Abstract: A flash control device for controlling a slave SB that emits a flash upon receiving an operational instruction via optical communication has a flash emitting part for emitting an optical signal used for the optical communication, and a power supply detecting part detecting the attachment of a power pack. The detection result is transmitted to a camera microcomputer via an SB microcomputer. A communication intensity designating part and a communication intensity determining part decide, based on the detection result received via the camera microcomputer, the intensity of the optical signal to be emitted by the flash emitting part.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a flash unit for applying flash light to a photographic object. An exposure amount changer, such as an aperture stop changing mechanism, changes over object light incident on photo film from the object between low and high exposure amounts. For the lens-fitted photo film unit, a photographic mode selection device includes a movable selector, such as a button, for selectively designating a daylight mode, a daylight flash mode and a night flash mode. The movable selector, when the daylight mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns off the flash unit, and when the daylight flash mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns on the flash unit, and when the night flash mode is designated, determines the high exposure amount and turns on the flash unit.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A front cover covers a front of the main body. An outer cover is secured to a front of the front cover. An auxiliary sheet is sandwiched between the front cover and the outer cover. In a preferred embodiment, a lens-fitted photo film unit is constituted by component part common use of a first lens-fitted photo film unit which includes a first main body, and a first outer cover for partially covering a front of the first main body. The lens-fitted photo film unit comprises a main body constituted by the first main body. An aperture stop changing unit is secured to a front of the main body. An outer cover has a different shape from the first outer cover, and partially covers a front of the main body and the aperture stop changing unit.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: an image capture optical system; a rotary device rotatable from an initial position in a first direction and rotatable from the initial position in a second direction; a protective cover that performs an opening action to expose (uncover) the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the first direction, and that performs a closing action to cover the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the second direction; and an energizing member that returns the rotary device to the initial position.

Abstract: A flash control circuit is provided for a flash circuit having a flash capacitor and a flash illumination device. The flash control circuit comprises a current limiting device in series with the flash illumination device and a bypass circuit in parallel with the current limiting device. The bypass circuit has a first setting that bypasses the current limiting device and a second setting that does not bypass the current limiting device.

Abstract: A compact camera comprises: a main body part having a front and a rear, including upper and lower longitudinally-horizontal partially-cylindrical portions defining rearwardly-open film chambers for a film supply spool and a film cartridge, and another portion between the upper and lower portions defining a rearwardly-open film exposing chamber between the film chambers, to allow a filmstrip to be advanced vertically across the film exposing chamber from one of the film chambers to the other film chamber; a flash circuit board on the front of the main body part, including a flash emission lens at the upper portion; and front and rear cover parts housing the main body part and flash circuit board.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a flash unit for applying flash light to a photographic object. An exposure amount changer, such as an aperture stop changing mechanism, changes over object light incident on photo film from the object between low and high exposure amounts. For the lens-fitted photo film unit, a photographic mode selection device includes a movable selector, such as a button, for selectively designating a daylight mode, a daylight flash mode and a night flash mode. The movable selector, when the daylight mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns off the flash unit, and when the daylight flash mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns on the flash unit, and when the night flash mode is designated, determines the high exposure amount and turns on the flash unit.

Abstract: A flash unit for a camera comprises a bracket, a reflecting member, two fixed members and a flash emission tube. The bracket is disposed inside the camera, and the reflecting member is disposed inside the bracket. The fixed members are integrally formed on the bracket, and the flash emission tube is fixedly disposed inside the bracket by the fixed members. By integrally forming the fixed members on the bracket, the conventional rubber band for fixing the emission tube can be replaced. Since the number of the consisting elements of the flash unit are thereby reduced, its cost can also be reduced. In addition, assembly time can also be reduced.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, a camera exposure control system is provided. The camera exposure control system has a shutter movable during an exposure period through a path of travel between a first position and a second position and a detector to sense the shutter and to generate a signal when the shutter is at a flash trigger position on the path of travel. A flash circuit is provided and receives the signal generated by the detector causing a flash of light to discharge when the signal is received. A stop is also provided. The stop is selectably movable from a location out of the path of travel of the shutter to a location in the path of travel of the shutter. The location of the stop determines whether the detector can sense the shutter during the exposure.

Abstract: Provided is a camera capable of achieving a simplification of an assembly process thereof. The camera comprises a camera body, a gear system for driving a movable barrel of a zoom lens, and a flash tube for illuminating a subject. A flash holding plate holding the flash tube is mounted on the camera body. The flash holding plate is configured so as to hold not only the flash tube, but also each gear of the gear system by sandwiching the gear between the flash holding plate and the front face of the camera body. Thereby, the assembly process can become simpler, and the number of components can be reduced.

Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided with a photographing device for photographing subjects and a notifying device for making an advance notice of photographing with the photographing device. In addition, in a control method for the robot apparatus, an advance notice of photographing subjects is made and then photographs of the subjects are taken. As a result, a picture can be prevented from being taken by stealth, regardless of user's intention, and thus the user's privacy can be protected.

Abstract: Sidewalls of a flash opening formed in a front cover of a camera are processed with the same surface treatment as that of the front cover. A condenser plate is so fitted into the flash opening from a backside of the front cover that a part of the condenser plate is protrusive from and another part is retractive from an outer surface of the front cover. In a place where the condenser plate is retractive, a part of sidewalls are exposed outside. In wildest-angle photography, edges of a flashlight reflector containing a flash discharge tube are moved to a position between the outer surface and an inner surface of the front cover touching a top surface of the condenser plate. Thus, the camera with a zoom flash device is made thinner.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and is a flash built-in type. A booster circuit boosts power source voltage to obtain high voltage. A main capacitor stores charge at the high voltage. A flash discharge tube is connected with the main capacitor, and emits flash light by discharge at the high voltage. A trigger circuit triggers the discharge of the flash discharge tube in response to an exposing operation. A main circuit board has the booster circuit and the trigger circuit mounted thereon. A subsidiary circuit board is connected with the main circuit board, and has a flash quenching circuit mounted thereon. The flash quenching circuit operates in an auxiliary manner, and automatically adjusts the amount of the flash light.

Abstract: In a lens-fitted photo film unit, a flash device has a booster circuit including primary and secondary windings, the secondary winding generating high voltage when power source voltage is applied to the primary winding. A main capacitor is charged by the high voltage in the secondary winding. A flash discharge tube is connected in parallel with the main capacitor, for emitting flash light upon discharge with electric energy from the main capacitor. A trigger circuit discharges the flash discharge tube upon a switching operation. A photo transistor measures reflected light from an object illuminated by the flash light, to output a light amount signal. A light amount control circuit quenches discharge of the flash discharge tube when an integration value of the light amount signal comes up to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A dimming plate for dimming light from an internal flash device of a camera, is disposed on the external flash device of the present invention which is mounted for use on a mounting seat of the camera. A two-lamp-lighting photographing is carried out in a state where the light from the internal flash device of the camera is dimmed by covering a luminescent unit of the internal flash device with the dimming plate of the external flash device. Thereby the two-lamp-lighting photographing can be carried out easily and reliably, where the light emission of the external flash device is used as a main light source, and the light emission of the internal flash device of the camera as a supplementary light source. The external flash device becomes inexpensive because the two-lamp-lighting photographing can be carried out only by incorporating the dimming plate therein without a special sub-luminescent unit disposed.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus including an image capture optical system; a rotary device rotate from an initial position in a first direction and rotatable from the initial position in a second direction; a protective cover that performs an opening action to expose (uncover) the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the first direction, and that performs a closing action to cover the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the second direction; and an energizing member that returns the rotary device to the initial position.

Abstract: A camera with an electronic flash device has a main capacitor mounted on a flash circuit board with striding over a circuit part. The main capacitor has a capacitor body and a pair of terminals protruding from a bottom face of the capacitor body. The terminals are soldered onto the flash circuit board with securing a space for arrangement of the circuit part between the bottom face of the capacitor body and the flash circuit board. Miniaturization of the flash circuit board becomes possible. Inside a main body of the camera, a battery and the main capacitor are arranged vertically and adjacently each other along a parallel direction with an optical axis of a taking lens, in order to make the camera compact.

Abstract: A viewfinder assembly mounting system includes a mounting hole formed at least in one of a camera body and a base barrel in a direction of an optical axis, a viewfinder assembly provided with a guide hole corresponding to the mounting hole of the base barrel; and a guide member inserted and coupled to the mounting hole and the guide hole in the direction of the optical axis. The guide member is either a strobe guide member or a viewfinder lens guide member for respectively guiding a motion of the strobe and the viewfinder lens in a direction of an optical axis by synchronizing with the barrel.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body pre-loaded with photo film. A flash unit is secured to the main body, and emits flash light to a photographic field. An exposure opening is formed in the main body, and introduces light from the photographic field to the photo film. A shutter mechanism is secured to the main body, and opens and closes the exposure opening. A charger switch causes the flash unit to store charge upon being turned on. A changeover plate with a small diameter opening is movable to first and second set positions, and stops down the exposure opening when in the first set position. One end of the changeover plate allows turning on and off the charger switch when the changeover plate is in the first set position, and forcibly turns on the charger switch when the changeover plate is in the second set position.

Abstract: When a stop aperture formed by a shutter blade has reached a diameter corresponding to a predetermined f-number, a flash light is emitted and an exposure is performed with the flash light. Successively, the diameter of the stop aperture is gradually increased. When the stop aperture has reached a diameter corresponding to a set f-number, a color-temperature conversion filter is placed at a photographic optical path. Another exposure is performed with an illumination light which has passed through the color-temperature conversion filter.

Abstract: A camera with an electronic flash device has a main capacitor mounted on a flash circuit board with striding over a circuit part. The main capacitor has a capacitor body and a pair of terminals protruding from a bottom face of the capacitor body. The terminals are soldered onto the flash circuit board with securing a space for arrangement of the circuit part between the bottom face of the capacitor body and the flash circuit board. Miniaturization of the flash circuit board becomes possible. Inside a main body of the camera, a battery and the main capacitor are arranged vertically and adjacently each other along a parallel direction with an optical axis of a taking lens, in order to make the camera compact.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighting apparatus including a light source, an optical member that is placed in front of the light source and provided with a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light source or prism sections each made up of a refracting surface which receives the light incident from the light source and a reflecting surface for reflecting the light incident from this refracting surface. Here, in the optical member, there is a plurality of pairs of the reflecting surfaces or prism sections arranged in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis within a plane including the radial direction of the light source centered on the optical axis. The present invention can provide a low-profile lighting apparatus using light from the light source with high efficiency.

Abstract: A photometric device is constituted of a photometric window, a circuit board behind the photometric window, a photo sensor mounted on the circuit board with its photoreceptive surface oriented toward the photometric window, and a mask member placed between the photometric window and the photoreceptive surface of the photo sensor. The mask member has a plurality of round holes to conduct light from the photometric window to the photoreceptive surface. The photoreceptive surface and the photometric window have the same diameter. The holes have a diameter of 1 mm and an axial length of 8 mm that is equal to the thickness of the mask member. The holes are arranged closely in a honeycomb pattern within an area equal to the photoreceptive surface, so a sufficient amount of light falls on the photoreceptive surface in total.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a filmstrip, a concave-shaped flash reflector having a front open end, a flash illumination-producing flash tube inside the flash reflector, and a light-transmitting flash cover-lens over the front open end of the flash reflector, is characterized in that the flash cover-lens has film identifying indicia to identify the filmstrip which are light-transmitting to the same extent as the flash cover-lens in order to transmit flash illumination produced by the flash tube in concert with the flash cover-lens.

Abstract: Provided is a camera capable of achieving a simplification of an assembly process thereof. The camera comprises a camera body, a gear system for driving a movable barrel of a zoom lens, and a flash tube for illuminating a subject. A flash holding plate holding the flash tube is mounted on the camera body. The flash holding plate is configured so as to hold not only the flash tube, but also each gear of the gear system by sandwiching the gear between the flash holding plate and the front face of the camera body. Thereby, the assembly process can become simpler, and the number of components can be reduced.

Abstract: An actuator applied with shape memory alloy which can be operated in a wide operating temperature range and has a long life time. At a normal ambient temperature, when the first wire of the acting member made of shape memory alloy in which predetermined shape is memorized in advance, is heated, it is transformed to the memorized shape to enable the acting member to be moved. A relative low stress is generated at the first wire and its life-time is not shortened. In the case that the ambient temperature is increased to exceed a transformation starting temperature of the shape memory alloy, the second wire of shape memory alloy is transformed to the memorized shape to generate a high stress at the first wire and to increase the transformation starting temperature of the first wire. With such an arrangement as above, it is possible to operate the actuator applied with the shape memory alloy in a wide operating temperature range.

Abstract: A camera is provided with through the lens lighting. An light source provides boresighted illumination by using a beamsplitter or mirror to illuminate a field of view which is congruent with the field of view of the image sensor of the camera. The light source can be an extended light source having a dimensions about equal to the image sensor. The surface of the image sensor, the light source or the beam splitter can be modulated such that light directly from the light source does not impinge the sensor.

Abstract: A strobe device, including: a strobe circuit board; a connecting conductor composed of a wire member; and a strobe emitting portion which includes; a) a light emitting tube, having electrode terminals on its both ends, b) a reflector for reflecting strobe light emitted by the light emitting tube toward a photographic object and c) a transmission window for covering a front surface of the reflector and for transmitting the strobe light. In the strobe device, the connecting conductor has a contact with the light emitting tube and electricity is supplied to the light emitting tube through the connecting conductor.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera with a built-in flash, an external flash unit therefor and system in which the camera and external flash unit have mating mounting structures enabling the external flash unit to be mounted on the camera in manner that blocks direct flash emission from camera flash unit onto a subject being photographed and the flash emission device of the external flash unit is positioned farther away from the camera taking lens than the built-in flash thereby substantially eliminating red-eye effect on the subject being photographed. The external flash unit includes a flash re-directing channel which directs built-in flash emission generally upwards to provide indirect illumination of the photographed subject.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge is loaded, a spool chamber in which a spool arranged to take up thereon a film pulled out from the film cartridge is provided, a battery chamber which houses a battery therein, and a capacitor which accumulates electric charge for flash light emission, wherein one of the battery chamber and the capacitor is disposed above the spool chamber, and the other of the battery chamber and the capacitor is disposed below the spool chamber.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprises a filmstrip and an electronic flash with a concave-shaped flash reflector having a front open end, a flash illumination-producing flash tube inside the flash reflector, and a light-transmitting flash cover-lens over the front open end of the flash reflector. The flash reflector has film identifying indicia visible from outside the camera to identify the filmstrip, which are light-reflecting to the same extent as the flash reflector in order to reflect flash illumination produced by the flash tube in concert with the flash reflector. The flash reflector is adhered to the flash tube to prevent the flash reflector from being separated from the flash tube without breaking the flash tube, whereby removal of the film identifying indicia in effect destroys the electronic flash.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ring light guide device for a camera. The ring light guide device comprises a housing having an adaptor inserting hole which is formed therethrough at a side thereof in a manner such that the adaptor inserting hole has an axis which is coaxial with a center axis of a lens of the camera, the housing being detachably coupled on a rear surface thereof with a camera fitting adaptor by the fact that the camera fitting adaptor is inserted into the adaptor inserting hole, light receiving section installed opposite to a light source of the camera, for receiving light which is emitted from the light source; light path changing section for changing a path of light received by the light receiving section in a manner such that the light is irradiated toward an object in a direction which is substantially parallel to the center axis of the lens of the camera; and irradiation adjusting section for adjusting an amount of light which is irradiated to the object, depending upon a camera-to-object distance.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: The camera includes a strobe device, a distance-measuring device and a heat insulating section. The strobe device has a light source for irradiating light onto an object at the time of photographing. The distance-measuring device measures the distance to the object. The heat insulating section is provided between the strobe device and the distance-measuring device, so as to prevent the heat generated by the strobe device from being transmitted to the distance-measuring device.

Abstract: Camera having a built-in and self-contained flash sub-assembly. The camera includes a body having a movable cover member, and a flash device for illuminating a subject to be imaged. The flash device includes a light emitting unit, a capacitor for supplying electric current to the light emitting unit to emit a flash of light, and a step-up circuit which, in accordance with a power source such as a battery, etc., charges the capacitor. The light emitting unit, the capacitor, and the step-up circuit are disposed in the moveable cover member of the body. The flash sub-assembly also may be disposed within a pop-up/out flash type unit supported by a camera body.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit package, including: a lens-fitted film unit further including: (a) a preloaded photographic film; (b) a camera lens; (c) a shutter; (d) a diaphragm; and (e) an EV value switcher for switching the EV value of the lens-fitted film unit between the first EV value and the second EV value, which is greater than the first EV value; and a packing material; in which the lens-fitted film unit is packaged in the packing material under the condition that the EV value of the lens-fitted unit is switched to the second EV value.

Abstract: Cam mechanism with a flat or planar locking member and a cam member also having a flat or planar shape. The cam mechanism is operable as a pop-up mechanism. The cam member moves substantially in a first plane and the lock member is urged or driven substantially in the first plane by the cam member when the cam member moves from a first to a second position corresponding to extended and retracted positions, respectively, of a pop-up device. When the cam member reaches a predetermined position, the movement of the cam member is restricted by the locking member and the restriction of the movement of the cam member is released by moving the locking member in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. A spring energizes the lock in a member towards a direction in which the movement of the cam member is restricted.

Abstract: A flash apparatus is provided with a flash tube of the point light source type, a reflector, and a diffuser panel. The reflector reflects light flux from the flash tube forward. The diffuser panel is placed in a light flux passing position in front of the flash tube and the reflector and diffuses the light flux from the flash tube. The diffuser panel is so formed that diffusion angles of the light flux can vary with positions between a center corresponding to a light-emitting axis of the flash tube to a periphery concerning an area where the light flux from the flash tube passes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a camera in which a power for a pop-up action of a built-in strobe is branched and taken out from & barrel-driving power transmitting path, the barrel is popped up in synchronization with an advancing action of the barrel from a retracted position to a shooting position, and a driving source for the barrel and a driving source for the strobe are from a common source. A first interrupting gear and a second interrupting gear are disposed coaxially and mutually movably in an intermediate portion of the barrel gear train. A following spring is interposed between the first interrupting gear and the second interrupting gear. The first interrupting gear idles in a predetermined range with respect to the second interrupting gear. A lock lever and a lock portion are made such that they can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

Abstract: The camera includes a printed wiring board on which electric parts are mounted, a strobe light emission part which emits and projects a lighting light toward an object to be photographed, and a planar capacitor which stores light emitting energy for the strobe light emission part. A planar portion of the planar capacitor which faces toward the printed wiring board is arranged parallel to and fixedly secured to the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A strobe device, including: a strobe circuit board; a connecting conductor composed of a wire member; and a strobe emitting portion which includes; a) a light emitting tube, having electrode terminals on its both ends, b) a reflector for reflecting strobe light emitted by the light emitting tube toward a photographic object and c) a transmission window for covering a front surface of the reflector and for transmitting the strobe light. In the strobe device, the connecting conductor has a contact with the light emitting tube and electricity is supplied to the light emitting tube through the connecting conductor.

Abstract: In a flash circuit of a flash device, a Zener diode (37) is connected to a tap point (23f) located at an intermediate position of a secondary coil of an oscillation transformer (23). The oscillation transformer (23) and an oscillation transistor (22) constitutes an oscillation circuit. A potential at the tap point (23f) changes proportionally to a voltage charged in a main capacitor (41). When the main capacitor (41) is charged up to a set voltage, the Zener diode (37) conducts a Zener current, which activates a stopping transistor (38) and thus deactivates the oscillation circuit. When a flash charge switch (51) is turned on, an end of a light guide portion of a charge condition indicator (60) protrudes out of a lens-fitted film unit. When the main capacitor (41) is charged up to the set voltage, a light emission element starts lighting, and the light from the light emission element is projected from the end of the light guide portion.

Abstract: A single use camera with a built-in electronic flash includes a main body; a photographic film loaded in the main body previously; an electronic flash unit having an electronic flash light emitting section and an electronic flash circuit; and a photographing unit having a photographic lens and a shutter, wherein the following condition is satisfied, 6≦A≦10 wherein A represents an exposure value, which is determined by an aperture value, a shutter speed and a sensitivity of a film loaded in the single use camera, when photographed in a condition in which the electronic flash unit is used.

Abstract: A strobe device, including: a strobe circuit board; a connecting conductor composed of a wire member; and a strobe emitting portion which includes; a) a light emitting tube, having electrode terminals on its both ends, b) a reflector for reflecting strobe light emitted by the light emitting tube toward a photographic object and c) a transmission window for covering a front surface of the reflector and for transmitting the strobe light. In the strobe device, the connecting conductor has a contact with the light emitting tube and electricity is supplied to the light emitting tube through the connecting conductor.

Abstract: An electronic flash device equipped with LED indicator for providing an indication of completion of charging a main capacitor and a circuit for lowering power consumption has a controlling transistor operative to control a base current of the oscillating transistor which increases or decreases a primary current flowing through a primary winding and to be turned conductive by a current supplied from a battery through a current limiting resistor to start supply of the base current of the oscillating transistor. A secondary current generated in a secondary winding increases the base current of the controlling transistor, which increases the base current of the oscillating transistor which is lowered by the current limiting resistor having a large resistance and is increased or decreased by the controlling transistor.

Abstract: A strobe device comprising a circuit substrate including a plurality of conductive elastic members. The plurality of conductive elastic members includes a first portion forming a predetermined electric circuitry. A second portion, if present, forms various electrical contacts external to the circuit substrate, e.g., a battery contact. A third portion, if present, elastically retains terminals of electronic elements and functions as an electrical contact. An insulation member having a first surface integrally internalizing the plurality of conductive elastic members in such a manner that the second portion and third portion are exposed. Further, the electronic elements and the optical elements are electrically and/or mechanically coupled to the circuit substrate via the plurality of conductive elastic members and the insulation member. The third portion is provided entirely within the insulation member when elastically retaining terminals of the electronic elements.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit for photographing an object includes a flash charger button as mode selector, which designates a selected one of a flashless mode and a flashing mode. An exposure aperture forms a color image by object light from the object. The image, if the flashless mode is designated, is recorded with first color balance in the exposure aperture, and if the flashing mode is designated, is recorded with second color balance. An electronic flash unit applies flash light to the object. A light balancing filter as color balance adjustor subjects the object light to correction if the flashless mode is designated, so as to set the first and second color balance substantially equal to one another.

Abstract: In the present invention, flash light is illuminated through a finder optical system and thereby the user can be notified of the moment of release operation. The camera size can be reduced by the following layout of the finder unit and the flash unit. This camera has a finder unit having a finder optical system (object lens group, mirror, prism and finder eyepiece window) and a flash unit including, for example, a midget bulb-type flash light illumination unit (discharge tube) and a reflector, which comprise the optical system for flash light illumination. A movable mirror is mounted and properly controlled so that part of the light path of the finder optical system (object lens group) also serves selectively as part of the light path of the optical system (object lens group) for flash light illumination. The above flash light illumination unit is installed behind the mirror on the extended optical axis of the object lenses.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is provided with a data recording device, wherein a plastic light guide member has a flash light entering portion that is opposed to a front portion of a flash projector of a built-in flash device, and a light projection terminal facing an LCD panel of a data display module. The light guide member also has an external light entering surface that is exposed to a front portion of the film unit, to collect external light and conduct it to the light projection terminal. The light projected from the light projection terminal toward the LCD panel is used for recording data displayed on the LCD panel onto a filmstrip contained in the film unit. When the film unit is used in a dark place, the flash device is activated to project a flash light from the flash projector. So the flash light partly enters through the flash light entering portion, and is added to the external light entering through the external light entering surface.