Improving the Means of Focussing Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improving the Means of Focussing Photographic Cameras..
CHRISTOPHER OBEE ELLISON Architect, 62 Dale Street, Liverpool do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The attachment or use of a mirror or reflector to the outside of any make of
Camera having a back focussing plate, so as to shew the intended view or picture
the right way up (as in nature) instead of "upside down" (as in the Camera) and
of the same size, position, brilliancy &c. as on the, Photo itself, enabling the Operator
to more carefully arrange & focuss his subject froin an easy upright position, instead
of the cramp'd attitude so well known, and entirely free from the many inconveniences
of having his head & shoulders under a focussing sheet, which is rendered unnecessary,
the light being kept from the picture by a guard of any dark coloured non-porous
material having in the top single or double eye-pieces or focussing glasses, as
preferred. This arrangement further allows of the use of shorter & therefore lighter
and more rigid Camera legs, & can be so attached to any Camera as to be readily
removed & re-fixed without any inconvenience to its working.
Do 1741
CM 1000
C. O. ELLISON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improving the Means of Focussing Photographic Cameras:
I, CHRISTOPHER OBEE ELLISON 62 Dale Street Liverpool, Architect do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The use or attachment of a mirror or reflector to the outside of any kind or make
of Cameras having a focussing plate or screen at the back, so as to shew the
intended view as clearly as seen thereon, but the right way up-as in nature-instead.
of "upside down" as on the focussing screen itself, enabling the operator to artistically
arrange and focuss the subject in any easy graceful position, instead of the fatiguing
and cramped attitude now so well known, and that without any change in or
enlargement of the Cameras-or the use of screws, levers or other appliances liable to
get out of order, and doing away entirely with the covering of the head, shoulders &
camera with the black sheet so annoying to Lady & Gentlemen Amateurs.
The mirror or reflector to be held or attached with rubber bands or other means,
to the back of the Camera, so as to allow of the correct angle being obtained & give
play during focussing, and also allow of the mirror or reflector being swung out of
the way when not in use, or laid flat against the camera for travelling, the light being
kept therefrom by silk or other light material-or even a pocket handerchief, so
arranged, as to be used with or without eye piece or focussing glass-single or
double-as preferred.
The mirror or reflector may also be hinged or otherwise attached to the frame of
the focussing screen so that BOTH will swing out of the way together after focussing
& remain ready for instant re-use, or lay against the camera as above, leaving no loose
or unattached parts

page_text: out by the attachment of the reflector prepared to any focussing frame, or to backs
or frames specially made to suit any Camera.
1. Reflector held in position at the bottom of focussing frame or screen, by rubber
rings or other appliances and at the top by rubber or other hands or means, so as to
fix or allow of play as required when in use.
:
2. Rubber rings or other appliances, as above, for securing the bottom of the
reflector.
3. Rubber bands or other means for securing the top of the reflector-as above.
4. Position of reflector (dotted lines) when the photo is being taken.
When not in use, the reflector would lie flat against the Camera back, and form a
protector for the ground glass screen.
A. Focussing frame with reflector hinged or otherwise affixed thereto-according
to the make of the Camera-or in special backs or focussing frames made to suit any
Camera; the reflector falling to dotted line B when in use, & held in position for
focussing as per No. 3. in the other case the triangular sides being filled in (if
preferred) with material suitable to exclude the light below line E. which sides could
fold in with the reflector when closed.
Enclosed Cameras focussed from the back, would have the reflector &c. &c. forming
a door in the back, & opening outside the Camera box, instead of attached to the
instrument as above.
B-Position of reflector when focussing.
C-Do. when not in use, but forming a protector to the focussing screen.
D-Position of focussing frame & reflector combined, when the photo is being
taken, & which can either be on the top of the Camera, as shewn, or reversed &
hanging under it.
E-Top of the triangular side pieces.
G-Picture line in Camera.
H-Line of vision from top of Camera, showing the picture the right way up, on
the reflector, the operator standing at ease with head & shoulders free from the old
black sheet.
J-Open eyepiece or magnifying focussing glass, single or double.
K-Pocket handerchief or other material to keep light from the reflector & cover
the dark slide when drawn out.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The focussing of any Camera by means of a mirror or reflector on the outside
thereof, showing the subject to be photographed exactly as upon the focussing plate-
only THE RIGHT SIDE UP-as in nature-and seen from the TOP instead of
the back of the instrument, without any alteration or enlargement of the Camera-
the necessity for the use of any special Camera-the use of screws, levers or other
appliances likely to get out of order and without covering the hoad & shoulders
with the black sheet so annoying to Lady & Gentlemen Amateurs.
2. The attachment of a mirror or reflector to the frame of the focussing plate so
that, after focussing as above, BOTH reflector & focussing plate can be easily
swung out of the way together ready for instant re-use, (leaving no loose parts to
get mislaid) or laid flat against the Camera for travelling.
3. The reduction of the weight of apparatus to be carried, & greater freedom from
vibration of Camera, by the use of shorter legs, owing to focussing from the TOP,
instead of the back of the instrument.
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