Folding camera and bellows

Claim 2

A folding camera comprising: a housing including at least first and second housing sections mounted for relative movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein said first and second housing sections define a space therebetween; optical means for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in said space, when said first and second housing sections are located in said extended position; a collapsible and erectable bellows formed of a flexible, lightopaque material, said bellows being coupled to said first and second housing sections for movement therewith between a compact collapsed position when said first and second housing sections are in said folded position and an erected position, when said first and second housing sections are in said extended position, wherein said erected bellows defines light blocking walls in said space for excluding extraneous light from said optical path; said bellows and said first and second housing sections being operatively associated such that said first and second housing sections apply tension forces to said erected bellows in response to moving said first and second housing sections from said extended position towards said folded position; and means for directing said tension forces along predetermined lines of said walls defined by said erected bellows to establish fold lines along which said walls fold to assume said collapsed position of said bellows as said first and second housing sections move toward said folded position.

Claim 3

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for directing said tension forces includes means for coupling said bellows to said second housing section.

Claim 4

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 further including means in said first housing section for supporting a film unit in position for exposure and wherein said optical means includes an objective lens mounted on said second housing section for transmitting image-bearing light along said optical path to expose a film unit located at said exposure position and wherein said bellows includes a leading end having an opening therein through which light from said objective lens is adapted to pass as said light follows said optical path, said leading end of said bellows being adapted to be coupled to said second housing section with said opening in operative association with said objective lens and said means for directing said tension forces including means for coupling said leading end of said bellows to said second housing section.

Claim 5

A folding camera as defined in claim 3 wherein said coupling means includes a retaining plate having a predetermined shape, said retaining plate being coupled to said second housing section, with said leading end of said bellows positioned between said retaining plate and said second housing section, said plate, by its said predetermined shape, having locations thereon which selectively direct said tension forces along said predetermined lines.

Claim 6

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said bellows has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane about which said optical path is symmetrical and said means for directing said tension forces includes means for directing said tension forces along at least two lines that are symmetrically disposed with respect to said plane such that said walls defined by said erected bellows fold inwardly towards said plane in response to moving said first and second housing sections from said extended position towards said folded position.

Claim 7

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said bellows is formed from a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of said flexible, light-opaque material and said means for directing said tension forces includes means for coupling said bellows to one of said first and second housing sections.

Claim 8

A folding camera as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for directing said tension forces includes means for coupling said bellows to said second housing section.

Claim 9

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said first housing section includes leading and trailing ends and said second housing section is pivotally coupled to said first housing section near its leading end for movement between said extended position wherein said second housing section is angularly disposed with respect to said first housing section and said folded position wherein said second housing section assumes a substantially end-to-end relation with said first housing section.

Claim 10

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 further including means for applying a compressive force to said bellows as said first and second housing sections move from said extended position towards said folded position to fold said bellows along said predetermined fold lines established by said directed tension forces.

Claim 11

A folding camera as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for applying said compressive force includes a third camera housing section coupled to said bellows and said first housing section, near said trailing end thereof, for movement between said folded and extended positions of said camera housing.

Claim 12

A folding camera as defined in claim 10 further including a fourth housing section coupled to said second and third housing sections for movement therewith between said folded and extended positions, said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections being pivotally interconnected to form a four-bar linkage.

Claim 13

A folding camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said bellows is formed of a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of said flexible, light-opaque material.

Claim 14

A folding camera as defined in claim 12 wherein said flexible, light-opaque material includes a woven fabric.

Claim 15

A folding camera as defined in claim 13 wherein said woven fabric is coated with a light-opaque substance.

Claim 16

A folding camera comprising: housing including first and second housing sections coupled together for movement between a compact folded position wherein said first and second housing sections are in overlying face-to-face relation, and an extended position wherein said first and second housing sections define a space therebetween; means within said first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure; a mirror adapted to be located in operative position in said space at a fixed distance from said second housing section for directing light along an optical path towards a film unit located at said exposure position when said first and second housing sections are in said extended position; a collapsible and erectable bellows coupled to said first and second housing sections for movement therewith between a collapsed position wherein said bellows is stored between said folded first and second housing sections along with said mirror and an erected position wherein said bellows defines light-blocking walls in said space to exclude extraneous light from the optical path; and means mounting said mirror for movement from said operative position to an inoperative position, closer to said second housing section than said fixed distance, so as to provide sufficient storage space for said collapsed bellows when said first and second housing sections are located in said folded position.

Claim 17

A folding camera comprising: housing including first and second housing sections coupled together for movement between a compact folded position wherein said first and second housing sections are in overlying face-to-face relation, and an extended position wherein said first and second housing sections define a space therebetween; means within said first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure; a mirror adapted to be located in operative position in said space at a fixed distance from said second housing section for directing light along an optical path towards a film unit located at said exposure position when said first and second housing sections are in said extended position; a collapsible and erectable bellows coupled to said first and second housing sections for movement therewith between a collapsed position wherein said bellows is stored between said folded first and second housing sections along with said mirror and an erected position wherein said bellows defines light-blocking walls in said space to exclude extraneous light from the optical path; and means mounting said mirror for movement from said operative position to an inoperative position, closer to said second housing section than said fixed distance, so as to provide sufficient storage space for said collapsed bellows when said first and second housing sections are located in said folded position.

Claim 18

A folding camera as defined in claim 15 wherein said means mounting said mirror for movement includes biasing means for urging said mirror from said inoperative position towards said operative position and stop means against which said biasing means urges said mirror for locating said mirror in said operative position.

Claim 19

A folding camera as defined in claim 16 further including means for coupling said bellows to said second housing section and wherein said biasing and stop means are integrally formed with said coupling means.

Claim 20

A folding camera as defined in claim 15 further including a reflex member coupled to said first housing section for movement between a first position wherein said reflex member is located in overlying relationship to said means for locating a film unit in position for exposure for receiving light from said mirror and a second position wherein said reflex member is adjacent to and substantially parallel with said mirror located in said operative position, said bellows being configured to assume its said collapsed position wherein said bellows is stored between said mirror and said reflex member when said first and second housing sections are located in said folded position.

Claim 21

A folding camera comprising: a housing including first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein said housing sections define a space therebetween, said second and third housing sections being pivotally coupled to said first housing section near opposite ends thereof and said fourth housing section being coupled between ends of said second and third housing sections; means in said first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure; exposure means including optical means for exposing a film unit located at said exposure position, said optical means including an objective lens mounted on said second housing section for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in said space between said extended housing sections, and a mirror mounted on said third housing section in said optical path for directing the light along an extension of said optical path in said space towards a film unit located at said exposure position; a collapsible and erectable bellows formed of a flexible, light-opaque material cooperating with said first, second, and third extended housing sections for excluding extraneous light from said optical path in said space, said bellows being coupled to said first, second and third housing sections for movement therewith between a collapsed position when said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections are in said folded position and an erected position wherein said bellows defines a pair of substantially planar and parallel spaced side walls extending between said first and third housing sections, each of said side walls having a leading edge, and a forwardly extending portion of the bellows enclosing that portion of the optical path between said leading edges of said bellows side walls and said objective lens mounted on said second housing section; said bellows being configured such that said first and second housing sections apply tension forces to said bellows along said forwardly extending portion and said side walls in response to moving said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections from said extended position towards said folded position; and means for directing said tension forces along predetermined lines of said forwardly extending portion and said side walls of said erected bellows to establish fold lines along which said bellows folds to assume its collapsed position as said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections move toward said folded position.

Claim 22

A folding camera comprising: a housing including first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein said housing sections define a space therebetween, said second and third housing sections being pivotally coupled to said first housing section near opposite ends thereof and said fourth housing section being coupled between ends of said second and third housing sections; means in said first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure; exposure means including optical means for exposing a film unit located at said exposure position, said optical means including an objective lens mounted on said second housing section for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in said space between said extended housing sections, and a mirror mounted on said third housing section in said optical path for directing the light along an extension of said optical path in said space towards a film unit located at said exposure position; a collapsible and erectable bellows formed of a flexible, light-opaque material cooperating with said first, second, and third extended housing sections for excluding extraneous light from said optical path in said space, said bellows being coupled to said first, second and third housing sections for movement therewith between a collapsed position when said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections are in said folded position and an erected position wherein said bellows defines a pair of substantially planar and parallel spaced side walls extending between said first and third housing sections, each of said side walls having a leading edge, and a forwardly extending portion of the bellows enclosing that portion of the optical path between said leading edges of said bellows side walls and said objective lens mounted on said second housing section; said bellows being configured such that said first and second housing sections apply tension forces to said bellows along said forwardly extending portion and said side walls in response to moving said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections from said extended position towards said folded position; and means for directing said tension forces along predetermined lines of said forwardly extending portion and said side walls of said erected bellows to establish fold lines along which said bellows folds to assume its collapsed position as said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections move toward said folded position.

Claim 23

A folding camera as defined in claim 19 wherein said forwardly extending portion of said bellows includes a leading end having an opening therein through which image-bearing light from said objective lens is adapted to pass as said light follows said optical path, said leading end of said forwardly extending portion of said bellows being adapted to be coupled to said second housing section with said bellows opening in operative association with said objective lens and said means for directing said tension forces including a retaining plate having a predetermined shape, said retaining plate being coupled to said second housing section, around said objective lens, with said leading end of said bellows positioned between retaining plate and said second housing section, and said retaining plate, by its predetermined shape, having locations thereon which selectively direct said tension forces along said predetermined lines.

Claim 24

A folding camera as defined in claim 20 wherein said erected bellows has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry of said optical path, and said retaining plate includes a tension directing edge symmetrically and transversely disposed with respect to said plane of symmetry for directing said tension forces along two lines that are symmetrically disposed with respect to said plane of symmetry such that said bellows side walls and said forwardly extending portion fold inwardly along said two lines towards said plane of symmetry in response to moving said first, second, third, and fourth housing sections from said extended position towards said folded position.

Claim 25

A folding camera as defined in claim 21 wherein the length of said tension directing edge defines the inward angle of said predetermined lines with respect to said plane of symmetry.

Claim 26

A folding camera as defined in claim 20 wherein the location of said tension directing edge with respect to interconnection of said second and fourth housing sections defines the angle of said lines with respect to bottom and top edges of said bellows side walls, coupled respectively, to said first and third housing sections.

Claim 27

A folding camera as defined in claim 19 wherein said bellows is formed from a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of said flexible, light-opaque material and said means for directing said tension forces includes a retaining plate for coupling said forwardly extending portion of said bellows to said second housing section.

Claim 28

A folding camera as defined in claim 24 wherein said flexible, light-opaque material includes a woven fabric.

Claim 29

A folding camera as defined in claim 25 wherein said woven fabric is coated with a light-opaque substance.

Claim 30

A folding camera as defined in claim 19 wherein said optical means further includes a reflex member having lateral edges, said reflex member being coupled to said first housing section for movement in said space between first and second operative positions, said lateral edges of said reflex member being disposed in close proximity to said erected side walls of said bellows for movement in a direction that is substantially parallel to said erected side walls, and said bellows further including edge defining panels, said panels being less flexible than said flexible material, mounted on said side walls, for defining said leading edges of side walls and maintaining said leading edges out of the path of travel of lateral edges of said reflex member to prevent contact therebetween as said reflex member moves between its said first and second position.

Claim 31

A folding camera as defined in claim 27 wherein said first and third housing sections are located in overlying face-to-face relation when said camera is folded and a portion of said collapsed bellows is adapted to be stored between said mirror mounted in said third housing section and said reflex member mounted in said first housing section, said camera further including means mounting said mirror on said third housing section for movement between an operative position wherein said mirror is spaced from said third housing section at a given distance to locate said mirror in said optical path when said camera is extended and an inoperative position, closer to said third housing section, when said camera is folded, to provide sufficient storage space between said mirror and said reflex member for said portion of said bellows.

Claim 32

A folding camera as defined in claim 28 wherein said means mounting said mirror for movement includes stop means against which said mirror bears to locate said mirror in said operative position and biasing means for urging said mirror from said inoperative position towards said operative position.

Claim 33

A folding camera as defined in claim 29 further including a retaining plate for coupling top edges of said bellows side walls to said third housing section and wherein said stop means and biasing means are integrally formed with said retaining plate.

Claim 34

A folding camera as defined in claim 19 wherein said optical means includes a viewing device mounted on said fourth housing section and said bellows includes an aperture in said forwardly extended portion thereof through which image-bearing light following an extension of said optical path follows is adapted to pass for transmission to said viewing device.

Claim 35

A folding camera as defined in claim 31 wherein said bellows is formed from a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of said flexible material, said blank having a pair of opposing edges that are adapted to be joined to form a seam in said forwardly extending portion of said bellows, each of said opposing edges having opposing notches therein which cooperate, when said seam is formed, to form said aperture through which said image-bearing light is transmitted to said viewing device.

Claim 36

A collapsible and erectable bellows for enclosing a predetermined space in an extended folding camera, said bellows being of the type including, when erected, a pair of parallel spaced side walls and a forward section extending between and forwardly of said side walls, said forward section including a leading end having a first opening therein adapted to be located in operative relation with the camera''s objective lens and through which light from the lens is transmitted into the predetermined space and a second opening in the forward section intermediate the leading end and the side walls through which light is transmitted to a camera mounted viewing device, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having an axis of symmetry and being of a predetermined shape to include a pair of mirror image areas of said blank defining said bellows side walls, said side wall defining areas being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said axis of symmetry, and a forward section defining area intermediate said side wall defining areas, said forward section defining area including said first opening, and a pair of edges defining a V-shaped notch symmetrical with said axis, said pair of edges including mirror-image notches, said pair of edges being adapted to be located in side-by-side relation when said flexible blank is folded to define the bellow''s forward section and side walls and wherein said pair of notches cooperate with each other to form the second opening in the forward section of said bellows.

Claim 37

A collapsible and erectable bellows for enclosing a predetermined space in an extended folding camera, said bellows being of the type including, when erected, a pair of parallel spaced side walls and a forward section extending between and forwardly of said side walls, said forward section including a leading end having a first opening therein adapted to be located in operative relation with the camera''s objective lens and through which light from the lens is transmitted into the predetermined space and a second opening in the forward section intermediate the leading end and the side walls through which light is transmitted to a camera mounted viewing device, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having an axis of symmetry and being of a predetermined shape to include a pair of mirror image areas of said blank defining said bellows side walls, said side wall defining areas being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said axis of symmetry, and a forward section defining area intermediate said side wall defining areas, said forward section defining area including said first opening, and a pair of edges defining a V-shaped notch symmetrical with said axis, said pair of edges including mirror-image notches, said pair of edges being adapted to be located in side-by-side relation when said flexible blank is folded to define the bellow''s forward section and side walls and wherein said pair of notches cooperate with each other to form the second opening in the forward section of said bellows.

Claim 38

A bellows as defined in claim 33 wherein said flexible material includes a woven fabric.

Claim 39

A bellows as defined in claim 34 wherein said woven fabric is coated with a light-opaque substance.

Claim 40

A collapsible and erectable bellows for use with a folding camera of the type having a housing comprising first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein the four housing sections are spaced from one another to define a space therebetween, means in the first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure, and exposure means including optical means for exposing the film unit, the optical means including an objective lens for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in the space, and a mirror adapted to be positioned adjacent the third housing section for directing the light along an extension of the optical path towards a film unit located at the exposure position, and viewing means including a movable reflex member having lateral edges mounted in the first housing for movement between viewing position in overlying relation to a film unit at the exposure position for receiving light from the mirror and directing the light along yet another extension of the optical path to a viewing device mounted on the fourth camera housing section, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having the general shape of a truncated triangle defined by a base edge, a pair of inwardly inclined and opposite side edges and a top edge that is substantially parallel to said base edge, said blank having an axis of symmetry that is substantially normal to said base edge and said blank having edges defining an inverted V-shaped notch on said axis extending from said top edge towards said base edge, said notch having its apex closest to said base edge; said blank including spaced mirror-image areas thereof, disposed on opposite sides of said axis, and intermediate said base and inclined side edges, for defining side walls of said bellows which are adapted to enclose the space between the extended first and third housing sections of the camera, each of said side walls including a top edge adapted to be coupled to the third housing section, a bottom edge adapted to be coupled to the first housing section, and a leading edge; said blank further including another area thereof for defining a forward section of said bellows that extends forwardly from said leading edges of said bellows side walls to said second housing section for enclosing that portion of the optical path from the objective lens rearwardly to said leading edges of the bellows side walls, said forward section defining area being intermediate said pair of side wall defining areas and being symmetrical said axis of symmetry; said forward section defining area having an opening therein on said axis, said opening being adapted to be located in operative association with the camera lens on the second housing section for transmitting light from the lens along the optical path into the space; said forward section defining area also including said opposing edges defining said V-shaped notch, each of said edges having mirror-image notches therein, said opposing edges being adapted to be brought into mating side-by-side relation to form said forward section of said bellows, and wherein said mirror-image notches therein cooperate with each other to form an aperture through which light is directed from said space to the camera mounted viewing device; means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section with the opening therein in alignment with the lens; and means for coupling the bottom and top edges of bellows side walls, respectively to the first and third camera housing sections.

Claim 41

A collapsible and erectable bellows for use with a folding camera of the type having a housing comprising first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein the four housing sections are spaced from one another to define a space therebetween, means in the first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure, and exposure means including optical means for exposing the film unit, the optical means including an objective lens for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in the space, and a mirror adapted to be positioned adjacent the third housing section for directing the light along an extension of the optical path towards a film unit located at the exposure position, and viewing means including a movable reflex member having lateral edges mounted in the first housing for movement between viewing position in overlying relation to a film unit at the exposure position for receiving light from the mirror and directing the light along yet another extension of the optical path to a viewing device mounted on the fourth camera housing section, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having the general shape of a truncated triangle defined by a base edge, a pair of inwardly inclined and opposite side edges and a top edge that is substantially parallel to said base edge, said blank having an axis of symmetry that is substantially normal to said base edge and said blank having edges defining an inverted V-shaped notch on said axis extending from said top edge towards said base edge, said notch having its apex closest to said base edge; said blank including spaced mirror-image areas thereof, disposed on opposite sides of said axis, and intermediate said base and inclined side edges, for defining side walls of said bellows which are adapted to enclose the space between the extended first and third housing sections of the camera, each of said side walls including a top edge adapted to be coupled to the third housing section, a bottom edge adapted to be coupled to the first housing section, and a leading edge; said blank further including another area thereof for defining a forward section of said bellows that extends forwardly from said leading edges of said bellows side walls to said second housing section for enclosing that portion of the optical path from the objective lens rearwardly to said leading edges of the bellows side walls, said forward section defining area being intermediate said pair of side wall defining areas and being symmetrical said axis of symmetry; said forward section defining area having an opening therein on said axis, said opening being adapted to be located in operative association with the camera lens on the second housing section for transmitting light from the lens along the optical path into the space; said forward section defining area also including said opposing edges defining said V-shaped notch, each of said edges having mirror-image notches therein, said opposing edges being adapted to be brought into mating side-by-side relation to form said forward section of said bellows, and wherein said mirror-image notches therein cooperate with each other to form an aperture through which light is directed from said space to the camera mounted viewing device; means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section with the opening therein in alignment with the lens; and means for coupling the bottom and top edges of bellows side walls, respectively to the first and third camera housing sections.

Claim 42

A bellows as defined in claim 36 wherein said blank is formed of a woven fabric.

Claim 43

A bellows as defined in claim 37 wherein said woven fabric is coated with a light-opaque rubber.

Claim 44

A collapsible and erectable bellows for use with a folding camera of the type having a housing comprising first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein the four housing sections are spaced from one another to define a space therebetween, means in the first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure, and exposure means including optical means for exposing the film unit, the optical means including an objective lens for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in the space, and a mirror adapted to be positioned adjacent the third housing section for directing the light along an extension of the optical path towards a film unit located at the exposure position, and viewing means including a movable reflex member having lateral edges mounted in the first housing for movement between viewing position in overlying relation to a film unit at the exposure position for receiving light from the mirror and directing the light along yet another extension of the optical path to a viewing device mounted on the fourth camera housing section, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having the general shape of a truncated triangle defined by a base edge, a pair of inwardly inclined and opposite side edges and a top edge that is substantially parallel to said base edge, said blank having an axis of symmetry that is substantially normal to said base edge and said blank having edges defining an inverted V-shaped notch on said axis extending from said top edge towards said base edge, said notch having its apex closest to said base edge; said blank including spaced mirror-image areas thereof, disposed on opposite sides of said axis, and intermediate said base and inclined side edges, for defining side walls of said bellows which are adapted to enclose the space between the extended first and third housing sections of the camera, each of said side walls including a top edge adapted to be coupled to the third housing section, a bottom edge adapted to be coupled to the first housing section, and a leading edge; said blank further including another area thereof for defining a forward section of said bellows that extends forwardly from said leading edges of said bellows side walls to said second housing section for enclosing that portion of the optical path from the objective lens rearwardly to said leading edges of the bellows side walls, said forward section defining area being intermediate said pair of side wall defining areas and being symmetrical with said axis of symmetry; said forward section defining area having an opening therein on said axis, said opening being adapted to be located in operative association with the camera lens on the second housing section for transmitting light from the lens along the optical path into the space; said forward section defining area also including said opposing edges defining said V-shaped notch, each of said edges having mirror-image notches therein, said opposing edges being adapted to be brought into mating side-by-side relation to form said forward section of said bellows, and wherein said mirror-image notches therein cooperate with each other to form an aperture through which light is directed from said space to the camera mounted viewing device; means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section with the opening therein in alignment with the lens, said means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section including a retaining plate having an edge that is symmetrical with and substantially normal to said axis of symmetry, said edge serving to direct tension forces induced in said bellows by the first and second housing sections of the camera as they move towards the folded position, along predetermined lines of said bellows forward section and side walls for establishing fold lines along which said bellows folds to assume its said collapsed position; and means for coupling the bottom and top edges of bellows side walls, respectively to the first and third camera housing sections.

Claim 45

A collapsible and erectable bellows for use with a folding camera of the type having a housing comprising first, second, third, and fourth housing sections interconnected as a four-bar linkage for movement between a compact folded position and an extended position wherein the four housing sections are spaced from one another to define a space therebetween, means in the first housing section for locating a film unit in position for exposure, and exposure means including optical means for exposing the film unit, the optical means including an objective lens for transmitting image-bearing light along an optical path in the space, and a mirror adapted to be positioned adjacent the third housing section for directing the light along an extension of the optical path towards a film unit located at the exposure position, and viewing means including a movable reflex member having lateral edges mounted in the first housing for movement between viewing position in overlying relation to a film unit at the exposure position for receiving light from the mirror and directing the light along yet another extension of the optical path to a viewing device mounted on the fourth camera housing section, said bellows comprising: a single, flat, pre-shaped blank of flexible, light-opaque material, said blank having the general shape of a truncated triangle defined by a base edge, a pair of inwardly inclined and opposite side edges and a top edge that is substantially parallel to said base edge, said blank having an axis of symmetry that is substantially normal to said base edge and said blank having edges defining an inverted V-shaped notch on said axis extending from said top edge towards said base edge, said notch having its apex closest to said base edge; said blank including spaced mirror-image areas thereof, disposed on opposite sides of said axis, and intermediate said base and inclined side edges, for defining side walls of said bellows which are adapted to enclose the space between the extended first and third housing sections of the camera, each of said side walls including a top edge adapted to be coupled to the third housing section, a bottom edge adapted to be coupled to the first housing section, and a leading edge; said blank further including another area thereof for defining a forward section of said bellows that extends forwardly from said leading edges of said bellows side walls to said second housing section for enclosing that portion of the optical path from the objective lens rearwardly to said leading edges of the bellows side walls, said forward section defining area being intermediate said pair of side wall defining areas and being symmetrical with said axis of symmetry; said forward section defining area having an opening therein on said axis, said opening being adapted to be located in operative association with the camera lens on the second housing section for transmitting light from the lens along the optical path into the space; said forward section defining area also including said opposing edges defining said V-shaped notch, each of said edges having mirror-image notches therein, said opposing edges being adapted to be brought into mating side-by-side relation to form said forward section of said bellows, and wherein said mirror-image notches therein cooperate with each other to form an aperture through which light is directed from said space to the camera mounted viewing device; means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section with the opening therein in alignment with the lens, said means for coupling said forward section of said bellows to the second housing section including a retaining plate having an edge that is symmetrical with and substantially normal to said axis of symmetry, said edge serving to direct tension forces induced in said bellows by the first and second housing sections of the camera as they move towards the folded position, along predetermined lines of said bellows forward section and side walls for establishing fold lines along which said bellows folds to assume its said collapsed position; and means for coupling the bottom and top edges of bellows side walls, respectively to the first and third camera housing sections.