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 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.