IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of 53,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS," a communication to me from abroad by Henry
Correja a citizen of the United States of America at present residing at 25 Avenue
de Villiers, Paris, France, Artist to be as follows:-
This invention is designed to be used in connection with a photographic camera
for taking instantaneous views, and has for its purpose, the placing of the object
to be taken with unerring certainty in the centre of the sensitive plate, and by it
I am enabled to take with increased facility, pictures of objects, while holding the
camera in the hand or even in the act of walking, and by a camera fitted with it,
and with a drop shutter, pictures of moving animals and groups of people in
crowded cities may readily be taken without causing any obstruction and without
even attracting attention, so that groups thus unconsciously photographed are
true to life and free from stiffness or "pose" which are very desirable artistic
qualities.
"E
The invention mainly consists in a laterally arranged and adjustable independent
tubular attachment to the camera, having its forward end near the lens of the
instrument and fitted internally, at or near said end with horizontal and vertical
strips or "cross hairs" arranged to cross each other at right angles in the centre
of the tube so as to divide the field in the tube into four equal parts, and provided
at or near its rear end with two similar cross strips or cross hairs" arranged
diagonally relatively to the cross hairs at the forward end of the tube. This
device which is intended for "sighting" by the operator, I term a "finder"
inasmuch as by it I find by sighting through it, the exact period at which the
drop shutter should be operated to place the object in the centre of the sensitive
plate, without any focussing of the camera when taking the picture. In connection
with this attachment, or for use in concert therewith, the ground glass of the
D
"
23

page_text: camera has penciled or marked upon it, lines corresponding, as regards arrange-
ment, with the horizontal vertical and diagonal “cross hairs" of the attachment,
the object of which will be hereinafter explained.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all
the figures.
Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a photographic camera having the
invention applied.
Figure 2 a transverse section upon a larger scale, of the tubular attachment or
"finder near its forward end, with devices for holding and adjusting it.
"
Figure 3 a rear end view of said attachment with similar holding and adjusting
devices, and
Figure 4 a face view of the ground glass used in the camera.
A is a photographic camera suitable for taking instantaneous pictures, and with
its legs B, B, pivoted or attached so as to be readily folded up or brought together
for the purpose of forming a handle by which to hold the instrument in the one or
left hand when taking the picture. The drop shutter of the instrument may have
the usual spring handle, but instead of being released by a touch of the finger on
said handle which necessitates reaching the band in front as far as the lens, it will
be found much more convenient when holding the instrument by its legs and
using it as I do, to release the shutter by a cord b, attached to the handle and
passing through suitable loops to the back of the instrument where it may be
provided with a ring c, through which the forefinger of the hand not employed in
carrying the instrument may be passed, and be rapidly and steadily closed into
the hand, like pressing the trigger of a gun, when it is required to release the
shutter for the taking of the pictures, as hereinafter described.
The peculiar attachment which forms the main subject of this invention,
consists of a tube C which may be square, round or any other suitable shape in
its transverse section, but preferably square in as much as that shape will assist in
guiding the eye to keep the camera vertical. Its size may be varied but, while it
need only be of small dimensions in cross area, it should be of such length
proportioned to the camera (on the one side of which it is arranged) to protrude
at both its ends through the holes in the usual black cloth which is used on the
camera and which, when rapid gelatine plates are used in the open air should
always envelope the camera. Its forward end, which is near the lens of the
instrument, has secured or arranged a little within it "cross hairs" d, d, that may
consist of two narrow strips of metal or other material, with their faces or flat
sides towards the back end of the tube that is facing the operator as he sights
through the tube. These cross hairs" or strips are arranged, the one of them
vertical and the other horizontal, and so that they cross each other at right angles
or thereabout, dividing the "field" in the tube into four equal parts. The back
end of said tube C, is also divided into four equal parts by like "cross hairs" or
strips d, d', but these are arranged diagonally relatively to the tube or rather to
the horizontal and vertical positions of the front "cross hairs" or strips d, d. This
tube C thus fitted with suitably arranged dividing “cross hairs” or strips I term
the "finder."
To it on the outside, are secured two bars D, D¹, having slots e e¹ in them and
arranged at suitable distances apart according to the size of the camera, while in
grooves opposite them, and connected with the camera are two other bars E, E',
having corresponding slots f, f', and which bars slide up and down and are secured
by binding screws g, g. These several bars D, D, E, E', overlap one another at
their slotted portions e e¹, f, f¹, and are furthermore connected with each other at
such parts by binding screws h¹.
G, is the ground glass of the camera which has penciled or marked upon it
lines d³ d³, corresponding as regards arrangement with the horizontal vertical and
diagonal "cross hairs" of the tubular attachment C and crossing each other in the
centre of the glass.

page_text: "
Before proceeding to take an instantaneous photograph, an object is focussed in
the camera on the ground glass G in the usual manner.
The operator then looks with one eye through the finder or tube C from the
rear end thereof, and adjusts or moves said tubes sideways at either end and up
and down by means of the slotted bars D, D¹, and E, E', until the "cross hairs"
or dividing strips d, d', occupy the same relation to the object focussed as the
pencil marks (2, 3, on the ground glass did, or in other words until the object
focussed is divided in the same manner by the "cross hairs" in the tube C as it
was by the pencil lines on the ground glass. The binding screws g, g¹, and h h',
are then set. This puts the instrument with its attachment in position ready for
use so that when the camera is pointed at an object to be photographed, the
finder"
or attachment ensures absolute certainty in placing said object properly
on the sensitive plate, the operator when it comes within range or is brought
within range by walking toward it, raising the camera and sighting the object
through the tube C and as it is properly placed in the "field" of the tube by
means of the " cross hairs
or strips therein, actuating the drop shutter by closing
the finger of his hand on the ring c as he carries the instrument by its shut legs
with the other hand. This manipulation of the instrument with its attachment
will in skilful hands be very much like that of directing and using a fowling piece
or gun, and that there must be absolute certainty in properly placing the object on
the sensitive plate will be evident from the fact that after the attachment or
finder has been adjusted as described, the object will have the same relative
position on the sensitive plate that it had in the "field" of the "finder" when the
shutter was operated.
"
Instead of the forward support of the "finder" being a rigid attachment it
might consist of a mere band arranged to surround the tabe with sufficient
freedom to admit of the tube sliding in and out so as to freely allow of the opening
and shutting of the bellows of the camera. Furthermore, if desired, holes may be
pierced in proper places for the insertion of the binding screws g, g', on another
side of the camera, to admit of the latter being turned so that upright pictures
may be taken said holes when not in use, being properly covered to exclude the
light.
000

page_text: Improvements in Photographic Apparatus.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Win. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS," (a communication to me from abroad by Henry
Correja a citizen of the United States of America at present residing at 25 Avenue
de Villiers, Paris, France, Artist) and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention is designed to be used in connection with a photographic camera
for taking instantaneous views, and has for its purpose, the placing of the object
to be taken with unerring certainty in the centre of the sensitive plate, and by it
I am enabled to take with increased facility, pictures of objects, while holding the
camera in the hand or even in the act of walking, and by a camera fitted with it,
and with a drop shutter, pictures of moving animals and groups of people in
crowded cities may readily be taken without causing any obstruction and without
even attracting attention, so that groups thus unconsciously photographed are true
to life and free from stiffness or "pose" which are very desirable artistic qualities.
The invention mainly consists in a laterally arranged and adjustable independent
tubular attachment to the camera, having its forward end near the lens of the
instrument and fitted internally, at or near said end with horizontal and vertical
strips or cross hairs" arranged to cross each other at right angles in the centre of
the tube so as to divide the field in the tube into four equal parts, and provided at
or near its rear end with two similar cross strips or "cross hairs" arranged
diagonally relatively to the cross hairs at the forward end of the tube. This
"finder"
device which is intended for " sighting" by the operator, I term a
inasmuch as by it I find by sighting through it, the exact period at which the drop
shutter should be operated to place the object in the centre of the sensitive plate,
without any focussing of the camera when taking the picture. In connection with
this attachment, or for use in concert therewith, the ground glass of the camera has
pencilled or marked upon it, lines corresponding, as regards arrangement, with the
horizontal vertical and diagonal
cross hairs of the attachment, the object of
"
"
which will be hereinafter explained.
"
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all
the figures.
Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a photographic camera having the
invention applied.
Figure 2 a transverse section upon a larger scale, of the tubular attachment or
"finder" near its forward end, with devices for holding and adjusting it.
Figure 3 a rear end view of said attachment with similar holding and adjusting
devices, and
Figure 4a face view of the ground glass used in the camera.
A is a photographic camera suitable for taking instantaneous pictures, and with
its legs B, B, pivoted or attached so as to be readily folded up or brought together

page_text: for the purpose of forming a handle by which to hold the instrument in the one or
left hand when taking the picture. The drop shutter of the instrument may have
the usual spring handle, but instead of being released by a touch of the finger on
said handle which necessitates reaching the hand in front as far as the lens, it will
be found much more convenient when holding the instrument by its legs and
using it as I do, to release the shutter by a cord b, attached to the handle and
passing through suitable loops to the back of the instrument where it may be
provided with a ring c, through which the forefinger of the hand not employed in.
carrying the instrument may be passed, and be rapidly and steadily closed into the
hand, like pressing the trigger of a gun, when it is required to release the shutter
for the taking of the pictures, as hereinafter described.
The peculiar attachment which forms the main subject of this invention, consists
of a tube C which may be square, round or any other suitable shape in its transverse
section, but preferably square in as much as that shape will assist in guiding the eye
to keep the camera vertical. Its size may be varied but, while it need only be of
small dimensions in cross area, it should be of such length proportioned to the
camera (on the one side of which it is arranged) to protrude at both its ends
through the holes in the usual black cloth which is used on the camera and which,
when rapid gelatine plates are used in the open air should always envelope the
camera. Its forward end, which is near the lens of the instrument, has secured or
arranged a little within it "cross hairs" d, d, that may consist of two narrow
strips of metal or other material, with their faces or flat sides towards the back
end of the tube that is facing the operator as he sights through the tube. These
cross hairs" or strips are arranged, the one of them vertical and the other
horizontal, and so that they cross each other at right angles or thereabout, dividing
the "field" in the tube into four equal parts. The back end of said tube C, is
also divided into four equal parts by like cross hairs" or strips d', d¹, but these
are arranged diagonally relatively to the tube or rather to the horizontal and
vertical positions of the front "cross hairs" or strips d, d. This tube C thus fitted
with suitably arranged dividing "cross hairs" or strips I term the "finder."
"
To it on the outside, are secured two bars D, D', having slots e e¹ in them and
arranged at suitable distances apart according to the size of the camera, while in
grooves opposite them, and connected with the camera are two other bars E, E¹,
having corresponding slots f, f¹, and which bars slide up and down and are secured
by binding screws g, g¹. These several bars D, D, E, E', overlap one another at
their slotted portions e e', f. f¹, and are furthermore connected with each other at
such parts by binding screws h h³.
G, is the ground glass of the camera which has pencilled or marked upon it
lines d² d³, corresponding as regards arrangement with the horizontal vertical and
diagonal "cross hairs" of the tubular attachment C and crossing each other in the
centre of the glass.
Before proceeding to take an instantaneous photograph, an object is focussed in
the camera on the ground glass G in the usual manner.
The operator then looks with one eye through the finder or tube C from the rear
end thereof, and adjusts or moves said tubes sideways at either end and up and
down by means of the slotted bars D, D¹, and E, E until the "
cross hairs" or
dividing strips d, d', occupy the same relation to the object focussed as the pencil
marks d², d³, on the ground glass did, or in other words until the object focussed is
divided in the same manner by the "cross hairs" in the tube C as it was by the
pencil lines on the ground glass. The binding screws g, g¹, and h¹, are then set.
This puts the instrument with its attachment in position ready for use so that
when the camera is pointed at an object to be photographed, the "finder" or
attachment ensures absolute certainty in placing said object properly on the
sensitive plate, the operator when it comes within range or is brought within range
by walking toward it, raising the camera and sighting the object through the
tube C and as it is properly placed in the "field" of the tube by means of the
cross hairs"
or strips therein, actuating the drop shutter by closing the finger of
"

page_text: his hand on the ring c as he carries the instrument by its shut legs with the other
hand. This manipulation of the instrument with its attachment will in skillful
hands be very much like that of directing and using a fowling piece or gun, and
that there must be absolute certainty in properly placing the object on the sensitive
plate will be evident from the fact that after the attachment or. finder has been
adjusted as described, the object will have the same relative position on the
sensitive plate that it had in the "field" of the "finder" when the shutter was
operated.
Instead of the forward support of the "finder" being a rigid attachment it might
consist of a mere band arranged to surround the tube with sufficient freedom to
admit of the tube sliding in and out so as to freely allow of the opening and
shutting of the bellows of the camera. Furthermore, if desired, holes may be
pierced in proper places for the insertion of the binding screws g, g¹, on another
side of the camera, to admit of the latter being turned so that upright pictures
may be taken, said holes when not in use, being properly covered to exclude the
light.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
"
1. The combination with a camera for rapid or instantaneous photographing, an
attached sighting tube arranged outside of the instrument provided with "cross
hairs or strips dividing the field within it and adjustable relatively to the camera
to properly place the object on the sensitive plate of the camera as it appears in
corresponding position on the field within said tube, substantially as specified.
2. The finder or tubular attachment C constructed with vertical and horizontal
cross hairs or strips d, dat or near its one end and diagonal "cross hairs" or
strips d¹, d', at or near its opposite end for use in connection with a camera
adapted to produce rapid or instantaneous photographing, essentially as described.
3. The ground glass G of the camera having vertical horizontal and diagonal
pencil or other marks d2 d³ upon it in combination with the tube C adjustably
connected with the camera on its outside and provided at or near its one end with
vertical and horizontal cross hairs or strips d, d, and at or near its other end with
diagonal cross hairs or strips d', d¹, substantially as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
4. In combination with the camera the tube C with its vertical horizontal and
diagonal cross hairs or strips d, d³, arranged as described and the adjusting slotted
bars D D and E E', essentially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 7th day of September 1885.
A. M. CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm Clark,
Patent Agents,
53, Chancery Lane, London.