Abstract: A combination of a camera and a flash unit is provided with a control system for flash photographing. The control system comprises a plurality of signal generating circuits each for converting information to be transmitted between the flash unit and the camera into a signal of a predetermined level with a plurality of detecting circuits each associated with the corresponding signal generating circuits for detecting a signal of a detection level corresponding to a predetermined level, and the signal generating circuits and the associated detecting circuits forming pairs with one of each of the pairs being provided on the camera and the other being provided on the flash unit.

Abstract: In a motor drive device for long-footage film having a first motor for effecting shutter release and for driving a constant-amount film feeding sprocket and a second motor for starting to drive to effect take-up of the film onto a spool upon starting of movement of the sprocket, there is provided a timing circuit for generating a shutter release signal which drives the first motor to effect shutter release immediately after the complete stoppage of the second motor and which effects film take-up immediately after completion of the shutter release. The timing circuit repetitively generates such a shutter release signal at a time interval from the shutter release to the complete stoppage of the second motor.

Abstract: A circuit for integrating a quantity of light in an automatic control type flash unit having flash means for providing flash illumination comprises light responsive means, an amplifier circuit, a high-pass filter, a voltage-current conversion circuit and a capacitor. The light responsive means receives light resulting from the flash illumination and converts the received light into a corresponding electrical signal. The amplifier circuit puts out the electrical signal as an amplified voltage. This circuit also puts out DC and low frequency error voltages. The high-pass filter eliminates DC and low frequency error voltages from the voltage put out by the amplifier circuit and puts out only the voltage corresponding to the electrical signal. The conversion circuit puts out a current corresponding to the voltage put out by the high-pass filter. The capacitor is charged with the current from the voltage-current conversion circuit.

Abstract: An automatic control type electronic flash unit includes flashlight generator, a metering device for measuring the quantity of light emitted from the flashlight generator and reflected by an object to be photographed, a first detector for detecting the output of the metering device and generating a proper output when the output corresponds to a quantity of light which provides a proper exposure, and apparatus for discontinuing the flashlight generation of the flashlight generator in response to the proper output, a second detector for generating an over-exposure output when the output of the metering device related to the quantity of the reflection, by the object, of the flashlight generated during the time from the generation of the proper output until the discontinuation of the flashlight generation of the flashlight generator reaches a predetermined value, and an indicator operable by an over-exposure output to indicate an over-exposure.

Abstract: An automatic stop motion device in a motor drive camera includes a motor for effecting film winding, a power supply including a battery for supplying a current to the motor, a time measuring circuit for measuring the time during which the current is supplied to the motor and for putting out a signal corresponding to the time, and a detector for detecting when the output signal of the time measuring circuit has reached a predetermined value, thereby judging the state of impossibility of film winding and cutting off the supply of current to the motor.

Abstract: In a camera having a light receiving element for receiving extraneous light, an integrating capacitor series-connected to the light receiving element, a control circuit for supplying a stop signal to a flashlight device through a connection cord between the camera and the flashlight device to cause the flashlight discharge tube of the flashlight device to stop emitting when the terminal of the capacitor has reached a predetermined value, and a synchro circuit having a synchro terminal and X-contact, there is provided a coil excitable by a current flowing from the flashlight device through the synchro terminal and X-contact to generate a voltage when the flashlight discharge tube has started to emit, the coil being series-connected to the X-contact, a transistor parallel-connected to the integrating capacitor so that in its conductive position, the transistor enables the capacitor to discharge and in its non-conductive position, the transistor enables the capacitor to be charged, and a switching circuit connec

Abstract: In a mounting device for mounting a flashlight unit to a camera body with coupling established between a base secured to the camera body and a base secured to the flashlight unit, one of the two bases has a protrusion and the other base includes a recess for receiving the protrusion therein, a restraining member having a restraining position for restraining the protrusion and a nonrestraining position for releasing the protrusion, a biasing member biased to retain the restraining member in its nonrestraining position when it is in such position but adapted to release the restraining member upon coupling of the two bases to permit the restraining member to move to its restraining position, a first release member for bringing the restraining member to its nonrestraining position, and a second release member for preventing the restraining member from being moved to its nonrestraining position by the first release member.

Abstract: An electronic flashlight may be removably assembled to a camera. The camera is provided with a mounting member, an indicator lamp for indicating the readiness of the electronic flashlight for flashing, and contact means connected with the indicator lamp. The electronic flashlight is provided with a mounting member for engagement with the mounting member of the camera removably to secure the flashlight to the camera, and contact means. The contact means of the camera and the contact means of the flashlight may automatically be connected together upon assemblage of the flashlight to the camera electrically to connect the indicator lamp with the flashlight. The indicator lamp is located for observation through the viewfinder of the camera.

Abstract: A data photographing system has a flash capacitor which is charged by a power source and discharged through a flash tube in response to a trigger signal for illuminating data, and has a control circuit for producing the trigger signal only if the flash capacitor has been charged to a predetermined voltage level. The control circuit includes a voltage detector, such as a Zener diode, and a synchronizing switch adapted to be closed in response to actuation of the shutter release mechanism of the camera. The control circuit may also include a trigger capacitor which is charged by the power source and which is discharged through the primary winding of a transformer to produce a trigger signal of stepped-up voltage across the secondary winding of the transformer. The trigger capacitor may be discharged directly through the Zener diode and the synchronizing switch or through an SCR controlled thereby.