Counterbalanced Image Stabilizer

Counter-Balanced image Stabilizer

 

      This camera-shake compensating mechanism works passively and requires no electrical power, gyros or warm-up time.  Developed by Steve Hines in 1977.  U.S. Pat. 4,290,684 assigned to Eastman Kodak.


 

Counter-Balanced-Camera-Stabilizer-02-250p

 

      The image stabilizer in a clear camera body, showing the lens, film and holder, and three parallel support rods.  The rods are supported by an intermediate frame.  The lens and film counter balance each other on opposite ends of the three rods which are the same length as the focal length of the camera lens, so as to not over or under correct image smear.

 

 

 

 


When the the camera body pitches up or down, or yaws left or right, inertia causes the mechanism to lag behind at the previous angle.  The lens remains on a line between the object and its image on the film. 


 

Pitch

or

yaw 

Defocus*, mm standard mechanism

(smaller is better)

Defocus*, mm this mechanism

(smaller is better)

0.0 0.0
1.15 0.015
2.3 0.061
3.46 0.137
4.62 0.224
5.9 0.381

 

*Based on a 100mm focal-length lens.


 

What it provides:

 

      Pitch and yaw camera motions have the most serious effect on image smear.  Tipping a camera down 1°, has the effect of lifting an object at 50 feet, 10 inches.  This shake-mechanism compensates for five times this amount in both the pitch and yaw directions.


 

  

      This mechanism can withstand, but is not affected by, translational motion (being bumped).

CmraStblzr-3_Leg_480p

 

      The mechanism connects the rods to the lens board and film holder with agile cone-and-cup supports (the 2-axis version of a knife-edge hinge).  

      The mechanism is caged when not taking a picture, allowing the mechanism to float during exposure but otherwise be locked.


 

 

The concept applied to a 110-format camera:

 

       The film is stationary and the lens is counterbalanced with an offset added weight.  


 

      This is not a product for sale.  This project is shown only as an example of past engineering by Steve Hines who offers consulting in the area of opto-mechanical equipment design, and a variety of licensable technologies.

 

HinesLab

 

USA

email: Steve@HinesLab.com

ph.: 818-507-5812