Abstract: A variable-exposure-size camera has an aperture member which defines an aperture through which a photographic film positioned behind the aperture member is exposed to light passing through a taking lens, and a pair of mask members which are disposed between the aperture member and the taking lens and are moved up and down toward and away from each other to change the effective upper and lower edges of the aperture, thereby narrowing the effective opening area of the aperture. The lower edge portion of the upper mask member and the upper edge portion of the lower mask member are bent toward the film surface so that the extreme edges of the edge portions which respectively define the upper and lower edges of the effective opening area of the aperture are positioned near the film surface.

Abstract: A variable focal length camera is provided with a built-in flash unit having a wide illuminating angle, and an external flash unit having a narrower illuminating angle can be externally attached to the camera. When the taking lens is set in a short focal length region, the external flash unit is used for pre-emission prior to an exposure so as to prevent the red-eye phenomenon, and a built-in flash unity is used for main-emission during the exposure. When the taking lens is set in a long focal length region, the built-in flash unit is used for the pre-emission and the external flash unit is used for the main-emission.

Abstract: A warning device to be incorporated for giving a warning or attention-getting statement in synthesized human speech to call the attention of a photographer to the need to correct the condition of the camera. The warning device includes a power supply which is adapted to operate upon receiving a warning signal provided corresponding to the occurrence of a camera condition to be warned against and a delay circuit for delaying the warning signal. The power supply is adapted to allow the power supply to an amplifier connected between an acoustic signal generating circuit and a speaker immediately upon receiving the warning signal. The delay circuit directs the warning signal to the acoustic signal generating circuit with a certain delay time at least equal to the time in which the amplifier becomes stable in its operational state for the successful synthesis of acoustic signals.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with a pair of data printing systems. The first data printing system is arranged to print an image of data-representing characters along one of the longer sides of the image frame of the film so that the characters are printed on the printed photo in the same orientation as the subject matter of the photo when the photo is taken with the camera body held in its normal position. The second data printing system is arranged to print an image of the data-representing characters along one of the shorter sides of the image frame so that the characters are also printed on the printed photo in the same orientation as the subject matter of the photo when the photo is taken with the camera body held sideways with the shorter sides of the image frame oriented horizontally.

Abstract: When a photographic camera is set to take a picture using a strobo, depression of a shutter release button of the camera is prevented until the charge stored in a capacitor for the strobo reaches a required level to flash a strobo discharge lamp. A shutter lock means includes a mechanical locking lever, an electromagnetic lock releasing means and a control circuit for controlling the electromagnetic lock releasing means. The mechanical locking lever is located at a lock position where it prevents depression of the shutter release button when the camera is set to take a picture using the strobo, and is held in the lock position until the electric charge stored in the capacitor reaches the required level by the attractive force of an electromagnet of the electromagnetic lock releasing means.