Limitations In Miniature Tactical Camera Design

John F. Coughlin

doi:10.1117/12.954340

1 September 1975 Limitations In Miniature Tactical Camera Design

John F. Coughlin

Proceedings Volume 0058, Effective Utilization and Application of Small Format Camera Systems; (1975) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.954340
Event: Disneyland, 1975, Anaheim, United States

Abstract

The design of cameras capable of low contrast image plane resolution in the order of 100 line pairs per millimeter is examined in light of a representative tactical requirement. It is observed that the magnitude of uncompensated image motion inherent in tactical operations can readily exceed 100 milliradians per second. The need to achieve high image plane resolution in a high motion environment drives the design solution to optics of large relative aperture so as to enable the use of fine grain but slow emulsions. The preliminary design of a 45-millimeter, f/2 panoramic camera is presented. The camera produces a conventional photographic format on 35-millimeter-wide film with an estimated low contrast resolution of 75 to 100 line pairs per millimeter. While the camera is relatively small in volume and weight, it is not actually miniature due to film spools of about 1 foot in diameter. If wider film widths are used without increasing the focal length and therefore film consumption, image plane resolution averaged over the larger field of view will decrease and satisfactory angular resolution will not be obtained. Accordingly, conventional format cameras of equal angular resolution tend to have near equal spool diameters regardless of film width. An alternative but satisfactory design solution may yet be found in cross format camera concepts where the potential exists for combining wide films, narrow field angles, and relatively high image plane resolution.

Citation Download Citation

John F. Coughlin "Limitations In Miniature Tactical Camera Design", Proc. SPIE 0058, Effective Utilization and Application of Small Format Camera Systems, (1 September 1975); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.954340

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KEYWORDS

Cameras

Image resolution

Spatial resolution

Lens design

Panoramic photography

Imaging systems

Optical resolution

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