Patent GB-1128823-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to photographic camera apparatus
IPC: G03B15/00
Filed: 1965-12-29
Abstract: 1,128,823. Cameras. INTERNATIONAL POLAROID CORP. Dec. 29, 1965, [Dec. 30, 1964] No. 55075/65. Heading G2A. A camera is formed of at least two demountable and interchangeable housing components, a rear section housing the film, and a front section mounting the lens and exposure mechanism; interchangeable spacing means are provided which can be detachably secured to the iront section for accurately setting the distance between the lens and the object to be photographed, and latching means are provided for securing the separate housing components together. The camera is intended for use in "closeup" photography, particularly in scientific fields, and is quickly and easily adapted for a wide range of differing subject material and differing magnification ratios by reason of the readily interchangeable component parts. It may be adapted for use with self-processing film of the "Polaroid" (Trade Mark) type. In Fig.8 the camera is shown as comprising respective front, intermediate, and rear sections 14, 72, 12. Rear section 12 houses the light-sensitive film, and front section 14 houses the exposure mechanism and a lens system of 3- inch focal length. Front section 14 may be replaced by an alternative section (14a, Fig. 13 not shown) having a 5-inch lens. A number of accessories 74 (and 76, 78, 82, Figs.9, 10, 13 not shown) can be attached to the front section 14, which, besides acting as lens-to-subject spacers, are adapted for various special purposes, e. g. dental photography, or photographing footprints or fingerprints. The housing sections can be releasably locked together by latches 26, 28, and baffles 38 can be swung up into the "closed" position, as shown in Fig. 8, for forming a light-tight closure when the sections are to be disassembled. When the sections are latched together and the camera is ready for use, the baffles are swung down to an "open" position (Fig. 13, not shown). The baffles and the latches are both actuated by knobs 29. The baffles can be opened only when the camera sections are assembled and latched together, and are closed automatically whenever the sections are disassembled. The latch mechanism and the operation of the baffles are described in detail with reference to Figs. 15-21 (not shown). A simplified form of the camera may have front and rear sections 14, 12 only, omitting the intermediate section 72 (Figs. 1 and 5, not shown). Fig. 26 and Figs. (not shown) 27-29 represent an operational sequence in adjusting the diaphragm by a lever 50. Anti-clockwise movement of this lever, and hence a ring 137, entrains a further ring 158 to rotate, so opening the diaphragm. At the same time, a neutral density filter 134,135 is pivoted away from the diaphragm aperture. A door 46, at the top of front section 14, can pivot open to give access to a separate diaphragm-adjusting lever and a shutter-adjusting lever Figs. 22-25 (not shown), making available a wide range of diaphragm and shutter settings. When the door 46 is closed, lever 50 extends upwardly through a slot therein, so that a rapid and simplified setting to three predetermined positions can be made. A pistol grip 54 is secured to the intermediate section 72 (or, in the case of the simplified form, to the rear section), as a holding and steadying means, adjacent the shutter release trigger 52. A flash unit in the form of a ring-type flash tube is mounted at the front of the camera as at 31. It is energised from an A. C. power pack unit which plugs into a socket 60. Alternatively a D. C. supply may be provided from a battery unit housed within the pistol grip itself. When the camera is to be used for photographing fingerprints, a specially designed accessory Fig. 41, (not shown) is attached to the front of the camera, in which light from the flash passes into two rightangled prisms (270) placed one on each side of the optical axis. These reflect the light so that it falls at an acute angle on the object to be photographed, which is in the plane of the front wall portions (248).