Abstract: A device for indicating the depth of field of a camera having aperture setting means and range setting means. The device comprises a plurality of optically active elements positioned for view in the camera viewfinder and scale means associated with the optically active elements. Means are also provided which are responsive to the camera aperture setting and the range setting to select adjacent ones of the optically active elements to indicate the depth of field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera including a camera housing and an objective lens having an image axis. The objective lens for the camera is mounted in a tube which is movable between an extended exposure position and a retractive storage position. When the tube is in the extended exposure position, a locking device responsive to operation of the shutter release, increases the biasing force on the objective lens towards its extended position. The locking device is made up of several cams spring biased against two pins radially projecting from the objective tube. The cams are prevented from bearing against the pins by a control linkage which prevention is released during shutter actuation.

Abstract: An imaging system, particularly for application in a camera with a zoom lens, having at least two lenses with variable distance from a fixed image plane, means for adjusting one of the lenses for setting the resultant focal length of the system, and automatic means for adjusting the position of the other lens, or of the entire lens system including any other lenses, by means of a focus determining element in the fixed image plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling for the connection of a drive motor to a still camera to facilitate automated cocking and actuation of the camera. The coupling has two major portions one of which rotates with a drive motor and the other of which rotates with the film transport advance drum. One of the portions will be a cam and the other portion a cam biassing device such that under low torque loads being transmitted from the drive motor to the film transport advance drum, the two portions rotate together. When the film has been wound, the film transport advance drum stops suddenly increasing the torque transmitted between the still moving motor and the transport advance drum. When the torque reaches a preset maximum amount, the cam biassing device slips relative to the cam and actually drives itself in a reverse direction.

Abstract: The angular distribution of illumination passing through a selectively diffusing element can be varied by placing the diffusing element in a reflector unit so that the diffusing element is in the path between a light source and the object to be illuminated. A variable diffuser can comprise a liquid-crystal cell driven by a variable voltage to control the amount of diffusion by the reflector unit. The control voltage can be set in accordance with change in focal length in a zoom lens of a camera using the light source and reflector unit as a flash gun.

Abstract: A photographic camera with a driving mechanism for setting of the diaphragm of the camera lens, typically an interchangeable lens unit, having a stopping device which stops the driving mechanism, wherein the focusing error resulting from the inertia of the moving parts are eliminated or reduced to an insignificant value. An armature plate is movably mounted at the side of a stop band opposite magnet poles of an electromagnet of the stopping device, with the stop band between the magnet poles and the plate, the movement of the armature being substantially crosswise to the direction of motion of the stop band. The stop band was very small dimensions, being preferably reduced to a size limited by its mechanical strength. The stop band is directly and fixedly connected to the driving mechanism and the plate bears with a small initial stress against the stop band.

Abstract: A worm gear mount of a type used in slide projectors includes a shaft, a pair of bearings supporting the shaft, a drive wheel on an end overhang of the shaft extending beyond one of the bearings, a worm gear on the shaft betweeen the bearings, and a gear wheel rotatable on an axis perpendicular to the shaft and meshing with the worm gear. The bearings are formed with generally U-shaped openings that face toward the gear wheel, and the openings allow the shaft to be moved into the bearings from the region occupied by the gear wheel. The gear wheel serves to prevent movement of the shaft out of the openings, and the openings are preferably shaped so that the shaft has a snap fit in the bearings. The shaft is also preferably formed with reduced diameter journal portions fitting in the bearings to prevent axial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera having a flash unit with at least two flash power levels. A distance adjustment also used for focusing the lens of the camera and a film sensitivity adjustment combine to position a switch which selects the correct one of the flash power levels for correct exposure of the film. In preferred embodiments, a range indicator, based on the film sensitivity, indicates the distance range over which the various power levels of the flash unit can correctly expose the film. Focusing the camera lens also moves an indicator which, if within the range, selects the appropriate power level for operation when a picture is to be taken.

Abstract: A slide projector having a remote control unit which is removable engageable with the slide projector. When the control unit is disengaged from the projector, it is removably engageable with an accessory which can be a further control or indicating device. Electrical contacts on the control unit electrically communicate with contacts in an aperture located on the projector and also a similar aperture located on the accessory. Thus, during remote control operations, an additional function or indication can easily be added to the control unit.

Abstract: A viewfinder display in a photographic camera in which the viewfinder includes a viewing opening and a line of light emitting diodes for indicating a range of camera settings, the line having at least first and second portions. A lens is provided between the viewing opening and one of the first or second portions to visually distinguish the first and second portions from one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera including a camera housing and an objective lens having an image axis. The objective lens for the camera is mounted in a tube which is movable between an extended exposure position and a retracted storage position. When the tube is in the extended exposure position, an annulus around the tube cooperates with a projection on the tube to set the precise extended position necessary to provide a sharply focused image on the camera film.

Abstract: A camera has a housing accommodating a shutter release element, and a detachable handgrip on the housing which is turnable about a pivot axis extending transverse to the optical axis. A trigger element is integrated in the handgrip and a coupling is provided which, on depressing of the trigger element, will operate the shutter release element irrespective of the position which the handgrip assumes relative to the camera housing on being turned about the aforementioned pivot axis.

Abstract: A photographic view finder camera having a retractable lens tube. A rocking control handle on the front of the camera housing operates as a lever and is rocked to project and retract the lens tube, wind the film and cock the shutter.

Abstract: A light detecting and measuring device for use with an electronic flash unit comprises a phototransistor, integrating capacitor and diodes connected in circuit to the flash unit. The diodes and capacitor are connected to the phototransistor and responsive to signals from the flash unit for enabling measurement of light by the phototransistor only while the flash unit is operating thus preventing measurement from external light sources.

Abstract: A focusing screen of a viewfinder system for a photographic camera is designed as a liquid crystal cell having two transparent bodies which lie opposite one another with plane surfaces at a short distance from each other, these plane surfaces carrying electrodes. By applying a current to the electrodes, or by cutting off such current, the character of the focusing screen is changed, providing a single multi-purpose screen and obviating the need to change the screen when focusing for a different type of photography. The liquid crystal screen may be used in conjunction with or may be formed as part of a field lens or a Fresnel lens forming part of the viewfinder system. Various arrangements of the electrodes for changing the character of the screen over only part of the area thereof, rather than the entire area thereof, are disclosed.