Multi lens camera

MacM545 · Jan 12, 2018

I have this idea that one could create a camera (besides cell phone) that includes more than one lens and that they could all be on at the same time. Maybe it would be feasible to have a turret with multiple lenses on it like on a microscope, which you could revolve to choose what focal length you'd want. Or maybe use this idea to create a camera with multiple sensors? For example, we could have a compact camera with two sensors. One would be suited for high resolution, while the other would be more suited for lowlight photography.

Spotted Cow · Jan 12, 2018

MacM545 said:
Maybe it would be feasible to have a turret with multiple lenses on it like on a microscope, which you could revolve to choose what focal length you'd want.

We call those “zoom” lenses?!

yardcoyote · Jan 12, 2018

But the turret would give you multiple primes without changing lenses,, potentially a very different shooting experience than using a zoom.

I can actually see using a small sensor pocket camera with a turret or rotating plate offering me a choice of three pancake lenses --maybe one at 28mm equivalent, one at 40, and one at 55. A bit gimmicky, but much more desirable to me than a collapsing power zoom.

seuadr · Jan 12, 2018

You mean like This?

Or did you mean more old school like This?

Or maybe whole hog lens-wise like This?

yardcoyote · Jan 12, 2018

The second is what I was thinking of, except scaled down.

seuadr · Jan 12, 2018

To be fair, that is for video, but 3 focal lengths.

Charles McRobert · Jan 12, 2018

8mm film, actually.

yardcoyote · Jan 12, 2018

Motion picture film, I think, but a similar idea could be appliedto a small camera.

Fogel70 · Jan 12, 2018

MacM545 said:
I have this idea that one could create a camera (besides cell phone) that includes more than one lens and that they could all be on at the same time. Maybe it would be feasible to have a turret with multiple lenses on it like on a microscope, which you could revolve to choose what focal length you'd want. Or maybe use this idea to create a camera with multiple sensors? For example, we could have a compact camera with two sensors. One would be suited for high resolution, while the other would be more suited for lowlight photography.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/31391486@N04/

There have been a couple of tries in designing multiple lens cameras. But is was on small sensor P&S cameras.

But the most cost effective on these cameras where the use sepsrate camera units in the camera instead of one sensor and a turret for changing lenses.

Kodak did a couple of them where one camera unit had a fixed ultra wide angle lens and the other camera had a zoom lens. But that where more than 10 years ago.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/kodak/compacts/kodak_v705

Some smartphones has adapted the same concept in recent years.

D Cox · Jan 13, 2018

MacM545 said:
I have this idea that one could create a camera (besides cell phone) that includes more than one lens and that they could all be on at the same time. Maybe it would be feasible to have a turret with multiple lenses on it like on a microscope, which you could revolve to choose what focal length you'd want. Or maybe use this idea to create a camera with multiple sensors? For example, we could have a compact camera with two sensors. One would be suited for high resolution, while the other would be more suited for lowlight photography.

AlbertTheLazy · Jan 13, 2018

There have also been some attempts with 'proper' still cameras.

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing one of these in a West End shop window back in the late 60's.

Have a look here for the current price!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ex-Rectaflex-Rotor-Gun-Camera-3-lenses-P-ANGENIEUX-PARIS-35-2-5-50-2-9-90-2-5-/252325221992

Then there were:

Zenit B

Leica!

--
Albert
The lazy photographer

MacM545 · Jan 13, 2018

Either one (any of them)

yardcoyote · Jan 13, 2018

I knew it had been attempted in the past-- what fascinating cameras. Beautiful too.

Steve2020 · Jan 13, 2018

Multiple cam module camera

But don't look at 100%

Gerry Winterbourne · Jan 13, 2018

MacM545 said:
I have this idea that one could create a camera (besides cell phone) that includes more than one lens and that they could all be on at the same time. Maybe it would be feasible to have a turret with multiple lenses on it like on a microscope, which you could revolve to choose what focal length you'd want.

Look at the examples of old tries at this posted elsewhere in the thread. Why would anyone want to carry such a bulky, clumsy and heavy camera around? If I want to use different lenses I can carry them far more conveniently in my bag (and leave them at home when I don't want to use them).

The turret idea just means there's more to carry in hand or neck strap \and more to hold up and steady.

MacM545 said:
Or maybe use this idea to create a camera with multiple sensors? For example, we could have a compact camera with two sensors. One would be suited for high resolution, while the other would be more suited for lowlight photography.

The idea of compact cameras is to be compact. Why double the size of a compact camera? If you need these two categories, why not buy two dedicated cameras and carry the one you need to use at the time?

John Michael Winterbourne · Jan 13, 2018

As soon as I saw the OP, I thought of the BBC's Saturday afternoon live sports marathon "Grandstand", and its long standing opening sequence - just the first 10 or 15 seconds in this clip. The rest of it just makes me feel old :-(

Foe what it's worth, the BBC's "Sports Personality of the Year" trophy is basically a miniature one of those old multi lens TV cameras on a plinth.

COYQ · Jan 15, 2018

yardcoyote said:
But the turret would give you multiple primes without changing lenses,, potentially a very different shooting experience than using a zoom.

I can actually see using a small sensor pocket camera with a turret or rotating plate offering me a choice of three pancake lenses --maybe one at 28mm equivalent, one at 40, and one at 55. A bit gimmicky, but much more desirable to me than a collapsing power zoom.

Leica made an attachment like this in the 1930's. For some reason it didn't catch on......

lilBuddha · Jan 15, 2018

AlbertInFrance said:
There have also been some attempts with 'proper' still cameras.

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing one of these in a West End shop window back in the late 60's.

I LOVE those! If I owned one, I would likely haul it out every year or so then put it back in a cupboard.

I don't think a modern one would well sell enough for a major manufacturer to bother.

FrancoD · Jan 15, 2018

COYQ said:
yardcoyote said:

But the turret would give you multiple primes without changing lenses,, potentially a very different shooting experience than using a zoom.

I can actually see using a small sensor pocket camera with a turret or rotating plate offering me a choice of three pancake lenses --maybe one at 28mm equivalent, one at 40, and one at 55. A bit gimmicky, but much more desirable to me than a collapsing power zoom.

Click to expand...

Leica made an attachment like this in the 1930's. For some reason it didn't catch on......

Yes Leica did make the OROLF (they used those 5 letter words then...) but in 1960.

the one in the previous post and this one :

where made by independent workshops, not Leica.

yardcoyote · Jan 15, 2018

I was assuming advances in lens design, and sensors much smaller than 35mm film, would enable a modern take on this to be more compact.

Multi lens camera

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