HK1114183B - Optical lens systems - Google Patents

Description

Optical lens system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims the benefit of and has the benefit of the earlier filing date of the following patent applications:

(1) australian provisional patent application 2005904334 (attorney No.: 730137: SDB) filed on 11/8/2005 under the name of Global Bionic Pty Co., Ltd;

(2) australian provisional patent application 2005905635 (attorney No.: 736362: SDB) filed on 12.10.2005 under the name of Global Bionic Pty Co., Ltd;

(3) international (PCT) patent application PCT/AU2005/001675 filed on 3.11.2005 in the name of Global Bionic Pty Inc. and James Albert Frazier (attorney docket No: 730137C: SDB);

(4) australian provisional patent application 2006902230 (attorney No.: 760648: SDB) filed on 28.4.2006 in the name of Global Bionic Pty Co., Ltd;

(5) australian provisional patent application 2006903397 (attorney No.: 753632: SDB) filed on 23.6.2006 in the name of Global Bionic Pty Co., Ltd; and

(6) australian provisional patent application (application number not yet known) entitled "Double-swing Head Optical Lens System" filed on 9.8.2006 in the name of Global biological Pty Co., Ltd (attorney docket No.: 753617: SDB),

each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an optical system for still or motion picture cameras, including digital cameras, video cameras, and the like.

Background

U.S. patent 5,727,236 issued to Frazier at 10.3.1998 describes an optical system having components of a wide angle lens, a deep field lens and a near focus lens. The optical system is intended to obtain a deep focus image, namely: it is intended to enable it to take macro objects in focus in the foreground while keeping focus infinite.

The system of us patent 5,727,236 includes an objective lens, a scene lens and a relay lens aligned in sequence on an optical axis and arranged in a lens cylinder or barrel. The objective lens forms an intermediate level image at the scene lens or near the scene lens in front of or behind the scene lens. The objective lens may be fixed at infinity focus and have a fully open aperture for forming an intermediate level image of a size larger than the normal size of the objective lens for that focal length. The scene lens and relay lens project this same image into a smaller final image at the film plane. The relay lens is a macro lens and may have an iris and focus mechanism so that an objective lens and a scene lens are not required for aperture control and focusing. A Pechan (Pechan) prism, a roof prism, and a mirror for inverting and inverting (restoring) the intermediate-level image are provided between the scene lens and the relay lens in the barrel. The Pechan prism, roof prism and mirror ensure that the final image at the film plane has the normal orientation of the final image (rather than being inverted and inverted). Such an optical system requires a substantial amount of light to provide a good depth of field. Moreover, the optical system has substantially multiple optical surfaces (i.e., air to optical media surfaces). Each time the light has to travel from air to glass and again to air, the image fades somewhat. There may be as many as 50 "air-to-glass" surfaces in such an optical system. In addition, the Pechan prism or its optical equivalent and the roof prism are bulky and heavy making the optical system larger and heavier than systems that do not use them.

Snorkel type lenses have been used for some time, but all types require changes in camera settings and separately attach the lens system directly to the camera body. Snorkel lenses make it difficult to enter photographic situations including desktop photography or ground plane proximity photography. The depth of field is substantially the same as a normal lens.

Disadvantageously, such lenses require the zoom lens to be removed from the camera. Furthermore, this requires time to assemble the camera. Also, such snorkel type lenses require higher light levels and therefore are more expensive to illuminate.

A two-axis swivel (swival) optical lens system with an image rotator has been used to handle difficult situations of placement and capture. The image rotator corrects the image orientation to the correct camera geometry even if the camera orientation is reversed or tipped over. The rotational tilt (tip) of the optical lens system allows easy access to low ground level lenses by holding the camera off the ground, or allows for a suspended or bent-over lens while the camera is held in a horizontal orientation.

However, disadvantageously, such a two-axis swivel optical lens system is expensive to produce because it has a large number of lens units and prisms. Typically, such systems have up to about 15 objectives for handling different acceptable angles. Furthermore, such an optical lens system places a zoom lens in front of the system. The various lenses add significant weight to the front end of the camera to which the lens is attached and extend the overall length, making the swivel too far back. This makes the optical lens system and camera difficult to use. Therefore, such lenses are difficult to produce economically and are cumbersome to use. Furthermore, a large amount of light is required to operate such a lens. Typically, the optical lens system has an F-stop of F5.6 or less (e.g., F8).

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system, comprising: a negative lens unit for receiving radiation from an object in space; and a relay lens coupled to the negative lens unit. The negative lens unit and the relay lens are aligned on the optical axis in this order. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system, comprising: a negative lens unit for receiving radiation from an object in space; and a relay lens configured to be fixedly aligned with the negative lens unit, the negative lens unit and the relay lens being aligned in that order on the optical axis, the negative lens unit forming a first image on the relay lens to form a final image on a final image plane at a distance from the relay lens.

The optical system may include: a holding frame; two negative lens units each fixedly held in the holding frame; and two relay lenses configured to be fixedly aligned with the respective negative lens units. The final image plane may be the film plane. The film plane may comprise film in a camera or a charge coupled device ("CCD") of a digital or video camera.

The optical system may also include focus and aperture controls located within the relay lens.

The optical system does not require image orientation correction optics between the negative lens unit and the relay lens for inverting and reversing the first real image to the final image.

The optical system may further include a lens barrel coupled between the negative lens unit and the relay lens.

The optical system may further include an optical axis deviation optical device for causing an optical axis deviation between the negative lens unit and the relay lens. The optical axis deviation optics may comprise a dispersive prism or an optical equivalent thereof. The dispersive prism may be a 60 degree dispersive prism.

The relay lens may be a macro lens. The macro relay lens may comprise a zoom lens or a zoom lens assembly.

The optical system may also include an Aspheron or Aspheron-type lens coupled to the negative lens unit.

The negative lens unit may include a negative lens, or a negative lens group.

The negative lens unit may comprise a removable variable focus lens package.

The negative lens group may include positive and negative lens elements, but the combination of lens elements remains negative in function. The negative lens group may include a plano-concave (plano-concave) lens, a biconcave (concave-concave) lens, and a doublet (doublet) lens. The optical system may further include a barrel housing having the plano-concave lens, the biconcave lens, and the doublet lens accommodated therein.

The optical axis deviation optics may be rotatably provided on the optical axis. The optical system may further include a rotatable lens barrel coupled to the optical axis deviation optics and the relay lens.

The optical system may be a probe-type deep focus lens for a video camera and/or a film camera, the deep focus lens comprising a lens barrel coupled between a negative lens unit and a relay lens.

The optical system may be a deep focus lens of the accessory type for a digital camera and/or a still camera.

The relay lens may comprise a zoom lens or a zoom lens assembly. The zoom lens or zoom lens assembly may be removable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including: a housing, an image capture mechanism disposed within the housing, and an optical system according to any of the preceding aspects coupled to the housing.

The optical system may be coupled to the housing such that an optical axis of the optical system is perpendicular to a film plane of the image capture mechanism.

The camera may be a still camera, a moving picture camera, a video camera, and/or a digital camera.

The image capture mechanism may include analog film or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an optical lens accessory is provided. The accessory includes: a coupling mechanism for mating engagement with at least one of the camera and the optical lens; a barrel coupled at one end to a coupling mechanism; a negative lens unit coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel; and a diopter lens disposed between the barrel and the coupling mechanism, diopter lens, and barrel all aligned with the optical axis.

The coupling mechanism may include a threaded cylindrical member for mating interengagement with a complementary threaded cylindrical member.

The optical lens attachment may further include a sealing mechanism disposed within the barrel at an end opposite the end of the negative lens unit. The sealing mechanism may be an optical flat.

The attachment may be a right front angled barrel lens attachment.

The optical lens attachment may further include a beveled prism member disposed between the negative lens unit and the barrel, wherein the negative lens unit is coupled to the angled surface of the beveled prism member. The tilted prism member may comprise a mirror-surface dispersive prism.

Alternatively, the attachment may be an angular viewing angle barrel lens attachment.

The optical lens attachment may further comprise a rotation mechanism disposed between the negative lens unit and the coupling mechanism. The rotation mechanism allows 360 degree rotation of the negative lens unit about the longitudinal axis of the barrel. The rotation mechanism may include a rotating ring member coupled between the barrel and the coupling mechanism.

The coupling mechanism matingly engages the zoom lens of the camera.

The optical lens attachment further includes a macro lens unit having zoom capability coupled between the barrel and the coupling mechanism.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising an optical lens attachment according to any one of the preceding aspects; and a zoom lens.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising an optical lens attachment according to the preceding aspects.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a dual-rotator optical lens system is provided. The system includes a negative lens unit configured as an objective lens of the dual-rotator optical lens system. The negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The system further comprises: a mirror disposed within the housing, oriented at an angle with respect to an optical axis of the negative lens unit; a roof prism disposed within the housing for rotating the incident light by 90 degrees and reversing the image; a rotation mechanism that allows the negative lens unit to rotate about a vertical axis; an image rotator including a prism capable of reversing an image, the prism being disposed within the image rotator; and another rotation mechanism that allows the roof prism to rotate about the optical axis of the image rotator.

The overall function of the negative lens unit is a negative lens. The negative lens unit may include at least one negative lens. The negative lens unit may include a plurality of negative lens elements and/or negative lens groups. The negative lens unit may include a plano-concave lens, a biconcave lens, and a doublet lens. The negative lens unit may include at least one lower power positive lens.

A housing having a mirror may be coupled to the negative lens unit.

The roof prism may comprise a compensating roof prism.

The prisms of the image rotator may include a Pechan prism and a Dow prism. The image rotator may include a sleeve coupled to the prism that can be manually rotated about a longitudinal axis of the prism to rotate the image.

The rotation mechanism allows rotation of the negative lens unit. The rotation mechanism may allow rotation of the negative lens unit and the mirror. Another rotation mechanism may be coupled between the image rotator and the roof prism.

The optical lens system may further comprise a coupling mechanism coupled for mating engagement with at least one of a zoom lens of the camera and a macro lens of the camera.

The optical lens system may further include a macro lens having a zoom capability. The macro lens unit having a zooming capability is focused on the negative lens unit. The macro lens unit having zoom capability may be coupled to the image rotator. The rotation mechanism may couple the image rotator and the macro relay lens. The optical lens system may further comprise a coupling mechanism coupled to the macro lens with zoom capability.

The lens system provides a large depth of field.

The optical lens system may further include a dioptric lens for focusing a zoom lens of the camera on the negative lens unit.

The zoom lens of the camera includes a dioptric lens for focusing on the negative lens unit.

The mirror may be a front surface mirror.

The coupling mechanism may include a threaded cylindrical member for mating interengagement with a complementary threaded cylindrical member.

Each rotation mechanism may comprise a rotating ring member.

The optical lens system may further comprise a filter system. The filter system may be an embedded filter system.

The optical lens system may be an optical lens attachment for a camera.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including the double-swivel optical lens system according to any one of the foregoing aspects.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including the double-swivel optical lens system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, and at least one of a zoom lens and a macro lens.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system, including a partial cross-sectional view of a negative lens unit, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system, including a partial cross-sectional view of a negative lens unit, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system, including a partial cross-sectional view of a negative lens unit, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a dual, wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of two optical lens attachments according to an embodiment of the present invention suitable for use with a video or film camera;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an optical lens attachment according to another embodiment of the present invention suitable for use with a video or film camera;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a dual-rotator optical lens system according to one embodiment of the invention suitable for use with a video or film camera; and

fig. 9 is a side view of a dual-rotator optical lens system according to another embodiment of the invention, suitable for use with a video or film camera.

Detailed Description

Wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical systems are disclosed below. An optical lens attachment and a camera including the optical lens attachment are also described below. In addition, a dual-swivel optical lens system and a camera including such a dual-swivel optical lens system are described below. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth including specific film formats, lens materials, specific angle prism units, coupling mechanisms, barrel lengths, prism units, etc. However, from the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that: modifications and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In other instances, specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention.

Where reference is made to features having the same or similar reference numerals in any one or more of the figures, those features have the same function or functions or operation or operations for the purposes of this description unless the contrary intention appears. For simplicity, similar features are given similar reference numbers in the figures (e.g., negative lens groups 1110 and 1210 in fig. 1 and 2).

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" has an open, non-exclusive meaning: "primarily, but not necessarily exclusively," but neither "consists essentially of nor" consists of. Variations including the term have corresponding meanings.

1.1 Wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system

FIG. 1 illustrates a wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system 1100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The optical system 1100 includes a negative lens unit 1110, an optical lens cylinder 1150 (which may be any of a variety of lengths), and a relay lens 1160 arranged in that order. The relay lens 1160 may be a macro lens. The optical system 1100 may be mounted on the front surface of a camera (not shown). The camera may be a still or moving image camera, a video camera, a digital camera, or the like. Behind the (macro) relay lens 1160, the film plane 1170 of the camera is placed at a distance such that the final image of the optical system is focused onto the film plane 1170. The film plane 1170 symbolically represents the image plane of the film in a camera or a charge coupled device ("CCD") of a digital or video camera. The lens barrel 1150 and relay lens 1160 are depicted as block units only, as a large number of such components may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, any of a number of standard macro lenses may be used. In addition, the components of the system 1100 may be customized to suit the macro lens used. Such assemblies are well known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the lens barrel 1150 is described using a break line in a central region of the lens barrel 1150 to indicate that the barrel 1150 may be any of a number of different lengths without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Longer lenses may be more preferred. Standard lengths of lens barrels may include, for example, 1 foot (1 '), 18 inches, and 2 feet (2'). The length used is determined by factors including the aperture diameter of the negative lens unit, the magnification of the (macro) relay lens, and the film or video format used (e.g., a smaller format results in a longer lens). In one embodiment of the invention, an extremely long optical system may be constructed. Such a system may include a long tube of two feet (2') positioned between the negative lens cluster or lens (serving as the objective lens) and the macro relay lens.

The negative lens unit 1110 functions as an objective lens. Various multiples of negative lens 1110 may be used, so there may be a choice of acceptance angle. The negative lens cell 1110 can be implemented in different ways, provided that it remains functionally negative. That is, the negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. In addition, unit 1110 may include both positive and negative lens elements, provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, negative lens unit 1110 comprises a negative lens cluster. The negative lens cluster may include (from left to right in fig. 1) a plano-concave lens 1114, a biconcave lens 1116, and a doublet lens 1118. Doublet 1118 may include a biconcave lens in combination with a plano-concave lens. In this embodiment, the negative lens unit 1110 further includes a barrel housing 1112 in which lenses 1114, 1116, and 1118 are housed. Both lenses 1114 and 1116 are mounted in annular grooves formed in the inner surface of the cartridge housing 1112 for complementary mounting.

The optical system 1100 includes only the negative lens unit 1110 as an objective lens and the relay (macro) lens 1160. System 1100 does not require a scene lens. Nor does the system 1160 require a Pechan prism or its equivalent, a roof prism, or a mirror. This embodiment of the invention applies a negative lens cluster or lens instead of a positive lens. This is in contrast to prior systems that use a positive lens, which produces an inverted image and requires the use of mirrors and prisms to correct the orientation of the image. Alternatively, this may be done using a series of evenly spaced positive scene or relay lenses. In addition, the use of positive lenses in existing systems requires the use of a field lens to magnify the image of the (positive) objective lens.

The use of the negative lens unit 1110 as an objective lens simplifies the optical system 1100, since the image focused by the (macro) relay lens 1160 is already in the correct orientation. The scene lens does not need to magnify the image due to the size of the negative lens image. The size requirements of negative objective lens unit 1110 are determined more by the magnification of macro relay lens 1160 and the required working distance, the aperture size of the negative lens unit, the magnification of the macro relay lens, and the film or video format used. If a one-to-one 100mm macro relay lens gives a working distance of one foot (1 '), then a one-to-one 200mm macro relay lens gives a working distance of two feet (2'). For example, a 55 or 60mm macro relay lens can provide good deep focus. In such an embodiment, negative lens unit 1110 is proximate macro relay lens 1160. This can be a significant advantage in embodiments for still photography applications, for example, because the negative lens unit 1110 (i.e., serving as the objective lens) can be a simple spiral on the attachment. In other embodiments of the present invention, macro relay lens 1160 may comprise a zoom lens or zoom lens assembly.

In embodiments of the invention, the "air-to-glass-to-air" surface is substantially less and therefore has little or substantially zero image degradation. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, there may be only two or three such "air-to-glass-to-air" surfaces.

The wide angle of the negative lens is smaller if the positive elements are used in tandem. The negative lens unit 1110 may include a movable zoom assembly used in a zoom lens, and it works satisfactorily as an objective lens. The negative lens cluster 1110 combines positive and negative lens elements, but remains negative in function.

1.2 Another Wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system

FIG. 2 illustrates a wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system 1200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The optical system 1200 includes a negative lens unit 1210, an optical lens cylinder 1250, and a macro relay lens 1260, which are also arranged in that order. The optical system 1200 may be mounted in front of a camera (not shown) of the type referred to hereinbefore. The negative lens unit 1210 can be implemented in various ways, provided that it remains functionally negative. That is, the negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The unit 1210 may include both positive and negative lens elements, provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the negative lens unit 1210 includes one negative lens group. The negative lens group may include a plano-concave lens 1214, a biconcave lens 1216, and a doublet lens 1218. The doublet 1218 may comprise a double concave lens in combination with a plano-concave lens. These components are housed in a cartridge housing 1212. Behind macro relay lens 1260, the film plane 1270 of the camera is placed at a distance such that the final image of the optical system is focused onto the film plane 1270. The system 1200 shown in fig. 2 is a simple "probe" type deep focus lens that can be used in video and film cameras, including 35mm, 16mm, and various video formats.

The negative lens cluster 1210 may be configured the same as shown in fig. 1 and may be of the type used for a zoom lens to zoom an image. Optical Aspheron or Aspheron-type attachments 1280 may also be used. An optical Aspheron or Aspheron type attachment 1280 can correct linear distortion and can increase wide angle. An Aspheron type negative lens 1280 keeps the image linear without severe distortion and increases the angle of acceptance. Also, the long lens barrel 1250 and the macro relay lens 1260 are described as only block units. In this embodiment of the invention, a long optical system is provided. The macro relay lens 1260 may be a 55, 60, 105, or 200mm lens. The macro relay lens module may include a focus control mechanism 1262 and an aperture control mechanism 1264. In other embodiments of the present invention, macro relay lens 1260 may comprise a zoom lens or zoom lens assembly. Optionally, the system 1200 may have an additional lens 1266 coupled between the barrel 1250 and the macro relay lens 1260. The additional lens 1266 allows the use of a shorter lens barrel. The additional lens 1266 is useful because it allows the macro lens to lose less light than it would otherwise.

1.3 still another wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system

Fig. 3 illustrates a wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system 1300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The optical system 1300 includes a negative lens unit 1310 and a macro relay lens 1360, which are arranged in that order. The negative lens unit 1310 may be implemented in various ways, provided that it remains functionally negative. That is, the negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The unit 1310 may include both positive and negative lens elements, provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the negative lens unit 1310 includes a negative lens cluster. The negative lens cluster may include a plano-concave lens 1314, a biconcave lens 1316, and a doublet lens 1318. Doublet 1318 may comprise a biconcave lens in combination with a plano-concave lens. These components are housed in cartridge housing 1312. The optical system 1300 may be mounted in front of a camera of the type referred to hereinbefore, for example a still camera (not shown). Behind the macro relay lens 1360, the film plane 1370 of the camera is placed at a distance such that the final image of the optical system is focused onto the film plane 1370. The system 1300 shown in fig. 3 may be implemented as a deep focus lens (e.g., 35mm) of the accessory type for digital and still cameras.

The negative lens cluster 1310 may be configured the same as that shown in fig. 1 and may be of the type used for a zoom lens to zoom an image. The negative lens unit 1310 is directly coupled to the macro relay lens (e.g., 55mm or 60mm) using a mating screw-in component. In this embodiment, the negative lens unit 1310 has a convex screw-in member and the macro relay lens 1360 has a corresponding concave screw-in receptacle connected to the focus control 1362. The focus control 1362 and aperture control 1364 are as provided in the macro relay lens. In other embodiments of the present invention, macro relay lens 1360 may include one zoom lens or zoom lens components.

1.4 still another wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system

Fig. 4 illustrates a wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system 1400 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The optical system 1400 includes a negative lens unit 1410, a dispersion prism 1480, a lens barrel 1450, and a macro relay lens 1460, which are configured in that order. The negative lens unit 1410 can be implemented in various ways provided that it remains negative in function. That is, the negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. Unit 1410 may include both positive and negative lens elements, provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative. In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the negative lens unit 1410 includes a single negative lens. Alternatively, the negative lens unit may include a negative lens group as shown in any one of fig. 1 to 3.

In this embodiment, a 60 degree dispersion prism may be implemented. In addition, the lens barrel 1450 is rotatably coupled to a macro relay lens 1460, behind which macro relay lens 1460 a film plane 1470 is disposed. Macro relay lens 1460 includes an aperture and focus control mechanism (not separately depicted in fig. 2 and 3). In other embodiments of the present invention, macro relay lens 1460 may comprise a zoom lens or zoom lens assembly. As shown in fig. 4, a negative lens unit 1410 is attached to the angled surface of prism 1480 such that unit 1410 is aligned off-axis with respect to the central longitudinal axis of lens barrel 1450. This deviation condition allows the lens barrel 1450 to be rotated to give the correct camera geometry, for example, from certain difficult locations on the ground. Thus, for example, a camera may be placed on the ground to capture images of difficult angles. This makes it easy to obtain a difficult viewing angle. Rotation of the lens barrel enhances this condition, allowing for easy suspension or snap-down lenses, for example.

1.5 Another Wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system

FIG. 5 illustrates a dual wide-angle, deep-field, near-focusing optical system 1500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The dual lens arrangement 1500 is suitable for use in a fixed size cage (component) or camera port in an aircraft fuselage (not shown). Two macro relay lenses 1510, 1512 are fixed in position, each facing and optically aligned with a respective negative lens unit 1520, 1522. For example, the macro relay lenses 1510, 1512 may be f2.8micro-Nikkon macro relay lenses, providing the capability of F2.8, which may provide shutter-first camera settings for the day and aperture-first for the night. For example, the negative lens unit may be a 55mm negative lens cluster. The macro relay lens and the negative lens unit function and are constructed in the manner described hereinbefore.

The negative lens units 1520, 1522 are each fixed in position relative to the respective macro relay lenses 1510, 1512 by a holding frame 1530, which holding frame 1530 may be made of metal. In this manner, no lens barrel is required. A glass panel 1540 suspended below the holder 1530 seals the dual lens arrangement 1500 within the aircraft fuselage. In this embodiment, each macro relay lens and negative lens unit combination 1510, 1512 and 1520, 1522 provides a 100 degree viewing angle. The viewing angles overlap.

For this embodiment of the invention, two 35mm cameras may be used instead of one 70mm camera, for example. The negative lens unit and the macro relay lens may be held on an axis in a jig aligned with a pin. While two negative lens units and macro relay lens combinations are shown in this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate in light of this disclosure that: other numbers of lens combinations including single negative lens unit and macro relay lens combinations may also be implemented. In other embodiments of the present invention, macro relay lenses 1510, 1512 may each comprise a zoom lens or zoom lens assembly. In the embodiments described in fig. 1 to 5, the macro relay lens may comprise one movable zoom lens or a plurality of movable zoom lens components.

The foregoing embodiments of the present invention involve less image degradation and therefore less "air-to-glass-to-air" degradation due to fewer components. And the negative lens cluster acts as an objective lens to invert the resulting image to the correct orientation, which allows the embodiments of the present invention to be completed off of the mirrors and prisms required by existing systems. In embodiments of the present invention, different lens lengths may be used, making the lens suitable for different cameras and film formats.

2.0 overview of the barrel lens attachment

The embodiments of the invention described hereinafter are capable of providing a large depth of field. That is, the embodiments of the present invention provide a wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical system. Some embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need to remove the zoom lens from the camera by attaching an optical lens attachment to the zoom lens, thereby saving time in installing the camera. In addition, embodiments of the present invention increase the depth of field, which is useful for desktop macro photography. Furthermore, the above embodiments of the present invention can do this with a greatly reduced light level, thereby reducing the total amount of light required and thus saving on the cost of illumination.

The use of a portion of the zoom lens at the "tele" (tele) end can still be used to change the scene size and acceptance angle of the object. Partial zooming can be performed and achieved during the taking of the picture.

Two forms of optical lens attachments are described below, namely: a straight front view angle unit and an oblique angle view angle (e.g., 60 degree) unit. Because of the rotation about the principal axis, the angled view unit can enter into difficult lens placement situations. Controls such as focus, aperture and zoom may be implemented on a dedicated lens provided to the camera.

2.1A right-angle front view cylindrical lens attachment

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a dual-optical lens attachment 1630, 1660 for use with a camera 1600, such as a video or film camera. The camera 1600 has a zoom lens 1610 aligned with its optical axis. Examples of such cameras include Sony, JVC, Canon cameras with zoom lenses, or 16mm or 35mm motion picture film cameras with zoom lenses.

One of the optical lens attachments 1630 is a straight front angle lens attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This attachment 1630 includes a coupling mechanism 1632 for mating engagement with the zoom lens 1610 of the camera 1600. As shown in fig. 6, the coupling mechanism 1632 itself comprises an externally threaded cylindrical male member for mating interengagement with an internally threaded cylindrical female member (not shown) of the camera zoom lens 1610. Other coupling mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a bayonet-type clip arrangement may replace the threaded male/female coupling mechanism 1632 of fig. 6 while correspondingly adapting to a zoom lens cover (hood).

A lens cylinder or barrel (hereinafter simply "barrel") 1638 is coupled at one end to a coupling mechanism 1632. For example, the length of the barrel 1638 may be between 12 and 18 inches, although other barrel lengths may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the barrel 1638 is an elongated cylindrical member and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the coupling mechanism 1632 for engagement with the zoom lens 1610. Thus, a conical frustum (conical frustum) section with a cylindrical sleeve may connect the elongated barrel 1638 to the coupling mechanism 1632. It will be apparent that if the coupling mechanism 1632 and the barrel 1638 are the same diameter or substantially the same diameter, the circular truncated cone portion and the sleeve may be omitted. For purposes of discussion, the circular truncated cone portion and the sleeve are hereinafter considered to be part of the coupling mechanism, as the use of these portions depends on the requirements of the coupling mechanism 1632.

The add lens is a telephoto lens or a diopter (hereinafter simply referred to as a "diopter" or "diopter lens"), which in this embodiment is disposed between the barrel 1638 and the coupling mechanism 1632. The diopter 1634 focuses the zoom lens onto the negative lens unit 1640, as described below. Because the diopter 1634 is larger in diameter than the barrel 1638 but smaller than the coupling mechanism 1632, the diopter 1634 is contained in the circular frustum portion and sleeve in this embodiment. However, various modifications to the placement and accommodation of the diopter 1634 may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

A negative lens unit 1640 is coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel 1638. Any of a number of negative lens elements and/or negative lens clusters known to those skilled in the art may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Optionally, the attachment 1630 may also have a lens cover (as shown in FIG. 6) to protect the negative lens unit 1640 at that end of the barrel 1638. The coupling mechanism 1632, diopter 1634, elongated barrel 1638, and negative lens unit 1640 are all concentrically aligned with the optical axis of the camera 1610. Thus, the optical lens attachment 1630 according to this embodiment forms a straight-ahead barrel lens attachment.

The negative lens unit 1640 causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The unit may comprise both positive and negative lens elements provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

2.2 an angled View barrel lens attachment

Another optical lens attachment 1660 of FIG. 6 is an angled-view lens attachment in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. This accessory 1660 also includes a coupling mechanism 1662 for mating engagement with the zoom lens 1610 of the camera 1600. This coupling mechanism 1662 may be constructed identically to and configured as coupling mechanism 1632, and suitable variations and substitutions may be made thereto as described with reference to coupling mechanism 1632.

The barrel 1668 may be directly coupled (not shown) at one end to a coupling mechanism 1662. Also for example, the length of the barrel 1668 may be between 12 and 18 inches, although other barrel lengths may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. However, the barrel 1668 may be coupled to the coupling mechanism 1662 by a rotation mechanism 1666, which allows the barrel 1668 to rotate 360 degrees as described in greater detail below. The rotation mechanism 1666 may include a rotating ring member that allows 360 degree rotation of the elongated barrel. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the barrel 1668 is smaller in diameter than the coupling mechanism 1662 for engagement with the zoom lens 1610. Thus, a circular truncated cone portion with a cylindrical sleeve may connect the elongated barrel 1668 or the rotational mechanism 1666 to the coupling mechanism 1662. The diopter 1664 is disposed between the barrel 1668 and the coupling mechanism 1662 in this embodiment. The diopter 1664 focuses the zoom lens onto the negative lens unit 1670, as described below.

A prismatic member 1672 is coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel 1668. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this prism member 1672 is a 60 degree oblique prism, but prisms of other angles may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. A negative lens unit 1670 is placed on the inclined surface of the prism 1672 relative to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1668. Likewise, any of a number of negative lens elements and/or negative lens clusters known to those skilled in the art may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, the attachment 1660 may have a lens cover (as shown in FIG. 6) to protect the negative lens unit 1670 at the end of the barrel 1668. The rotation mechanism 1666 allows the beveled prism 1672 and the negative lens unit 1670 to rotate up to 360 degrees. Thus, the optical lens attachment 1660 according to this embodiment forms an angled-view barrel lens attachment.

The negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The unit may comprise both positive and negative lens elements provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

2.3 Another angled View barrel lens attachment

Another optical lens attachment 1760 is shown in FIG. 7 that includes an angled-view barrel lens attachment in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This accessory 1760 includes a coupling mechanism 1762 for mating engagement with a camera (not shown). This coupling mechanism 1762 may be of the same construction and configuration as coupling mechanism 1632, and suitable variations and substitutions may be made thereto as described with reference to coupling mechanism 1632. Various couplings as in other embodiments may be used to adapt to different cameras.

The barrel 1768 may be directly coupled at one end (not shown) to a macro lens unit 1780 with zoom capability, which may be, for example, an F2.8100mm macro lens. Next, a macro lens unit 1780 having zoom capability is connected to the coupling mechanism 1762. However, the barrel 1768 may be coupled to the macro lens unit 1780 by a suitable rotation mechanism that allows the barrel 1768 to rotate 360 degrees. The macro lens unit 1780 having a zoom capability is not a zoom lens having a macro mode. In this embodiment, macro lens unit 1780 with zoom capability focuses on negative lens unit 1770. This embodiment has a dedicated macro lens unit.

As shown in fig. 7, in this embodiment, an embedded filter 1782 may be disposed between the barrel 1768 and a macro lens unit 1780 with zoom capability. This may be an externally rotatable one-stop polarizer. The macro lens unit 1780 may include a focus ring 1766 and a manual zoom control ring 1763, which may have the option of coupling to the camera's own zoom control switch. The cartridge 1768 may include an optical flat as a sealing mechanism 1767 to seal the cartridge 1768. Also, the barrel 1768 may be adapted for quick-mount attachment to the macro lens unit 1780. Various barrel lengths may be implemented to suit different formats. For example, there may be one unit suitable for 35mm film and another suitable for other formats. In one embodiment, barrel 1768 and beveled prism 1772 may be approximately 300mm long and waterproof so as to be submersible.

A diagonal dispersion prism 1772 is coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel 1768. In this embodiment, the prism member 1772 is a 60 degree oblique prism, but prisms of other angles may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The negative lens unit 1770 is placed on the inclined surface of the prism 1772 relative to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1768. The barrel 1768 and thus the beveled prism 1772 and the negative lens unit 1770 can rotate 360 degrees. Negative lens unit 1770 can be an aspheric negative lens. While the embodiment of fig. 7 has been described as an oblique angle viewing unit, those skilled in the art will appreciate that another embodiment using a straight front viewing unit as in fig. 6 may also be implemented.

The negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. The unit may comprise both positive and negative lens elements provided that the combination remains negative in overall function. Any one or more positive lenses are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit remains negative.

Additionally, a camera according to embodiments of the invention may be implemented, including an optical lens attachment having a camera zoom lens as described previously, or an optical lens attachment having a macro lens with zoom capability. Examples of such video or film cameras are well known to those skilled in the art.

3.0 overview of Dual-rotator optical lens System

The following embodiments of the invention can provide a large depth of field, rendering foreground and background objects in their focus. This is useful for desktop macro photography.

In addition, the following embodiments of the invention are able to do this with greatly reduced light levels, thereby reducing the total amount of light required and thus saving on lighting costs.

Some embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need to remove a zoom lens or a macro lens from a camera by adding a two-axis swivel optical lens attachment to the zoom lens or the macro lens, thereby saving time in installing the camera. Some embodiments of the present invention simply add to the existing zoom lens or macro lens of the camera, which eliminates the additional optics and their associated costs. The use of a "tele" (part) end portion of the zoom lens can still be used to change the scene size and acceptance angle of the object. Partial zooming can be performed and achieved during the taking of the picture.

3.1 double rotator optical lens attachment

FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement 1800 of a dual-rotator optical lens system 1870 according to one embodiment of the invention. Attachment 1870 may be used with a camera 1810, such as a video camera or film camera. This system 1870 may be implemented as a dual-swivel optical lens for a camera 1810, wherein the camera 1810 has attached thereto a zoom or macro lens 1812 that is aligned with the optical axis of the camera. Examples of such cameras include: sony, JVC, Canon cameras with zoom lenses or 16mm or 35mm motion picture film cameras with zoom lenses. This is merely an example of a camera in conjunction with which this and other embodiments of the invention may be implemented.

Attachment 1870 includes a coupling mechanism 1820 for mating engagement with an existing zoom lens or macro lens 1812 of camera 1810. As shown in fig. 8, the coupling mechanism 1820 in this embodiment is an externally threaded male cylindrical member for engagement with an internally threaded female cylindrical member (not shown) of the zoom lens or macro lens 1812. However, other coupling mechanisms known to those skilled in the art may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the bayonet-type yoke arrangement may be replaced with the threaded male/female coupling mechanism 1820 of fig. 8, with a corresponding adaptation of the zoom lens or macro lens 1812 of the camera 1810.

The system includes an existing zoom lens or macro lens 1812 with a close-up, dioptric supplemental lens 1880. The refractive lens 1880 may be mounted in a zoom lens, or coupled to a zoom lens 1812. Other configurations may also be implemented provided that the refractive lens 1880 is positioned to focus the existing zoom lens 1812 on the negative lens unit 1860 as described below. The diopter 1880 focuses the zoom lens 1812 on the virtual image of the negative lens unit 1860. Otherwise, the macro lens 1812 is focused on the negative lens unit. Zoom lens or macro lens 1812 is a relay lens in system 1870.

The cylindrical housing 1834 is coupled to a coupling mechanism 1820. Optionally, a cylindrical housing 1834 is adapted to receive the embedded filter system 1822 at an end adjacent to the coupling mechanism 1820, which is preferably recessed from an upper surface of the housing 1834, as shown in fig. 8. The cylindrical housing also forms part of the image rotator 1830. Preferably, the image rotator 1830 includes a Pechan prism 1832 disposed within the image rotator 1830. The Pechan prism 1832 is an optical lens element capable of rotating an image. The image rotator 1830 has a rotatable outer jacket coupled with the Pechan prism that can be manually rotated about its longitudinal axis to rotate the image with the Pechan prism 1832. In alternative embodiments, dove prisms (well known to those skilled in the art) may be implemented in the image rotator 1830 instead of the Pechan prism. Dove prisms are reflective prisms shaped from a truncated right angle prism that can reverse the image.

The dual rotation attachment 1870 also includes two rotation mechanisms 1840, which are preferably rotating rings. A rotation ring 1840 couples the image rotator 1830 to an angled (in side view) housing 1842, which may be triangular or primarily triangular in form. Angled housing 1842 has a compensating roof prism 1844 disposed within housing 1842. The prism 1844 may deflect light passing through the angled housing 1842 by 90 degrees while reversing the image. Accordingly, the longitudinal optical axis passing through the image rotator 1830 and the zoom lens (with diopters) or macro lens 1812 is rotated by 90 degrees by the compensating roof prism 1844 so that the optical axis is oriented vertically downward in the drawing, where the longitudinal optical axis is horizontal in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 8, another angled housing 1850 is coupled to the angled housing 1842 via a second rotation ring 1840. In the angled surface 1854 of the angled housing 1850, a front surface mirror 1852 is mounted. The angled housing 1854 is coupled to the negative lens unit 1860 at a surface opposite the mirror 1852. The negative lens unit 1860 serves as an objective lens and is a sealed unit. Any of a number of negative lens elements and/or negative lens clusters known to those skilled in the art may be implemented in the negative lens unit 1860 without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The overall function of the negative lens unit is a negative lens. That is, the negative lens unit causes incident parallel light rays to emerge from the negative lens unit as if the light rays were exiting from a focal point on the incident side of the negative lens unit. Some elements of the negative lens unit may be one or more positive lenses as long as they are low power positive lens elements and the overall function of the negative lens unit 1860 remains negative.

Various multiples of negative lens elements can be used in the negative lens unit 1860, thus enabling selection of the acceptance angle. The negative lens unit 1860 can be implemented in different ways, provided that it remains functionally negative. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the negative lens unit 1860 comprises a negative lens cluster. In fig. 8, the negative lens unit 1860 includes (from left to right): plano-concave lens 1862, biconcave lens 1864, and doublets 1866, 1868. Doublet lenses 1866, 1868 may include a biconcave lens 1866 in combination with a plano-concave lens 1868. The negative lens unit 1860 may be an aspheric negative lens.

The rotation ring 1840, which is located between the angled housing 1842 and the image rotator 1830, allows the negative lens unit 1860, the angled housing 1854, and the angled housing 1842 to rotate about a longitudinal axis extending through the image rotator 1830, which is oriented in a horizontal manner in FIG. 8. Another rotation ring 1840 between the angled housing 1842 and the angled housing 1854 allows the angled housing 1854 and the negative lens unit 1860 to rotate about a vertical axis.

Light rays "coming out" of focus on the incident side of negative lens unit 1860 are reflected 90 degrees (from horizontal to vertical) to compensating roof prism 1844. The prism 1844 rotates the light rays by 90 degrees and inverts the image. The Pechan prism 1832 can be used to rotate the image so that it is a normal (non-inverted) image as is the case at the negative lens unit 1860. Thus, a properly oriented image can always be adjusted (dial up) by adjusting the image rotator 1830. The diopter 1880 focuses the zoom lens 1812 on the image on the incident side of the negative lens unit 1860. The diopter 1880 is not required for focusing the macro lens 1812 on the negative lens unit.

In the foregoing embodiments of the invention, the zoom lens (with diopters) or macro lens 1812 is positioned behind the attachment 1870 and thus does not add weight to the front end of the attachment 1870. In addition, the zoom lens 1812 can adjust the field of view without the need for many expensive objective lenses at the front end of the system 1870. Advantageously, the attachment 1870 remains compact and lighter.

3.2 Another double-rotator optical lens system

FIG. 9 illustrates a dual-rotator optical lens system 1900 according to another embodiment of the invention. Also, accessory 1900 may be used with a camera (not shown), such as a video camera or film camera. With respect to fig. 9, components having the same reference numerals as in fig. 8 are the same components and have the same function or functions or operation or operations unless the intention to the contrary appears. The description of such components and their configuration is not repeated in fig. 9 for the sake of brevity only. Moreover, corresponding modifications and/or substitutions of parts may be made as described with reference to fig. 8. The attachment 1900 includes a negative lens unit 1860, an angled housing 1850 and a mirror 1852, two rotation mechanisms 1840, another angled housing 1842 and a roof prism 1844, and an image rotator 1830 and a Pechan or dove prism 1832. Accessory 1900 may optionally have an embedded filter 1822 as in FIG. 18, or this component may be omitted. The coupling mechanism 1820 of fig. 8 is omitted.

Accessory 1900 also includes a macro lens unit 1910 with zoom capability, which may be, for example, a F2.8100mm macro lens. Next, a macro lens unit 1910 having a zoom capability is connected to a coupling mechanism 1920. The macro lens unit 1910 may be coupled to the image rotator 1830 by a suitable rotation mechanism, in which case the rotation mechanism 1840 between the image rotator 1830 and the angled housing 1842 may be omitted. The macro lens unit 1910 having a zoom capability is not a zoom lens having a macro mode. In this embodiment, the macro lens unit 1910 having a zoom capability focuses on the negative lens unit 1860. This embodiment has a dedicated macro lens unit.

In this embodiment, the embedded filter 1950 may be disposed between the image rotator 1830 and the macro lens unit 1910 with zoom capability. This may be an externally rotatable integral polarizer. The macro lens unit 1910 may include a focus ring 1940 and a manual zoom control ring 1930, which may be selectively coupled to a zoom control switch of the camera itself.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-rotator optical lens system that can be attached to only the existing zoom lens (with diopters) or macro lens of a camera, thereby eliminating the cost of the add optics. The negative lens unit is simpler with a much reduced number of lens elements. Moreover, the total amount of light required for this system is greatly reduced. For example, depending on the maximum aperture available for the zoom lens, an F-range of F2.8 or F4 may be achieved. All controls such as aperture, focus and zoom can be performed on the zoom lens or macro lens of the camera. The dual rotary tilt optical lens system enables greater versatility for otherwise bulky cameras and lens units. The swivel and the shaft of the image rotator may be motorized. This may, for example, complete a repeating sequence of shots. The image rotator can be used to "dutch" (turn the camera one angle) the camera without having to adjust the entire camera or tripod. The effective depth of field of embodiments of the present invention is achieved at much lower light levels than other systems, saving time and money.

Additionally, a camera in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be implemented that includes a dual-swivel optical lens system with a zoom lens or macro lens 1812 of camera 1810 as described previously. Examples of such video or film cameras are well known to those skilled in the art.

Additionally, a camera in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be implemented which includes a dual-swivel optical lens attachment with a zoom lens or macro lens of the camera, or a dual-swivel optical lens attachment with a macro lens of the zoom capability, as previously described. Examples of such video or film cameras are well known to those skilled in the art.

Wide-angle, deep-field, near-focus optical systems, optical lens attachments and cameras including optical lens attachments, dual-swivel optical lens systems and cameras including such dual-swivel optical lens systems have been described. While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure that modifications and/or substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. An optical lens attachment comprising:

coupling means for mating engagement with at least one of the camera and the optical lens;

an elongated barrel coupled at one end to the coupling device;

a negative lens unit coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel; and

a diopter lens disposed between said elongated barrel and said coupling means, said diopter lens, and said elongated barrel all aligned with an optical axis of said attachment.

2. An optical lens attachment comprising:

an elongated canister;

a negative lens unit coupled to one end of the elongated barrel;

coupling means for mating engagement with at least one of the camera and the optical lens; and

a macro lens unit having zoom capability coupled to the other end of the elongated barrel and to the coupling means, the macro lens unit and the negative lens unit being secured at opposite ends of the elongated barrel, the coupling means, the macro lens unit and the elongated barrel all being aligned with an optical axis of the accessory.

3. The optical lens attachment of claim 2, further comprising a sealing device disposed within the elongated barrel at an end opposite the end to which the negative lens unit is coupled.

4. The optical lens attachment according to claim 3, wherein said sealing means is an optical flat.

5. An optical lens attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling means comprises a threaded cylindrical member for mating interengagement with a complementary threaded cylindrical member.

6. An optical lens attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said attachment is a right angle front barrel lens attachment.

7. The optical lens attachment of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a beveled prism member disposed between the negative lens unit and the elongated barrel, wherein the negative lens unit is coupled to a beveled surface of the beveled prism member.

8. The optical lens attachment of claim 7, wherein the beveled prism member comprises a dispersive prism having a mirrored surface.

9. The optical lens attachment of claim 7, wherein said attachment is an angled-view barrel lens attachment.

10. An optical lens attachment according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a rotation means arranged between said negative lens unit and said coupling means.

11. The optical lens attachment of claim 10, wherein said rotation means allows 360 degree rotation of said negative lens unit about a longitudinal axis of said elongated barrel.

12. The optical lens attachment of claim 11, wherein said rotating means comprises a rotating ring member coupled between said elongated barrel and said coupling means.

13. An optical lens attachment according to claim 1, wherein said optical lens is a zoom lens, and said coupling means matingly engages said zoom lens.

14. An optical lens attachment according to claim 1, wherein said camera includes a zoom lens, said coupling means matingly engaging said zoom lens.

15. The optical lens attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated cylinder is a cylinder.

16. A camera, comprising:

an optical lens attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 15.