Abstract: A photographic lighting system, particularly for use in photographic studios, including a constant light for illuminating the subject to be photographed while the subject is being placed in proper position and while the photographer is focusing the camera, plus an electronic flash device for illuminating the subject while the actual photograph is being taken. The constant or continuous light is adjustable to vary the degree of illumination produced thereby, and the duration of the electronic flash is automatically adjusted to vary the duration of the flash, in response to the adjustment of the brilliance of the continuous light. The electronic flash tube is powered by a storage capacitor, and charge control means determines the voltage to which the storage capacitor is charged in preparation for an ensuing flash. Blocking means prevents the initiation of a flash unless the storage capacitor is charged to the proper voltage.

Abstract: The shutter in front of the image aperture is constructed from two pairs of flaps which fold and unfold and are actuated by levers so that flap edges move as leading and trailing edges of a slit across the aperture. The flaps fold temporarily into the space occupied, for example, by a fold-up mirror prior to exposure if the camera is of the single reflex type.

Abstract: Photographic flash apparatus having one flash unit which may be called the main or master or primary flash unit, and one or more additional flash units which may be called secondary or slave or dependent units. Eliminating connecting cables often used in the prior art, and also eliminating ratio frequency controls sometimes used in the prior art relating to multiple units, the secondary or dependent units of the present invention are independently powered and are triggered to initiate a flash by the light from the flash of the main unit, and triggered to terminate or discontinue the flash in each dependent unit when the flash in the main unit turns off. The control of each secondary unit is entirely by means of the flash of light from the main unit. The apparatus is particularly useful in studio lighting where it is desired to illuminate the subject being photographed from a plurality of different directions.

Abstract: A spring-tightened bayonet-type connection for securing an accessory (for example, a flash unit) to a camera housing. A threaded pin or bolt on the accessory carries a cross bar or head of non-circular shape which can pass, in one position of orientation, through a similarly shaped opening in the camera housing. When the bolt is turned, the ends of the cross bar engage behind the edges of the cavity in which the cross bar is received, and the screw thread action of the bolt draws the cross bar against the engaging parts of the camera to draw the accessory firmly against the camera housing. A spring pressed rack meshing with a pinion on the bolt tends to turn the bolt in a tightening direction. A plunger operated latch holds the rack in a spring tensioned position where the bolt is loose and its head or cross bar is oriented to pass into or out of the cavity in the camera.

Abstract: A motion picture camera having a magnetic sound recording head, a pressure plate for holding the film tight against the sound head, a capstan driven at a uniform rate for advancing the film uniformly past the sound head, a drum for holding the film tight against the capstan and a sensor or feeler for sensing the film loop between the optical film gate and the sound recording head. The capstan and the recording head are mounted in stationary locations on one side of a mounting plate, the flywheel of the capstan is located on the opposite side of the mounting plate, and the pressure plate, the drum, and the feeler are mounted on a lever which swings in a plane parallel to the mounting plate and is located on the same side of the mounting plate as the capstan and recording head.

Abstract: A single lens mirror reflex camera arranged for very fast operation. Both the reflex mirror and the auxiliary shutter or protecting flap are moved very quickly from viewing position to picture-taking position, without jar or vibration, by means of separate operating linkages which are in an angular position while the mirror and flap are in viewing position, and which straighten out to straight-line or dead-center positions as the mirror and flap move to picture-taking position, thus bringing them to a smooth stop. A step-by-step electrical switch controls various functions of the camera at various step positions of the switch. One step initiates the running of an electric motor which serves both to wind the film in the camera and to restore the mirror and auxiliary shutter from picture-taking position to viewing position.

Abstract: A miniature mirror reflex camera having a camera body carrying an objective lens at the front, and having at the rear means for holding a conventional film cassette of a known type made for miniature cameras. Arranged between the lens and the cassette is a sliding carrier movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens and at right angles to the direction of the travel of the film in the cassette. A reflex mirror is mounted in fixed position on this carrier, and below the mirror is a shutter. When the carrier is slid downwardly to a lower position, the reflex mirror intersects the optical axis and deflects the light rays coming in through the lens, upwardly to a viewing screen which is seen through an eyepiece and a pentaprism. In this position, the carrier effectively blocks passage of light rays rearwardly toward the film in the cassette.

Abstract: Mechanism for synchronizing the illumination produced by flash units of two different types, with the operation of a camera shutter, especially a shutter of the type having one blade mechanism for opening the shutter to start the exposure, and a separate blade mechanism for closing the shutter to terminate the exposure. The synchronizing mechanism has electronic circuitry which produces, at a single bi-polar contact, a first voltage variation at the beginning of the shutter opening movement and a second voltage variation at a later time, not later than the beginning of the shutter closing movement. A first form of adapter, used with a combustible flash bulb of the current-operated type, is plugged into the synchronous contact of the camera, and this adapter fires the flash bulb in response to the first voltage variation, far enough in advance of the termination of the exposure to allow time for the combustible flash bulb to achieve sufficient illumination intensity while the exposure is still in progress.

Abstract: A small motion picture camera having a telescopic viewfinder enclosed in a separate housing which is mounted on the top of the camera body while the camera is being used for taking pictures. When not being used for taking pictures, the viewfinder housing is shifted to the front of the camera where it serves as a protective cover for the camera lens and a portion of the driving motor, thus reducing the height dimension of the camera to such extent that the camera can easily be slipped into the user's pocket of average conventional size. The length of the viewfinder housing is equal to the height of the camera body, and the thickness of the viewfinder housing from side to side is equal to the thickness of the camera body, so that when the viewfinder housing is mounted in the transporting position on the front of the camera body, it forms a smooth prolongation of the body. Batteries for powering the driving motor of the camera are also contained in the viewfinder housing, along with the viewfinder telescope.