Abstract: To provide a photosensitive material exposure apparatus which is easy for soft focusing exposure. A liquid crystal light regulation member 72 capable of holding light transmission and scattering functions reversibly is disposed between a light source 54 and paper 12. Original image light from a negative film 10 is made to pass through the liquid crystal light regulation member 72, so that the paper 12 is exposed to the light which has passed through the liquid crystal light regulation member 72. The relation of haze (%) with the ratio B/A of the distance B between the liquid crystal light regulation member 72 and the paper 12 to the distance A between the negative film 10 and the paper 12 is represented by B/A<0.3-0.0025 H, preferably, B/A<0.3-0.0029 H. The light transmission and scattering functions can be held wholly or partly or for every pixel by controlling current conduction to electrodes, so that the liquid crystal light regulation member 72 can be made to serve as a soft focusing filter.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention uses a register light unit to facilitate manual alignment of master photographic images on a flexible carrier sheet. The carrier sheet and master images are positioned relative to a photosensitive screen using a vacuum contact plate that receives a screen frame in tight registration using a substantially planar surface for supporting the flexible carrier sheet with master images thereon. Vacuum is drawn around the screen to develop a pressure differential across the carrier sheet to urge the master images thereon into surface contact with the photosensitive screen during exposure to a source of illumination. Work stations include storage bins for prepared screens and master films to expedite processing through an exposure unit that includes a vacuum contact plate which is mounted to translate between a load/unload position outside of a housing and an exposure position inside of a housing that shields an operator from radiation from the source of illumination.

Abstract: An imagesetter of the "internal drum" type for producing an image on a flexible section of photosensitive material. The section of material has a first end, an opposite second end and substantially parallel side edges extending between the first and second ends and delimiting between them the image area of the section. The imagesetter retains the section of material in a substantially cylindrical configuration in such a way as to provide physical contact with the section along the edges and on opposite sides of the line of scan. The scanning mechanism comprises a reflector, arranged to rotate about the central cylindrical axis, for deflecting an axial beam radially outward to the image area.

Abstract: A single-use camera has a main body with a lens opening for a taking lens and a cassette chamber which contains a film cassette. According to the invention, a front cover light-tightly seals the cassette chamber and has a lens holder for holding the taking lens in place relative to the lens opening, but can be separated from the main body to access the taking lens and to open the cassette chamber for removing the film cassette from the cassette chamber.

Abstract: A a photographic camera capable of taking various size exposures comprises a back frame opening for making a full size exposure on a film in the camera, and respective masking blades supported for pivotal movement between a masking position for masking corresponding portions of the back frame opening to allow only a reduced size exposure to be made on the film and a non-masking position not masking the corresponding portions of the back frame opening to allow a full size exposure to be made on the film. The masking blades are connected via a rigid connecting ink having overcenter spring means, located substantially midway between the masking blades to divide the connecting ink into two similar length rigid ink segments, for applying respective forces in opposite directions to the link segments to pivot the masking blades to their masking and non-masking positions. Preferably, the masking blades and the connecting ink including is overcenter spring means are integral to be unitary or one-piece.

Abstract: A reversible, deformable camera carrying case is disclosed wherein the latch for closing the case is formed by two flaps that wrap around the lenspiece. This case is especially useful for holding a camera having a longer lens. A clipping device attached to the case to ensure the camera is not separated from the case is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for translating motion of an operator's wrist and arms into controlled movement of a motion picture camera or other instrument comprises a mounting plate, a pair of spaced outer yokes coupled thereto, a pivotal inner member pivotally mounted within each of the outer yokes at opposed pivot points defining a pivot axis, and a pair of hand grips rigidly mounted within the inner members at a selected angle to the pivot axis. The outer yokes are preferably open rings having a pair of free-ends, and the inner yokes are preferably closed rings.

Abstract: A reflector is supported for movement between a direct flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed and an indirect flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination onto a nearby surface and thence directly towards a subject to be photographed. The reflector has an integral reflective portion that is substantially smaller than, and fixedly angled with respect to, the remainder of the reflector to reflect a substantially minor percentage of light output from a source of illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed when the reflector is in its indirect flash position, whereby combined direct and indirect illumination of a subject to be photographed can be achieved.

Abstract: A digital sound system for motion picture films employs a digital time code on the film to trigger the transfer of sound data from a digital audio store to a FIFO memory. The digital audio data is read out from the FIFO memory and played back in the theater at a constant rate, with any jumps in the digital time code handled by making a corresponding jump within the digital audio store but not in the FIFO memory. Readout from the FIFO memory and clocking of the digital-to-analog converters (DACs) used for theater playback is synchronized to the AC mains that powers the theater projector, and thus allows for an uninterrupted audio playback even if time code entries on the film are obliterated. The FIFO memory need only have enough capacity to accommodate the maximum audio store access time, and can be quite small.

Abstract: A microlithographic projection imaging system has an illuminator optical system and an objective imaging system, and an adjustable profiler or energy distributor in the illuminator optical system varies the numerical aperture of the illuminator, for varying the partial coherence of the projection imager. The adjustable profiler can be a diffuser, a binary optic, a hologram, or a fly's eye lens that is axially movable in a non-collimated region of the illumination path for imposing a predetermined angular profile on each of a multitude of fragments of the illumination. This changes the distribution of the illumination energy at the pupil of the illuminator and thus varies the numerical aperture and the angular energy profile of the illumination arriving at the objective imaging system, which is also preferably made uniform in spatial intensity by a uniformizer in the illuminator upstream of the pupil.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing strips of a photographic tape material whose surface is at least partially coated with, for example, an emulsion. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes means for determining the position of the side of the strip with the coated surface. In a first case, in which the side with the coated surface is in a desired position, a switch guides the unmodified strip onward for further processing. In a second case, in which the side with the coated surface is not in the desired position, the switch automatically guides the strip into a turning device before the strip is further processed.

Abstract: In a reader printer, an upper unit for a printer is made to be rotatable toward an upper unit for a reader, both of which are provided on a lower machine box. The upper reader unit includes a screen for displaying an image. The upper unit for the printer rotates to enter a space in the upper reader unit behind the reflecting member closest to the screen so that a predetermined opening is provided between the lower machine box and the upper printer unit to expose the inside of the apparatus.

Abstract: A film-to-tape transfer apparatus suitable for transferring images from movie film, slide film, photograph and the like which includes a case body having a bottom plate therein, a rotary shaft rotatably installed on the bottom plate and having a manipulating knob mounted on the top portion thereof, a supporting member secured to the rotary shaft, a reflecting mirror attached to the supporting member, a glass screen unit provided on the rear side of the case body, a macro-lens provided on the left side of the case body, a fluorescent lamp installed at the right portion inside the case body, a transparent and pushing plate provided on the right side of the case body and slightly spaced with each other for receiving a photograph to be recorded, and a sound mixing unit for controlling the sound to be recorded on the video tape.

Abstract: A negative stage comprises a generally flat lower platform and a generally flat upper platform, each of the platforms includes an aperture for allowing passage of light through the platform from a light source in the enlarger.The platforms are aligned in a face-to-face relationship with the apertures generally in alignment. The platforms are spaced-apart by at least three adjustable support-members extendable in a direction generally perpendicular to the platforms for adjusting spacing and alignment of the platforms. In one embodiment The upper platform is retained in contact with lower platform by spring loaded plungers. The spring loaded retaining arrangement allows relative movement between the platforms for alignment while still retaining the platforms firmly in contact with the support-members.A light-baffle arrangement prevents light leakage between the platforms.

Abstract: When moving frames are incorporated in a fixed frame and a cam ring, the lens barrel according to this invention is ready for fitting cam followers of the moving frames in the fixed frame or a plurality of moving cain grooves disposed on the cam ring irrespective of the number of moving frames to be incorporated, thus inserting the cam followers in the moving cam grooves by way of a single assembling cam groove. Accordingly, an assembling work of the moving frames in the fixed frame and the cam ring will be greatly facilitated and in an arrangement for which the moving cam grooves are provided on the cam ring, since the cam grooves may be bottomed cam grooves, a high rigidity cam ring will be realized. The lens barrel is further provided with a barrier closing assembly for selectively covering and uncovering an object end of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A data printing apparatus of this invention controls the emission timing or the emission interval of a light-emitting means on the basis of a signal according to traveling of a sheet film along a traveling path so as to print data free from blurring of characters or a variation in interval between characters on the sheet film having no perforations. After an exposure operation is ended, the apparatus feeds the sheet film from an exposure position along a spool wall. Light corresponding to digital numerals representing a date is emitted by light-emitting elements, and the date to be printed by the light-emitting elements is focused on the sheet film by an optical system. The date on the sheet film is printed during traveling of the sheet film along the spool wall.

Abstract: The present invention aims at improving the durability of a very high-speed shutter exceeding 1/8000 sec and further attaining a very high shutter speed even with sectors composed of a material exhibiting a low rigidity. For this purpose, a focal plane shutter device comprises: first and second blinds each constructed of a plurality of sectors; and a light shielding plate having an opening and an intermediate plate disposed between the first blind and the second blind. The first and second blinds are run in the facial direction of the light shielding plate so as to cover and expose the opening. The light shielding plate and the intermediate plate are bonded, or a shock absorbing member is interposed between these two plates.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus of a mirror having a reflecting surface located in an optical path of a view finder. The apparatus includes a casing to which the mirror is attached, a mirror adjusting mechanism which is movable between a fixed state and an adjustable state in which the mirror is rotatable about an adjusting axis passing through the reflecting surface of the mirror. The fixed state corresponds to a design position of the mirror with respect to the casing. The mirror adjusting mechanism is brought to the fixed state upon attaching the mirror to the casing without effecting an adjustment of the mirror adjusting mechanism. The design position is within a range of angular adjustment corresponding to the adjustable state of the mirror adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: An instant photocopying apparatus has a rod lens array for imaging fine areas of a manuscript on a photosensitive surface of an instant film. The apparatus has a carrier which is movable in a direction parallel to the manuscript. A flourescent lamp illuminates the manuscript. A filter holder is mounted to the lower end of the carrier, and an optical filter is provided for covering a light incidence portion of the rod lens array. The filter is removably mounted so as to enable changing the exposure and tint of the photosensitive surface of the instant film by mounting or dismounting the filter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mount portion which permits a cassette containing a plurality of stacks of sheets arranged side by side in rows to be mounted to the image forming apparatus; a feeder for feeding sheets side by side in a state where the cassette is mounted to the mount portion; an imaging assembly for forming an image on each of the sheets being fed side by side; a sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet contained in the cassette for each row; and a control unit for, when the absence of a sheet is detected in any of the rows, stopping at least an image forming operation along a corresponding transport path. Accordingly, even if all the sheets run out in any one of the rows, the corresponding transport path and the like can be prevented from getting smeared due to the image forming operation carried out despite the fact that no sheets are being fed.