FR2471618A1 - PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS SUPPORT DEVICE FOR PERFORMING PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHS - Google Patents

Abstract

KNOWN CAMERA DEVICE USING NORMAL PITCH 35 MILLIMETER CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILM. DEVICE CHARACTERIZED BY A ROTATING SUPPORT 2, IN THE FORM OF A FIXED PART MOUNTED ON A SUPPORT OR TRIPOD 1, AND A MOBILE PART CARRYING THE CAMERA 3, DRIVEN IN ROTATION AROUND A VERTICAL AXIS, ACTUATION MEANS 23, 27 SUITABLE TO UNWIND THE FILM, THE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE CAMERA BEING CONJUGATED WITH THE UNWINDING MOVEMENT OF THE FILM, SO THAT THE SUCCESSIVE POSITIONS OF THE FILM COINCIDE WITH THE SUCCESSIVE POSITIONS OF THE IMAGE OF THE APPLIANCE. DEVICE ALLOWING SHOTS ON A PANORAMIC ANGLE OF AT LEAST 180 DEGREES.

Description

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  The present invention relates to a device

  - a camera with which can be realized panoramic views that can cover an angle

  rotation around the point of view.

  It is known, for making photographic views that cover a wide field around the point of view, to use special photographic cameras with special so-called wide-angle lenses that can embrace an angle of view of about 60 to 70 degrees. Only exceptional devices in limited achievements achieve values

  higher up to the maximum value of 180 degrees.

  The construction of such objectives and cameras

  use graphs on which they are applied,

  requires the use of particular techniques and technologies.

  which present various difficulties of execution and

  application and, consequently, a manufacturing cost of

  high. In addition, it should be noted that wide field of view lenses have quite significant optical aberrations. In all cases, devices have been made which, during a rotation about a proper axis, automatically perform a succession of shots synchronized with the rotational movement of the apparatus, thus realizing a series of successive photographic snaps connecting by their adjacent edges. Such a method, with such a system, automatically and conveniently achieves very wide shots that can join together to cover a complete angular rotation with virtually the same camera by manually performing a series of views.

  part of a panorama, to obtain photographs

  in a variety of ways to achieve the effect of

single view much wider.

  Normally the complex picture obtained has various imperfections, more or less limited, particularly in

  the connection areas between two successive shots.

  This apparatus as well as so-called wide-angle devices therefore have a limitation of use, because, on the one hand, they can only be used to obtain a certain type of photograph, and that, on the other hand, they are

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  usually quite expensive.

  The present invention aims to avoid inconveniences

  mentioned above by means of a device

  Also suitable for normal photographic cameras of various types, particularly of the type using 35 millimeter standard film films,

of the commercial type "Leica".

  The device, object of the invention is characterized in

  what it includes a first support for the photogra-

  mounted on a second fixed support on which

  he can turn, so as to turn the camera-

  graphic around a vertical axis coinciding with the pivot, the camera being associated with suitable means

  to circulate the film in a controlled manner, the movement

  translation of the film, and the rotation movement

  of the apparatus being simultaneous and interdependent, so that the displacements of the film coincide with the displacements of the photographic image derived from the rotation of the camera, the camera being further provided with the background of its dark chamber, a plate having in its center a slot extending over the entire height of the plate, the plate being disposed in front of the

  film which is thus adherent to its posterior surface

  re, control, actuation and control means being provided for the rotational movement of the apparatus and for the

  translational motion of the film.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the width of the slit provided in the wafer disposed in the apparatus in front of the film is variable depending on the brightness and the exposure time, which, in turn,

  depends on the rotational speed of the device, and consequently

  the speed of passage of the film.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the

  ratio of the speed of rotation of the camera

  that and the unwinding speed of the film can be

modified and adjusted at will.

  The description below relates to a way of realizing

  of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

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  Figure 1 is an elevational view, partially in section of the support device object of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view through the line I-I of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view through the line II-II of Figure 1, and Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams explaining the mode of operation. The figures above relate to a generally known photographic camera, of the type of the trademark "Leica", which is shown schematically in fine lines, with FIG.

  posterior and open (in its lid) of the device.

  This figure shows the main elements, namely: the photographic tripod 1 constituting the fixed support of the device, the rotary support 2 fixed on the tripod, and the camera 3 fixed in turn on this rotatable support 2. The rotating support 2 consists of two parts a fixed part assembled with the tripod 1, and a part

  mobile device on which the camera 3 is fixed.

  The fixed part consists of a cylindrical envelope

  digque drique 4, inside which is fixed an electric gear motor group, whose driving shaft 6 comes out at

  through the closure flange 6 ', disposed at the upper portion

  upper of said cylindrical casing 4, this flange 6 'being provided with a ring gear 7 on its outer circumferential periphery. The hollow cylindrical envelope 4 is provided, in

  its lower part, a threaded connection 8 for its coupling

photographic tripod 1.

  The mobile part of the rotary support 2 is in turn constituted by a box-shaped body comprising a cylindrical part, closed at its upper part by a flat wall 10 which projects radially with a portion 11, and a second wall 12 parallel to the first forming a radial arm, inside which is mounted a pivoting gear 13 which meshes by means of an idler wheel 29, with the ring gear 7 of the fixed part of the support

rotating 2.

  The axis of the toothed wheel 13 is provided with a bore

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  crossing at square section, coaxial, in which is mounted

  a square-section shaft 24 which can slide longitudinally

  in this bore. This shaft 24 is provided at its lower part with a knurled button 25, and is terminated at its upper part by a threaded portion 26 on which

  a fitting 27 is attached.

  killed by a hollow cylindrical body, able to contain in the

  cavity the button 23 of.refroulement of the photo-film

  a graph which is fixed by means of a pressure screw 28. The connecting piece 27 is interchangeable in order to allow its adaptation to different diameters of rewind button

  23 that change from one type to another of camera.

  The shaft 6 of the gear motor 5 is fixed on the flat wall 10 by means of a bolt which engages on its threaded end, simultaneously fixing the coupling member 15 on which the camera is fixed by the intermedi-,

  of the accessory connection bracket 16.

  All the mobile part of the rotary support 2 is thus

  guided, in addition to the shaft 6, also by the end

  the cylindrical portion 9 which is engaged against the guide ferrule 14 which is fixed on the cylindrical body

hollow 4.

  Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, we also see the plate 17 which is inserted on the bottom of the dark chamber 19 (see Figure 3). This plate 17 is provided, in its central zone, with a slot 18 (FIG.

  2) which are all over the height of the shot.

  As shown in Figure 3, this plate 17 is disposed in contact with the anterior surface, coated with the sensitive emulsion, of the film 20. In Figure 1, is also shown the unwinding coil 21 and the cavity

  22 'in which is inserted the pressure member on the film

  which is schematically indicated by the line in

  points. This member is normally constituted by the rewinding reel 22 on which the impressed film can

  be wound up by means of the button 23.

  The operating principle on which the invention is based is explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In these figures, as in FIG.

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  photographic is represented schematically by lines in fine lines. In these figures, it is further seen that the objective of the apparatus is represented symbolically by a lens 30 whose center is considered, for simplicity, as representing the focal point F of the lens. In Figures 4 and 5, the camera 3 is assumed

  turn clockwise and the film

  the 20th is supposed to move to the left.

  In Fig. 4, an object A is disposed on the axis of the objective and an object B is disposed on the right side of the field angle. The images of these points will form on the film 20, respectively at the points A 'and B'. Point

  A 'will be likewise on the axis of the film, tan-

  say that the image point B 'will be on the extreme left edge of the photograph that will form normally on the bottom of the darkroom 19. The presence of the wafer 17 with its central slot 18 results in the image The object A is formed on the film because the light rays from A pass through the central slot 18 and strike the film 20 at A '. On the other hand, the image of the object B does not form on the film because the departing rays

  of B are intercepted by the wafer 17.

  In Fig. 5, the camera has rotated by an angle equal to half of the field angle θ 0, so that its axis coincides with the left side of the field angle θ of Fig. 4. Object B is then on this

  axis, and its image will form on the film at point B '.

  Since, simultaneously with the rotation of the camera, the film 20 has moved over a length equal to half of the shot that would be formed on the background of

  the dark room, the image of the object B will form on the film

  exactly on point o, the apparatus being stationary,

  she would have formed on the extreme edge of mowing the cliche.

  It is obvious that in this way the object points between A and B can be photographed continuously,

  thus realizing a snapshot that reproduces exactly the

  rama explored by the camera in its movement

of rotation.

  From the foregoing, it is evident that film

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  it will move along a path equal to the width of the shot that would form on the film if the camera was still, while the camera will turn on an angle

equal to the angle of view ûL.

  The support device according to the invention makes it possible in practice to take a panoramic shot in the manner described above. On the tripod 1, the rotary support 2 is mounted on which the camera 3 is placed by inserting the accessory-fitting connector 16 which it comprises 1o on the opposite coupling member 15 which is provided on the

  upper part of the rotating part of the support 2.

  The knob 25 is then pressed upwards by means of which the shell 27 engages the button 23 of rewinding of the film on which it is fixed by means of the pressure screw 28. Previously, it was mounted, in the manner provided, the film on the unwinding reel 21 and mounted, on

  the shutter control button on the device provides

  tif constituted by a flexible return that will be operated normal-

  to control a slot in the opening of the shutter to perform a prolonged pose, the time adjustment button

  exposure being placed on the "pose" mark.

  Finally, the opening of the diaphragm is conveniently set and the assembly is positioned in such a way that the axis of the objective of the camera is oriented towards the initial panoramic shooting area desired. realize, one seizes the control knob of the hose causing the opening of the shutter and one fixes it in the desired positions on the device. At this time, it will suffice to power the motor as indicated, the gear motor 5 to automatically obtain the desired shot. The shaft 6 of the gear motor 5 rotates the movable portion of the rotary support 2 and thus also the camera attached to this movable portion. Simultaneously, the radial arm containing the gears 29 and 13 which mesh with the fixed ring gear 7, rotating around this ring gear, causes the rotation of the gears 29 and 13. The gear wheel 13, via the shaft 24 and ferrule 27, rotates the rewind coil, thereby causing the

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displacement of the film 20.

  In the example shown, the rotation of the camera, viewed from above, is carried out in a clockwise direction and the film moves from the left to the right, in application of the described operating process. It should be noted that the width of the slot 18 of the bottom plate of the dark chamber is a function of various

  factors, such as in particular the speed of rotation of the

  photographic camera on the tripod, the brightness of the lens

  tif, the sensitivity of the film.

  In the practical realization of this example, optimal results have been obtained with a slit of a width

  approximately two-tenths of a millimeter

  two times per minute. The clichés

  interesting a field of 180 degrees, were obtained in

  done with an operating time of about 15 seconds.

  With normal 18 DIN film the best results were obtained with a relative aperture of 1:11 and 1:16. he

  It should also be noted that, by increasing or decreasing

  between some discrete limits of the speed of de-

  rolling of the film., it is possible to shorten or lengthen the shot obtained, with particularly interesting effects. Obviously the transmission ratio between the fixed ring gear 7 and the gear 13 will vary depending on the particular characteristics of the device in question. Indeed, the ratio between the speed of rotation of the camera on its support and the speed of unwinding of the film, depends on the angle of view, and then the focal length of the lens which varies from one

device to another.

  It is understandable that the variation of this transmission ratio can be obtained, for example, by varying the diameters of the gears 29 and 13. Another possibility consists in separately controlling the two movements with two distinct groups of electric gear motors, to which

  case it is possible to vary anyway and more

the two speeds.

  The device is obviously completed by means of

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  regulation and control of a type known per se.

  It is understood that other construction variants

  or dimensions can be made, for example by incor-

  porant the device in the complex complex of the camera, without leaving the field of protection

of the invention.

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Claims (7)

-R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S-   1. Camera support device for   the realization of panoramic shots, especially for   using a 35 millimeter standard film-like film of the commercial "Leica" type, characterized in that it comprises a rotatable support (2) itself formed of a fixed part, removably mounted on a fixed support (1), and a movable part on which a camera (3) is mounted, the fixed part of the rotary support being provided with actuating means (5) adapted to   rotate the moving part carrying the camera   that (3), about an axis coinciding with the vertical axis of the center of gravity of the apparatus, the apparatus being connected to actuating means (23 to 27) able to unroll the film in a controlled manner , the translation movement of the film and the rotational movement of the apparatus being simultaneous and interdependent so that the successive positions of the film coincide with the positions of the image deriving from the rotation of the apparatus, means of control, actuation and control being provided for the   rotation of the device and the movement of   of the film, and in that on the bottom of the dark chamber of the apparatus is arranged a plate (17) provided, in its central part, with a slot (18) extending over the entire height of the film. cliché, this plate being arranged in front of the film so that it is applied against the plate   by its bearing face of the sensitive layer.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means contained in the fixed part of the rotary support consist of an electric motor-gear unit (5), integral with the fixed part, whose motor shaft is connected to the movable part of the rotary support. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized   in that the actuating means (23 to 27) for the unwinding   of the film in the camera (3) are constituted by a ferrule (27) removably mounted   on the bottom (23) of the winding reel of the film   (20), which is rotated simultaneously with the 2471618   rotation of the camera, as well as actuating means interconnected to the means for actuating the movable portion of the rotatable support (2) so as to establish a definite and constant transmission ratio between the speed of rotation of the apparatus and the speed of rotation of said ferrule (27).   4. Device according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the means for actuating the ferrule (27) are constituted by a toothed wheel (13) mounted on the rotating arm of the rotary support (2) and meshing, via a idler wheel (29) with a ring gear (7), which is integral with the fixed part of the support rotary (2).   5. Device according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating means   of the ferrule are constituted by a second motor group.   electric gearbox, interconnected with the motor unit gearbox (5) of the rotary support.   6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the slot provided in the wafer disposed in the camera in front of the film is variable depending on the brightness of the lens and the exposure time, which, in turn, depends on the rotational speed of the camera, and, as a result,   the unwinding speed of the film.   7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio between the speed of rotation of the camera and the speed of unwinding of the film   is variable and adjustable at will.