Abstract: A lens barrel which includes: a cam ring having a plurality of cam slots; a follower barrel on which the cam ring is slidably fitted; a plurality of follower projections formed on the follower barrel to be respectively fitted in the plurality of cam slots; a plurality of ring members respectively fixed to the plurality of follower projections to each project outwardly from an outer periphery of the cam ring in a radial direction; a plurality of washers respectively held between the plurality of follower projections and the plurality of ring members, each of the plurality of washers being formed to have a diameter larger than a width of a corresponding one of the plurality of cam slots so that at least a rim of the each of the plurality of washers contacts the outer periphery of the cam ring.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting the rotational torque of a screw mechanism including a frictional member which is positioned between a lens frame and a lens frame holder. The frictional member can be made of natural fiber, sponge, rubber, or styrene foam.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the axial position of a lens includes a lens frame which holds the lens, and a lens frame holder which holds the lens frame to allow movement in the optical axis direction. A plurality of split screw engaging portions are provided between the lens frame and the lens frame holder, so that the lens frame and the lens frame holder are capable of being fitted together without rotating and are screw engagable with the split screw engaging portions.

Abstract: A lens holding structure used in a camera is provided having a rectangular photographing aperture. The lens holding structure includes a lens and a lens holding member for holding a lens. The lens is formed having a pair of flat surfaces, parallel to each other, and parallel to a longitudinal boundary of the photographing aperture. The lens holding member has a lens holding sleeve and a pair of lens engaging arms. When the lens is fitted into the lens holding sleeve, the lens engaging arms contact the pair of flat surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: A lens advancing mechanism which includes a stationary barrel having a linear guide groove arranged parallel to an optical axis, a ring rotatably coupled on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed barrel and a lens supporting member having a guide portion which is received in the linear guide groove. The ring has at least one lead groove formed on its inner surface and the guide portion has at least one protrusion which is received in the lead groove of the ring. When the ring is rotated, the lens supporting member is moved along the linear guide groove.

Abstract: A diaphragm apparatus of a lens includes a diaphragm opening and closing ring and a diaphragm supporting ring for supporting a plurality of diaphragm blades and for opening and closing a diaphragm aperture in accordance with the relative rotation of the diaphragm blades. A diaphragm value setting ring sets a diaphragm value. A releasing member is actuated upon a release of a shutter to rotate the diaphragm opening and closing ring to thereby stop-down the latter. A cam mechanism operates in associated with the rotation of the diaphragm value setting ring to restrict the angular displacement of the diaphragm opening and closing ring into the stopping-down direction, and a stopping-down mechanism rotates the diaphragm supporting ring into the stopping-down direction in association with the rotation of the diaphragm value setting ring in a first angular range from a full open position of the diaphragm value setting ring to a predetermined intermediate diaphragm value thereof.

Abstract: A diaphragm apparatus of lens includes diaphragm opening and closing ring and a diaphragm supporting ring for supporting a plurality of diaphragm blades and for opening and closing a diaphragm aperture in accordance with the relative rotation of the diaphragm blades. A diaphragm value setting ring sets a diaphragm value. A releasing member is actuated upon a release of a shutter to rotate the diaphragm opening and closing ring to thereby stop-down the latter. A cam mechanism operates in association with the rotation of the diaphragm value setting ring to restrict the angular displacement of the diaphragm opening and closing ring into the stopping-down direction, and a stopping-down mechanism rotates the diaphragm supporting ring into the stopping-down direction in association with the rotation of the diaphragm value setting ring in a first angular range from a full open position of the diaphragm value setting ring to a predetermined intermediate diaphragm value thereof.

Abstract: In a camera, a shutter unit is mounted to a movable lens system for movement therewith along an optical axis. An annular member is arranged between the shutter unit and a camera body, for moving the shutter unit. A control signal from a control unit within the camera body is supplied to the shutter unit through a flexible element. The flexible element is turned back plurality of times within a space defined by the annular member so as to have at least two first and second turned-back portions spaced away from each other along the optical axis, whereby the flexible element has at least three sections including a first section extending between the shutter unit and the first turned-back portion, a second section extending between the first and second turned-back portions, and a third section extending between the second turned-back portion and the control unit. These sections overlap with each other in a direction normal to the optical axis.

Abstract: In an autofocus camera, at least one lens of a photographing lens system serves as a focus lens which is reciprocatively moved by a drive unit along a predetermined optical path. A detector detects a position of the focus lens in the lens system. On the basis of the detected position, a calculator calculates a correction amount of a spherical aberration of the lens system. A controller controls the drive unit on the basis of the calculated correction amount so as to cause the drive unit to move the focus lens to a position where the spherical aberration of the lens system is corrected.

Abstract: A lens barrel having a front lens group frame axially movable along its optical axis is stabilized by means of spring elements which urge the frame in a radial direction to a stable position. A rear lens group frame is subsequently radially adjusted so that the optical axis of the rear lens group is in alignment with that of the first lens group.

Abstract: A lens holding system is provided for the rear lens system of a camera lens arrangement having front and rear lens systems divided by a shutter housing. The lends holding system includes a first lens holder for biasing the rear lens system in a first axial direction, a second lens holder for biasing the rear lens system in a direction opposite the first axial direction, the first and second lens holder including respective first and second coupling parts extending from peripheral portions of the respective lens holders for interengagement and for supplying the biasing through elastic deformation of at least one of the first and second coupling parts.

Abstract: A camera comprises a camera body and first and second lens assemblies interchangeably insertable into the camera body. Each lens assembly has a displaceable actuator, a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the actuator and a transducer for generating a first signal representative of the displacement of the actuator. In the camera body, there is generated a second signal representative of the desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure. The first and second signals are compared and the actuator of the lens assembly inserted in the camera body is displaced responsive to the comparison to stop down the diaphragm from the maximum aperture value toward the minimum aperture value until the first and second signals assume a predetermined relationship. The diaphragm of the second lens assembly is maintained at the maximum aperture value during an initial portion of the displacement of the actuator.

Abstract: A camera has a displaceable actuator in a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture value and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the actuator. A first signal representative of the displacement of the actuator is generated. A second signal representative of a fraction of an exposure quantity dependant on film sensitivity and subject light is generated. Responsive to the second signal, the exposure time of the camera is set. At least partially responsive to the second signal, a third signal representative of the desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure is generated. The first and third signals are compared. Upon shutter release, the actuator is displaced and the diaphragm is maintained at the maximum aperture value during an initial portion of the displacement of the actuator to compensate for the characteristics of the particular interchangeable lens connected to the camera body.

Abstract: An interchangeable objective with a variable lens aperture for a photographic camera has a stationary support member and a diaphragm-operating member that is rotatable about an axis between first and second angular positions relative to the stationary support member. A first spring-loaded locking pin is located in the stationary member in a first plane perpendicular to the axis. A second spring-loaded locking pin is located in the stationary member circumferentially spaced at an angle to the first pin about the axis and in a second plane perpendicular to the axis. The second plane is spaced from the first plane in the direction of the axis. As a result, the distance between locking pins is greater than the angular distance of rotation of the diaphragm-operating member between the end of the M-range and the A-position.

Abstract: A compensator system for diaphragm control in a single-lens reflex camera of interchangeable type having an exposure control circuit responsive to the position of a lever that is operatively coupled to the diaphragm according to a preset position of a diaphragm preset ring. The exposure control circuit is regulated for compensating any errors in illumination intensity in a film plane provided by individual interchangeable lenses and errors in illumination intensity provided by photometric operation through respective lenses mounted on a camera in relation with a specific position of a light receiving element contained in a photometric circuit. A diaphragm preset ring has on the periphery thereof an indication for the automatic diaphragm control at a predetermined angular distance from an indication for the fully closed diaphragm value of an associated lens.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a camera body and an interchangeable lens assembly engagable with the camera body. A diaphragm having an adjustable diaphragm value in the lens assembly is adjusted upon shutter release. The diaphragm value is sensed in the lens assembly during adjustment and a first signal representative of the sensed diaphragm value is transmitted to the camera body. In the camera body the sensed diaphragm value is compared with a desired diaphragm value responsive to the first signal. Responsive to the comparison, adjustment of the diaphragm value is arrested to establish the desired diaphragm value. To sense the diaphragm value, a light transmission path is established between a light source and a light receiver. The light transmission path includes a first optical grating mounted on a movable diaphragm actuating member and a second optical grating mounted on a stationary member.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body with a lens receiving mount, an interchangeable lens having a mount removably engageable with the camera body mount, and a plurality of information transmitting elements. The plurality of information transmitting elements comprise a light source in the camera body, light receivers in the camera body corresponding to the respective elements, optical fibers in the camera body corresponding to the respective elements for coupling light from the source to the lens receiving mount and from the lens receiving mount to the receivers, and light transmitters in the lens for returning light associated with the optical fibers of selected elements to the light receivers of the selected elements. The selected elements represent information transferred from the lens to the camera body.

Abstract: A camera body having a camera body and an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body has an improved contact arrangement between camera body and lens. A lens mount has a first flat surface, a camera mount engages a lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, and the camera mount has a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount. One or more first electrical contacts in the lens mount are movable normal to the first surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface. A spring urges the one or more first contacts toward the extended position.