Abstract: A vibration correcting optical device includes: a vibration detection unit that detects a vibration of the vibration correcting optical device and outputs a vibration detection signal corresponding to the vibration; a vibration state judgment unit that judges a state of the vibration of the vibration correcting optical device to be one of at least three states, based upon the vibration detection signal; an image vibration correcting optical system that corrects an image vibration caused by the vibration of the vibration correcting optical device; a drive unit that drives the image vibration correcting optical system based upon a drive signal; a drive signal arithmetic operation unit that calculates the drive signal based upon the vibration detection signal and outputs the drive signal to the drive unit; and a drive signal calculation control unit that controls a method for calculating the drive signal adopted at the drive signal arithmetic operation unit in conformance to the state of the vibration ascertaine

Abstract: A camera crane having a carriage, a crane post which is arranged above the carriage, and a boom which is attached in such a manner that the boom can be tilted about a crane pivot axis, with sections of the boom extending on either side of the crane pivot axis. At an end of one section of the boom, a camera can be attached, and on the other section, a moment compensating counterweight can be attached. The section of the boom which carries the counterweight has a smaller length than the length of the crane post between carriage and crane pivot axis, and the boom has a pivot range about the crane pivot axis of more than 180°.

Abstract: A microprocessor based strobe controller provides an interface between a digital camera and one or more strobe units. The strobe controller provides interoperability and enhanced user control by enabling the user to vary separately the light output of a variety of strobes of different manufacturers. The strobe controller enables a user to take pictures using digital TTL manual bracketing based on TTL feedback and full manual operation with the ability to adjust light output over a plurality of power levels with any TTL strobe. The strobe controller may be incorporated in a housing for operatively enclosing a digital camera for use underwater or in harsh environments. The housing provides a communication link between the camera and one or more strobes, and includes an intuitive user interface that accesses camera functions, strobe controller functions and gives visual strobe control feedback.

Abstract: A motion picture code evaluator evaluates a transmitted motion picture based on losses caused by a transmission means. The evaluator includes means for testing the frame header of the motion picture code and determining the presence/absence of an error in the frame header to calculate the frame loss ratio per predetermined time. The evaluator further includes means for extracting a motion picture coding parameter contained in the frame header and detecting a variation in the motion picture coding parameter in the predetermined time, and means for summing the motion picture coding parameter and the motion picture coding parameter weighted by the variation in a motion picture coding parameter in the predetermined time to calculate an ideal motion picture information amount in a predetermined time. The motion picture code evaluator thereby obtains an actual motion picture information amount by multiplying the ideal motion picture information amount by 1-frame loss ratio.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus includes a viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and a positive eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a photographing optical system, provided independently from the viewing optical system, for photographing the object image viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a first focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of the object image formed through the positive objective optical system of the viewing optical system; a second focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of an object image formed through the photographing optical system; an interconnection mechanism which interconnects the first focusing mechanism with the second focusing mechanism; and a release mechanism for releasing the interconnection mechanism so that the first focusing mechanism and the second focusing mechanism can operate independently of

Abstract: A stabilizing platform for attachment to the bottom of the camcorder to steady the filming of subjects with the use of fiber optics positioned along the body of the camcorder to transmit remote control infrared signals to an infrared receiving port on the camcorder. The platform includes a two piece bar that is held together with a locking bolt and includes a mounting screw which attaches the camcorder to the top of the platform and also attaches a handle below the platform. The handle has a locking pin to prevent the handle from rotating with respect to the platform. A remote control is attached to the handle. The remote control also can be imbedded into the handle so that the infrared signal can go from the handle directly into the fiber optics thus giving the user instant control of the signal, and improve the quality of the picture. The fiber optic fibers can be attached along a surface of the platform or along the surface of the camcorder by tape or an adhesive.

Abstract: An electronic flash is constructed with the ability to vary both collimation and direction allowing a user to direct the flash to a portion of the subject. Collimation and direction of the flash may be displayed in the viewfinder of the camera and may be independently controlled by the user.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first ring member having a ring frame portion and at least one leg portion which extends from the ring frame portion in an optical axis direction; and a second ring member, which is relatively movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the first ring member, the second ring member having at least one slot which extends in the optical axis direction, the leg portion being inserted into the slot so that the leg portion can move in the optical axis direction along the slot. The second ring member is coupled to the first ring member so that the second ring member is positioned substantially within a radial thickness of the leg portion.

Abstract: A photometric apparatus that enables highly precise backlight evaluation by selecting areas in a photographic frame using geometric data measured by a geometric part and comparing the brightness of a selected area with that of remaining areas. In general, the selected areas are those likely include the main subject. For example, brightness of and distance to the subject are measured in the plural area of the photographic frame. The plural areas are grouped depending on the distance measurements to the subject. Photometric measurements are made for the respective groups using brightness measurements of the subject. One group (the main subject) is selected and the difference in photometric measurement between the selected group and the others is calculated. The evaluation value for evaluating the backlight is changed depending on the position and size of the selected group in the photographic frame.

Abstract: A motion picture code evaluator applicable to motion picture codes such as a scalability code, PB frame code and multi-object code is to be provided.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a detecting unit which detects a vibration to output a vibration signal, an amplifying circuit which amplifies the vibration signal and has a changeable amplification factor, a driving member which drives a lens unit, and a changing circuit which changes the amplification factor depending on whether or not the lens unit is driven by the driving member, thereby making it possible to output a relatively stable vibration signal even when a disturbance vibration occurs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a camera including a correcting optical unit for correcting a camera movement, a calculation circuit for calculating a drive target value of the camera movement correcting optical unit based on a camera movement signal, a computation circuit for computing a light exposure amount to a storage medium, and an exposure amount control unit for, even if the drive target value exceeds a drive threshold amount of the camera movement correcting optical unit during an exposure operation for the storage medium, continuing exposure to the storage medium until it reaches the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving image quality in focusing screens of an optical representation system of a movie camera, having a movably mounted translucent disk in a sandwich structure, a drive device moving the movable disk in the plane of the disk and a stationary disk mounted parallel to the plane of the movable disk with an image field marking. The drive device is connected to the movable disk and moves the movable disk at least temporarily, for instance during the “standby mode” of the movie camera, at a frequency depending on the image frequency of the movie camera, the video frequency of a video reflecting device of the movie camera or motion picture camera or the brightness of the image or subject to be recorded or with a high motion frequency independent of the operating state of the movie camera.

Abstract: A photographing system in which a camera and a flash device cooperate to perform flash photographing and a photographic information transmission system in which a second hand-held terminal such as a flash device is controlled based on a signal relating to photographing that is transmitted from a first hand-held terminal such as a camera to the second hand-held terminal. A unique identification code for identification of the first hand-held terminal or the second hand-held terminal is provided in at least one of the first hand-held terminal and the second hand-held terminal. The second hand-held terminal has a collating program for collating a unique identification code that is transmitted from the first hand-held terminal by using radio waves as a medium with a unique identification code provided in the second hand-held terminal.

Abstract: The camera is capable of appropriate judgment as to whether or not an auxiliary light is to be emitted according to a luminance of a subject to be focused on by basing that judgment on a sensor output used in auto-focusing control. The camera is also capable of judging whether or not an auxiliary light is needed in a short period of time by setting a sensor sensitivity at a high level and of accurate auto-focusing control by setting the sensor sensitivity at a low level when an auxiliary light is to be emitted. When a shutter release button is half pressed, first an R sensor and an L sensor, which are passive type range finding devices are set at high sensitivity to shoot the subject, and a time taken to obtain a prescribed sensor output is measured. According to a length of time so measured, it is judged whether or not to emit an auxiliary light for auto-focusing use.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can take a bright photograph in a dark place. If a light value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, an aperture regulation for a diaphragm is cleared, and the aperture of the diaphragm is set at a value within a range between a first maximum value and a second maximum value smaller than the first maximum value depending on the light value measured by a photometric section, the range including the first maximum value itself.

Abstract: A distance-measuring device has (1) a distance-measuring part that detects the distance to an object through distance measurements at multiple distance-measuring points in a picture and (2) an operating part that excludes distance-measuring points of a group composed of distance-measuring points adjacent to each other with distance-measured values in a predetermined range from focusing target or lowers a focusing precedence when a distance-measuring point adjacent to a boundary of the picture is included in the above group.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes an exposure control unit having an exposure control member; a lens drive unit including a lens drive mechanism which moves a photographing lens group in an optical axis direction; center apertures which are formed in the exposure control unit and the lens drive unit, respectively, at the center portions thereof, which define a lens movement opening when the exposure control unit and the lens drive unit are connected to each other; and a lens support frame which supports the photographing lens group, the lens support frame being provided in the lens movement openings so as to move in the optical axis direction and driven via the lens drive mechanism.

Abstract: A camera system includes a photographing lens having a lens memory and/or a lens controller, and a camera body including a body controller which can communicate with the lens memory and/or the lens controller; a first power and a second power which can be supplied to the photographing lens. The lens memory and the lens controller operate with the first power and the second power, respectively, when the photographing lens is mounted to the camera body. The body controller supplies the first power to the photographing lens to drive the lens memory to read data from the lens memory, and subsequently disables the lens memory and supplies the second power to the lens controller so that the body controller and the lens controller communicate with each other if the body controller determines, from the lens data, that the photographing lens includes the lens controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for restricting and/or prohibiting the use of a portable camera within a predetermined area, the apparatus comprising a first unit (10) mounted in or on a portable camera (not shown). The unit (10) includes a receiver (12) for receiving periodic radio signals (14) from one or more transmitters (16) located remote from the camera within the predetermined area. When the receiver (12) receives a signal (14), it activates a disable module (18) which disables one or more of the functions of the camera while it is within the predetermined areas. The apparatus may also include a GPS tracking system (20) for tracking the location of the camera and/or an alarm module (22) for emitting an alarm in response to receipt of a signal (14) from a transmitter (16).