US4779974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contrast range indicator
Assignee: ARRIFLEX Corp 500 ROUTE 303 BLAUVELT NEW YORK 10913
•
Filing: 1987-10-30
•
Granted: 1988-10-25
•
Expires: 2007-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for indicating the contrast range in a scene to be photographed arranged to be situated within the field of view of a viewfinder of a camera. The apparatus includes a plurality of matching fields of respectively differing gray scale reflectance and a light source for illuminating the matching fields to an extent substantially similar to that of the scene to be photographed. By comparing the dark and light areas of the scene with the matching fields, a photographer is able to directly determine the contrast range of the scene and, if necessary, to adjust the same for the desired purpose.
Inventors
- 👤 Volker W. Bahnemann
- 👤 Stanislaw Loth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A contrast range indicator comprising: a housing; a plurality of matching fields representing differing reflectances on a gray scale; means for variably illuminating said plurality of matching fields; and a plurality of apertures respectively situated opposite said plurality of matching fields for enabling a photographer to compare said fields to a scene to be photographed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A contrast range indicator comprising: a housing; a plurality of matching fields representing differing reflectances on a gray scale; means for variably illuminating said plurality of matching fields; and a plurality of apertures respectively situated opposite said plurality of matching fields for enabling a photographer to compare said fields to a scene to be photographed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of matching fields includes a white matching field, and said contrast range indicator further includes a color compensation filter situated between said illuminating means and said plurality of matching fields other than said white matching field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 2, which further comprises a white matching filter situated between said illuminating means and said white matching field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a filter frame attached to said housing and underlying said plurality of apertures for receiving filters for effectively reducing the light level in the scene to be photographed immediately adjacent to said contrast range indicator thereby extending the range thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of matching fields include a white matching field, a medium white matching field, a dark gray matching field and a black matching field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 3, which further comprises an aperture having a removable cover therefor located in a side wall of said housing between said white matching filter and said white matching field for selectively receiving a light meter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said matching fields are half transparent filters having different light densities from white to black adjusted by neutral density filters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicator is incorporated in a camera viewfinder system or aperture plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contrast range indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicator is independently hand held.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-25 | 1992-04-25 | 1992-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-25 | 1996-04-25 | 1996-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-25 | 2000-04-25 | 2000-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |