COMPACT EQUIPMENT FOR EXTREME MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment that comprises a base (5) configured to support at least one camera (2); a platform (3) on the base (5) capable of moving relative to same and configured to support at least one subject to be photographed; a lighting unit (4) installed at least on the platform (3) of the camera-support module (1), capable of moving so as to orient towards the subject to be photographed; a mobility unit which comprises at least one induction motor that controls the movement of the platform (3) on the base (5) and which has a first part provided on the base (5) and a second part provided on the platform (3) so that the movement of the first part relative to the second part moves the platform (3) relative to the base (5). The camera (2) comprises a metrology lens.

Claims

1. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography, characterized in that it comprises: a base (5) configured to support at least one camera (2) on its fixing module (1); a camera (2); a platform (3) provided on the base (5) and capable of moving relative to same, and said platform (3) is configured to support at least one subject to be photographed; a lighting unit (4) installed at least on the platform (3) or the module (1) and capable of moving so as to orient towards the subject to be photographed; a mobility unit which comprises at least one induction motor that controls the movement of the platform (3) on the base (5).

2. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 1, characterized in that the induction motor comprises a first part provided on the base (5) and a second part provided on the platform (3) so that the movement of the first part relative to the second part moves the platform (3) relative to the base (5).

3. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a metrology lens with working distance of at least 25 mm configured to be coupled to the camera (2).

4. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises an extension tube configured to couple the metrology lens to the camera (2).

5. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the platform (3) there is an at least two-axis positioner on which the subject to be photographed is placed and it is capable of moving on up to five axes so that upon changing its position, the orientation of the subject relative to the camera (2) changes.

6. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 5, characterized in that the positioner is a five-axis positioner.

7. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (4) comprises at least one LED diode (light-emitting diode) having a size comprised between 3 mm and 5 mm.

8. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises between 20 and 200 LED diodes.

9. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the LED diodes emit light of any wavelength of the magnetic spectrum comprised between infrared light and ultraviolet light.

10. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (4) integrally moves the subject to be photographed.

11. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lighting unit (4) moves independently of the subject to be photographed.

12. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the LEDs are provided between the camera (2) and the subject to be photographed, in a space corresponding to the working distance of the metrology lens.

13. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the LEDs are provided on a plane of a lamp or in a unit with adjustable lamps (17) mounted on a flexible arm.

14. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the LEDs are provided inside a hollow geometric body, the interior space of which is intended for housing the subject to be photographed and having an opening oriented towards the camera (2).

15. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 8, characterized in that the LEDs of the LED unit are activated independently.

16. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a rail slider (7) configured for millimetric control of the movement of the camera (2) relative to the subject to be photographed.

17. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a PLC programming module (8) configured for control of the movement of the platform (3) relative to the base (1) and to control the actuation of the camera (2).

18. Compact equipment for extreme macro photography according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an extension module with an external base (15), an extension platform with the same measurements as the platform (3), and an additional lighting unit, and being attached to the base (15) by means of guides configured to attach them at a given distance based on the size of the subject to be photographed.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following is depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a view of the compact equipment for extreme macro photography. The camera has not been depicted, and this example shows a light sphere as the lighting source.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary light sphere-type lighting system containing the support of the subject on a five-axis positioner.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the extension module, a piece of equipment that is external to the main unit of the equipment, for photographing subjects of several centimeters (it includes its own lighting system).

[0053] FIG. 4 shows an accessory of the equipment for supporting large-sized subjects which can be installed both in the main unit and in the extension module.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows an accessory of the equipment for use in ballistic photography. The base of the accessory is compatible with the platform of the main unit and with the extension module.

[0055] FIGS. 6A-D show several embodiments of the equipment of the invention with cameras with different optics to enable being adapted to the subject to be photographed.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a photograph of printing ink on a €50 bill (2×3 mm), 10× optic.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a photograph of cellulose fibers in a sheet of paper (2×3 mm), 10× optic.

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a photograph of marks on a bullet caused by the grooves in the barrel of a gun (2×3 mm), 10× optic.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0059] Below, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0060] As can be observed in FIG. 1, the compact equipment for extreme macro photography comprises a base (5) supporting a fixing module (1) of a camera (2), a control module (8), which can be a PLC with a touch screen, and a platform (3) provided on the base (5) and capable of moving relative to same. The base (5) is configured to support at least one camera (2), as observed in FIGS. 6A-D. The platform (3) is configured to support at least one subject to be photographed. Furthermore an at least two-axis positioner, and preferably a five-axis positioner, can be installed on the platform (3) to fix the subject and orient it, a lighting unit (4) (which can be a light sphere for example) and a plurality of accessories.

[0061] It is a compact and portable piece of equipment that can be taken anywhere. This makes it particularly interesting in applications where photographs must be taken of details that cannot be seen by the human eye in a specific place. This may be, for example, the case of fingerprints (even on concave or convex surfaces), organic substances present at a crime scene, minute cracks, and deteriorations of another type present in works of art or antiquities (the prior knowledge of which allows deciding, for example, if they can be moved, how to move them, etc.)

[0062] The positioner, preferably a five-axis positioner, allows the subject to be photographed to be oriented in any direction relative to the camera. In an exemplary embodiment wherein the lighting unit (4) is a light sphere, said sphere contains a group of LEDs between 3 mm and 5 mm in diameter, radially oriented towards the subject to be photographed. The lighting unit (4) provides the advantage of knowing the shadow and light scheme before taking the photograph, unlike what occurs with a flash.

[0063] The equipment may likewise comprise an additional lighting unit with lighting elements which include at least one LED diode and are installed on the platform (3) or on the camera-support module (1). The lighting elements are capable of moving so as to orient towards the subject to be photographed. The lighting unit (4) preferably comprises between 20 and 200 LEDs. Also preferably, the size of those LEDs is between 3 mm and 5 mm. That is, miniaturized LED lighting is used. As they are a plurality of small-sized LEDs, they can be provided according to different spatial patterns (as a result of there being at least 25 mm of space between the optic and the subject to be photographed).

[0064] It also comprises a mobility unit which comprises at least one induction motor. The induction motor is provided under the platform (3) and is configured for control of the micrometric movement of the platform (3) relative to the base (5).

[0065] An essential feature of the proposed equipment is that metrology lenses with a working distance of at least 25 mm are specifically used. Said working distance is more preferably at least 30 mm, and in an exemplary embodiment it is 33 mm for 5×, 10× optics and 35 mm for 20× optics.

[0066] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the equipment also comprises at least one extension tube by means of which the metrology lens is coupled to the camera (2).

[0067] The LED diodes of the lighting unit (4) emit light of any wavelength of the magnetic spectrum comprised between infrared light (IR) and ultraviolet light (UV). This allows images to be obtained that other types of lighting are incapable of photographing, as in the case of samples of an organic origin (blood, urine, semen, saliva, etc.) and inorganic origin (paper, inks, antiquities, etc.). This is not possible with the equipment of the state of the art in which flash is used because the type of radiation cannot be selected. It also represents an advantage relative to the use of lanterns having filters acting on a small amount of light but working on normal light.

[0068] Furthermore, the lighting unit (4) can be moved integrally with the subject to be photographed or can be moved independently of the subject to be photographed. To control the lighting of said subject to be photographed, the LEDs are provided between the camera (2) and the subject to be photographed, in a space corresponding to the working distance of the metrology lens.

[0069] As described above, the working distance is preferably between 30 mm and 40 mm. It is in the space existing between the metrology lens and the subject to be photographed where the lighting unit (4) is preferably provided. The LEDs can be provided in a plane of a lamp or in a unit with adjustable lamps (17) mounted on a flexible arm. In another exemplary embodiment, the LEDs are provided inside a hollow geometric body, the interior space of which is intended for housing the subject to be photographed and having an opening oriented towards the camera (2).

[0070] Furthermore, when the lighting unit (4) comprises a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs can be activated independently of one another. It is thereby possible to select the lamps or sections of the corresponding sphere or geometric figure which are to be activated in order to illuminate the object to be photographed in an optimal manner.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment of the equipment as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6A-D, the lighting unit (4) comprises a light sphere with free space in its interior and comprising at least one opening. Said light sphere is attached to the platform (3) and the subject to be photographed is placed in its interior. The opening of the light sphere is oriented towards the camera (2).

[0072] The spatial arrangement of a large number of LEDs (for example between 70 and 100) inside a hollow sphere 10 cm in diameter, in the center of which the subject to be photographed is placed). Furthermore, the lighting of the LEDs may be controlled by sections independently. Reliable information about what the lighting is like and the intensity thereof on the object is thus provided before taking the photograph.

[0073] This embodiment, which can be observed in FIG. 1, is particularly indicated for cases where the subject to be photographed is of a small size. In these cases, it is essential for shadows not to be produced while shooting the images and this configuration ensures that this will be the case. Since the light sphere is attached to the platform (3), it moves with same and with the subject, ensuring that the lighting unit (4) always remains in the same relative position relative to the subject.

[0074] In this exemplary embodiment wherein the lighting element is a light sphere, the latter is furthermore integral with a support of the subject located on the five-axis positioner, and therefore it is always oriented together with the subject when the five-axis positioner controlling the angle of orientation of the subject is actuated. The support of the subject is any accessory which allows different types of subjects to be fixed on the five-axis positioner. This positioner-support-sphere unit (FIG. 2) allows different types of manipulation, being able to extract/position the subject within the sphere or to remove same for positioning the subject and placing the sphere once the subject is oriented. That is very useful for taking a series of equivalent photographs of various similar objects.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a view of the light sphere. In an exemplary embodiment there are 72 sealed beam, high-intensity LEDs which are grouped in 12 sections of 6 LEDs with independent control for each section. Furthermore, the light sphere may comprise a back accessory configured to install backgrounds and/or to control the backlighting of the subject, which is achieved with a group of independent LEDs installed for this purpose in the back section of the sphere. An embodiment in which the light sphere is mounted on a vertical mover (11) which is connected to the positioner (9) is seen in said FIG. 2. A support for the subject (13) and the subject (12) can also be seen.

[0076] In other exemplary embodiments, the lighting elements (4) are attached to the base (1) and therefore do not move following the same movement as the subject (that is, the movement of the platform (3)). This configuration of the equipment is generally used when the subject has larger dimensions, and therefore 1× optics with control of the focusing ring are used, so the relative optic/subject position does not change during successive photographs.

[0077] Another lighting unit (4) may consist of a lamp which is frustoconical in a preferred exemplary embodiment and could be a conical lamp, a spherical lamp, or a lamp with a parallelepipedic configuration, a surround lamp with 32 LEDs mounted directly on the microscope optic and comprising a sandwich with several layers containing the high-intensity LED diodes in the interior thereof and coupled so as to surround said microscope optic, without interfering with the optic-subject working distance, which is about 33 mm in these lenses having a metrological configuration used in this equipment. This lighting system is very practical for photographing non-bulky (flat) surfaces.

[0078] In other configurations, to photograph bulky objects that cannot be contained inside the sphere of LEDs, the equipment may comprise a plurality of adjustable lamps (17), for example three on each side of the base (1), or six in an extension module (15) for example. The extension module (15) can be observed in FIG. 3 for example, and it is an external unit required for photographing large-sized objects because the camera-subject distance in this case is considerably larger than that required for very small objects. A unit consisting of switches (16) allows the configuration of the lighting scheme on the subject.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises a camera fixing module (6) on which the camera (2) is positioned to be supported on the base (1). This fixing module (6) comprises a rail slider (7) for the fine adjustment of the focus of the first photograph of the series. That is, the rail slider (7) allows the camera (2) to be moved on the base (1) to the specific position in which the first image of interest of the subject is positioned for taking the first photograph. It starts from this position to take the shot of all the consecutive images for stacking. This occurs by moving the subject closer to the optic, so the plane of focus is located increasingly farther back than the previous one (since the focal distance is fixed in microscope optics).

[0080] The equipment also preferably comprises a PLC programming module (8) for programming the movement distance, the location of beginning and end of stroke and other parameters, including the configuration. It is used for example to indicate the type of optic for the system to calculate the forward movement distance between photographs, to select the type of control action corresponding to the mode of use of the system (control of focusing ring or micrometric movement), to select between the possibility of raising the mirror of the camera tenths of a second before taking the photograph or not doing so, and other configuration possibilities.

[0081] The programming module (8) controls the forward movement of the motor, the movement of the mirror of the camera (2), and the shooting of the camera (2). Reflex cameras have an inner mirror to allow the light to alternatively reach the viewer or the sensor. The movement of this mirror causes significant vibrations, so in photographs with a high magnification (magnifying power) it is possible to configure the mirror to move in a first step to subsequently move the curtain of the diaphragm in the absence of vibration, and this is done this way for hundreds of consecutive photographs. Certain camera manufacturers avoid this drawback by means of hardware included in the camera, but this is not common.

[0082] As described above, the movement of the platform (3) supporting the subject to be photographed is controlled by means of an induction motor (based on magnetic fields). In an exemplary embodiment, said motor allows movements of 1 micron with a precision of 0.05 microns, and it is an instantaneous movement. Due to the fact that there is a position control loop that is provided with feedback, movement errors do not build up.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the platform (3) supports a micrometric positioning tower (9) or five-axis positioner, having freedom of movement on five axes (the sixth is the direction of the movement of the subject towards the lens of the camera and it is performed by means of the movement of the platform (3)) for the positioning of the subject. The six possible degrees of freedom are the forward movement of the subject (x), height (y), lateral movement (z), and three rotations on said axes.

[0084] In cases where subjects of a size greater than 24×36 mm (24×36 mm is the size of an FX sensor, which determines 1× magnification) are to be photographed, the distance between the camera (2) and the subject must be greater than the distance used for taking photographs of small-sized subjects. An example could be when an entomologist photographs a butterfly with a span of 10 cm, instead of a small insect, or when the Forensic Science Service photographs fingerprints revealed on a gun, instead of the grooves present on a bullet that has been shot.

[0085] For these cases, the equipment may additionally comprise the extension module described above, with an external base separate from the main base (1). The extension module comprises an extension platform which is equivalent in its dimensions and elements for fixing it to the platform (3) described above, for the purpose of being able to share the same accessories used therein. This extension module contains an additional lighting unit (in addition to being able to share the other systems already discussed) and is intended for being installed at a distance of between 10 cm and 60 cm centimeters from the base (1) and allows the subject to be moved away from the camera (2) by the distance required for a large-sized subject to fit within the entire perimeter thereof.

[0086] A second accessory of the equipment for supporting large-sized subjects which can be installed either on the platform (3) for micrometric movement or on the extension module (15) is observed in FIG. 4. It comprises a work base (19) articulated by means of bearing (18) and allows the subject to be positioned on said work base (19) or on different support fixing parts (20), and it further includes a vertical mover (11) in its lower portion for vertical movement of the unit. It can be on the platform (3) of the main equipment in micro and macro photography up to 1× or in the extension module (15) for large-sized objects for 1× or 1×+ macro photography.

[0087] In another exemplary application of the invention, the equipment comprises an accessory such as the one shown in FIG. 5 for taking extreme macro photographs of projectiles so as to compare the grooves left on their surface after going through the bore of the barrel of a gun and having the ultimate objective of being used in a trial as evidence. The action guideline is strict and the projectile or bullet must be photographed at different angles, rotations, and positions. The accessory shown in FIG. 5 allows a projectile to be fixed and rotated on four different axes. It also includes a micrometric sliding guide on the up-down axis for the correct positioning thereof opposite the objective lens of the camera (2). It likewise comprises a vertical mover (11) for vertical movement of the unit, a lateral mover (21), an element which allows rotation about the z axis (22), an element which allows rotation on the axis of the optic (23), and another element which allows rotation on the axis of the projectile (24).

[0088] In a conventional mode of use of the equipment, preferably micrometric positioning control is used for 20×, 10×, and 5× magnifications (microscope optics), and a standard 1× macro objective lens with focus control is used for 2× and large-sized objects. The possible combinations of standard optics according to the size of the object to be photographed and covering the entire range of different sizes of possible objects (the size of the effective framing for each combination can be seen here) are:

[0089] 20×//Optic—20× and extension tube. Control mode by means of moving the inductive platform. D.O.F. 1.6 microns. 1.2×1.8 mm framing. Work distance 20 mm.

[0090] 10×//Optic—10× and extension tube. Control mode by means of moving the inductive platform. D.O.F. 3.5 microns. 2.4×3.6 mm framing. Work distance 33 mm.

[0091] 5×//Optic—5× and extension tube. Control mode by means of moving the inductive platform. D.O.F. 14 microns. 4.8×7.2 mm framing. Work distance 34 mm.

[0092] 2×//105 mm macro objective lens (or equivalent)+focusing control ring+extension rings (36+20 mm) with focusing transmission. Control mode by moving the focusing ring (without movement). 12×18 mm framing. Work distance 118 mm.

[0093] 1×//105 mm macro objective lens (or equivalent)+focusing control ring. Control mode by moving the focusing ring (without movement). 24×36 mm framing. Work distance 314 mm.

[0094] 1×+//105 mm macro objective lens (or equivalent)+focusing control ring. Control mode by moving the focusing ring (without movement). The 2A extension module is used (accessory support/lighting) which allows the subject to be sufficiently separated from the optic. Framing >24×36 mm. Work distance >314 mm.

[0095] To work with the described equipment, the configuration and suitable optic (according to the above) for the size of the subject to be photographed must first be selected and the subject must be positioned on its corresponding support (directly on the platform (3), on the positioner (9), on the first accessory, on the second accessory, on the third accessory, etc.), oriented and framed using the five-axes micrometric positioning system.

[0096] The optic used for the programming module (8) to determine the spacing between consecutive pictures, that is, the distance in microns the platform (3) will be moved between each shoot, is subsequently selected in the programming module (8). The camera (2) is subsequently moved with the rail slider until finding the first focusing point of the subject, where a point of the subject is in focus for the first time. This point is the start of the series and is selected on the touch screen. The platform (3) subsequently moves with the subject until the entire depth of photographic interest has been scanned; the last point of interest determines the end of the series (the last photograph) and is selected on the touch screen. At this time it is no longer necessary to input more data in the equipment, and all the photographs are taken. The photographs are subsequently stacked by means of suitable software to obtain the final photograph in infinity focus.

[0097] If a standard macro objective lens is used (situation without any movements), the steps to be followed are the same, with the exception of the control system being limited to shooting the series of photographs and the F-Tube ring being in charge of the movement for focusing the camera as discussed.

[0098] The present invention also describes alternative equipment which allows extreme macro photographs to be taken in a portable manner. In this case, the mounting of a 5× or 10× microscope optic on the 1× macro objective lens is considered, with the stacking being controlled in a completely automatic manner with a He/icon FB Tube ring (focus and shoot). For the portable use of the system, the use of an external locking shutter release (in addition to selecting continuous shooting in the camera) has already been described for autonomously taking the series of photographs.

[0099] In this case of portable use, the PLC-based control system is not provided; as a result, to prevent vibrations resulting from the movement of the mirror of the camera (2), the photographs can be shot in display mode in the screen of the camera (which is less suitable since the camera may generate electromagnetic noise due to heating). In this case, as long as the remote shutter release is locked, the mirror will continuously be maintained in its raised position.

[0100] The proposed equipment is proven to be effective and allows extreme macro to be performed with conventional optics. The novelty resides in the fact that by installing a microscope optic such as the one used in this equipment immediately in front of the standard 1× objective lens, it is possible to obtain photographs for the extreme macro technique. That is a considerable advantage since it allows the portable use of the technique, by installing the camera (2) on a tripod, with only the described accessories: the optic system (standard 1× objective lens and a microscope optic) and the FB Tube ring. This is of vital importance for example for the Forensic Science Service, because it allows a portable extreme macro system to be provide which can be used directly at a crime scene without having to transport the medium to be photographed to a laboratory. Up until now, in known documents of the state of the art and related literature it was indicated that this attachment of optics was not possible; however, during the process of developing the present invention it was found that high-quality extreme macro photographs can be taken using this technique.

[0101] FIGS. 7 to 9 show photographs taken with the equipment of the present invention. More specifically, there can be seen in FIG. 7 a photograph of printing ink on a €50 bill (2×3 mm), 10× optic; in FIG. 8, a photograph of cellulose fibers in a sheet of paper (2×3 mm), 10× optic; in FIG. 9 a photograph of marks on a bullet caused by the grooves of the barrel of a gun (2×3 mm), 10× optic.