Abstract: An apparatus for forming miniaturized optical components such as fiber optics connector terminals in which a three-part mold set is employed to attain precise concentricity of mold cavity formations carried by two of the three mold parts which are movable axially relative to and positioned by the third or central one of the three parts. The two movable parts are each located by oppositely diverging frustoconical reference surfaces on the central part and include mold surface components which are axially positionable relative to the parts in which they are carried. The central part is supported by a shuttle for movement between a molding position and an ejection position, appropriate ejection pins being located in spaced relation to the molding position so as not to interfere with the molding operation.

Abstract: A camera for photographing architectural scale models and the like to obtain photographs having natural full-scale perspective. The camera includes a film back adapted to receive panchromatic, preferably, self-processable type film. From the film back extends a relatively long body which tapers rather sharply from the film back to a narrow pedestal-like base upon which the camera stands and which allows easy access to model features. An optical system resides in the base and includes a long focal length positive lens and pinhole adapted to the long tapered body and an afocal, simple reversed Galilean telescope which serves to establish the camera field of view. Chromatic aberrations which might otherwise cause multiple images due to the long camera optical path are eliminated by appropriate filtering.

Abstract: An optical barrier layer for use in reflection type image carrying media of the type wherein a thin transparent image receiving layer includes an image which is viewed through one side of the image receiving layer with ambient light that is reflected from a light scattering layer located on the other side of the image-receiving layer. The optical barrier layer is a thin, transparent layer located between the image receiving layer and the light scattering layer and operates to minimize nonlinear density effects of multiple internal reflections.

Abstract: An optical system for reducing the visual effects of fringing or artifacts in projection prints made with an electronic enlarger employing a flying spot scanner as an illumination source. The optical system includes a graded density aperture mask in conjunction with a raster relay lens to alter the energy distribution of the flying spot so that, as outline areas of the transparency are scanned, fringing varies in a more gradual manner than before thereby rendering the fringing visually unobjectionable.

Abstract: A zone focusing lens system is provided for use as a photographic camera objective. In the system, a fixed positive meniscus is placed ahead of the system aperture stop and is provided with an aspheric surface that is structured primarily to correct for off-axis aberrations. A lens disk having a plurality of different meniscus lens elements is located so that each of its elements can be selectively rotated into alignment proximate the system aperture stop to provide system focal lengths appropriate for sharply focusing objects located within different distance ranges. Each of the lens disk elements is provided with an aspheric surface that is structured primarily to reduce spherical aberrations.

Abstract: A variable color filter comprising a plurality of differently colored diochroic polarizers, an equal number of voltage responsive twisted nematic liquid crystal cells, and a plane polarizer all arranged along an optical path in a predetermined manner to modify the spectral content of visible light incident to the filter so that the filter transmits any one of a predetermined number of colors whose saturation and hue are related to the voltages applied to the liquid crystal cells.

Abstract: An electronic strobe light which can either be built into or detachably connected with a photographic camera to provide a preferred illumination distribution over the field of view of the camera in order to maximize flash range and improve the quality of illumination for flash pictures. The strobe light includes a reflector that is bilaterally symmetric about the horizontal having a shape represented by a 6th order polynomial and a strobe tube which has its center offset with respect to the plane of symmetry of the reflector. This arrangement provides a vertically asymmetric distribution in the intensity of illumination over the picture area with higher intensities occurring at the central upper part of the picture area. Side-to-side illumination intensity is generally symmetric about the vertical and is controlled by a cylindrical Fresnel lens.

Abstract: A photoelectric radiometer structured to generate an output signal that can be used to predict an exposure value for a photographic scene as based on the magnitude of the radiometer output signal. The radiometer is provided with a preferred relative spectral sensitivity in the visible and near infrared regions of the spectrum to minimize exposure errors which otherwise can occur with certain types of high contrast scenes which contain objects that have widely different visible reflectivities. A positive lens collects radiation from a scene and directs it onto the surface of a silicon photodiode which in turn provides the output signal. The spectral sensitivity of the photodiode is suitably altered, e.g., with a filter, to provide the radiometer preferred relative spectral sensitivity.

Abstract: A zoom lighting device for projecting a generally rectangular illumination pattern whose size can be selectively changed. The device comprises a paraboloidal reflector and an artificial light source which cooperate to provide a collimated to nearly collimated beam of light which is circular in cross-section. The circularly-shaped light beam is intercepted by a pair of movably mounted crossed lenticular screens that are optically structured to change the circularly-shaped beam to a diverging generally rectangularly-shaped beam whose angles of divergence can be selectively changed by moving the screens relative to one another.

Abstract: Lens testing apparatus and method by which the focus of a lens can be set to sharply image a distant object in a select focal or reference plane. The apparatus comprises a conventional television camera on which a lens can be mounted in a predetermined manner to focus light from a collimated light beam onto the photosensitive surface of the television camera tube. As the lens is adjusted, the area of the pattern of illumination formed by the lens on the photosensitive surface changes in accordance with the state of focus of the lens. The television camera scans the illuminated area and produces a video signal which is received by electronic circuitry that is operative to indicate the size of the area of the pattern of illumination as the lens state of focus is changed. The smallest area indicated corresponds to the best focus adjustment for the lens. Lens focal length also can be determined with the apparatus by making appropriate measurements when the smallest area is indicated.

Abstract: The provision in front of the image surface of a photosensitive element of a device that selectively directs image light with increased intensity to microscopic, spaced-apart portions of the image surface yields a photograph or like record having a selectively decreased contrast. The photograph is viewed independently of its location relative to the light directing device. Changing the apparent aperture through which image light reaches the light-directing device can control the amount of contrast decrease. Further, selective filtering of a portion of the incident light separately controls the contrast of high-exposure portions of the image.

Abstract: An adapter by which a self-contained camera having an objective lens can be optically and mechanically coupled with a well-known endoscope of the type having an especially designed eyepiece adapted to be changed between a viewing mode and a photographic mode, in which the eyepiece operates as an objective lens for forming an object image in a plane located a predetermined distance behind the eyepiece. The adapter of the invention is structured to mechanically and optically couple the self-contained camera to the endoscope and to change the endoscope eyepiece from its viewing mode to its photographic mode. Provided in the adapter is a negative lens which optically nullifies the objective lens function of the endoscope eyepiece of collimating convergent image forming rays therefrom so that the self-contained camera can be used to photograph the image formed by the endoscope with the camera objective lens focused at infinity.

Abstract: Photographic indicator apparatus is provided for use in a folding type camera with a collapsible viewing device to provide a signal which is visible through an eyelens of the camera viewing device and which indicates that available scene light is below a threshold value which requires the use of an artificial light source to provide supplemental illumination of the scene or which will cause blurred pictures if the camera is hand held and no artificial light source is used. The low available scene light signal originates from an LED which is made visible through the eyelens by a specially configured prismatic optical element that defines a deviated optical path between the eyelens and the LED.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus having an optical system which in a first mode of operation functions to image a subject upon a film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along only one axis of the film plane and in a second mode of operation functions to image the subject on the film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along each of two orthogonal axes, the particular mode being dependent upon the type of film unit being exposed.

Abstract: A photographic camera accessory is provided by which a camera of the type having an automatic exposure control system designed to properly expose film having a given speed can be adapted for use with a film having a faster speed.

Abstract: A photographic camera of the type which is adapted to utilize an artificial lighting assembly, e.g. a flashcube, for illuminating a scene to be photographed is provided with an optical element for intercepting light rays from the artificial lighting assembly to change its light distribution in a manner whereby the distribution of the intensity of illumination falling on the scene is made more uniform than it would otherwise be absent the optical element.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus having an optical system which in a first mode of operation functions to image a subject upon a film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along only one axis of the film plane and in a second mode of operation functions to image the subject on the film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along each of two orthogonal axes, the particular mode being dependent upon the type of film unit being exposed.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus having an optical system which in a first mode of operation functions to image a subject upon a film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along only one axis of the film plane and in a second mode of operation functions to image the subject on the film plane so as to be geometrically reversed along each of two orthogonal axes, the particular mode being dependent upon the type of film unit being exposed.

Abstract: An optical adapter is provided by which an image formed by the eyepiece of an optical viewing device such as an endoscope can be simultaneously viewed and photographed with a motion picture camera of the type having a through-the-lens viewing system which has an entrance pupil that occupies only a portion of the entrance pupil of the camera's optical taking system and which is positioned off the optical axis of the camera's optical taking system. The adapter operates to spread the optical viewing device's exit pupil so that its size matches that of the camera's entrance pupil and to improve the uniformity of illumination of the camera's viewing system and taking system.

Abstract: A back projection viewing screen comprising two parallel transparent sheets of plastic, each having its faces optically configured. The surfaces have the following characteristics arranged in the order from the projection side to the viewing side: (1) an ordinary circular Fresnel lens to which a light frosted texture has been applied; (2) a series of parallel vertical convex circular lenticulations joined by sharply defined cusps; (3) a series of parallel vertical convex lenticulations joined by sharp cusps and having an elliptical cross-section. The lenticulations on this third surface have a very different periodicity from that of the second surface to avoid the possibility of moire patterns; (4) the viewing surface of the screen is defined by a series of parallel horizontal convex lenticulations, each having a convex elliptical cross-section.