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CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending patent application Ser.
No. 717,053 filed Mar. 28, 1985 in the name of Donald M. Harvey and
entitled PSEUDO TELEPHOTO--PSEUDO PANORAMIC CAMERA.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a camera for enabling pseudo telephoto
and pseudo panoramic prints to be obtained from normal exposures by coding
an exposure to identify a selected pseudo format. More particularly, the
invention relates to a zoom finder in the camera for viewing the selected
pseudo format.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A pseudo telephoto print is one that is made from a central portion of an
exposure having the same width-to-length ratio, e.g., 31/2:5, as that of
the exposure. During the printing process the negative is masked at its
upper, lower, left and right marginal zones, leaving the central portion
of the negative unmasked. Alternatively, the film gate in the enlarger may
be correspondingly masked or adjusted. Then, an enlargement is made of the
unmasked portion of the negative to provide a print with the same
width-to-length ratio as that of the unmasked portion. Thus the print will
have a telephoto or close-up format.
A pseudo panoramic print is one that is made from a narrow portion of an
exposure having a greater width-to-length ratio, e.g., 1:3, than that of
the exposure. During the printing process the negative is masked at its
upper and/or lower marginal zones, leaving the narrow portion of the
negative unmasked. Alternatively, the film gate in the enlarger may be
correspondingly masked or adjusted. Then, an enlargement is made of the
unmasked portion of the negative to provide a print with the same
width-to-length ratio as that of the unmasked portion. Thus the print will
have a panoramic or elongate format.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,844 granted Jan. 20, 1970 discloses a
method of making a print of a selected portion of a subject to be
photographed. The method comprises the following steps: (1) viewing the
subject in the viewfinder of a camera; (2) manually adjusting mechanical
masking members visible in the viewfinder to frame a selected portion of
the subject; (3) exposing the film in the camera to obtain a latent image
of the subject; (4) encoding the exposure on the film with indicia
representative of the selected portion of the subject; (5) processing the
film to obtain a negative of the latent image of the subject; and (6)
sensing the indicia to make a print of the selected portion of the subject
from the negative.
When in U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,844 the selected portion of the subject has the
same relative position in the viewfinder as a corresponding portion of the
exposure, enlargement of the portion in the negative will provide a pseudo
telephoto effect similar to the actual telephoto effect provided by a
telephoto lens. Thus a pseudo telephoto print can be made during the
printing process from an exposure taken without a telephoto lens.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,102 granted Nov. 2, 1982, discloses a
method of making a pseudo panoramic print from an exposure. According to
the method, a window in the viewfinder of a camera has its upper and/or
lower marginal zones masked off by an appropriate insert to provide a
viewing area with a width-to-length ratio greater than 1:2 and preferably
1:3. Exposures are taken with the window partially masked and, during the
printing of the negatives, the film gate in the enlarger is
correspondingly masked or provided with an aperture of the same
width-to-length ratio as that of the unmasked portion of the window.
Printing paper with a similar width-to-length ratio is used. Prints can
thus be obtained which have a panoramic or elongate format without using a
panoramic lens.
Although U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,844 discloses a method of making a pseudo
telephoto print from an exposure taken without a telephoto lens, and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,357,102 discloses a method of making a pseudo panoramic print
from an exposure taken without a panoramic lens, in each instance the
exposure is made using an objective lens having a single or fixed focal
length, probably around 45 mm. A 45 mm lens is a normal lens, as
distinguished from a telephoto or wide angle lens, and is chosen to enable
normal prints as well as pseudo telephoto or pseudo panoramic prints to be
obtained.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION
My previously filed application cross-referenced above discloses a camera
for taking exposures for use in producing pseudo telephoto and pseudo
panoramic prints. The camera makes it possible to obtain a pseudo
telephoto print from an exposure taken with the objective lens set at a
moderate telephoto focal length, e.g., 80 mm, and to obtain a pseudo
panoramic print from an exposure taken with the objective lens set at a
wide angle focal length, e.g., 28 mm. This is in addition to obtaining
normal prints from exposures taken with the objective lens set at a normal
focal length, e.g., 50 mm. By providing a plurality of focal lengths for
the objective lens, a greater range of pseudo telephoto and pseudo
panoramic effects can be obtained as compared to the prior art devices
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,490,844 and 4,357,102.
In the camera, an objective lens is adjustable to vary its angular field of
view within a field range having a wide angle limit, i.e., 28 mm, and a
moderate telephoto limit, i.e., 80 mm. A manually operated member is
movable to a plurality of positions corresponding to respective fields of
view within the field range of the objective lens, to adjust the lens to a
selected field of view within such field range. Also, the manually
operated member is movable to other positions corresponding to respective
pseudo telephoto or pseudo panoramic fields of view outside the field
range of the objective lens, when the lens is adjusted to the telephoto
limit or the wide angle limit. Code means, responsive to movement of the
manually operated member to a position corresponding to a pseudo telephoto
or pseudo panoramic field of view, encodes an exposure taken with the
objective lens at its wide angle or telephoto limit with indicia
representative of the pseudo field of view. This enables the portion of
the negative covered by the pseudo field of view to be identified for
enlargement to produce a pseudo telephoto or pseudo panoramic print.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) masking unit is located in the viewfinder of
the camera to provide various masking configurations in the finder field
to frame a selected portion of a subject to be photographed. The
respective masking configurations of the LCD correspond to the pseudo
telephoto and pseudo panoramic settings of the manually operated member.
When the LCD is energized in accordance with the respective settings of
the manually operated member, the LCD is rendered opaque to partially mask
the finder field in various degrees. Thus the particular pseudo telephoto
or pseudo panoramic format associated with the selected setting of the
manually operated member may be viewed in the unmasked portion of the
finder field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Since the camera disclosed in my cross-referenced application uses a
masking unit to partially mask the finder field in accordance with the
selected pseudo telephoto setting, the view through the viewfinder is
limited to the unmasked portion of the finder field. My invention improves
such a camera by providing (in place of the masking unit) a finder lens in
the viewfinder which is adjustable to change its angular field of view to
respective actual telephoto fields that define the pseudo telephoto
formats. As a result, a selected pseudo telephoto format can be viewed in
the full field of the viewfinder rather than in an unmasked portion of the
finder field. This makes it possible for the viewfinder to show a full
natural-size image of the subject to be photographed, which means that the
view through the viewfinder can be on the same scale as the view with the
unaided eye.
The finder lens and the objective lens are coupled to automatically adjust
the finder lens selectively to the actual telephoto fields that define the
pseudo telephoto formats when the objective lens is at its telephoto
limit. A selected pseudo telephoto format is then viewed in the full field
of the viewfinder, and an exposure is taken with the objective lens at its
telephoto limit. Code means, responsive to adjustment of the finder lens
to the selected telephoto field, encodes the exposure with code indicia
representative of the selected telephoto field. Thus the portion of the
exposure covered by the selected telephoto field can be identified for
enlargement to produce a pseudo telephoto print.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the viewfinder is a direct-view
optical viewfinder having a finder lens which is adjustable to change its
angular field of view to respective fields within the field range of the
objective lens, as well as the various telephoto fields (outside the field
range) that define the pseudo telephoto formats. The finder lens and the
objective lens are coupled to adjust the two lenses to the same field
(within the field range of the objective lens) to view the selected field
in the viewfinder. When the objective lens is at its telephoto limit, the
finder lens may be adjusted to a selected telephoto field that defines a
pseudo telephoto format, to view the pseudo format in the viewfinder. In
either instance, the viewfinder can show a full natural-size image of the
subject to be photographed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in connection with the drawings, wherein:
FIG.1 is a diagram of a zoom objective lens, a zoom finder lens and
manually operated means for adjusting the two lenses in a 35 mm camera
which takes exposures for use in producing pseudo telephoto prints, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a Porro prism erecting assembly for viewing
an erect image of a subject in the viewfinder of the camera;
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the zoom objective lens,
the zoom finder lens and the manually operated means depicted in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the two lenses and the manually
operated means;
FIGS. 5a and 5b are elevation views of the finder field in the viewfinder,
illustrating operation of a liquid crystal display masking unit for
partially masking the finder field to provide a pseudo panoramic format;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of control circuitry in the camera; and
FIG. 7 is a chart for explaining how the camera is operated to take an
exposure for use in producing a pseudo telephoto or pseudo panoramic print
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is disclosed as being embodied in a 35 mm still picture
camera. Because such a camera is well known, this description is directed
in particular to photographic elements forming part of or cooperating
directly with the disclosed embodiment. It is to be understood, however,
that other elements not specifically shown or described may take various
forms known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to the drawings , and in particular in FIG. 1, there is shown
a composite of certain details of a still picture camera for use with 35
mm film, such as the various color print films manufactured by Eastman
Kodak Company. The camera includes an objective lens 1 for focusing an
image of a subject being photographed on a frame section F of the film.
Conventional means, such as a pressure plate and a pair of rails, not
shown, support the frame section F in the focal plane of the objective
lens to take the exposure. A direct-view (eye-level) optical viewfinder 3
in the camera includes a finder lens 5 and a Porro prism assembly 7 for
viewing an erect image of the subject being photographed. Respective
manually operated means 9 and 11 are disposed about the objective lens 1
and the finder lens 5 for adjusting the two lenses before taking the
exposure.
The objective lens 1 in the camera is a known type of zoom lens, that is, a
lens of variable focal length which can be adjusted continuously by
movement of separate groups of elements in the lens to change the focal
length of the lens. This is done in order to vary the angular field of
view (coverage) of the objective lens 1 between a wide-angle limit and a
telephoto limit. Alternatively, a lens assembly may be provided having a
plurality of interchangable elements for changing the focal length. As
shown in FIG. 1, the objective lens 1 includes a front element section 13
which moves in a double action path along the optical axis O-1, first back
(rearward) and then forward as the focal length of the lens is changed
from a wide angle limit of, for example, 35 mm, to a moderate telephoto
limit of, for example, 80 mm. Conversely, a rear element section 15 of the
objective lens 1 moves forward along the optical axis O-1 in an almost
smooth, linear path as the focal length of the lens is adjusted from 35 mm
to 80 mm. At the shortest focal length of the objective lens 1, i.e., the
wide-angle limit 35 mm, the front and rear sections 13 and 15 of the lens
are farthest apart and the angular field of view is approximately
63.degree.. At the longest focal length of the objective lens 1, i.e., the
moderate telephoto limit 80 mm, the angular field of view is approximately
28.degree..
The manually operated means 9 for moving the front and rear sections 13 and
15 of the objective lens 1 to adjust the lens to a selected focal length
from 35 mm to 80 mm is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. FIG. 1 shows the
manually operated means 9 in a rolled-out (flat) elevational form. FIG. 3
shows such means 9 in an exploded perspective form. FIG. 4 shows the means
9 in a sectional form. As seen in FIG. 4, a cylindrical barrel 17 fixed to
the camera body, not shown, supports the front and rear sections 13 and 15
of the objective lens 1 for movement along the optical axis O-1. The fixed
barrel 17 has a semi-annular opening 19 which is bridged in light-trapping
relation by an exterior zoom ring 21 and an interior cam ring 23. The zoom
ring 21 has a knurled outer surface 25 and is secured at an inner surface
27 to the cam ring 23. The respective rings 21 and 23 are supported on
exterior and interior surfaces of the barrel 17 for rotation relative to
the barrel, about the front and rear sections 13 and 15 of the objective
lens 1. The front and rear sections 13 and 15 have respective cam
followers 29 and 31 which project into different-shaped cam slots 33 and
35 in the cam ring 23, to adjust the objective lens 1 from its 35 mm focal
length to its 80 mm focal length. The different shape of the cam slots 33
and 35, and respective settings of the cam ring 23 for adjusting the
objective lens 1 to the 35 mm focal length and the 80 mm focal length, are
depicted in FIG. 1. When, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cam ring 23 is
rotated in a clockwise direction C (by turning the zoom ring 21 in the
same direction) from the 35 mm setting to the 80 mm setting of the cam
ring, the front section 13 of the objective lens 1 first moves rearward
and then moves forward because of a curved segment 37 of the cam slot 33.
Simultaneously, the rear section 15 of the objective lens 1 simply moves
forward because of a straight, inclined segment 39 of the cam slot 35.
This movement of the front and rear sections 13 and 15 adjusts the
objective lens 1 to continuously change its focal length from 35 mm to 80
mm.
A pointer 41 is provided on the zoom ring 21 for alignment with respective
indications of the 35 mm and 80 mm settings of the cam ring 23. As shown
in FIG. 3, the indications are embossed on the outside of the cylindrical
barrel 17.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, the cam ring 23 can be rotated in the clockwise
direction C beyond its 80 mm setting (by similarly turning the zoom ring
21) to a plurality of pseudo telephoto settings 120 mm, 160 mm and 200 mm,
without moving the objective lens 1 from its longest (telephoto) focal
length 80 mm. This is possible because of respective, non-inclined,
identical dwell segments 43 in the two cam slots 33 and 35. Conversely,
the cam ring 23 can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction beyond its
35 mm setting (by similarly turning the zoom ring 21) to a pseudo
panoramic setting, without moving the objective lens 1 from its shortest
(wide-angle) focal length 35 mm. This is possible because of respective,
non-inclined, identical dwell segments 45 in the two cam slots 33 and 35.
Indications of the pseudo telephoto settings 120 mm, 160 mm and 200 mm of
the cam ring 23 and the pseudo panoramic setting of the cam ring are
embossed on the outside of the cylindrical barrel 17, beyond the 80 mm and
35 mm indications on the barrel, for alignment with the pointer 41 on the
zoom ring 21.
Like the objective lens 1, the finder lens 5 is a known type of zoom lens
which can be adjusted continuously by movement of separate groups of
elements to change its focal length. This is done in order to vary the
angular field of view (coverage) of the finder lens 5 between a wide-angle
limit and a telephoto limit. Alternatively, a lens assembly may be
provided having a plurality of interchangable elements for changing the
focal length. As shown in FIG. 1, the finder lens 5 includes a front
element section 47 which moves in a double action path along the optical
axis O-2, first back (rearward) and then forward as the focal length of
the lens is changed from a wide angle limit of, for example, 35 mm, to a
telephoto limit of, for example, 200 mm. Conversely, a rear element
section 49 of the finder lens 5 moves forward along the optical axis O-2
in an almost smooth, linear path as the focal length of the lens is
adjusted from 35 mm to 200 mm. At the shortest focal length of the finder
lens 5, i.e., the wide-angle limit 35 mm, the front and rear sections 47
and 49 of the lens are farthest apart and the angular field of view is
approximately 63.degree.. At the longest focal length of the finder lens
5, i.e., the telephoto limit 200 mm, the angular field of view is
12.5.degree..
The manually operated means 11 for moving the front and rear sections 47
and 49 of the finder lens 5 to adjust the lens to a selected focal length
from 35 mm to 200 mm is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. As seen in FIG. 4, a
cylindrical barrel 51 fixed to the camera body supports the front and rear
sections 47 and 49 of the finder lens 5 for movement along the optical
axis O-2. The fixed barrel 51 has an internal, annular cut-out 53 in which
is located a cam ring 55. The cam ring 55 is supported in the cut-out 53
for rotation relative to the barrel 51, about the front and rear sections
47 and 49 of the finder lens 5. The front and rear sections 47 and 49 have
respective cam followers 57 and 59 which project into different-shaped cam
slots 61 and 63 in the cam ring 55, to adjust the finder lens 5 from its
35 mm focal length to its 200 mm focal length. The different shape of the
cam slots 61 and 63, and respective settings of the cam ring 55 for
adjusting the finder lens 5 to the 35 mm and 200 mm focal lengths, as well
as to several intermediate focal lengths 80 mm, 120 mm and 160 mm, are
depicted in FIG. 1. When, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cam ring 55 is
rotated in the clockwise direction C from the 35 mm setting to the 200 mm
setting of the cam ring, the front section 47 of the finder lens 5 first
moves rearward and then moves forward because of a curved segment 65 of
the cam slot 61. Simultaneously, the rear section 49 of the finder lens 5
simply moves forward because of a straight, inclined segment 67 of the cam
slot 63. This movement of the front and rear sections 47 and 49 adjusts
the finder lens 5 to continuously change its focal length from 35 mm to
200 mm.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, the cam ring 55 can be rotated in a
counter-clockwise direction opposite to the direction C beyond its 35 mm
setting to a pseudo panoramic setting, without moving the finder lens 5
from its shortest (wide-angle) focal length 35 mm. This is possible
because of respective non-inclined, identical dwell segments 69 in the two
cam slots 61 and 63.
A gear 71 couples the manually operated means 9 for adjusting the objective
lens 1 to a selected focal length and the manually operated means 11 for
adjusting the finder lens 5 to a selected focal length, in a manner such
that rotation of the zoom ring 21 to rotate the cam ring 23 for the
objective lens will cause the cam ring 55 for the finder lens to be
similarly rotated. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the gear 71 engages an
arcuate array of teeth 73 on the zoom ring 21 and a like array of teeth 75
on the cam ring 55. When the zoom ring 21 is rotated in the clockwise
direction C to move its pointer 41 from alignment with the "35 mm"
indication on the fixed barrel 17 to alignment with the "80 mm" indication
on the barrel, the objective lens 1 and the finder lens 5 are adjusted
continuously from 35 mm focal lengths to 80 mm focal lengths and the cam
rings 23 and 55 are adjusted to similar settings, shown in FIG. 1. When
the zoom ring 21 is rotated in the clockwise direction C to move its
pointer 41 from alignment with the "80 mm" indication on the barrel 17 to
successive alignment with the "120 mm", "160 mm" and "200 mm" indications
on the barrel, the finder lens 5 is adjusted continuously from the 80 mm
focal length to a 200 mm focal length and the cam rings 23 and 55 are
adjusted to similar settings. However, the objective lens 5 remains
stationary at its 80 mm focal length. When the zoom ring 21 is rotated in
a counter-clockwise direction to move its pointer 41 from alignment with
the "35 mm" indication on the barrel 17 to alignment with the "PAN"
indication on the barrel, the cam rings 23 and 55 are adjusted to similar
settings. However, the objective lens 1 and the finder lens 5 remain
stationary at their 35 mm focal lengths.
The Porro prism assembly 7 in the viewfinder 3 permits an erect image of
the subject being photographed to be viewed through the finder lens 5. A
single Porro prism would erect the image, but would leave it reversed left
to right. To correct for this, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is
provided two Porro prisms 77 and 79 which are placed hypotenuse to
hypotenuse and at right angles to each other. FIG. 2 illustrates the
optical path O-2 through the two Porro prisms 77 and 79 to an eyelens 81.
In essence, the two reflecting surfaces 83 and 85 of the prims 77 and the
two reflecting surfaces 87 and 89 of the prism 79 cooperate to turn the
image focused by the finder lens 5 upright as well as right-way-round.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) masking unit 91 is located between the
respective opposite halves of hypotenuse surfaces 93 and 95 of the two
Porro prisms 77 and 79. The LCD masking unit is a variation of a known
type of unit, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,493, granted Oct.
23, 1984, and is depicted in FIG. 5B in a masking configuration in the
finder field 97 of the viewfinder 3. The masking configuration corresponds
to the panoramic setting of the cam ring 23 for the objective lens 1 and
the similar setting of the cam ring 55 for the finder lens 5. As shown in
FIG. 5B, the masking unit 91 comprises four sets of right-angle insulated
strips 99 of transparent, electrically conductive material arranged in
side-by-side relation in the respective corner zones of the finder field
97 and two sets of elongate insulated strips 101 of the same material
arranged in side-by-side relation in the upper and lower marginal zones of
the finder field. Preferably, each set of the right-angle strips 99
includes three strips, and each set of the elongate strips 101 includes
three strips. FIG. 5A illustrates the finder field 97 as it appears with
the masking unit 91 de-energized, which is the situation when the cam
rings 23 and 55 are rotated from their 35 mm settings to their 200 mm
settings or vice-versa. In this instance, the right-angle strips 99 and
the elongate strips 101 are not visible in the finder field 97. FIG. 5B
illustrates the finder field 97 as it appears with the masking unit 91
energized to provide a pseudo panoramic format, which is the situation
when the cam rings 27 and 55 are in their panoramic settings. In this
instance, the elongate strips 101 in the upper and lower marginal zones
and the right-angle strips 99 in the corner zones are opaque in the finder
field 97.
In contrast to the electrically controlled LCD masking unit 91, a
mechanically controlled masking unit may be provided in the viewfinder 3.
An example of a mechanical unit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,422,
granted Oct. 19, 1965.
Four light emitting diodes (LED's) 103, 105, 107 and 109 are disposed in
evenly spaced relation in the camera for selective energization to
spot-expose various code fiducials in binary form on the film adjacent the
frame section F, as shown in FIG. 3. Selective energization of the LED's
103, 105, 107 and 109 is controlled by individually closing respective
switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4. The closing of the switches SW1, SW2, SW3
or SW4 may be effected by a single closure member, not shown, on the cam
ring 23, for example, as the cam ring is positioned selectively in its
pseudo settings, i.e., pan, 120 mm, 160 mm and 200 mm. The binary form of
the resulting code fiducial on the frame section F indicates the
particular pseudo setting of the cam ring 23. When the cam ring 23 is in
its pseudo panoramic setting, the switch SW1 is closed and the LED 103 is
energized. Thus the binary form of the code fiducial is 1000. When the cam
ring is in its 120 mm, 160 mm or 200 mm pseudo telephoto settings, the
switches SW2, SW3 or SW4 are closed and the LED's 105, 107 or 109 are
energized. Thus the binary form of the code fiducial is 0100, 0010 or
0001. When the cam ring 23 is rotated from its 35 mm setting to its 80 mm
setting or vice-versa, the switches SW1-SW4 are open and none of the LED's
are energized. Thus the binary form of the code fiducial is (in effect)
0000.
Although not shown, it may be desirable for the LED 103 to be energized
each time the cam ring 23 is in a pseudo panoramic or pseudo telephoto
setting. In this instance, the LED 103 would provide a reference or
pseudo-indicator fiducial for use in the printing process and the LED's
105, 107 and 109 would provide the code fiducials. Thus, the various
codings might be 1000, 1100, 1110 and 1111, for example.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a chart for understanding how the
camera is used to make exposures from which pseudo panoramic and pseudo
telephoto prints as well as actual wide-angle to actual telephoto prints
can be produced. For the most part, the chart is self-explanatory. For
example, when the cam rings 23 and 55 are in their panoramic settings, the
actual focal lengths of the objective lens 1 and the finder lens 5 are the
wide angle limit 35 mm. The finder field 97 is masked as indicated in FIG.
7, and the code fiducial 1000 is exposed adjacnet the frame section F, in
response to the closing of the switch SW1. During the printing operation,
sensing of the code fiducial 1000 causes the negative to be masked along
its upper and lower marginal zones in conformity with the masking of the
finder field 97 as indicated in FIG. 7. An enlargement is made of the
narrowed, unmasked portion of the negative, i.e., 16.4.times.32.8 mm, to
provide a pseudo panoramic 31/2.times.7 ins. print. When the cam rings 23
and 55 are in their 200 mm telephoto settings, the actual focal length of
the objective lens 1 is its telephoto limit 80 mm, but the actual focal
length of the finder lens 5 is 200 mm. Thus the finder field 97 is not
masked, and the code fiducial 0001 is exposed adjacent the frame section
F, in response to the closing of the switch SW4. During the printing
operation, sensing of the code fiducial 0001 causes the negative to be
masked along its upper, lower, left and right marginal zones as indicated
in FIG. 7. An enlargement is made of the central, unmasked portion of the
negative, i.e., 9.2.times.13.1 mm, to provide a pseudo telephoto
31/2.times.5 ins. print. When the cam rings 23 and 25 are in their 120 mm
telephoto settings, the actual focal length of the objective lens 1 is its
telephoto limit 80 mm, but the actual focal length of the finder lens 5 is
120 mm. Thus the finder field 97 is not masked, and the code fiducial 0100
is exposed adjacent the frame section F, in response to the closing of the
switch SW2. During the printing operation, sensing of the code fiducial
0100 causes the negative to be masked along its upper, lower, left and
right marginal zones as indicated in FIG. 7. An enlargement is made of the
central, unmasked portion of the negative, i.e., 16.4.times.23.4 mm, to
provide a pseudo telephoto 31/2.times.5 ins. print. When the cam rings 23
and 25 are rotated from their 35 mm settings to their 80 mm settings or
vice-versa, the focal length of the objective lens 1 and the finder lens 5
are continuously changed between 35 mm and 80 mm. The finder field is not
masked and no code fiducial (0000) is exposed adjacent the frame section
F, since each of the switches SW1-SW4 is open. Thus an enlargement is made
of a substantial portion of the negative, i.e., 23.times.32.8 mm.
FIG. 6 depicts known controller means 111, that is, a logic circuit, for
operating the LCD masking unit 91 and selectively energizing the LED's
103, 105, 107 or 109 in response to closing of the switches SW1, SW2, SW3
or SW4. An ASA (film speed) setting device 113 is connected to the
controller 111 to limit the intensity of an energized LED in accordance
with the film speed of the 35 mm film loaded in the camera. A shutter
switch 115 is connected to the controller 111 to delay energization of an
LED, even though one of the switches SW1-SW4 is closed, until a focal
plane shutter, not shown, is opened to permit an exposure. When the focal
plane shutter is opened, the shutter switch 115 is closed to energize an
LED. Conversely, closing of the focal plane shutter causes the shutter
switch 115 to re-open, thereby de-energizing the LED.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred
embodiment, it will be understood that various modifications may be
effected within the ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention. For example, instead of including the direct-view
viewfinder 3 in the camera, a single-lens reflex finder may be used with
the invention. In this instance, the image of a subject to be photographed
would be viewed in the finder, but through the objective lens. Moreover,
although it is preferable to use a zoom type objective lens with the
invention, it will be appreciated that a single or fixed focal length
objective lens may be used instead.
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