Panavision Inc.

Other

Robert E Gottschalk

Felipe Navarro

Carl F Fazekas

Albert K Saiki

Albert L Mayer

A camera device for electronic cinematography uses the same lens assembly for a television camera and its monitor as is used with a viewfinder eyepiece assembly, so that the scene in the viewfinder eyepiece assembly is the same as that presented to the television camera and depicted on its monitor. The light from the lens assembly may be reflected by a full mirror into only the viewfinder, or through a partial mirror to both the viewfinder and the television camera. The viewfinder and the television monitor are secured together to move as a unit.

Electronic cinema camera

Motion picture camera apparatus uses a 35 mm prime lens assembly for a 16 mm motion picture camera. Between the prime lens assembly and the motion picture camera there is positioned a pair of fixed parallel mirrors mounted at an angle to the axis of the prime lens assembly. The light from the prime lens assembly may be reflected by a full mirror into a viewfinder, or through a partial mirror to both the viewfinder and the motion picture camera. A relay lens is positioned in the light path from the prime lens assembly to the motion picture camera.

Motion picture camera

A film magazine for a motion picture camera contains apparatus for maintaining the tension in the film strip from the supply reel and in the film strip to the takeup reel, within predetermined limits, to permit start-and-stop operations of the camera while minimizing danger of damage to the film. The supply reel is connected to an eddy current brake, and a takeup reel is powered by a motor responsive to a tension control device. The eddy current brake on the supply reel provides braking torque of relatively high magnitude when the supply reel is large in diameter, and the braking torque reduces gradually to a minimum as the diameter reduces. Tension in the film strip leading to the takeup reel is controlled by a tension measuring device which acts to vary the power delivered to the motor driving the takeup reel, to obtain uniform winding tightness. Loading of a full reel of film into the magazine is accomplished while a reel-contacting measuring device is latched in retracted position; closing of the magazine cover releases the latch.

Film magazine for motion picture camera

An improved focal length extender of the anamorphic type is disclosed for use in combination with a conventional primary lens. The lens system of the present invention comprises two portions. A first portion is positioned in front of the conventional lens, and a second portion of the lens system of the present invention is placed between the conventional lens and the film plane. The first and second portions cooperate together and with the conventional lens system to provide increased focal length while at the same time providing relatively reduced mass and bulk at increased optical speed.

Focal length extender

A flexible coupling device for accommodating both parallel misalignment and axial misalignment employs an elastomeric sleeve between the driving member and driven member. One of the members has radially projecting axially extending fins received within internal recesses provided in the elastomeric sleeve. The elastomeric sleeve has a series of external bulbous projections each received within a pocket provided in said other member.

Flexible coupling

An insert body is interposed between a film magazine and a motion picture camera, and is provided with a cavity containing a light source. An elongated opening in the body transmits light to preflash motion picture film passing from the film magazine into the motion picture camera. Controls on the quantity and quality of light are provided. In one form of control, a translucent cylindrical rod extends into the light source cavity and has an end face exposed to the light source. The translucent rod has an opaque lateral surface interrupted on one side by an axially extending light transmitting window. In another form of control, a window in the side of the translucent rod receives light from the light source. In a third form of control a cylindrical shell with opposed parallel windows takes the place of the translucent rod. In all cases, the translucent rod or shell has a head portion accessible exteriorly of the body for turning it to change the amount of light passing through the elongated opening.

Apparatus for preflashing motion picture film

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 flexible coupling member is constructed from a length of elastomeric cylindrical tubing. The opposite ends of the tubing are closed by axially spaced ribs positioned at right angles, and the outer surfaces of the flexible coupling between the ribs are bounded by smooth warped surfaces. The interior of the coupling may be hollow or solid. If hollow, a check valve may be provided in one of the end ribs or on one of the smooth warped surfaces, to control internal pressure.

Vibration-dampening flexible coupling

A motion picture camera employs a mounting plate supported within the camera housing by means of sound-insulating connectors. All of the sound-generating moving parts are supported solely on the mounting plate. The lens, however, is mounted directly on the camera housing and is out of contact with the support plate and is thus prevented from radiating sound generated within the camera housing. The sound-insulating connectors which support the mounting plate within the camera housing are adjustable, to adjust the position of the camera 'movement' with respect to the axis of the lens.

Quiet motion picture camera

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.

A motion picture camera employs a mounting plate supported within the camera housing by means of sound-insulating connectors. All of the sounds-generating moving parts are supported solely on the mounting plate and all are out of contact with the camera housing. The lens, however, is mounted directly on the camera housing and is out of contact with the support plate and is thus prevented from radiating sound generated within the camera housing. An insulated double door assembly is mounted on the camera housing for access to the interior of the housing. Means accessible exteriorly of the outer door are provided for releasably locking the inner door with respect to the housing.

A motion picture camera is mounted upon a gear head for tilting movement, and the camera is provided with a viewfinder eyepiece device mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis. A link is pivotally connected at one end to the viewfinder eyepiece device and is pivotally connected at the other end to a nontilting portion of the gear head, whereby movement of the viewfinder eyepiece device is minimized during tilting movement of the camera.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Robert E Gottschalk