GB2195461A - Copy camera - Google Patents

Abstract

A copy camera 22 is mounted (with its optical axis horizontal) together with a 45??? image reversal mirror (28, Fig. 2) on a column 24 above an original platen 18 having five original size markings 20a-e. Motors for adjusting camera height and focus are controlled by an electronic control unit 30 having inputs for original size (corresponding to the markings) and thickness and an LED display. The camera and mirror are pivotable through a right angle to copy a wall original instead of a platen original. Lamps 32 are similarly pivotable. An over-ride button enables manual adjustment of camera height and focus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A photographic machine This invention relates to a photographic machine.

It is an object of the invention to provide a photographic machine which is versatile and easy to use.

According to the invention there is provided a photographic machine comprising a horizontal platform upon which an object to be photographed can be placed, means indicating various different predetermined area sizes on the platform, a photographic camera movably mounted above the platform so that the camera can be moved up and down relative to the platform, for varying the ratio of object size to image size, the camera being associated with means for reflecting the light through a right angle between the platform and the image plane so as to cause image reversal, motor means for moving the camera up and down relative to the platform and for adjusting the focus of the camera, presettable motor control means for causing the camera to be moved up and down to various preset positions relative to the platform corresponding to said predetermined area sizes on the platform and for adjusting the camera focus accordingly, selectively operable means for selecting between the predetermined area sizes on the platform and causing the camera position and camera focus to be adjusted accordingly, the camera together with said reflecting means being pivotable through a right angle for alternatively photographing an object in front of the camera instead of on the platform, and adjustable illuminating means for illuminating selectively the object on the platform or alternatively the object in front of the camera.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a photographic machine embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the machine as seen in side elevation.

The illustrated photographic machine 10 comprises a base 12 mounted on castors 14 and including an electronic control unit (not shown) inside a casing 16, the top of which forms a horizontal platform 18. The platform 18 is marked with a series of concentric rectangles 20a to 20e which indicate five different predetermined area sizes on the platform 18. An object (not shown) to be photographed can be placed upon the platform 18 inside an appropriate one of the rectangles 20, depending upon the size of the object.

A photographic camera 22 is movably mounted above the platform 18 so that the camera 22 can be moved up and down rela tive.to the platform 18, for varying the ratio of object size to image size. More particularly, the camera 22 is mounted on a columnar pedestal 24 which is surrounded by a rubber bellows 26 for keeping dust and dirt out of the moving parts of the raising and lowering mechanism. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the camera 22 is associated with a 45" mirror 28 for reflecting the light through a right angle between the platform 18 and the image plane (in the camera) so as to cause image reversal, so that the camera can use direct reversal photographic paper.

The machine 10 comprises one electric motor (not shown) for raising and lowering the camera 22 and another electric motor (also not shown) for adjusting the focus of the camera 22. Both motors are controlled by the above-mentioned electronic control unit (not shown).

By way of example, the camera 22 may be adapted to produce a picture measuring 21 by 29.7 cms and the smallest and largest rectangles 20a and 20e respectively may measure 15 by 20 cms and 50 by 60 cms, with the three intermediate rectangles 20b, 20c and 20d measuring three corresponding intermediate sizes. The electronic control unit includes a programmed memory including the camera height and focus settings for the two motors corresponding respectively to the sizes of the five rectangles 20a to 20e. Accordingly, for photographing an object placed upon the platform 18, all that the user has to do is to operate a control for inputting to the control unit the size of the rectangle corresponding to the size of the object to be photographed. The two motors are then operated by the control unit to adjust the camera height and focus automatically and then take the photograph.

The aforesaid controls are arranged in a control panel 30 which includes an LED (light emitting diode) display to indicate the chosen size of rectangle. The controls can also be operated to enter a "thickness dimension" into the control unit, corresponding to the thickness of a three-dimensional object, to cause the camera 22 to be focused at a point which is spaced above the platform 18 by the thickness of the object. The LED display also indicates this thickness. The camera 22 can be adjusted to close the iris (not shown) of the camera and provide a longer exposure, to give a greater depth of field.

An "over-riding" button (not shown) can be operated for adjusting the camera height and focus to an intermediate size between two neighbouring ones of the rectangles 20a to 20e, using a ground glass screen (not shown) in known manner in the camera, in place of film, for focusing the object to be photo graphed on the screen before replacing the ground glass screen by film for the photo graph to be taken. The control unit includes a "repeat" facility for repeating the particular setting of the camera for further photographs.

The camera 22 can be revolved through 90 to the position shown by chain-dot lines at 3 in Fig. 1 to photograph a vertical object, such as a painting or drawing on a wall (not shown) in landscape projection (that is, with the longer dimension horizontal) or portrait projection (with the longer dimension vertical), using the ground glass screen for focusing.

The height and focusing of the camera can be controlled electrically through controls on the control panel 30, with the LED display indicat ing the settings.

The photographic machine also includes two electric lamps 32 for illuminating an object on the platform. The lamps can be turned for illuminating the object on the wall referred to above.

The machine has conventional electrical cable connections for connecting the machine to a source of electrical power.

Claims (4)

1. A photographic machine comprising a horizontal platform upon which an object to be photographed can be placed, means indicating various different predetermined area sizes on the platform, a photographic camera movably mounted above the platform so that the camera can be moved up and down relative to the platform, for varying the ratio of object size to image size, the camera being associated with means for reflecting the light through a right angle between the platform and the image plane so as to cause image reversal, motor means for moving the camera up and down relative to the platform and for adjusting the focus of the camera, presettable motor control means for causing the camera to be moved up and down to various preset positions relative to the platform corresponding to said predetermined area sizes on the platform and for adjusting the camera focus accordingly, selectively operable means for se lectingSbetween the predetermined area sizes on the platform and causing the camera position and camera focus to be adjusted accordingly, the camera together with said reflecting means being pivotable through a right angle for alternatively photographing an object in front of the camera instead of on the platform, and adjustable illuminating means for illuminating selectively the object on the platform or alternatively the object in front of the camera.

2. A photographic machine as claimed in Claim 1 and further comprising means for setting a selectable distance above the platform as a desired point of focus, said motor control means being responsive thereto for adjusting the camera focus accordingly.

3. A photographic machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the camera position and camera focus can selectively be adjusted manually.

4. A photographic machine as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the camera is mounted on a columnar pedestal.