Abstract: A dark exposure control device comprises a dark exposure performing processor, an aperture-stop, and an aperture-stop driving processor. The dark exposure performing processor detects an image signal generated by an imaging device while the shutter is closed. The aperture-stop adjusts the amount of light incident on the imaging device. The aperture-stop driving processor adjusts the opening degree of the aperture-stop to smaller than the opening degree set for a main exposure while the dark exposure performing processor is operated.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus is provided with a controller. When a photographing lens is attached to a camera body and a power switch is turned from ON to OFF, a drive motor first moves a diaphragm device to a minimum aperture, and thereafter the drive motor is switched from power ON to OFF. Thus, any damage to the inside of camera body due to sunlight entering into the opening of the diaphragm device can be prevented, and also the structure of camera body can be simplified by reducing the number of parts.

Abstract: A gear mechanism having a smaller diameter and achieving an accurate automatic drive includes a central gear supported on a rotational shaft, first and second side gears coaxially positioned on both sides of the central gear, planetary bevel gears supported within side surfaces of the central gear, and sun bevel gears respectively formed on the inner side surfaces of the first and second side gears which are engaged with the planetary bevel gears. At least one of the first and second side gears is provided with a torque adjuster for adjusting the torque of the side gear(s).

Abstract: An imaging device is provided that includes an imaging processor, a distance information detector, an outline-component maximum image detector, and a distance information correcting processor. The imaging processor captures a plurality of secondary images of the same object at different lens positions. The distance information detector detects distance information of the objects captured in each area of an image based on the sum of outline components in each of the areas in each of the secondary images. The outline-component maximum image detector calculates the sum of outline components for each of the secondary images and detects an image with the maximum sum. The distance information correcting processor replaces distance information of a target area, where the sum of outline components is less than a threshold value, with distance information of the image with the maximum sum.

Abstract: Optical equipment capable of stopping a lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption is provided. The optical equipment includes a lens driving unit for driving a focusing lens. The equipment further includes a drive-setting unit configured to set an optimal drive amount for positioning the focusing lens at an appropriate focal depth while minimizing the amount of power consumed in the process. The optical equipment includes a lens position-control unit that controls the lens driving unit based on the drive amount set by the drive-setting unit controlling the movement of the focusing lens. The lens position-control unit can stop the lens in a position producing no image blur and requiring low power consumption.

Abstract: A method of automatically tracking and photographing a celestial object, is provided, which moves relative to a photographic apparatus due to diurnal motion so that the celestial object image formed on an image sensor becomes stationary during a celestial-object auto-tracking photographing operation.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, a power supply controller, and a moving-picture generator. The imaging sensor continuously performs imaging operations in a predetermined interval. The power supply control unit controls power supply to the imaging sensor during a waiting period that is defined as a period from the end of one imaging operation of the imaging operations to the beginning of the next imaging operation of the imaging operations. The moving-picture generator generates a moving-picture file by incorporating a plurality of still pictures, obtained by the imaging operations, into a frame composing a moving picture.

Abstract: A portable device has a display, a display processor displays a magnification image on a screen of the display, and an input device. The portable device further has a display-area shift processor that shifts the magnification-image-display area in accordance to an input operation administered to the input device, and a position sensor that detects an angle of inclination of the body. Then, The display processor changes the magnification-image-display area to an image area that is inclined by an angle corresponding to the angle of inclination, and the display-area shift processor changes shift directions of the magnification-image-display area from vertical and lateral directions of the original image to directions that are perpendicular to each other and correspond to inclined vertical and lateral directions rotated by the angle of inclination.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided that includes a target detector, a readout area determiner and a readout processor. The target detector detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor. The readout area determiner defines a readout area within the effective pixel area, the readout area corresponding to a detected target. The readout processor reads out only pixel signals within the readout area. A partial area within the readout area is redefined as the readout area when the size of the original readout area is greater than a predetermined size.

Abstract: A macro lens system includes a positive first lens group, and a positive or negative second lens group, in that order from the object side, wherein at least the first lens group moves toward the object side when focusing on an object at infinity to an object at a close distance, wherein the second lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group and a positive second sub-lens group, in that order from the object side, wherein the following condition (1) is satisfied: ?5.0<f2A/fi<?0.8??(1), wherein f2A designates the focal length of the first sub-lens group, and fi designates the focal length of the entire the macro lens system when focusing on an object at infinity.

Abstract: A photographing information management method, which includes: judging whether there is equality between photographing position information added to an image file stored in an external storage medium which is detachably attachable to an imaging apparatus and photographing position information stored in an internal memory of the imaging apparatus; and when it is judged that the two pieces of photographing position information have the equality, displaying an image and the photographing position information of the image file on a display screen of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, a power supply control unit, and a moving-picture generating unit. The imaging sensor continuously performs imaging operations in a predetermined interval. The power supply control unit controls a power-supply operation to the imaging sensor during a waiting period that is defined as a period from the end of one imaging operation of the imaging operations to the beginning of the next imaging operation of the imaging operations. The moving-picture generating unit generates a moving-picture file based on still pictures obtained by the imaging operations.

Abstract: A varifocal lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups, each of which are linearly movable in the optical axis direction thereof without rotating about the optical axis during a zooming operation and during a focusing operation, including a base barrel which is linearly movable in the optical axis direction by rotation of a zoom operational ring, wherein lens frames of the respective lens groups are each supported by the base barrel.

Abstract: A photographing lens system includes a positive front lens group, an aperture diaphragm, and a positive rear lens group, in that order from the object side. The front lens group includes at least one negative lens element, and at least two positive cemented lenses, in that order from the object side, and the following conditions are satisfied: 0.35<fF/fR<1.5??(1), and ?1.4<fL1/f<?0.9??(2), wherein fF and fR designate the focal lengths of the front lens group and the rear lens group, fL1 designates the combined focal length of the negative lens elements provided within said front lens group; and f designates the focal length of the entire photographing lens system.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image sensor, a display device which displays a live-view display of an object image, an autofocus adjuster which detects a focal state and brings a specified object image into an in-focus state by moving a focal-adjusting lens group of a photographing lens, a focus lock-on device which prohibits the focal-adjusting lens group from moving and enters a focus locked-on state when the autofocus adjuster brings the specified object image into an in-focus state, a focus lock-on detector, and a distinguishing-display controller. When the focus lock-on detector detects a focus locked-on sate, the distinguishing-display controller performs image processing on part or the entirety of the specified object image, and a peaking display of the specified object image is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus of an interchangeable lens camera includes a photographing lens, a diaphragm control slider which is driven between first and second control ends corresponding to maximum and minimum apertures, a position detector, and a controller which drives the diaphragm control slider toward the first control end at high-speed, stores in a memory, as a temporary origin, a position to which the diaphragm control slider has rebounded after reaching the first control end. Thereafter, the controller compares the current position of the diaphragm control slider with the temporary origin while driving the diaphragm control slider at a low-speed towards the first control end. When the current position is within a predetermined range of the temporary origin, the controller determines the current position as the origin of the diaphragm control slider.

Abstract: A portable device has a display, a display processor displays a magnification image on a screen of the display, and an input device. The portable device further has a display-area shift processor that shifts the magnification-image-display area in accordance to an input operation administered to the input device, and a position sensor that detects an angle of inclination of the body. Then, The display processor changes the magnification-image-display area to an image area that is inclined by an angle corresponding to the angle of inclination, and the display-area shift processor changes shift directions of the magnification-image-display area from vertical and lateral directions of the original image to directions that are perpendicular to each other and correspond to inclined vertical and lateral directions rotated by the angle of inclination.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, and positive third and fourth lens groups. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups increases and the distance between the second and third lens groups decreases. The first lens group includes a positive first sub-lens group which remains at a stationary position during focusing and a positive second sub-lens group which moves during focusing. Condition (1) is satisfied: 0.35<f1b/f1a<0.57??(1), wherein f1b and f1a designate the focal length of the second and first sub-lens groups, respectively.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, and a positive rearward-remaining lens group. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups increases, the distance between the second and rearward-remaining lens groups decreases, and at least the first lens group and at least part of the rearward-remaining lens group moves. The second lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group which does not move during a focusing operation, and a negative second sub-lens group which moves in the optical axis direction during a focusing operation. The positive rearward-remaining lens group includes at least two lens groups, the distance therebetween mutually changing during zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group and a positive second lens group, in that order from the object side, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the first lens group and the second lens group move in the optical axis direction while the distance therebetween mutually decreases. The first lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group and a positive second sub-lens group, in that order from the object side, wherein the second sub-lens group constitutes a focusing lens group that is moved in the optical axis direction during a focusing operation.