Abstract: A camera includes a taking lens and a variable aperture diaphragm adjustable to provide a relatively large aperture for effecting a relatively shallow depth of field of the taking lens and a smaller aperture for effecting a less shallow depth of field of the taking lens. Also included are manually operated means for selecting a portrait mode when taking a picture of a person and means for adjusting the diaphragm to provide the smaller aperture when the portrait mode is selected, whereby the less shallow depth of field of the taking lens is used to take a picture of a person in the portrait mode.

Abstract: A camera including a combined shutter and adjustable aperture is characterized by resilient means for uniformly dampening oscillations during operation. The combined shutter and aperture includes a stepper motor that drives a plurality of blades between a closed aperture blocking position and a plurality of open aperture defining positions. The blades and stepper motor are coupled by a drive train that increases friction in the drive train uniformly in all positions of the blades. A counter weight is provided for balancing inertial forces on said ring.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a camera having a movable lens mount for supporting a taking lens. The improvement includes at least one light blocking shield which is movable between (1) a panoramic position in which light passing through the taking lens is partially blocked from reaching a photographic film such that a vertically reduced panoramic image can be recorded on the photographic film and (2) a normal position in which light passing through the taking lens is not blocked by the light blocking shield such that a normal image can be recorded on the film. The light blocking shield is automatically moved towards the normal position as the movable lens mount is being retracted into a storage position such that the movable lens mount can be fully retracted into the storage position without interference from the light blocking shield.

Abstract: A light-sensitive, zone focus, passive automatic focus/automatic exposure system for a zoom camera receives light level data and selects flash status, lens focus distance, and exposure setting such that flash illumination is provided at a light level greater than necessary to prevent underexposure but sufficient to provide fill-flash based only on the detected light level. A no-flash mode is provided in which exposure times are increased rather than activating the flash.