Automatic parallax correction in deploying lens camera

Abstract

A camera which comprises a camera housing, containing a viewfinder system and a back wall. The camera further comprises a deployable objective lens, having an optical axis that is substantially normal to the back wall of the camera housing throughout lens deployment. The objective lens is spaced apart from the viewfinder system in at least a lateral dimension and from the back wall in at least a forward dimension. A deployment assembly, supported by the camera housing, deploys the objective lens between a compact storage position and a range of operational focus positions. The deployment assembly is positioned, configured and dimensioned to produce an arcuate deployment path that approximates a theoretical lens path, for simultaneous parallax correction and focus adjustment, between an infinity focus position and a near focus position. The deployment assembly includes a carriage, to whcih the objective lens is mounted. The carriage has a first side and an opposite side separated by a transverse dimension. The carriage is supported by the camera housing by means of front and rear support links, having equal lengths. Each support link is pivotally connected to the camera housing at a proximal end, and to the front side of the carriage at a distal end. The rear support link is spaced apart from the front support link by a predetermined bearing distance in the forward dimension. The arcuate deployment path, produced by the deployment assembly, has a radius of curavature equal to the length of the support links.