GB844821A - Photographic camera for making panoramic pictures - Google Patents

Abstract

844,821. Producing panoramic pictures. SMITH, T. F., and CARNEY, R. E. July 8, 1958 [July 19, 1957], No. 21899/58. Classes 97(1) .and 98(1) Real images of different parts of a panoramic scene are formed in juxtaposition by separate objectives and the combination of images rephotographed. The real images may be juxtaposed in such a way that the combined image has a shape suitable for photographing in the normal frame space of a kinematograph camera. The proper relative disposition of the parts of the picture is restored during projection. In the form shown in Fig. 1 each of the objectives 30, 31, 32, 33 receives light from a different 45 degrees sector of the scene by reflection from one of a pair of mirrors 40, 40a, 41, 41a, 42, 42a, 43, 43a and images that part of the scene on the face of one of a number of condenser lenses 51, 52, 53, 54. Each condenser may be a single pianoconvex lens or a pair of plano-convex lenses as shown. The lenses may be achromatic or anastigmatic. The emergent light beams pass through a collimating lens 61 and an objective 60 which forms images of the images formed by the objectives 30 &c. within the normal frame space of a film 56. The objectives 60 and 30 &c. are axially adjustable for focusing. A modified arrangement uses only three objectives 30 &c., one being a wide angle lens for forming an image of a central 90 degrees sector. The condenser system is in three sections to correspond. The division of the field of view may be effected by prisms instead of reflectors. Another arrangement uses assemblies 133, 134, Fig. 14, each baving a conical portion connecting cylindrical portions housing respectively the objective lenses and the associated condensers. The objectives are directed to different parts of the scene and their images are re-photographed by a camera 130 by reflecting the light beams from mirrors 151, 152, 166, 168. Another similar arrangement uses three objective and condenser arrangements, one of which is directed at a central sector and passes its emergent light beam to the camera 130 directly. Each objective and condenser system may have an adjustable mask for limiting its field of view.