Illumination – Photographic lighting – Including specific light modifier
Patent
1982-05-24
1984-04-03
Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
Illumination
Photographic lighting
Including specific light modifier
362268, 362297, 362307, 362308, 362309, 362328, 362346, 362355, 362396, 362433, G03B 1502
Patent
active
044411413
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a light reflector unit for use with a photographic camera for reflecting light from a light source towards a subject to be photographed. When using a camera with a conventional flash gun mounted on top of the camera to take close-up photographs of a subject there are problems due to parallax and this produces uneven illumination of the subject.
In order to overcome the problems of parallax and to produce an even illumination of the subject a "ring flash" unit is known which consists of an annular flash tube which surrounds the lens unit of the camera. The disadvantages of a "ring-flash" unit are that it requires a power pack which is remote from the flash unit, it is expensive to manufacture and because of the large flash tube it requires a large power pack. Also the "ring-flash" unit can not be used as a constant light source, i.e., one that can be used to illuminate the subject before the photograph is taken in order to enable the photographer to view the illuminated subject before actuating the shutter of the camera.
The light reflector unit according to the present invention is one that has the advantages of a "ring-flash" unit but which does not suffer from the disadvantages of a "ring-flash unit" and which can be used with a conventional flash gun and with a constant light source.
According to the present invention there is provided a light reflector unit for use with a photographic camera for reflecting light from a light source towards a subject to be photographed, comprising a hollow casing which can be positioned on a camera between the light source and the lens unit of the camera, a window in the casing for admitting light from a said light source into the casing, means within the casing for splitting the admitted light, means for condensing at least some of the admitted light into two or more beams of light, light reflective surfaces within the casing for deflecting each beam of light to one of a plurality of light emitting outlets located on the casing at a position such that when said casing is positioned on a camera the outlets face in the same direction as the lens of the lens unit and are disposed at discrete locations around the lens unit, or said light reflective surfaces deflect the beams to an annular outlet located on the casing such that it faces in the same direction as the lens of the lens unit and surrounds the lens unit, the or each outlet being provided with a lens or a diffuser.
Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a camera provided with a light source and a light reflector unit according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the camera and attachments shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a camera provided with a light source, a light reflector unit according to the present invention, and a light reflector surrounding the lens;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera and attachments shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the light reflector unit, showing the component parts thereof;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the light splitting, condensing, reflective and spreading devices of the light reflector unit;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a camera provided with a light source, a reflector device according to the present invention and hinged deflectors and/or diffusers;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a light reflector unit according to the present invention provided with a frusto-conical reflector;
FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket for providing physical and electrical connection of a flash unit to the hot shoe of a camera;
FIGS. 10 and 11 show diagrammatically the flash gun and light reflector unit in the two positions on the camera using a reversible bracket;
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of the flash gun, light reflector unit and clip member for fastening the light reflector unit to the flash gun;
FIG. 13 is a diagram
REFERENCES:
patent: 3737226 (1973-06-01), Shank
patent: 4333127 (1982-06-01), Alkema et al.
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