Abstract: A camera enables photography with a plurality of image plane formats and comprises an aperture portion having an opening for permitting photographic light to pass therethrough, a light shielding member movable between at least two predetermined positions to change a shape of the opening in the aperture portion, an operation member for moving the light shielding member to change the shape of the opening in the aperture portion, a detecting device for detecting a position of the light shielding member, and a warning device for providing a warning in response to a detection of the detecting device that the light shielding member is not located in any of the predetermined positions.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device has a plurality of in-line LEDs producing light focused by an optical system upon a photographic film at a first and a second position, corresponding to a full size format and a panorama size format, respectively. The focused light imprints data images upon the film at the first position are larger than data images imprinted at the second position. The optical system has first and second prisms, with integrated lenses, for reflecting and focusing the light upon the film at the first and second positions, respectively. A shutter plate is selectively positioned over apertures through which the light is focused, thus blocking the light and allowing only a selected imprint to be made upon the film. A vertical pattern of the data image is created by a controller selectively illuminating the in-line LEDs while a horizontal pattern is produced by the controller illuminating the LEDs in coordination with the movement of the film past the apertures.

Abstract: A photographic format indication system for a camera having at least two selectable photographic formats. The indication system identifies the photographic format of previously exposed frames of film in the camera following an exposure of a frame. The indicated format is maintained after a photographic format is no longer selected. The indicator may be an electronic display or a symbol printed on a firm cartridge.

Abstract: To provide a data imprinting device for a camera which has a simple construction and does not make the main body of the camera large in size, a data imprinting device for a camera includes: an LED for optically generating data to be imprinted on a film surface; a prism for allowing data light generated by the LED to form an image on the film surface; a holder for holding the LED and the prism and disposed in such a manner as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis for photographing of the camera; and data-imprinting-position changing means for moving the holder in interlocked relation with a changeover of a photographing image size on the film surface, and for changing a position of imprinting data on the film surface.

Abstract: A photographic element cassette is encoded with format information (CEFI) for automatically configuring a compatible variable format camera in a selected format. According to the invention, the cassette is provided with a camera readable feature encoded with a selected exposure format that automatically sets and maintains the camera for the selected exposure format. A variable format photographic camera is also provided for use with the CEFI encoded cassette, having features responsive to the CEFI code on the cassette so that the encoded format is automatically set and maintained as long as the cassette is in the camera. A method for controlling the exposure of an entire roll of a photographic element with a consistent format in a variable format camera with or without mid roll interruption is also preferably provided.