Camera assembly for three-dimensional photography

Abstract

A camera assembly is provided for photographing a scene or subject from two slightly different positions with controlled three-dimensional effects for subsequent viewing, for example, with the assistance of special eyeglasses having appropriately filtered lenses. The camera assembly comprises a pair of cameras, such as two motion picture cameras, mounted onto a rigid frame for photographing a common scene or subject, with one of the cameras receiving light transmitted through a beamsplitter and the other camera receiving light reflected from the beamsplitter. One of the cameras is stationary on the frame whereas the other camera is movably supported by a mechanical control linkage to controllably vary three-dimensional effects by adjusting the lateral or interocular spacing between the nodal points of lens units for the two cameras and further by adjusting the movable camera to select the point of intersection, or convergence distance setting, of the camera sight lines within their fields of view. The mechanical control linkage advantageously permits adjustment in the interocular spacing with little or no change in the convergence distance setting, and further permits convergence distance setting adjustment with minimal or no effect upon the interocular spacing. Visible scales on the camera assembly frame provide a direct indication of the interocular spacing and convergence distance setting. Additional features include improved locking assemblies for positively seating the two cameras in place on the frame and an improved rigid beamsplitter mounting arrangement.