Abstract: A camera control and exposure system for cameras of the self-developing type includes "scanning type" shutter blade elements which can be quickly closed to terminate an exposure interval by a magnet actuated closing spring arrangement which is thereafter automatically recocked by way of a motor driven film advance and processing mechanism. The control and exposure system is additionally adapted for use with an array of flashlamps wherein prior to each flash photographic cycle, the array of flashlamps is sensed to determine the operative condition of the last flashlamp to be fired in the array. The system then mechanically inhibits the implementation of the photographic cycle in the event that the last flashlamp to be fired in the array is defective.

Abstract: A camera control and exposure system for cameras of the self-developing type includes "scanning type" shutter blade elements which can be quickly closed to terminate an exposure interval by a magnet actuated closing spring arrangement which is thereafter automatically recocked by way of a motor driven film advance and processing mechanism. A shutter blade latch arrangement maintains the magnet actuated drive spring arrangement in its cocked position while simultaneously maintaining the shutter blade elements in their scene light blocking arrangement prior to exposure. Manual actuation of the latch arrangement permits the shutter blade elements to be driven by an opening spring to their scene light unblocking arrangement thereby commencing an exposure interval. The exposure interval is terminated by deenergizing the electromagnet permitting the closing spring arrangement to drive the shutter blade elements back to their initial scene light blocking arrangement against the bias of the opening spring.

Abstract: A "scanning type" photographic shutter blade mechanism is manually actuated to open, thereby commencing a photographic exposure cycle, by a resilient opening drive element. The "scanning type" shutter blade mechanism is thereafter closed to terminate the photographic exposure cycle by deenergizing an electromagnet which in turn releases a shutter blade closing drive member resiliently biased to engage the shutter blade mechanism and move it to the closed position against the yieldable bias of the opening drive element. Subsequent manual deactuation of the camera operates to recock the shutter blade closing drive member so as to ready the camera for a subsequent photographic exposure cycle.

Abstract: A defocused unicell photometer of the type having a positive lens element is provided with at least one diffusion zone on a portion of the lens element surface to change the directional response characteristic of the photometer in a select manner without increasing the extreme field of view of the photometer.

Abstract: A defocused unicell photometer of the type having a positive lens element is provided with at least one aspheric zone on a portion of the lens element surface to change the directional response characteristic of the photometer in a select manner without increasing the extreme field of view of the photometer.

Abstract: A multi-element photographic lens has a strongly aspheric surface formed on a strong lens element that is movable relative to the other elements along a common optical axis. The aspheric surface corrects at least the lower order aberrations contributed by the movable element thereby allowing the movement to focus the lens over a wide focus scale or object distance. Preferably, the elements are formed of plastic, the movable element is a front element, and at least one other aspheric surface is formed on a lens element.

Abstract: An exposure control for a camera of the type having scanning type shutter blade elements driven by a walking beam to provide a progressive variation in effective exposure and light sensing apertures. A control is provided so that in an artificial scene lighted mode, during an exposure cycle, the scanning blades cause the effective exposure aperture to progressively increase toward the full open f/stop for the camera. In addition, the scanning blades cause the effective photocell aperture to increase at a relatively low rate until a time when the effective exposure aperture equals a predetermined f/stop somewhat below the full open f/stop. The source of artificial illumination is then fired and the effective photocell aperture increases at a relatively high rate to specifically control the artificially illuminated portion of the exposure cycle.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette having a stack of self-contained, self-developing film units includes leaders interconnecting the units to enable them to be withdrawn from the cassette one at a time. A Z-fold or zig-zag configuration of the film units and leaders is employed, with a leader interconnecting the leading edge of one film unit and the trailing edge of the preceding film unit. The cassette structure cooperates with the connection of the leader to the film unit leading edge to project a film unit against a cassette wall to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the unit. Staggered loading, and alternatively symmetrical back-to-back loading of the film units in the cassette, can increase the number of film units the cassette accommodates in a limited space.

Abstract: A movable lens element in a combined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lens is configured in a manner facilitating its reciprocal translation about a determinate path in correspondence with camera focusing.

Abstract: A combined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lens includes means for establishing a primary image of the scene to be photographed framed in a generally rectangular field of view together with a secondary focusing image superposed on the primary image and movable obliquely across the primary image in correspondence with camera focusing so that substantial coincidence between the primary and secondary images is indicative of the camera assuming a focused condition with respect to the scene to be photographed. In addition, the path of movement for the movable secondary image of the combined view and rangefinder is located above the geometric center of the primary image so as to facilitate the framing of a human photographic subject to locate the subject's head above the geometric center of the picture. The combined view and rangefinder may also be conveniently and easily assembled through snap-fitted components.

Abstract: A method for making a self-retracting imbibition chamber by cutting a sheet, folding the sides into flanges, fluting the flanges followed by coiling and curing the material into a spring-like state.

Abstract: A first battery powers the electrical system of an automatic photographic camera throughout each cycle of operation. A second camera battery is normally electrically isolated, and is connected with the first battery selectively during each operating cycle, especially during conditions of relatively high power drain, to ensure reliable battery power.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided in a viewer of the type having a film cassette receiving well defined in part by an opening in the viewer and an interior sidewall extending perpendicularly inward of the opening and from which extend outwardly a pair of drive heads. The improved apparatus is provided to guide the edge of the leading end wall of a cassette, as it enters the receiving well, past the pair of drive heads and ultimately into nesting relation adjacent the sidewall with the drive heads engaged to complementary recessed drive couplings in the side of the cassette upon complete insertion of the cassette into the well. The improved apparatus not only accommodates the ready insertion of the cassette within the receiving well, but also accommodates the ready removal of the cassette from the well by resiliently urging the bottom of the cassette to move in a direction outward of the cassette receiving well.

Abstract: A photographic camera having an integral flash unit therein is further configured to accommodate the ready removal and insertion of a substantially flat, thin storage capacitor from a location immediately inside one planar wall section of the camera. Upon receipt of the storage capacitor, the camera is further arranged to provide structure which operates to restrain a widthwise expansion of the capacitor which might otherwise tend to occur with extended usage of the capacitor without initially imposing any compressive forces on the capacitor which might otherwise tend to alter the electrical characteristics thereof.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit attachable to the top of a camera shutter housing is provided with switch control apparatus which may be selectively extended into position so as to be engaged by the photographer when holding the camera in its normally expected manner. Engagement of the switch control apparatus by the photographer causes it to effect the closing of an ON-OFF switch thereby applying power to the flash unit whereas subsequent disengagement of the switch control apparatus causes it to automatically effect the opening of the ON-OFF switch.

Abstract: A photographic camera apparatus is provided with an automatic illumination and exposure control system for controlling a pair of scanning type shutter blade elements as well as a flash fire and quench signal directed to a quench strobe operatively associated therewith. The control system operates to selectively delay the quenching of the strobe as a function of whether the camera is operating in a "fill-in" flash mode of operation or in an ordinary flash mode thereby permitting a dark subject to be adequately illuminated against a lighted background without overexposing the subject.

Abstract: A compact strobe is adapted for direct connection to a Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera or the like. Once the strobe is connected to a film laden camera, it is provided with a steady state input voltage which can be utilized by the strobe to charge a storage capacitor. The storage capacitor may thereafter be triggered at an appropriate time during the camera exposure interval by a select trigger signal, also furnished from the camera, to discharge through a flash tube thereby providing a source of artificial illumination. Connection from the camera to the strobe is made from the flash array receiving socket on top of the camera exposure housing as well as from the remote actuator button socket on the side of the camera exposure housing. To accommodate this connection, the strobe is provided with both a blade connector similar to that utilized on a conventional multilamp flash array and a flexible electrical connecting member for connecting directly to the remote actuator button socket.

Abstract: A compact, self-retracting imbibition chamber for cameras in which the film is ejected just after exposure and passed through processing units which distribute processing fluid throughout the film unit. The apparatus includes a normally tightly coiled imbibition chamber which receives the sheet ejected from the processing rolls and retains it in a light-protected condition until it is sufficiently processed to allow it to be exposed to the light.

Abstract: A photographic camera apparatus is provided with an automatic illumination and exposure control system for controlling a pair of scanning type shutter blade elements as well as a flash fire and quench signal directed to a quench strobe operatively associated therewith. The camera apparatus may be operated in either a "fill-in" flash mode of operation or an ordinary flash mode. During the "fill-in" flash mode of operation, the time delay in quenching the strobe is progressively decreased as a function of increasing ambient scene light intensity so that the shutter blade elements admit progressively less reflected strobe light from the subject during the finite time required for the shutter blade elements to close.

Abstract: The method of this invention is utilized by the manufacturer of a camera apparatus of the type having an automatic shutter latch mechanism, as well as an automatic film advancement mechanism to adjust the control system of the camera apparatus prior to the shipment so that even if the shutter latch mechanism is accidentally unlatched, the user will still be able to insert a film cassette into the film receiving chamber without incurring an automatic film advancement operation prior to closing the film loading access door. The method provides for the advancement of the camera control system through a portion of its photographic cycle by an external motor to a point in the cycle where a film unit would have otherwise been processed and advanced from the camera thereby insuring that the first time insertion of the film cassette within the camera by a user will not result in a film advancement operation if the automatic shutter latch mechanism should become unlatched during transit.