Abstract: A camera has a flip-up flash unit including an overcenter spring part that urges the flash unit alternatively to a folded storage position and to a non-folded operative position.

Abstract: A camera apparatus for detecting code indicia in the form of a series of electrically conductive areas located on the exterior of a film cartridge, includes a loading chamber adapted to receive the cartridge and a plurality of metallic probes which protrude slightly into the chamber to make electrical contact with at least some of the conductive areas of the cartridge. According to the invention, an electrically insulative mounting block has respective securement means equal in actual number to a predetermined number of the conductive areas of the cartridge for permitting the probes to be manually secured selectively to the mounting block, whereby only a minimum number of the probes required for the camera apparatus which is less than the actual number of the securement means need be included in the assembly.

Abstract: In a camera to be used with a light-tight cassette which can be operated to automatically thrust a filmstrip out of the cassette whether the filmstrip is generally unexposed, partly exposed or substantially exposed, and which has a status indicator for providing a visible indication of the exposure status of the filmstrip, a film transport mechanism for operating the cassette is disabled whenever the cassette is inadvertently loaded in the camera with its status indicator indicating the filmstrip is substantially exposed.

Abstract: A photographic camera and a handgrip are pivotally connected for swinging movement of the camera body relative to the handgrip about a viewing axis through front and rear viewfinder windows on the camera body. This arrangement advantageously enables the camera body to be oriented selectively for horizontal format or vertical format picture-taking without having to change one's grasp of the handgrip or remove one's eye from the vicinity of the rear viewfinder window.

Abstract: The speed of frame-to-frame advance after exposure in a camera having a pawl which acts with a single perforation per frame film to provide frame registration with an aperture station is optimized without film distortion by generation of a motor control circuit feedback signal giving information as to position and speed of the advancing next frame perforation. In one embodiment, a sensor develops a pulsed signal from the toothed edge of a pawl that travels with the film perforation. In another embodiment, the passage of a prerecorded pattern spaced a known distance from the perforation is sensed.

Abstract: A film cassette is disclosed wherein a filmstrip is advanced to the outside of a light-tight cassette shell in order to expose successive imaging areas of the filmstrip and can be returned to the inside of the cassette shell before all of the imaging areas have been exposed or after the filmstrip has been substantially completely exposed. According to the invention, a film-exposure status indicator is supported on the cassette shell for movement relative to the shell from a normal first position to successive second and third positions for providing respective visible indications that the filmstrip is generally unexposed, the filmstrip has been returned to the inside of the shell before all of its imaging areas have been exposed, and the filmstrip is substantially completely exposed.

Abstract: Camera with adjustable viewfinder mask having differently dimensioned openings for pseudo-photography, has light pipes to provide binary coding of film frames corresponding to mask positions.

Abstract: Frame-to-frame advance in a motor drive camera with frame specific data entry capability is delayed until initiation of a next exposure to maximize the time during which data relating to a latest exposure can be entered and/or corrected. A manually-entered "data entry completed" signal switch is provided to override the delay. An "enter data" reminder and data display is provided.

Abstract: A disposable single-use camera is generally of the type wherein an inner camera part is pre-loaded with film and includes a taking lens, and an outer sealed pack contains the inner camera part and has an opening for the taking lens. The inner camera part has flash synchronization access ports and the outer sealed pack is constructed of a perforable material which overlays the access ports. An accessory re-usable electronic flash unit intended for use with the disposable camera has electrically conductive flash synchronization pins shaped to perforate the outer sealed pack to enter the access ports to connect the flash unit to the disposable camera.

Abstract: A magnetic head is mounted directly on a camera film platen which is supported for limited constrained movement to maintain a precise relationship between an information track and a film edge. The platen serves to maintain film flatness while providing the desired relationship between the magnetic head and film edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of processed photograph film at a particular location comprises a light source which emits green or blue light having a wavelength in the range of 420-600 nanometers. A light sensors positioned to receive light from the light source when the film is not present. An infrared filter and a filter for transmitting light in the range of wavelengths emitted by the light source are positioned in front of the light sensor.

Abstract: A photographic camera is intended for use with a film cassette having a film-exposure status indicator movable from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that a filmstrip within the cassette is generally unexposed, to a partly exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is only partly exposed, and to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that exposure of the filmstrip is complete.

Abstract: A lens assembly is connected to a housing containing an image sensor by a flexure means which provides for universal flexure of the lens assembly relative to the housing. A pair of compound screws rigidly couple the lens assembly to the housing and are rotatable to displace the lens assembly relative to the housing on said flexure means.

Abstract: In a photographic camera adapted for use with a film cassette containing a non-protruding film leader which can be automatically propelled out of the cassette, a pair of film guide members are fixed along opposite sides of a film threading path leading from a receiving chamber for the cassette. The film leader is wider than the substantial remainder of the filmstrip, and the film guide members are spaced apart a predetermined distance which is slightly less than the leader and slightly greater than the remaining length of the filmstrip, to cause the leader to be transversely bowed as it is propelled between the fixed guide members. When the film leader is transversely bowed, it becomes longitudinally stiffened to prevent it from being snagged along the film threading path.

Abstract: A photographic camera wherein a film metering sprocket undergoes respective cylces of rotation in each of two opposite directions when a filmstrip is advanced substantially a frame increment in reverse directions over the metering sprocket, and an operating element is actuated to perform a camera function when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in one of the opposite directions but is not actuated for such purpose when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the other direction, is characterized in that the metering sprocket and the operating element are disposed in a coaxial relation and include one-way motion transmitting means which when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the one direction engages to compel the metering sprocket to rotate the operating element continuously in the same direction but which when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the other direction does not engage in order to permit the metering sprocket to rotate independently of the operating element.