Camera system

• US 5,111,223 A
• Filed: 06/20/1991
• Issued: 05/05/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Omura, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US07/718,474
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 354/111, 354/118, 354/159, 354/195.12
• US Class Current: 396/333
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/023 Multi-image cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/06 adapted to be loaded with more than one film, e.g. with exposure of one or the other at will G03B19/07 takes precedence

Abstract

A camera system for taking i.d. (identification) pictures includes a camera body having a pair of taking lenses, to which one of a plurality of film holders of different film formats is removably attachable from the rear side of the camera body, depending on what film format is suitable for the size of photographs to be taken. A deflection unit deflecting the optical axes of the taking lenses, or a conversion lens unit changing the magnification of the taking lenses as well as deflecting the optical axes of the taking lenses is removably attachable to the front of the taking lenses, depending on the size of the photographs to be taken.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

a camera body having at least two taking lenses on a front side thereof;

first means for holding at least a photographic film therein of a first film format, said first means being removably attachable to a rear side of said camera body in position to receive images passing through said taking lenses;

second means for holding at least a photographic film therein of a second film format, said second means being removably attachable to said rear side of said camera body in position to receive images passing through said taking lenses;

third means for deflecting optical axes of said taking lenses;

fourth means for changing magnification of said taking lenses as well as for deflecting optical axes of said taking lenses; and

connecting means for attaching and detaching either of said third or fourth means to and from said camera body.

2. A camera system as defined in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises at least two prisms, said prisms being disposed forward said two taking lenses, respectively, when said third means is attached to said camera body and arranged to deflect the optical axes of said taking lenses to close toward each other.

3. A camera system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fourth means comprises at least two conversion lenses and two prisms, said conversion lenses being coaxially disposed forward said two taking lenses, respectively, and each said prism being disposed between a respective one of said conversion lenses and a respective one of said taking lenses when said fourth means is attached to said camera body, whereby the optical axes of said taking lenses are deflected to close toward each other and the magnification of said taking lenses is changed.

4. A camera system as defined in claim 1, wherein said third and fourth means deflect the optical axes of said taking lenses to form at least two identical images on said photographic film through said taking lenses within an effective exposure area defined by one of said first and second means, said exposure area being equally divided into picture frames each having said images.

5. A camera system as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises engaging means formed on said third and fourth means for engaging with said camera body, and means for releasing the engagement between said third or fourth means and said camera body.

6. A camera system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a first film holder for a larger film format that is suitable for photography using said taking lenses only, and wherein said second means comprises a second film holder for a smaller film format that is suitable for photography using said third or fourth means in combination with said taking lenses.

7. A camera system as defined in claim 6, wherein said second film holder is attachable to the rear of said camera body only when said third or fourth means is attached to said camera body.

8. A camera system as defined in claim 6, wherein said photographic film includes at least a self-developing film unit.

9. A camera system as defined in claim 6, wherein each said film holders holds a film pack which contains a plurality of said self-developing film units.