Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical viewfinder of a camera having the function of taking photographs, and the viewfinder comprises an objective module, a base, an eyepiece module and an upper casing. The objective module and the eyepiece module are fixed onto the front end and rear end of the base respectively and the upper casing is connected between the objective module and the eyepiece module and disposed in the middle section of the base. The simple structure of the invention is designed according to the principle of optical reflection and features a high resolution, an easy installation, and a convenient production, and the optical viewfinder is extensively used for cameras to substitute a high-cost electronic LCD screen.

Abstract: A viewfinder system for a digital camera comprises a main optical path for projecting an outside scene image onto a light sensitive area facility, which facility determines a user field, and an optical extraction path for through mirror-operation extracting a fraction of the outside scene image onto a viewer optical path. The viewer optical path comprises a first mask for inserting a negative delineating outline into a viewer field and a second mask for inserting a positive delineating outline into the viewer field, both said first and second masks corresponding to the user field. In particular, at least one of the first and second masks is realized by an electronic device that has its mask size variably controlled by an electronic facility on the basis of pixel-wise driving. Advantageously, the electronic device is controlled by a sensor facility that is adapted for with respect to the other of the masks that has a fixed size sensing the latter size.

Abstract: A viewfinder for mounting on a camera having a video signal tap, such as a professional video camera, to extend forwardly and laterally of the camera. A pivotable member is connected to a support base for selectively pivoting about a laterally extending axis and being selectively locked in any angular position. A viewing module is releasably connected to the pivotable member to extend rearwardly along the side of the camera and has a CRT facing rearwardly with an eyepiece for viewing the CRT. The viewing module has controls for the CRT on an outwardly facing surface for manually adjusting the controls. Cooperating and releasable electrical connectors are provided between the pivot member and the viewing module for transmitting video signals and electrical power therebetween. An extension member, either of a fixed length or telescoping, may be installed between the pivot member and the viewing module and has the same electrical connectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving image quality in focusing screens of an optical representation system of a movie camera, having a movably mounted translucent disk in a sandwich structure, a drive device moving the movable disk in the plane of the disk and a stationary disk mounted parallel to the plane of the movable disk with an image field marking. The drive device is connected to the movable disk and moves the movable disk at least temporarily, for instance during the “standby mode” of the movie camera, at a frequency depending on the image frequency of the movie camera, the video frequency of a video reflecting device of the movie camera or motion picture camera or the brightness of the image or subject to be recorded or with a high motion frequency independent of the operating state of the movie camera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving image quality in focussing screens of optical representation systems of a movie camera, having a movably mounted, translucent disk (4a, 4b, 4c) in a sandwich structure, a drive device (7) moving the movable disk in the plane of the disk and a stationary disk (5) mounted parallel to the plane of the movable disk (4a, 4b, 4c) with an image field marking (format marking 81, 82). The drive device (7) that is connected to the movable disk (4a, 4b, 4c) 7 moves the movable disk (4a, 4b, 4c) at least temporarily, for instance during the “standby mode” of the movie camera, at a frequency depending on the image frequency of the movie camera, the video frequency of a video reflecting device of the movie camera or motion picture camera or the brightness of the image or subject to be recorded or with a high motion frequency independent of the operating state of the movie camera.

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 tripod device for holding a camera in a predetermined position has an angle detector for detecting an inclination of a pan head disposed on the tripod device, an angle setting unit for setting a working angle of the pan head, a control unit for outputting a set signal when an angle of the pan head detected by the angle detector becomes the set working angle and a notifying unit to be operated by the set signal from the control unit for notifying a user that the pan head of the tripod device is set at the working angle.

Abstract: A device for identifying a perimeter of a scene to be recorded by an image recording apparatus, such as a camera, includes one or more laser diodes for emitting visible radiation which can be formed into a plurality of beams. The beams are arranged to impinge on a scene substantially along a perimeter of the scene. The visible light impinging on the scene allows a camera operator to identify the scene which is within the camera's field of view without the camera operator having to look through the camera's viewfinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a view finder for a video camera; and, more particularly, to a detachable view finder usable as a separate and independent unit from the main body of the video camera. The detachable view finder comprises means for detachably fixing the view finder to the main body, means for supporting the detached view finder in front of a user's eyes, and a cable for transmitting a video signal from the main body to the view finder, thereby allowing the operating of a stable posture regardless of a location of an object of shooting.

Abstract: The element of the laser framefinder comprise a laser beam generator, a shutter for pulsing a beam of laser light, a laser beam scanner, coupling elements joining a laser beam generator with a laser beam scanner, elements for manipulating a scanning device to produce a laser light pattern, a camera including elements for coupling a scanning device to a camera body, projecting device for aligning a laser light pattern with an optical axis of a camera, a device for optically transmitting a laser light pattern from the scanner to one projecting device, elements creating optical transparency to laser light in a substantially planar ground glass element used as the focusing element of a reflex viewing system, a feedback network utilizing a sensing element to couple laser beam pulsation with a positioning of an optical element of a scanning device, a feedback network utilizing a sensing device to couple a laser beam pulsation with a positioning of a projecting apparatus.

Abstract: A fiber optic video viewfinder for a motion picture camera. The conventional ground glass focusing screen of the camera is replaced by a fiber optic element that comprises a fused coherent bundle of optical filaments. A front face of the fiber optic element is located at the focal plane of the camera. A video imaging device such as a photodetector array is secured to the opposite face of the fiber optic element. An image presented at the front face of the fiber optic element is transmitted through the element to the video imaging device whose electrical outputs are converted into a video image. The fiber optic element may be tapered to provide image magnification or demagnification.

Abstract: Cinematography under low visibility conditions is facilitated by providing a camera with a slide that has photoengraved markings in the ocular path for indicating the borders of the camera field, light emitting diodes for lighting an edge of the slide, and logic circuitry that energizes the light emitting diodes in synchronism with the rotation of the camera shutter so that the light emitting diodes are energized when the shutter is closed.

Abstract: A single reflex type electronic camera includes an imaging lens unit and five reflecting units beyond an image formed by an objective, and a finder optical system wherein an image can be observed with a high finder magnification and at a position easy to observe similar to that found in a single reflex camera using silver salt films.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the contrast range in a scene to be photographed arranged to be situated within the field of view of a viewfinder of a camera. The apparatus includes a plurality of matching fields of respectively differing gray scale reflectance and a light source for illuminating the matching fields to an extent substantially similar to that of the scene to be photographed. By comparing the dark and light areas of the scene with the matching fields, a photographer is able to directly determine the contrast range of the scene and, if necessary, to adjust the same for the desired purpose.

Abstract: A video tape recorder (VTR) including a detection switch for detecting presence and absence of an erasure prevention tab of a video tape cassette, a light emitting element, a control device associated operatively with the light emitting element, and an electronic viewfinder. When a first video tape cassette provided with the erasure prevention tab as been loaded into the VTR, the control device sets the VTR to a recording standby state and turns on the light emitting element. Meanwhile, when a second video tape cassette which is not provided with the erasure prevention tab has been loaded into the VTR, the control device sets the VTR to a stop state, flashes the light emitting element and causes the electronic viewfinder to display on a screen of the electronic viewfinder a warning indicative of loading of the second video tape cassette into the VTR.

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: Each time the operator is projecting the start or end of what is to become an audio scene, he presses a store switch, commanding storage of the current frame count, thereby defining all the audio scenes on the film one after the other, for subsequent recording work. Thereafter, during recording work, the projector is referenced to the start and end frame counts of one scene at a time, one scene after another, as the operator controls semiautomatic recording work on successive scenes. A green, red and yellow indicator lamp are arranged in left-to-right order. When the film is ahead of the start of the referenced scene only the green lamp is bright, when past the end of the scene only the yellow, when in the middle of the scene only the red, when at the exact start of the scene both the green and red, when at the exact end of the scene both the red and the yellow.

Abstract: A film advancement indicator which includes an optical sensor 21 that detects the rotational movement of a disc 18 that rotates only when the film 14 advances. When the film 14 does not advance, an indicator light 29 is activated. A counter 26 is included in the electronic circuit to determine the number of film frames advanced.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell of elongated shape adapted to be arranged at one side of the field of view of the camera finder has a plurality of opposing of transparent electrodes on opposite sides of a liquid crystal layer which are aligned to each other in a matrix form, whereby the necessary number of leads is reduced. In order for the liquid crystal layer to present an indication in a selected area, or areas, an alternating voltage is applied across the correspondingly aligned electrodes, while still preventing the above-identified alternating voltage to appear at two or more electrodes in one set simultaneously even when light is blocked in the two separated areas of the liquid crystal layer. In other words, the number of those of the plurality of electrodes in set to which the alternating voltage is applied at a time depending upon the exposure value is limited always to only one even when two separated areas are selected for light shuttering at a time.

Abstract: An information display arrangement is provided in a viewfinder of a movie camera or the like. The information display arrangement includes a first array of function indicators and a second array of quantity indicators. The function indicators are selectively actuable by a switch arrangement operated by the camera user and the quantity indicators display the quantity of the camera function selected. The information display arrangement also includes apparatus for accurately displaying battery voltage status and film supply information independent of the switch setting by the camera user.

Abstract: An optical system for forming a view-finder image in combination with an image of exposure condition indicia as applied to a cinematographic camera includes a first image plane at which a focusing screen lies with the exposure condition indicia located at a desired large distance from the finder field of view, and a prism positioned ahead of a second image plane at which both the images are erected, and oriented so that the image of the indicia can be seen immediately adjacent the finder field of view by a photographer looking through an ocular of the system.

Abstract: In the disclosed camera, an SLR viewfinder displays exposure conditions by means of a translucent indicia carrier adjacent the focusing plate which defines the field of view of the finder. A light source illuminates the translucent indicia carrier and its light is passed by suitable lenses to a viewer. Ghost images of the indicia indications, which might be caused by indicia image light beams being internally reflected by the plate and lenses, are effectively eliminated by an optical deflector that orients light from the source along an optical axis parallel to or away from the light passing through the focusing plate's field of view. According to one embodiment of the invention, the light deflector is a prism. According to another, it is a mirror.

Abstract: A motion picture camera provided with a device which ensures satisfactory film exposure by cutting off unnecessary electric power supply to an electrical circuit of an information indicating lamp or the like in response to a camera setting action made to allow the camera to operate even after the operator thereof moves away from the camera.

Abstract: A recording projector for sound motion-picture film is used to do dubbing or rerecording work. The operator presses a store button to store the frame count of the frame being projected, and in this way stores all the frame counts for the starts and ends of several scenes, after which dubbing work is done on the thusly defined scenes. The current frame count of the film is indicated using an electronic multi-digit display unit having a row of controllable digit zones each of the 7-segment type and having controllable decimal point places. The multi-digit display unit is mounted upside-down, so that the decimal-point places are near the tops of the digit zones. The frame count is displayed on the digit zones with conventional appearance. The number of decimal-point places made visible at any given time indicates the number of the scene involved, both during initial frame-count storing work and during post-storing work on the scenes.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus is comprised of a plurality of adjustable units and a common digital display. The adjustable units and the common digital display are interconnected by information-transmitting circuitry. The circuitry includes selectors for selecting the unit whose setting is to be displayed on the common digital display along with an associated coordination symbol indicating which setting is being displayed.

Abstract: An indicating lamp disposed on a camera housing so as to be observed by a person to be photographed is energized in two different modes respectively before and after a film has been exhausted or nearly completely used. A power-supplying circuit for energizing the indicating lamp includes first and second switches connected in parallel with each other for supplying electric power to the indicating lamp. The first switch is repeatedly closed and opened due to the operation of the motion picture camera while the second switch is opened or closed immediately before the film is exhausted or nearly completely used.

Abstract: A motion picture camera having a film transport mechanism driven by an electric motor having an electronic speed control circuit which may be controlled by the camera operator so as to modify the speed of the motor and consequently the film transport velocity for the selection of various picture frequencies or frames per unit of time both above and below a normal picture frequency for normal shooting thereby permitting both time lapse and slow motion photography during use, the motor speed control circuit permitting the motor to be returned to its normal film speed automatically, together with an automatic aperture control circuit and a picture frequency indicator which may be observed by the operator during the operation of the camera.

Abstract: A single operating switch replaces the main switch connecting the diaphragm control means to the battery and the release switch activating the film transport. All camera circuits are directly connected to the battery when the main operating switch is closed. An electronic switch is connected in series with the film transport motor and is closed only upon receipt of a control signal. In a first embodiment the control signal is furnished by a timing circuit after a predetermined time interval following the activation of the main operating switch. In a second embodiment the control signal is furnished by a NAND-gate which has a first input which receives a "1" signal while the diaphragm is being adjusted and a second input which receives a "1" signal while the electronic switch is open. The NAND-gate thus furnishes a "1" signal to the electronic switch causing it to be conductive at all times except when the initial adjustment of the diaphragm takes place.

Abstract: Equipment for use with hand-held motion picture and video cameras comprises a pair of interconnected spring loaded arms, one end of which is pivotally supported by a carrying brace worn by a cameraman and the other end of which is connected to a handle positioned to mount the camera equipment at approximately the center of the moment of inertia. The camera and its associated equipment are mounted in exploded, balanced relation about the handle. The weight of the camera equipment is substantially counterbalanced by the action of the spring loaded arms without employing counterweights. A camera viewer is provided, to facilitate viewing from a position remote from the camera itself and not necessarily governed by the camera orientation.

Abstract: Pulses are furnished which each indicate transport of a frame. The pulses are counted on a BCD counter. Selected outputs of the counter are connected to the inputs of coupling stages, each including a JK flip-flop. Each flip-flop changes state for a predetermined count on the counter. When each flip-flop changes state, a corresponding indicator lights up, thereby furnishing an indication to the photographer of how many frames have been transported.

Abstract: A motion picture camera wherein the trigger of the camera release is movable from an extended position to a second position in which it starts the camera motor, and beyond the second position to thereby cause an auxiliary tooth to enter a gap in the annulus of teeth at the periphery of a program wheel which forms part of the mechanism for making exposures with dissolve. The auxiliary tooth is thereby moved into the path of cyclical movement of the pallet on a pawl which is driven whenever the motor is on whereby the pallet can move the program wheel from a starting position and thereupon cooperates with the teeth of the program wheel to rotate the latter through one revolution during which the program wheel initiates the making of exposures with fade-out and subsequent rearward transport of film frames which were exposed with fade-out, and prepares the motor for renewed forward transport of such film frames with simultaneous exposure with fade-in.

Abstract: An information displaying apparatus includes, bundles of optical fibers with their ends coplanar and disposed in line. A movable masking member imposes information on the light input to the fiber array. At the output end, information markings are selectively illuminated or otherwise luminously designated to display various kinds of information. Displaying means may be disposed within a view finder or on the outer casing of a camera. An artificial light source operates to provide light through the masking member and may be switched on manually or automatically when needed for information display.

Abstract: Equipment for use with hand-held motion picture and video cameras comprises a pair of interconnected spring loaded arms, one end of which is pivotally supported by a carrying brace worn by a cameraman and the other end of which is connected to a handle positioned to mount the camera equipment at approximately the center of the moment of inertia. The camera and its associated equipment are mounted in exploded, balanced relation about the handle. The weight of the camera equipment is substantially counterbalanced by the action of the spring loaded arms without employing counterweights. A camera viewer is provided, to facilitate viewing from a position remote from the camera itself and not necessarily governed by the camera orientation.