Camera with film chamber for selective loading of film roll or cartridge and method of selective loading

Abstract

A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber.

1 . A method of loading film into a camera assembly comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a camera assembly having a main body and a back cover, the back cover operatively engaging the main body so as to form in part a light-tight film casing; 
 the light-tight film casing including a cartridge chamber and a film chamber, each of the chambers being defined by at least the main body section and the back cover section, the film chamber being defined at an upper end by an upper wall of the main body and at a lower end by an endcap assembly, wherein the chambers are disposed on opposite sides of a taking lens supported on the main body;  
 the endcap assembly including at least a shutter support plate with an aperture extending therethrough and with a shutter blade mounted thereon, the shutter blade being movable between a first position, in which the aperture is substantially closed, and a second position, in which the aperture is substantially unobstructed;  
   (b) providing a DCS film system including film, a primary cassette and a secondary cassette, wherein at least a first portion of the film is housed within the primary cassette and a second portion of the film is housed within the secondary cassette;    (c) inserting the primary cassette of a DCS film system into the cartridge chamber;    (d) inserting the secondary cassette of the DCS film system into the film chamber between the upper wall and the endcap assembly;    (e) operatively engaging the back cover and the main body so as to form a light-tight film casing, wherein the DCS film system is enclosed light-tightly therein.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the film chamber is sized such that, when the secondary cassette is inserted in the film chamber, the secondary cassette contacts an inner face of the endcap assembly of the film chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the film chamber is sized such that, when the secondary cassette is inserted in the film chamber, the secondary cassette is substantially adjacent to an inner face of the endcap assembly of the film chamber.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the film chamber is sized such that, when the secondary cassette is inserted in the film chamber, the secondary cassette is spaced from an inner face of the endcap assembly of the film chamber.