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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. Viewfinder system for use with a camera having a lens for forming an
image of a photographic set to be photographically recorded on film, with
the viewfinder system comprising, in combination: a viewfinder hood having
a first end and a second end, with the viewfinder hood being attached to
the camera adjacent to its first end; a ground glass located in the
viewfinder hood adjacent its first end for forming a primary image by the
camera lens; a video camera located in the viewfinder hood adjacent to its
second end for aiming at the primary image formed on the ground glass by
the camera lens; at least one video monitor for displaying a derived image
of the primary image from the video camera, with the video camera and the
video monitor being interconnected by means for transmitting signals
between the video camera and the video monitor allowing a photographer to
view the primary image formed by the camera lens on the video monitor at
locations remote from the camera; a fresnel lens associated with the
ground glass for concentrating the outgoing light rays from the ground
glass to the video camera for providing more uniform brightness of the
derived image from its center to its edges; and an anti-vignetting filter
located intermediate the video camera and the ground glass, with the
anti-vignetting filter having graduated density from highly dense at the
center of the filter to clear at a radial distance away from the center
for selectively absorbing the outgoing light rays from the ground glass to
the video camera for providing more uniform brightness of the derived
image from its center to its edges.
2. The video viewfinder system of claim 1 wherein the anti-vignetting
filter is reproduced photographically from a film negative original, which
in turn is produced photographically as an out-of-focus image of a dark
spot.
3. The video viewfinder system of claim 1 wherein the camera has a rear
standard for removably receiving and holding a holder for the film; and
wherein the first end of the viewfinder hood includes means for removable
receipt in the rear standard of the camera allowing the video viewfinder
system to be removably received and held in the rear standard in a similar
manner as the film holder.
4. Viewfinder system for use with a camera having a lens for forming an
image of a photographic set to be photographically recorded on film and
having a rear standard for removably receiving and holding a holder for
the film, with the viewfinder system comprising, in combination: a
viewfinder hood having a first end and a second end, with the first end of
the viewfinder hood including means for removable receipt in the rear
standard of the camera allowing the video viewfinder system to be
removably received and held in the rear standard in a similar manner as
the film holder; means adjacent the first end of the viewfinder hood for
forming a primary image by the camera lens; a video camera located in the
viewfinder hood adjacent to its second end for aiming at the primary image
formed on the image forming means by the lens of the camera; and means for
displaying a derived image of the primary image from the video camera,
with the video camera and the displaying means being interconnected by
means for transmitting signals between the video camera and the displaying
means allowing a photographer to view the primary image formed by the
camera lens on the displaying means at locations remote from the camera.
5. The video viewfinder system of claim 4 wherein the primary image means
is a ground glass mounted in the viewfinder hood adjacent to its first
end.
6. Viewfinder system for use with a camera having a lens for forming an
image of a photographic set to be photographically recorded on film, with
the viewfinder system comprising, in combination: a viewfinder hood having
a first end and a second end, with the viewfinder hood being attached to
the camera adjacent to its first end; means adjacent the first end of the
viewfinder hood for forming a primary image by the camera lens; a video
camera located in the viewfinder hood adjacent to its second end for
aiming at the primary image formed on the image forming means by the lens
of the camera; means for displaying a derived image of the primary image
from the video camera; and means for providing more uniform brightness of
the derived image from its center to its edges, with the video camera and
the displaying means being interconnected by means for transmitting
signals between the video camera and the displaying means allowing a
photographer to view the primary image formed by the camera lens on the
displaying means at locations remote from the camera.
7. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the uniform brightness
providing means comprises: means for concentrating the outgoing light rays
from the primary image forming means to the video camera.
8. The video viewfinder system of claim 7 wherein the concentrating means
comprise a fresnel lens associated with the primary image forming means.
9. The video viewfinder system of claim 7 wherein the uniform brightness
providing means comprises: means for selectively absorbing the outgoing
light rays from the primary image forming means to the video camera.
10. The video viewfinder system of claim 9 wherein the selectively
absorbing means comprises an anti-vignetting filter having graduated
density from highly dense at the center of the filter to clear at a radial
distance away from the center.
11. The video viewfinder system of claim 10 wherein the anti-vignetting
filter is reproduced photographically from a film negative original, which
in turn is produced photographically as an out-of-focus image of a dark
spot.
12. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the uniform brightness
providing means comprises: means for selectively absorbing the outgoing
light rays from the primary image forming means to the video camera.
13. The video viewfinder system of claim 12 wherein the selectively
absorbing means comprises an anti-vignetting filter having graduated
density from highly dense at the center of the filter to clear at a radial
distance away from the center.
14. The video viewfinder system of claim 13 wherein the anti-vignetting
filter is reproduced photographically from a film negative original, which
in turn is produced photographically as an out-of-focus image of a dark
spot.
15. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the primary image means
is a ground glass mounted in the viewfinder hood adjacent to its first
end.
16. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the derived image
displaying means comprises a standard-sized, high resolution video
monitor.
17. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the derived image
displaying means comprises a miniature video monitor which can be easily
carried by the photographer.
18. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the signal transmitting
means comprises cable electrically connected between the video camera and
the displaying means.
19. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the video camera is
mounted upside down in the viewfinder hood to reinvert the inverted
primary image found on the image forming means by the camera lens.
20. The video viewfinder system of claim 6 wherein the camera has a rear
standard for removably receiving and holding a holder for the film; and
wherein the first end of the viewfinder hood includes means for removable
receipt in the rear standard of the camera allowing the video viewfinder
system to be removably received and held in the rear standard in a similar
manner as the film holder. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to photography, more particularly
to viewfinder systems for cameras and more specifically to video
viewfinder systems for cameras.
Especially in professional photography studios, precise setup of sets to be
photographed is required. Prior to the present invention, a photographer
must view a dim, upside down image on a camera back and frequently at an
odd angle. Furthermore, often the photographer would then direct an
assistant to arrange the objects on the set. Additionally, due to the
somewhat imprecise nature of the the above, instant photographs were
initially taken to simply check the scene arrangement prior to taking the
final photograph versions. It can then be appreciated that prior to the
present invention, setup was very time consuming, required two persons,
and was further costly due to instant film expenses. Thus a need has
arisen in photography for a viewfinder system where the photographer can
view the setup with a correctly orientated, sharp image and simultaneously
can personally make the set adjustments more accurately, quickly and
easily and which substantially reduces instant photograph exposures.
SUMMARY
The present invention solves this and other needs and problems in
photography by providing, in its most preferred form, a video viewfinder
system including a viewfinder hood attached to a camera, with the
viewfinder hood including a member upon which the primary image of the
camera lens is formed. A video camera is further included in the
viewfinder hood for aiming at the primary image of the camera lens. The
video viewfinder system further includes a member for displaying a derived
image from the video camera of the primary image allowing a photographer
to view the primary image of the camera lens on the displaying member at
locations remote from the camera.
In another aspect of the present invention, an anti-vignetting filter is
provided which in its preferred form is reproduced photographically from a
film negative original, which in turn is produced photographically as an
out-of-focus image of a dark spot. In the video viewfinder system of the
preferred form of the present invention, the anti-vignetting filter
selectively absorbs outgoing light rays from the center of the primary
image to the video camera for providing more uniform brightness of the
derived image from its center to its edges.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the video viewfinder
system of the present invention includes a fresnel lens associated with
the primary image forming means shown in its preferred form as ground
glass for concentrating the outgoing light rays from the primary image
forming means to the video camera for providing more uniform brightness of
the derived image from its center to its edges.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel video
viewfinder system for cameras.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel
photographically reproduced anti-vignetting filter.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
anti-vignetting filter which is reproduced photographically from a film
negative original which in turn is produced photographically as an
out-of-focus image of a dark spot.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system including such a novel photographically reproduced
anti-vignetting filter for providing more uniform brightness of the
derived image from its center to its edges.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system allowing a photographer to view a correctly
orientated, sharp image formed by the camera lens.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system allowing the photographer viewing the image formed
by the camera lens to personally make set adjustments.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system allowing more accurate, quick, and easier set
adjustments.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system which substantially reduces the need for instant
photograph exposures.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system which substantially reduces the time required for
setup of photograph sets.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system which allows the photographer to view the image
formed by the camera lens at locations remote from the camera.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system which does not require two persons for setup of
photograph sets.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel
video viewfinder system which allows the photographer to view the image
formed by the camera lens in comfortable positions and independent of the
camera position and orientation.
These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will
become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the
accompanying drawings where:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled viewfinder hood of a video
viewfinder system according to the teachings of the present invention,
with the cover being removed.
FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the video viewfinder system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an anti-vignetting filter according to
the teachings of the present invention.
All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the
present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to
number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the
preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the
art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read
and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions
to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements
will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings
of the present invention have been read and understood.
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals
designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "top",
"bottom", "first", "second", "inside", "outside", and similar terms are
used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only
to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person
viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the
invention.
DESCRIPTION
A video viewfinder system according to the teachings of the present
invention is shown in its preferred use with a camera in the drawings and
is generally designated 10. Camera 12 generally includes a lens standard
14 and a rear standard 16 connected by light tight bellows 18. Rear
standard 16 performs two purposes. First, standard 16 is designed to
receive and hold in position film holders. Second, to allow focusing and
scene setup, rear standard 16 receives a piece of ground glass on which an
image is formed by the camera lens. This image, which is inverted, may
then be viewed by the photographer.
Video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the present
invention includes a viewfinder hood 20 having a first end 22 and a second
end 24. In a first preferred form of the present invention, first end 22
of viewfinder hood 20 is adapted to be removably received in rear standard
16 of camera 12.
Video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the present
invention further includes a ground glass 26 mounted in viewfinder hood 20
adjacent its first end 22 on which a primary image is formed by the camera
lens. Video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the present
invention additionally includes a miniature video camera 28 mounted in
viewfinder hood 20 adjacent its second end 24. Video camera 28 should
include a closeup lens fixed at the proper focus distance to provide a
view of the primary image focused on ground glass 26. In its most
preferred form, video camera 28 is a Sony model XC-37 miniature CCD
camera.
Video viewfinder system 10 may further include according to the teachings
of the present invention a member 30 for providing more uniform brightness
of the image formed on ground glass 26 from its center to its edges. In
its most preferred form, member 30 is shown as a fresnel lens associated
with ground glass 26 and may be mounted adjacent thereto or combined
therewith. Fresnel lens 30 concentrates the outgoing light rays in the
direction of the lens of video camera 28. It should then be appreciated
that fresnel lenses have been utilized in some prior ground glass focusing
screens of prior cameras; however, it is believed that fresnel lenses have
not been utilized to provide more uniform brightness with a video camera
in conjunction with a viewfinder system.
Video viewfinder system 10 may further include according to the teachings
of the present invention a member 34 to also provide more uniform
brightness of the image from its center to its edges. In its most
preferred form, member 34 is shown as an anti-vignetting filter having
gradated density from highly dense at the center to clear at a radial
distance away from the center. Specifically, anti-vignetting filter 34 is
provided to compensate for the phenomenon of lens fall off where the
outward portions of an image are seen to be less bright due to the cosine
error of seeing the light rays at an angle versus straight at the center.
Placement of anti-vignetting filter 34 immediately in front of video
camera 28 will selectively absorb light rays from the center of the
primary image formed on ground glass 26, thus equalizing the brightness of
the image. In its most preferred form, anti-vignetting filter 34 will be
reproduced photographically from a film negative original, which in turn
will be produced photographically as an out-of-focus image of a dark spot.
On negative film, the dark spot will produce a gradated filter which is
clear at the center, which in turn will reproduce filters on negative film
which are dark in the center. It should then be appreciated that
anti-vignetting filters have been used on prior cameras, particularly in
aerial mapping cameras; however, it is believed that anti-vignetting
filters have not been utilized to provide a more uniform brightness with a
video camera in conjunction with a viewfinder system. Further it is
believed that the method of manufacture described herein is novel and
advantageous over prior anti-vignetting manufacture methods.
According to the teachings of the present invention, a cable 32 is
electrically connected between video camera 28, a video monitor/power
source 36, and a miniature video monitor 38. In its most preferred form,
video monitor 36 is a standard sized, high resolution model giving a high
quality image and video monitor 38 is a miniature unit which can be easily
carried around the studio by the photographer. Video monitor 36 is
modified to provide power for camera 28 from the monitor power supply.
Both monitors 36 and 38 are set up to accept transparent overlay sheets on
which the photographer can draw a frame to indicate the desired shape of
the picture as an aid to composition.
Now that the construction of video viewfinder system 10 according to the
teachings of the present invention have been set forth, the subtle
features and the use of system 10 can be set forth and appreciated. In
use, camera 12 may be set up at the set to be photographed in the normal
manner. However, rather than utilizing a prior ground glass focusing
screen, video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the
present invention may be utilized in its place. Specifically, first end 22
of viewfinder hood 20, according to the teachings of the present
invention, may be positioned in rear standard 16 of camera 12. After power
to video camera 28 has been supplied, the photographer may take miniature
video monitor 38 to the set to be photographed. At that time, the
photographer may personally arrange and adjust the set material by
observing monitor 38. It can then be realized the set placement can be
easily, quickly, and accurately made by the photographer personally
without requiring the photographer to continuously run between the set and
the camera or without requiring the photographer to relay commands to an
assistant at the set.
After the set has been adjusted to his satisfaction, the photographer may
then view the set through the larger screen monitor 36 to insure that the
set meets with his satisfaction. It can then be realized that monitor 36
in one mode functions as the instant exposure photographs which were
utilized prior to the present invention. It can then be realized that
preview shots with instant film will be considerably reduced and this
savings alone will provide a short payback period for video viewfinder
system 10 according to the teachings of the present invention.
Furthermore, in the most preferred form of the present invention, video
camera 28 is mounted in an inverted condition within viewfinder hood 20 of
video viewfinder system 10. Thus, the image produced on monitors 36 and 38
will have a correct orientation in system 10 rather than inverted
orientations as in prior ground glass focusing screens. It can then be
realized that the correct orientation of the image in video viewfinder
system 10 according to the teachings of the present invention
substantially reduces false takes which were overlooked due to inverted
image orientation of prior ground glass focusing screens.
Further, it can be appreciated that video viewfinder system 10 according to
the teachings of the present invention allows the photographer to view the
image formed by the camera lens at locations remote from camera 12. This
is very advantageous since the photographer may move around the studio and
is not restricted to the camera location as in prior ground glass focusing
screens. Specifically, the image of monitors 36 and 38 may be easily
viewed and not at odd angles as was common with prior ground glass
focusing screens. Further, video viewfinder system 10 according to the
teachings of the present invention allows camera 12 to be positioned at
locations which are inaccessible, dangerous, or the like for a
photographer and may include a microwave relay link between video camera
28 and monitors 36 and 38. Likewise, video viewfinder system 10 according
to the teachings of the present invention allows the photographer to view
the images formed on monitors 36 and 38 in comfortable positions such as
sitting and does not require the photographer to crouch over camera 12 or
to be in similar tiresome positions.
After the set to be photographed has been set up to the photographer's
satisfaction, video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the
present invention may be removed from camera 12 and replaced with a film
holder in a manner analoguous to the standard operation of camera 12. It
can then be appreciated that video viewfinder system 10 according to the
teachings of the present invention substantially reduces the time required
for setup of sets to be photographed and reduces the amount of effort
required by the photographer.
Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained,
many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary
skill in the art. For example, in its most preferred form, although video
viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the present invention
is shown in use with a camera 12 having a removeable film holder and
focusing screens, it should be appreciated that video viewfinder system 10
according to the teachings of the present invention may be utilized with
reflex-type cameras having internal mirrors which create separate
viewfinder and film focal planes. In such applications, video viewfinder
system 10 according to the teachings of the present invention may be
constructed integral into the focusing screen assembly if desired.
Similarly, although described in connection with setup of sets in
photographic studios, video viewfinder system 10 according to the
teachings of the present invention may be utilized in other applications.
For example, video and photographic cameras could share the same optical
systems utilizing video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of
the present invention in security applications. Thus, the low resolution
of video could be augmented by a photographic shot when something critical
was seen and the views would be insured to correspond due to the sharing
of the same optical systems. Likewise, video viewfinder system 10
according to the teachings of the present invention may be utilized in
aerial photography. The use of video viewfinder system 10 according to the
teachings of the present invention would then eliminate the grueling work
of a photographer crouching over a viewfinder of a floor mounted camera
for hours at a time in a bouncing, small plane.
Although in its most preferred form video camera utilized in video
viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the present invention
is black and white due to its compact size and low weight, it is
anticipated that video cameras of other types such as color models may be
utilized in video viewfinder system 10 according to the teachings of the
present invention.
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics
thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments
described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended
claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
intended to be embraced therein.
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