Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a macro mode operating capability which is disabled in the event predetermined object-distance-information is not obtained which is required for automatically focusing the camera in the macro mode. In this event, the lens is automatically shifted from the macro position to a non-macro position to enable a properly focused photograph to be taken. The shifting of the lens is preferably performed in response to actuation of the shutter release button while the lens is in the macro position, without further actuation of the shutter release button. Further, the camera can be arranged to return the lens to a macro position after the photograph is taken.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a measuring unit for obtaining information related to a predetermined parameter. The measuring unit provides an indication of said information having been measured, which can take the form of an indicator lamp, for example. The measuring unit includes a mechanism for inhibiting operation of the indicator for a predetermined time interval, after the elapse of a time period which is related to the information obtained by said measuring unit. The monitoring apparatus measures the length of time of the time period and provides an indication of the time period measured, preferably in terms of the monitored parameter. The disclosed invention is particularly suited to the monitoring of an distance measuring unit or a photometric unit for an automatic camera so that proper operation of such units can be confirmed without having to disassembly the camera.

Abstract: A waterproof camera having an opening which is formed in a stationary barrel of a camera body and in which a photographing lens barrel is movable in an optical axis direction. A movable waterproofing cover is movable in an optical axis direction to a waterproof position and a non-waterproof position and which is provided on its front end with a transparent waterproof member. A securing device secures the waterproofing cover to the stationary barrel when the waterproofing cover is positioned at the waterproof position, and an annular seal member establishes a watertight connection between the opening and the waterproofing cover when the waterproofing cover is secured to the stationary barrel at the waterproof position.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a panel-reinforcing sheet material having a multi-layered structure consisting of a first layer, a second layer and, optionally, a third layer, the first layer consisting of a foamable composition comprising, as essential components, (A) epoxy resin, (B) a rubber elastomer or a halogen-free powder thermoplastic resin of 150 .mu.m or less in average particle diameter, (C) a plasticizer, (D) a high-temperature-decomposition type blowing agent and (E) a heat-activaiton type hardener for epoxy resin, the component (A)/component (B) weight ratio being 0.2-5, the second layer consisting of a cloth, and the third layer consisting of a thin metal film of 50 .mu.m or less in thickness. This sheet material has good adhesion to oily surfaces and, when subjected to blowing and hardening, gives a sheet of good heat resistance, and can therefore be suitably used for the reinforcement of vehicle outer panel before electrodeposition.

Abstract: A method of controlling the focusing of a zoom lens which has a plurality of lens groups including at least one focusing lens group, wherein an amount of deviation from focus caused by a zoom operation is corrected by movement of the focusing lens group. The method includes setting a reference object distance, at which no deviation from focus occurs during zooming of the zoom lens, at a finite object distance, such that the amount of movement of the focusing lens group necessary to effect focusing is determined based upon a reference position corresponding to a position of the focusing lens group at the reference object distance, in accordance with focal length data and object distance data. The zoom lens assembly includes a stationary lens barrel and a rotatable cam ring which is supported on the stationary lens barrel for movement in the direction of the optical axis while being rotated, and which includes at least two cam grooves.

Abstract: A zoom lens for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter includes a motor for moving the lens along an optical axis in forward and rearward directions. A switch is operable by an operator to control operation of the motor for moving the lens from an initial position on the axis to a final stationary position that establishes the focal length of the lens. Control apparatus is responsive to the setting of the switch for operating the motor such that movement of the lens from its initial position to its final position always ends after the lens travels to its final position in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge 4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a zoom function for changing a focal length of a taking lens and a manual function which is able to select the shutter speed by the manual operation when the camera is in a manual mode, shutter speed automatic changing apparatus automatically changes the shutter speed in the direction for reducing the changing amount of the Full-open Aperture F-number which is changed in accordance with the change of the focal length so that the exposure value becomes a predetermined value in accordance with the reference shutter speed at a time when said reference shutter speed is selected in the manual mode and said focal length is changed by said zoom function.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: An auto strobe camera that gives a clear indication of the status of a strobe charge operation only when the photographer intends to take a picture. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the auto strobe camera includes a strobe flashing unit which emits light when a photometric switch is turned on and an exposure value is below a certain level. The invention includes an indicator unit that indicates that a charging process is going on, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, even though the flash is required to obtain a properly exposed photograph. The indicator unit informs the photographer to wait until the charging operation is finished, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, although the use of the strobe flash is required.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a motor for moving a lens associated with the camera. The motor can be switched between a normal rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The motor is capable of being driven at a plurality of speeds. The camera is also provided with a controller for controlling the rotational direction and speed of the motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a macro mode operating capability which is disabled in the event predetermined object-distance-information is not obtained which is required for automatically focusing the camera in the macro mode. In this event, the lens is automatically shifted from the macro position to a non-macro position to enable a properly focused photograph to be taken. The shifting of the lens is preferably performed in response to actuation of the shutter release button while the lens is in the macro position, without further actuation of the shutter release button. Further, the camera can be arranged to return the lens to a macro position after the photograph is taken.

Abstract: An indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that is able to effectively indicate required information for operating the camera. Such information includes, for example, the frame number of the film in the camera, the focal length of the camera lens, the picture-taking mode, the status of the battery in the camera, and the status of the loading of the film. A display panel constructed according to the invention can display such information within a limited indication space while providing a legible display format. More specifically, the present invention provides an indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that includes an indicator that is adapted to store a first piece of updatable information in a first memory and another piece of updatable information in a further memory. Display priority is given to the first piece of information stored in the first memory.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the charging of a main capacitor of a flash unit. Comparison means detect the timing at which a voltage V across the main capacitor reaches a reference voltage V.sub.1, at which point a flash photograph can be taken. A timer detects whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since the voltage V across the main capacitor reached the reference voltage V.sub.1 so as to stop charging the main capacitor. When the voltage V across the main capacitor drops to the reference voltage V.sub.1, as a result of the phenomenon known as "spontaneous discharge", recharging of the main capacitor occurs and the above process is repeated. When the recharging of the main capacitor has been performed over a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of times, the charging of the main capacitor is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for rewinding a film into a patron. The apparatus has a sensor that detects the presence of the film at a predetermined position along a film advancing path. A detector determines the amount of film that has been rewound into the patron and stops the rewinding of the film into the patron leaving the leader section of the film outside of the patron if the detector determines that less than a predetermined amount of film has been exposed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera which is controllable by an external control unit connected to terminals provided on a camera body. The terminals are connected to signal lines arranged between more than one control unit built in the camera body. One sends a predetermined unrequired data to the other one of the control units through the predetermined signal line. This data is externatlly monitored. Furthermore, predetermined photographing data is indicated on an indicator unit of the camera under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A film advancement control device, particularly for an automatic camera. The device detects the presence of film and further includes an external operating switch which enables at least one predetermined function which is unrelated to advancement of the film, in response to the external operating switch being actuated in a predetermined manner. The device also advances the film in a predetermined manner in response to (i) the detection of the presence of the film and (ii) the external operating switch being actuated in the predetermined manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a strobe which is used in a camera. The strobe control apparatus includes a charging time-limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charging times according to the operating conditions of the camera, and a charging voltage limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charge limit voltages according to the operating conditions of the camera. If the charged voltage of the strobe does not reach the selected charge limit voltage after the selected charging time has elapsed, charging is stopped. The strobe control apparatus also includes a charge prohibiting device for prohibiting charging if a predetermined charge prohibit time has not elapsed after charging is completed, so as to prevent damage to the strobe due to heat generated by frequent flashings. The predetermined prohibit time is changed, however, according to the sensed heat condition of the strobe.

Abstract: An indication control unit for an electronically controlled camera. The indication control unit includes a display for indicating photographic information; electrical power supply for the indicator unit; a film presence detecting device; a mechanism for switching the camera between an operable, picture taking state and an inoperable, non-picture taking state; and a mechanism for disabling the electrical power supply if the camera is in the inoperable, non-picture taking state and the film presence detecting device fails to detect film in the camera. With the present invention, the amount of electrical power that is consumed by the indication control unit, which can include a liquid crystal display, for example, is minimized.