Hybrid cameras having electronic image conversion to selected geometric formats and methods

A method for capturing and storing images in a hybrid electronic-photographic film camera comprising the steps of:

• capturing a plurality of image pairs in a camera, each said image pair having a latent image of a scene on photographic film and an initial electronic image of the same scene, said latent image of each said pair having a first geometric format;
• storing said initial electronic images in memory;
• recording in association with selected image pairs of said plurality, a designation of a alternative geometric format different than said first geometric format;
• removing said photographic film from said camera;
• abridging said initial electronic images of said selected image pairs to said alternative geometric format to provide abridged electronic images;
• and
• replacing, in said memory, said initial electronic images of said selected image pairs with respective said abridged electronic images.

A method for capturing and storing images in a hybrid electronic-film camera comprising the steps of:

• capturing a plurality of image pairs in a camera, each said image pair having a latent image of a scene on photographic film and an initial electronic image of the same scene, said latent image of each said pair having a first geometric format;
• storing said initial electronic images in memory;
• assigning one of a plurality of geometric formats to each of said image pairs, said plurality of geometric formats including said first geometric format and one or more alternative geometric formats, said alternative geometric formats being different from each other and from said first geometric format;
• removing said photographic film from said camera,
• concurrent with said removing, abridging said initial electronic images of said image pairs assigned said alternative geometric formats to respective said alternative geometric formats;
• and
• replacing, in said memory, said initial electronic images of said image pairs assigned said alternative geometric formats with respective said abridged electronic images.

A hybrid camera for use with a film unit, said camera comprising:

• a body;
• an archival image capture unit mounted in said body, said archival image capture unit selectively capturing archival images in the film unit;
• an assigner selectively switchable to associate a designation of one of a plurality of different geometric formats with each of said archival images;
• and
• an electronic subsystem mounted in said body, said electronic subsystem having an imager capturing electronic images corresponding to said archival images, memory storing said electronic images, and a controller operatively connected to said memory, said controller selectively abridging said electronic images in said memory to said geometric formats of corresponding said archival images.

A hybrid electronic-film camera for use with photographic film, said camera comprising:

• a body having a film space holding the photographic film;
• a signaler operatively disposed to signal when said film is removed;
• a capture system disposed in said body, said capture system being selectively actuable to capture a series of light images as image pairs, each said image pair having a latent film image and electronic image of the same light image, said capture system having a film capture unit capturing said latent images on the photographic film in a first geometric format, said capture system having an electronic capture unit capturing said electronic images;
• memory disposed in said body, said memory being operatively connected to said electronic capture unit, said memory storing all of said electronic images;
• a format designator selectively switchable, in relation to each said image pair, among a first designation and one or more alternative designations, said first designation identifying said first geometric format, said alternative designations each identifying an alternative geometric format, said alternative geometric formats being different from each other and from said first geometric format;
• a film writer writing said designations to said film in association with respective said latent images;
• a controller operatively connected to said signaler, said memory, and said format designator, said controller writing said designations to said memory in association with respective said electronic images, said controller, responsive to said signaler signal, abridging said electronic images in said memory to said geometric formats of respective said designations.