Universal device for relative movement between the optical and focal planes of lenses and cameras

Abstract

The invention relates to a device consisting of a frame (1) for mounting a camera body (2), from the sides of which protrude forks (5) terminating in joints (6) for an inverted "U"-shaped bridge (7-7'), the imaginary axis connecting the two joints being configured to coincide with the focal plane or sensor of the camera (2). The joints (6) include means for adjusting the inclination of the bridge (7-7') and guide means (9) for the axial movement of the side arms (7') of the bridge, while the longitudinal member (7) has longitudinal guide means (11) for a carriage (12) associated at its bottom with a rotating base (14) whose rotation axis coincides with the focal plane or sensor of the camera (2). The rotating base (14) has guide means for a support (17) on which a lens (18) is mounted.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a universal device for relative movement between an optical plane and a focal plane, where the optical axis can be moved parallel and incident to the focal plane (plane of the sensor) to enable different optical effects, including using the focal plane itself (sensor or focal point) as the axis of said rotation, as well as many other applications, known in the photography / cinematography field as the "tilt-shift" effect.

[0002] The object of the invention is to provide a device that achieves this type of effect, either individually or in combination (movement of the optical plane oscillating left / right and up / down and their combinations, in addition to any combination of the X and Y axes), and that is also adaptable to any type of lens or camera (allowing said movements), and that has the particular feature that the rotation of the optical system is performed about a virtual axis of rotation located in the focal plane, thus avoiding deformation of the captured image and allowing pivoting of said rotation of the optical system or the focal point at a specific point chosen in the focal plane.

[0003] Finally, the device of the invention aims to enable the movement of the optical plane as follows: Up and down movement (parallel to the focal plane). Shift of the optical plane up (+Y). Offsets the optical center up. Shift of the optical plane downward (-Y). Offsets the optical center downward. Movement to the left or right (parallel to the focal plane). Shift of the optical plane to the right (+X). Offsets the optical center to the right. Shift of the optical plane to the left (-X). Offsets the optical center to the left. Tilt forward or backward (rotation point within the focal plane). Forward tilt (-Tilt) of the optical plane. Tilts the object plane towards the ground. Tilt (+Tilt) the optical plane backwards. Tilts the object plane towards the sky. Tilt left or right (rotation point within the focal plane). Swing the optical plane to the left (-SWING). Tilt the object plane to the left. Swing the optical plane to the right (+SWING). Tilt the object plane to the right. Z-motion (longitudinal movement) to allow the adjustment of different lens types and their collimation depending on the imaging distance of the focal plane. [Background technology]

[0004] FIG. 1A shows a schematic of the classic arrangement between a camera lens (1) and a sensor (2) when capturing an image of a subject (3), where the optical system provides a focal plane (4) and establishes a depth of field (5-5') within which the image is sharp and elements outside the depth of field of said focal plane (4) appear out of focus.

[0005] Thus, in a conventional camera, the focal plane is always parallel to the sensor (2).

[0006] Now, if we want to obtain a tilted focal plane (4'), one that accommodates the tilt of the subject (3) and is perfectly in focus along its entire length, we need to change the angle that the lens (1) makes with the sensor (2), as shown in Figure 1B.

[0007] This effect is known as the "front tilt-swing" effect, and there are certain lenses that can vibrate their optics relative to the sensor of the camera they are applied to. There is also an effect called "shift" that can sometimes be applied to change the frame by moving the lens in a direction parallel to the sensor, and by said movement we get a different frame because the camera sensor is not using 100% of the field of view that the lens provides.

[0008] The necessity to use a specific type of lens strongly limits the advantages to be obtained. This solution is obviously unsatisfactory, since in some cases the brightness of the lens is decisive, in others the depth of field, in others the focal length, etc. Furthermore, when choosing lenses, the various manufacturers have different characteristics in terms of color, texture and quality, not to mention artistic reasons. This greatly limits the choice of lenses that artists and engineers require.

[0009] But there is a bigger problem: with this type of lens, the lens only rotates around itself, or at most around a midpoint between the lens and the sensor (in the lens mount), but never around the focal plane of the sensor, so the projected image is distorted with respect to the vertical, i.e. the perspective lines do not leave the focal plane of the sensor.

[0010] Additionally, these types of devices do not allow for a combination of the aforementioned "tilt-shift" effects, forcing you to choose one or at most a combination of two. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The proposed universal device for movement between the lens and the focal plane of the lens and the camera solves the above mentioned problems in a very satisfactory manner by means of a very effective and versatile solution.

[0012] To that end, and more specifically, the device of the present invention is comprised of a frame that serves as a base for fixing the camera body, regardless of the type of camera, so that it is stably positioned and where no front mount for the optical system was previously present.

[0013] The base has a pair of vertical, angled arms on its sides that define a fork, converging at an inverted "U" shaped bridge joint, such that the midpoint of an imaginary axis connecting the two bridge joints on the fork coincides with the focal plane or sensor of the camera.

[0014] Corresponding to the tilt axis of the forks for the bridge, the device shall include angle adjustment means and locking means for said bridge, either manually or electronically.

[0015] The lateral joints of the aforementioned forks are associated with the lateral arms of the bridge via guide means allowing axial movement of said lateral arms, which movement can be effected by a transmission that can be actuated by manual control or can also be electronically controlled.

[0016] The vertical beam of the bridge is provided with longitudinal guide means for a carriage which, as in the previous examples, can be moved manually by a transmission mechanism associated with a crank placed on said bridge, but such movement can also be controlled electronically.

[0017] Above the carriage emerges from below a rotating base equipped with similar mechanical or electronic angular adjustment means, which is finally provided with a guide along which the lens support can be moved axially.

[0018] These guides allow adjustment of the focal distance between the lens and the camera sensor and may include means for fine adjustment of said distance to adjust the collimation.

[0019] In this configuration, the lens is placed at a fixed distance from the sensor, as is the case with conventional lenses. The assembly is covered by a flexible casing, but unlike other lenses, this device has the advantage that both the horizontal rotation axis of the lens and the vertical rotation axis of the rotation base are aligned with the sensor. This allows the lens to constantly rotate with respect to the focal plane of the sensor, preventing image distortion and allowing the angle of incidence of the optical system to be adjusted with both tilt and swing without changing the projection of the image on the focal plane.

[0020] This vertical and horizontal rotation is controlled by means of controlling the rotation of the bridge relative to the forks and the rotation of the carriage relative to the rotating base, thereby allowing the effects of "tilt" and "swing" to be controlled.

[0021] Meanwhile, longitudinal movement of the carriage in either direction and upward or downward movement of the lateral arms of the bridge relative to the fork joints can move the object in the XY directions according to a "shift" effect.

[0022] As can be inferred from the above, the horizontal movement of the carriage and the vertical movement of the bridge are not affected by the angular motion provided by the device, so both "tilt-shift" effects can be implemented in combination without restriction in this respect.

[0023] Since the object to be supported may have a significant weight, it is foreseen that the bridge may be assisted by at least one damper established between said upper branch of the bridge and the joint to the fork.

[0024] Similarly, the fork connection means may include weight counterbalance means for optimum stability of the assembly.

[0025] Finally, it should be noted that all of the adjustment mechanisms described above may incorporate locking means to allow the lens to be exchanged for another lens without readjusting the device.

[0026] This structure has the following advantages:

[0027] The system rotates around the focal plane of the sensor (film or selected point) and allows tilt and swing motion without modifying the lens or focal plane conditions.

[0028] The center of the focal plane can be selected with an X or Y offset and the optical center of the lens can be rotated around that point.

[0029] The two aforementioned features allow you to gradually change the focal plane without changing the perspective or angle of the point you want to select on the focal plane.

[0030] Any mounted optic that does not require electronics to be controlled from the camera body can be used, and the size of the device can be modified to support optics of any significant weight.

[0031] The focal ring can be moved regardless of the shift, tilt, and swing, i.e., the offset and tilt movements.

[0032] Filter holders (approximation filters, neutral filters) can be used.

[0033] A value of 0 on both the X and Y axes, as well as 0 degrees tilt and swing, can be used to lock in a neutral manner.

[0034] Being a universal design, it can be adjusted to fit any camera, but there are size limitations and the mount that comes with the camera can be removed.

[0035] The camera does not need to withstand weight or load.

[0036] The data is visualized via an electronic interface and can be connected and transmitted to other devices.

[0037] In order to complement the following description and to better understand the characteristics of the present invention, in accordance with preferred examples of its practical embodiments, a series of drawings are attached as an integral part of said description, in which are represented by way of example and not by way of limitation: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1A]1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional camera focusing method and the effect of tilting the lens relative to the camera sensor. [Figure 1B] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional camera focusing method and the effect of tilting the lens relative to the camera sensor. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and rear of a universal device for moving between a lens and the focal plane of a camera, constructed in accordance with the objectives of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of the present invention according to a variant of a simpler embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a top view of the device of FIG. [Figure 7] Similar to FIG. 5, except that a camera and lens are attached to the device. [Figure 8] 8 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Looking at the above figure, it can be seen that the device of the invention is constructed from a frame (1) that serves as a base on which the body of the chamber (2) is fixed, through a classical system of rods (3) that can be inserted into orifices (4) made in said frame (1). It is flat in shape, from whose sides emerge two oblique branches of an inverted V-shape that defines a fork (5). At its upper end, a connection (6) is established for an inverted "U"-shaped bridge (7-7') so that the midpoint of the imaginary axis connecting the two connections of the bridge on the fork coincides with the focal plane or sensor of the camera (2).

[0040] The link 6 includes means for adjusting the inclination of the bridge 7-7', which in selected embodiments is embodied by a control 8, but could also be embodied by electronically controlled motor means.

[0041] The joint (6) is provided with guide means (9) for axially moving the bridge side arm (7'), which can be actuated by an upper manual control (10) established on the bridge beam (7) or via an electronically controlled transmission.

[0042] As mentioned above, the bridge beam (7) has established therein longitudinal guide means (11) for a carriage (12) which can be moved either electronically or by a side control (13), the carriage (12) being connected at the bottom to a rotating base (14) whose axis of rotation coincides with the focal plane of the chamber (2) or with the sensor, and which, as in the previous examples, can be manually or electronically controlled in its movement by a rear control (15).

[0043] The rotating base has a pair of guides (16), on which a support (17) is movably and lockably disposed, and on which an objective lens (18) is finally fixed.

[0044] These guides (16) make it possible to adjust the focal distance between the lens and the camera sensor and may include means (19) for fine adjustment of said distance in order to adjust the collimation.

[0045] In this structure, by operating the control units (10, 13), the movement of the lens on the axes (X, Y), i.e., the "shift", can be adjusted, and by operating the control units (8, 15), the inclination of the lens relative to the focal plane, i.e., the "tilt" and "swing" can be controlled.

[0046] All of these controls (10, 13, 8, 15, 19) will have locking means (20) to stabilize the mechanisms associated with them.

[0047] As mentioned above, since the supported lens (18) may have a significant weight, it is foreseen that the bridge may be assisted by at least one damper (21) established between said upper branch of the bridge and the joint to the fork.

[0048] In a variant of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that the device may optionally incorporate a display or screen 22 which displays different parameters indicative of the relative position between the camera and the lens in millimetres and degrees.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the development of the device requires linking some tilt and / or movement means with others, which would not be possible otherwise, since one must proceed from an initial movement or tilt means and choose a "starting point", in this case the horizontal axis of tilt, in order to ultimately obtain each of the predetermined movements that are the true object of the invention. It is therefore clear to a person skilled in the art to develop an equivalent device with another "starting point", for example the vertical axis, as its main structure, from which the remaining mechanisms that provide the degrees of freedom that are the object of the invention are implemented.

Claims

1. A universal device for the relative movement between the optical plane and the focal plane of a lens and a camera, consisting of a frame (1) for fixing the camera body (2), from whose sides emerge forks (5) each ending in two joints (6) for an inverted "U" shaped bridge (7-7'), the imaginary axis connecting the two joints (6) being arranged to coincide with the focal plane or sensor of the camera (2), the two joints (6) being provided with means for adjusting the inclination of the bridge (7-7'). , and guide means (9) for the movement of the side arms (7') of the bridge along the guide means (9), the beams (7) of the bridge having guide means (11) for a carriage (12) connected below a rotating base (14), the rotation axis of which coincides with the focal plane or sensor of the camera (2), and a lens (18) fixed on a support (17) movable and fixable on a pair of guides (16) of the rotating base (14).

2. Universal device for relative movement between the optical and focal planes of a lens and a camera according to claim 1, characterized in that a flexible casing is placed between said camera (2) and said lens (18).

3. 2. The universal device for relative movement between the optical plane and the focal plane of a lens and a camera according to claim 1, comprising fine adjustment means (19) for adjusting the collimation of said lens (18) in correspondence with said guides (16) of said rotating base (14).

4. 2. A universal device for relative movement between the optical and focal planes of lenses and cameras according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge can be assisted by at least one damper (21) established between the beam (7) of the bridge and the joint (6) to the fork (5).

5. 2. A universal device for relative movement between the optical and focal planes of a lens and a camera as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it includes weight counterbalance means for optimum stability of the assembly.

6. A universal device for relative movement between the optical and focal planes of a lens and a camera according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a display or screen (22) for displaying different parameters in millimeters and degrees indicative of the relative position between the camera and the lens.

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