is desirably a plano surface facing the inverting optics. This field lens surface is also at the focus of the eye piece lens. A pattern (a reticle) is located on the field lens surface. Since the objective forms a focus at the location of the reticle, observation of the reticle indicates when the objective is focused. A camera picture taking lens may be coupled to a movable lens in the objective for focusing the taking lens.

Abstract: A camera is disclosed which includes elements for recording an image on photographic film and a solid-state image sensor for recording an electronic image. In order to reduce the size and complexity of the camera and to improve the camera performance, the electronic and film recording functions of the camera are integrated. The solid-state image sensor is used both in controlling the recording of an image on film and in producing an electronic image.

Abstract: Photographic flash device has its trough-shape reflector formed of a laminate of first and second sheets of piezoelectric material so polarized relative to one another that a change in potential across the laminate, applied by electrodes on the laminate, causes a flexing of the laminate and hence a change in the light pattern on the subject being photographed. Such a flash device is useful with zoom camera.