Lensless Bright-Frame Viewfinder
Hines Brightline Viewfinder
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A viewfinder that projects a bright frame in the scene. An ideal alternative to a phone camera where the LCD is washed out in bright sunlight.
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Demand for single-use (disposable) cameras is on the increase with sales of 21M in the U.S. in 2023. This bright-fame viewfinder is an upgrade compared to single-use, and reloadable film cameras, and instant cameras using viewfinder lenses.
The photographer’s view:
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As the photographer brings the camera to the eye, the bright frame is visible out in the scene, done without lenses. It seems like magic.
Optical alignment:
Alignment of the optical elements is automatic when the camera body is assembled. A projected frame line has been available in only expensive consumer cameras, while unheard of in single-use cameras
The open front and back of the camera body before assembly.
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How it works:
The Brightline Viewfinder uses reflective optics to project a frame around the scene.
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The viewfinder provides the bright frame line of an Albada finder without the cost. This viewfinder takes advantage of the reticle being so close to the eye as to be out of focus. |
Scene light illuminates the rectangular frame on the back wall and is reflected to the spherically-curved rim of mirror on the inside of the front wall where it is reflected to the eye, focused at the scene. |
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Advantages:
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Lensless-VF-80_frame-thru-VF_250w The view through the viewfinder as the photographer approaches. The photographer sees the scene directly through the open holes. The projected bright frame appears at the distance of the scene. |
• Projects bright frame line into the scene. • Provides bright, unaltered view of the scene. • There is no motion parallax between frame and the scene. • No lenses to scratch. • Near zero cost. |
Sports Camera with Brightline Lensless VF:
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Accessory Brightline Viewfinders:
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Lensless Brightline viewfinders can be made for cameras with hot-shoe attachments.
Phone handle with Brightline viewfinder:
The lensless Brightline Viewfinder is ideal for cell phone cameras where bright sunlight would otherwise wash out the LCD screen.
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Both optical elements are molded as part of the handle above, or the camera body.
*Note to optical engineers:
Compare the 100% MTF of the scene viewed through the open-hole, to the degraded image of any other viewfinder.
Comments:
“I have to say I always wanted to be someone like you. Your idea is brilliant!”, Dr. Filip Vaison La-Romanie, Texas, May 12, 2023.
“What a marvelous idea.” Lisa Davidson, lithographic printer, July 23, 2017.
“Love it.” Paul Ruben, head of the Kodak Optical Engineering Dept., Rochester, New York, Aug. 13, 2016
“It seems like an utter no-brainer for all of the GoPro models without video panels”. Alisa Salaki, under-water photographer, Georgia, USA, July, 2016
“innovative… Easy to use: giving the same effect as a collimated optical system. The idea seems very clever, low cost, easy to manufacture, it could eventually be a product by itself… as an engineer I like brilliant ideas“. Alphonse Menudier: France, April 2013.
“The principle is so brilliant in its simplicity.” Antony Brown: Photographer, London, England, Sept. 2009.
“The reflective perimeter of the new viewfinder focuses the frame line; the scene, undiminished in size or quality, is viewed through an open hole” in the article “Skip the Lens”, in SPIE Magazine, May 2005.
“I just happened across this…. very slick!; best of luck w/commercializing it.“, Rick Oleson, Industrial Designer, Kentucky, USA, Oct. 2003.
“Not only does it aid the photographer by accurately delineating his field of view, but will be useful to any camera manufacturer who is trying to reduce the cost.” Paul Ruben: Optical engineer, head of Eastman Kodak’s lens design dept., Rochester, New York, Dec. 2000.
“Extremely impressive. If I were working for a camera company, I would be very, very interested. Everyone should be. After seeing the models, I certainly prefer it over any Albada system.” Bill Ewald, Kodak Sr. Optical Engineer, lecturer at the University of Rochester (New York), Sept. 2000.
“… elegantly simple“, “a parallax free viewfinder that is impossible to degrade with finger print smudges“, “I tested it with glasses and it worked fine. Plenty of eye relief“, “… important and novel“… “It has the potential to become a new standard.“ Fred Bushroe: Optical engineer, Tucson, Arizona, April 2, 1999.
“I wish I’d thought of it.” Kodak Apparatus Division engineer. This was just one response in a presentation at Kodak, Dec. 5, 1997.
Hines’ lab notebook #1:
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p. 84 click to open |
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For further information:
• OE Magazine, May, 2005, p. 28
• Photo Imaging News, June 14, 2004, Vol. 21, No. 13, p. 6.
• Photo Marketing Association News, Oct. 2001, Vol. 77, No. 10.
• U.S. Patent 6,122,455 (includes zoom version)
HinesLab is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact Steve Hines at:
USA
ph. 818-507-5812
email: [email protected]