Abstract: A camera having a vibration correction lens to correct image vibration in the imaging plane, the vibration correction lens being driven within a lens barrel according to the output of a sensor for detecting hand tremor of the camera. The camera also has a memory unit, such as an EEPROM, to store information on the position of the vibration correction lens within the lens barrel, the position of best optical performance of the vibration correction lens and the position of the drive range limits and similar information. Prior to the camera correcting for image vibration, the vibration correction lens is moved to the position of best optical performance, this position being the one where the optical axis of the vibration correction lens coincides with an optical axis of another optical lens system in the camera.

Abstract: An easy loading camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a film cartridge with a protruding film leader, and a leader insertion slit beginning at the cartridge receiving chamber, is characterized by a leader guide supported in a guiding position within the cartridge receiving chamber to guide the protruding film leader into the leader insertion slit before the film cartridge is loaded into the chamber and to be moved to a retracted position to make room for the film cartridge when the film cartridge is loaded into the chamber. Preferably, the leader guide is located in its leader guiding position for the film cartridge to push the leader guide out of the way as the film cartridge is loaded into the cartridge receiving chamber.

Abstract: A high-zoom-ratio real-image finder is provided with an objective lens system including a first lens unit having a positive power, a second lens unit having a negative power, a third lens unit having a negative power and a fourth lens unit having a positive power. Zooming is performed by moving the second and third lens units always in the same direction. A luminous flux restricting member is integrated with a holder for the second lens unit. A zoom strobe unit moves integrally with a holder for the third lens unit.

Abstract: A shield for protecting camera equipment has a hood and a support. The hood is open at a forward end and an aft end and has a self-supporting shape. The support is adapted to be attached to the camera equipment and can support the hood. The hood extends from the support to shield the camera equipment fore and aft of said support means.

Abstract: When a photographic film cassette is loaded in a camera and a rear lid of the camera is closed, a current adjusting circuit supplies a light emitting element of a photo-sensor with a drive current while stepwise increasing the value of the drive current and comparing a maximum value of the output signal from the photo-sensor with a predetermined maximum level. The value of the drive current, at which the maximum value of the output signal reaches the predetermined maximum level, is stored as an optimum current value. Thereafter, photographic film is advanced from the cassette to position each exposure frame in an exposure aperture of the camera, with reference to the position of perforations formed in association with the exposure frames. The position of each perforation is determined based on a rising edge of the output signal from the photo-sensor while driving the light emitting element at the optimum current value.

Abstract: A camera comprises a taking lens having an integral collar, a main body portion including a rigid fixed lens-support for the taking lens, and a front cover portion for the main body portion including an integral lens-surround arranged at least opposite the collar to leave a space between the lens-surround and the collar. The lens-surround can be forcibly depressed into the space towards the taking lens. The resilient lens-retaining means, interconnects the lens-surround and the collar within the space, for urging the taking lens against the lens-support and for providing increased resistance when the lens-surround is forcible depressed into the space to prevent the lens-surround from disturbing the taking lens.

Abstract: The presentation apparatus for photographic data according to the present invention includes: a presentation element which presents photographic data for each frame of a film; an input device; a setting circuit which sets frame numbers which are to be presented corresponding to the photographic data which are to be presented, in response to the operation of the input device; and a control circuit which controls the presentation element to present the set frame numbers and the photographic data corresponding to said frame numbers.

Abstract: A variable viewfinder mask assembly is adjustable to provide three different rectangular mask openings; the first and second of such openings being of the same height but of different widths and the first and third of said openings being of the same width but of different heights. Means are also provided to prevent overtravel of a drive member from influencing the adjustments of the mask openings.

Abstract: A shutter driving system for a camera including a motor gear, an automatic exposing gear, an opening lever, an automatic focusing gear, an automatic focusing ring, and a locking member. The system controls the locking member for accurate automatic focusing.

Abstract: A camera includes a film rewind mechanism that allows manual rewinding of a film spool to a given position. The mechanism includes a one-way clutch that allows the rewind knob to drive the film spool only in a rewind direction. The clutch mechanism has a single arm for transfer of motion between the rewind knob and a spool driver. Use of the single arm clutch allows the rewind knob to be connected with the spool only in a single unique position or phase relation so that the operator can move the rewind knob to an indicated position of the camera body which corresponds with a similarly indicated position of the spool on the film cassette.

Abstract: A mechanism and method used by photographic systems to determine when film has been completely rewound into a film cartridge so that other operations involving the film cartridge can occur, for example, aligning a visual indicator with an appropriate visual exposure icon visible on exterior of a film cartridge. Preferably, the mechanism and method of the present invention are for use in photographic systems that accept film cartridges having a radial bar code contained on a data disk and means for aligning a visual indicator with an appropriate visual icon. The mechanism and method are characterized in that during rewinding of the film, sensing the leading edge of the film causes the number of film spool rotations to be counted. After a predetermined number of rotations have occurred, it is presumed that the film is completely rewound on the film spool and, as a result, a predetermined parking sequence can be initiated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact motion picture film recording camera with a video adapter (16), an insertable cassette and a pivotable view lens, wherein a compact structure is achieved in spite of several functions in that a partially permeable reflecting beam splitter disposed in the view finder beam path reflects a view finder beam component into a view finder outlet on the front end (2) of the camera housing (1), a rearward-reversed eyepiece opening (12) of the viewing lens can be pivoted around the center axis (8) of the view finder outlet (7) between the right and left sides of the camera by means of a hinged lens arm (10) and an eyepiece support hinged thereon, and the video beam path (13) passed by the beam splitter is supplied through a grip base (15) of a camera grip to a video adapter (16) disposed thereon.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film package with a flash unit and a viewfinder optical system, which is thin and contributes to effective and economical automatic recycling operations. The taking lens system of the film package is accommodated in a lens holder incorporated in a photo-taking unit having photo-taking mechanisms, and is held immovably in the lens holder by a lens cover removably fitted on the lens holder by snap-in engagement. The viewfinder optical system is also incorporated in the photo-taking unit. The photo-taking unit is removably attached to a main body of the film package, and the flash unit is removably attached to the main body with its printed circuit board disposed between the photo-taking unit and a front surface of a film supply chamber. A light emitting portion of the flash unit is secured to a lateral side of the printed circuit board, so as to be disposed above the film supply chamber.

Abstract: An automatic film winding/rewinding device and related control method for prevention of film exposure to light due to leaving non-rewound film in a camera for a long time or due to a operator mistakingly opening the back cover of the camera. In operation, the device automatically rewinds the film when the camera power switch is turned off for a long period of time. The device winds the film back to the next frame position when the camera is turned on so that the remaining film is fully utilized. Further, the device allows the film to be rewound if the back cover is opened. The device includes a film number sensor for sensing the perforation number of the film as the film is wound and produces an electric signal corresponding to the number of the perforation of the film.

Abstract: A manual focusing circuit of a camera comprising a rotation ring having a plurality of projections, wherein the ring is manually rotated forward and rearward by a user. The manual focusing circuit further comprises a first sensing element, which is coupled to one of the projections of the rotation ring, for producing a first signal; a second sensing element, which is coupled to another of the projections of the rotation ring, for producing a second signal having a phase difference of 90 degrees against the first signal; a signal stabilizer, which is coupled to the second sensing element, for removing a noise from the second signal to produce a stabilized signal representing a rotation number of the rotation ring; and circuitry, which is coupled to the first sensing element and the signal stabilizer, for producing an output signal representing a rotation direction of the rotation ring based on the first signal and the stabilized signal.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus provided with a setting device that separately sets first data item that is related to the photographic image recording medium and second data item that is related to photographic images of a plurality of frames to be recorded on the photographic image recording medium, a drive device that drives the data recording medium so that data can be recorded on the data recording medium, a recording device that records the data on the driven data recording medium, and a control device that controls the drive device and the recording device in such a manner that the data related to the first data item set by the setting device is recorded in a first recording area of the data recording medium and the data related to a second data item set by the setting device is recorded in a second recording area of the data recording medium for each photographic frame.

Abstract: An attachment for a camera which produces a flash of increased intensity to enable the lighting of objects at great distances. The attachment includes a first housing with a flash lamp and a condensing lens, and a second housing with a diffusing lens.

Abstract: A mechanism, provided in a camera with a cartridge compartment to which a film cartridge having a light-intercepting door is loaded, which opens the light-intercepting door only if a cover of the cartridge compartment is closed. The mechanism has a film detecting lever which detects if a film is fed out of the film cartridge or not; and a switching lever, for opening and closing the cover in association with an opening and closing movement of the light-intercepting door of the film cartridge, whose operation is controlled by a position of the film detecting lever. That is, if the film detecting lever detects that the film is fed out of the film cartridge, the film detecting lever prevents the switching lever from being unlocked from the compartment cover, while if the film detecting lever detects that the film is not fed out of the film cartridge, the film detecting lever allows the switching lever to be unlocked from the compartment cover.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a film magazine chamber and a film take-up chamber disposed on opposite sides of an optical system of a viewfinder. A gear train transmits power for taking up the film between the film magazine chamber and the film take-up chamber. The gear train has a power transmission shaft which extends right and left of the camera body and has a length sufficient to extend across the optical system of the viewfinder, and a recess is formed in the contour of the optical system of the viewfinder as viewed from a side of the optical system. The power transmission shaft extends through the recess.

Abstract: A variable format viewfinder for a camera comprises a pair of masking blades at least one of which is movable relative to the other to change the format of the view through the viewfinder to match the format of a picture to be taken. One of the masking blades has a plurality of format-indicators which are individually uncovered by the other blade each time at least one of the masking blades is moved to change the format of the view through the viewfinder. This permits the uncovered indicator to be seen to identify the format of the picture to be taken.