Figure 74 shows a type of inclination indicator found in some captured
German cameras. It consists essentially of two small pendulums or
plumb-bobs; one to indicate lateral, the other longitudinal inclination,
arranged to be photographed in silhouette on the plate, as shown in the
lower part of the diagram and in the print from a captured negative
(Fig. 75).
[Illustration:
FIG. 74.—Diagram of inclinometer used in some German cameras.]
[Illustration:
FIG. 75.—Photograph made with German camera, showing inclinometer
record, four points for locating diameters and center of plate, and
(upper right-hand corner) number of the plate sheath.]
Both these devices suffer from the deficiencies of the instruments they
photograph. The compass and the inclinometer, as already mentioned in
the discussion of airplane instruments, only behave normally in
straight-away flying, failing to indicate correctly when the plane is
subject to accelerations in any direction. In general all attempts to
record directional data in the camera are of little promise, unless
either the instruments or the camera are automatically held level by
some gyroscopic device. If the instruments are so controlled, rather
elaborate means for photographing them are necessary. If the camera is
stabilized, the inclinometers are unnecessary, and the compass behaves
rationally.
Another scheme for indicating inclinations, which is not subject to the
above objections, is to photograph the horizon either on a separate film
or on the same sensitive surface, simultaneously with the principal
exposure. The difficulty here is the practical one that it is only
feasible in localities of great atmospheric clearness. Ordinarily,
especially anywhere near the sea-coast, the horizon is too rarely seen
to be a reliable mark (Fig. 4). It is possible, however, that this
objection could be overcome by the use of specially red sensitive plates
and suitable color filters, as discussed in the chapter on “Filters.”
The method would in any case be useless in mountainous country.
The difficulties discussed with reference to direction indicating
instruments of course do not hold with the altimeter. Ordinarily,
though, the altitude changes slowly enough to permit of sufficiently
accurate records being made by pencil and pad. For high precision map
making a photographic record of altimeter readings has a legitimate
claim. As we have seen, a small altimeter is incorporated in the English
F camera, but the bulk which a really precision altimeter would assume
would be a bar to its use in this way. A time or serial number record on
the plate or film, synchronized with a similar record on the film of an
auxiliary camera which photographs the altimeter and other instruments,
may be the simplest way to preserve the majority of the desired data.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account