System for sensing and displaying lens data for high performance film and video cameras and lenses

A system for sensing and displaying lens data for a cinematography zoom lens and camera, comprising:

• a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the lens for producing lens signals representing current positions of focus, zoom and T-stop settings of the lens;
• a range finder positioned adjacent the lens for producing signals representing the distance from the lens to an object located in front of the lens;
• a display device positioned adjacent the lens and having a screen for selectively displaying indicia, said screen being visible to an operator of the lens;
• a printed circuit board including a microprocessor provided with the lens for receiving and processing said lens signals and range finder signals, said microprocessor having a memory with data representing the focus, zoom and T-stop characteristics of that lens, and said microprocessor having means for determining the current depth of field based on said lens signals;
• said range finder and display device operatively connected to said microprocessor;
• and
• said microprocessor operable to cause said display device to selectively graphically display indicia representing the distance to the object coordinated and in direct relationship with indicia dynamically movable with respect to each other representing at least one of said positions of the focus, zoom, T-stop settings and the depth of field in real time based on said lens signals and range finder signals.

A system for sensing and displaying lens data for a cinematography lens and camera, comprising:

• a sensor operatively connected to the lens for producing a lens signal representing a current position of the focus setting of the lens;
• a range finder positioned adjacent the lens for producing distance signals representing the actual distance from the lens to an object located in front of the lens;
• a display device having means for selectively displaying indicia;
• and
• a printed circuit board including a microprocessor operatively connected to said sensor, range finder and display device, said microprocessor having a memory with data representing the focus, focal length and T-Stop characteristics of that lens;
• and said microprocessor operating to process said lens signals and distance signals and to cause said display device to simultaneously graphically display indicia representing the distance to the object dynamically movable with respect to, coordinated and in direct relationship with indicia representing said focus setting in real time.