Panavision Inc.

Panavision International, L.p.

Felipe Navarro

Robert E Gottschalk

Carl F Fazekas

Nolan J Murdock

Christopher J Verplaetse

Wynn Bowers

Morris Shore

Vince H Catlin

A system for sensing and displaying lens data for a cinematography zoom lens and camera in real time. A plurality of sensors are connected to the lens for producing signals continually representing the present positions of focus, zoom and T-stop setting rings of the lens. A range finder is positioned adjacent the lens for producing a signal representing the distance from the lens to an object located in front of the lens. A printed circuit board with a microprocessor receives and processes the signals and has a memory with data representing the focus, zoom and T-stop characteristics of that lens. A display device is positioned adjacent the lens and selectively displays indicia representing the positions of the focus, zoom and T-stop settings, the distance to the object and the depth of field.

System for sensing and displaying lens data for high performance film and video cameras and lenses

A shoulder-mounted, camera support device having adjustable support bar or bar segments and hand grip assemblies which allow the camera operator to easily adjust positions of the bars and hand grip assemblies. In its preferred configuration, grip position may be adjusted by the operator in a variety of manners without having to release the grip handle by rotating the grip handle thereby unlocking the grip assembly, moving the grip assembly and handle to a desired position and orientation, and then rotating the grip handle thereby locking the grip assembly and handle in place at the desired position and orientation.

Position adjustable grip support for motion picture camera

A camera system including a matte box assembly for use on cameras for supporting a plurality of filters, the matte box assembly includes a support bracket which supports the matte box and which (1) axially translates toward and away from the lens and (2) in a separate action, once it has been axially translated to a given position away from the lens, the support bracket pivots 90.degree. away from the lens. The assembly includes a crank arm for actuating both the axial translation and the pivoting action sequentially.

Matte box support assembly

A lighting system and method with variable light intensity for use in motion picture photography. In the lighting apparatus, light emitted from a source is passed through an aperture and then through a section of a movable, neutral density filter. The preferred filter is specially designed to have a variable density, continuously increasing from one side of the filter to the other. By changing the position of the filter, selectively placing higher or lower density sections in the light path, the intensity of the light emitted by the lighting apparatus may be varied. The neutral density filter is selected to be generally color neutral so that the color quality of the light passing therethrough remains unchanged. To ensure complete light blockage, a douser of opaque material is provided which is selectively interposed in the outgoing light path.

System for varying light intensity such as for use in motion picture

A lighting system and method with variable light intensity for use in motion picture photography. In the lighting apparatus, light emitted from a source is passed through an aperture and then through a section of a movable, neutral density filter. The preferred filter is specially designed to have a variable density, continuously increasing from one side of the filter to the other. By changing the position of the filter, selectively placing higher or lower density sections in the light path, the intensity of the light emitted by the lighting apparatus may be varied. The neutral density filter is selected to be generally color neutral so that the color quality of the light passing therethrough remains unchanged.

A matte box assembly for a movie camera wherein a front frame is slidably and pivotally supported from iris rods extending from the camera parallel to the lens. A plurality of filter holder modules are provided with mating dovetail slots on their front and rear vertical surfaces for allowing quick assembly and disassembly of any number and type of filter holder modules to each other and to the frame. A light shield module is similarly assembled to the filter holder modules by dovetail slots and fits over the lens in the camera-ready position of the matte box assembly. Locking mechanisms releasably attach each module to the next adjacent module for maintaining alignment and position. One or more of the modules may have a rotatable construction for rotating the front relative to the back.

Matte box assembly

A two-part harness for a motion picture or television cameraman has an upper part for engagement of the cameraman's shoulders and upper back, and a lower part engaging the cameraman's hips. The harness is used to support the weight of the camera and associated apparatus positioned in front of the cameraman, but the harness functions to place most of the vertical load on the hips and most of the horizntal load on the shoulders and upper back. The two parts of the harness are connected for vertical adjustment by the cameraman while wearing the harness.

Body harness for cinematographer

A body-mounted support device for a motion picture or television camera employs a pair of articulated arm assemblies attached to a body harness and positioned to support a gimbal device. A camera support tube is mounted on the gimbal device and carries the motion picture or television camera on its upper end, and a battery at its lower end. Pneumatic cushion means associated with the articulated arm assemblies dampen unwanted movements of the motion picture camera. An emergency release mechanism is provided to disconnect the entire device from the body harness. Telescoping parts of the camera support tube permit the camera to be operated from a very low elevation with respect to the floor as well as allowing vertical adjustment of the center of gravity of all of the parts supported upon the gimbal device.

Body-mounted camera support apparatus

A body-mounted support device for a motion picture camera employs a pair of serially connected articulated arm assemblies attached to a body harness and positioned to support a gimbal device. A camera support tube is mounted on the gimbal device and carries a motion picture camera on its upper end, and a battery and, optionally, the camera motor, at its lower end. Pneumatic cushion means associated with the articulated arm assemblies dampen unwanted movements of the motion picture camera. An emergency release mechanism is provided to disconnect the entire device from the body harness. Telescoping parts of the camera support tube permit the camera to be operated from a very low elevation with respect to the floor. The battery carrier at the lower end of the support tube has a portion which may be swung to one side so that gravity may bring the camera support tube into vertical position.

Body-mounted support device for motion picture camera

A body-mounted support device for a motion picture camera or television camera employs a pair of articulated arm assemblies serially connected and attached to a body harness and positioned to support a gimbal device. A camera support tube is mounted upright to turn on the gimbal device and carries a camera on its upper end, and a battery at its lower end. Two-axis horizontal adjustments are provided for the camera at the top of the support tube. Pneumatic cushion means associated with the articulated arm assemblies dampen unwanted movements of the motion picture camera. Tilt adjustments near a belt portion of the body harness serve to position the camera support tube at the desired position in space in front of the cameraman. Provision is made for right hand or left hand mounting of the arm assemblies. An emergency release mechanism is provided to disconnect the entire device from the body harness. Telescoping parts of the camera support tube enable changes to be made in the center of gravity of the supported assembly, and permit the camera to be operated from a very low elevation with respect to the floor. An improved electronic view finder system is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Granada Hills, CA, United States of America

Felipe Navarro