Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder includes an objective system having a positive refracting power, an image erecting optical system for erecting an image formed by the objective system, and an eyepiece system having a positive refracting power. The objective system is composed of a first lens unit of a negative biconcave lens, a second lens unit of a positive lens, and a third lens unit of a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface directed toward the image side. The first lens unit is fixed and the second and third lens units are moved along the optical axis, thereby changing the magnification of the finder. In this way, the real image mode variable magnification finder of wide-angle design can be provided which is compact in size, has a high variable magnification ratio, and exhibits excellent performance for correction for aberration.

Abstract: A camera comprises a camera body, a film Patrone stowage chamber defined in the camera body, a cover member to be freely opened or closed relative to the camera body, an elastic member that is attached to the cover member, and that when the cover member is closed relative to the camera body, is opposed to the film Patrone chamber, and a low-friction member that is attached to the elastic member, and that when the cover member is closed with the film Patrone mounted in the film Patrone stowage chamber, meets at least part of the film Patrone so as to press and slide the film Patrone.

Abstract: A camera elevating and viewing apparatus for providing a view of subjects not clear at eye level. The inventive device includes an elongated central tube having open upper and lower ends. A support bracket is secured to and extends outwardly from the central tube. The support bracket supports a camera thereon. An upper viewing tube is coupled with the open upper end of the central tube. The upper viewing tube aligns with a viewfinder of the camera when positioned on the support bracket. A lower viewing tube is coupled with the open lower end of the central tube. The lower viewing tube has an open outer end with an eye piece disposed thereon.

Abstract: In a low cost camera, film initialization to a first exposure frame by a time constant controlled drive circuit in which the time constant circuit is reset by a "cartridge present" sensor switch as a consequence of removing a film cartridge from the camera. This ensures that newly loaded film will be automatically initialized to the first exposure position without requiring the camera user to remember to actuate a shutter release button multiple times to achieve proper initialization. A flash charger circuit in the camera is automatically started at the end of frame advance or at the end of film initialization by opening of a film metering sensor switch that allows discharge of a capacitor into the time constant circuit, capacitor discharge generating a starting pulse sent to the charger circuit.

Abstract: In a low cost camera, film initialization to a first exposure frame by a time constant controlled drive circuit in which the time constant circuit is reset by a door sensor switch as a consequence of unloading and/or loading of film in the camera. This ensures that newly loaded film will be automatically initialized to the first exposure position without requiring the camera user to remember to actuate a shutter release button multiple times to achieve proper initialization. A film advance sensor switch is further employed to prevent subsequent frame advance if film initialization is for any reason not properly achieved.

Abstract: In an imaging field changing apparatus capable of changing three or more imaging fields having different aspect ratios, a changing order can be set such that one of two imaging fields having largest rate of change in aspect ratios during imaging field changing is changed to the other of the two imaging fields. The imaging fields are exemplified as a standard size, a panorama size, and a high-vision size. Aspect ratio changing is performed such that the standard size is changed to the panorama size. A change in imaging field can be easily recognized. For example, when a change is to be made between the standard size and the panorama size, the upper and lower portions are cut or trimmed and the right and left portions are widened to emphasize wideness.

Abstract: A waterproof protective housing for a camera comprising an elastic pouch which is shaped and dimensioned to enclose the camera and has an opening for a taking lens of the camera, is characterized in that a pair of rigid outer and inner clamping parts are secured together parallel to one another to squeeze the elastic pouch between them at the opening to provide a watertight seal around the opening, and at least one of the outer and inner clamping parts is transparent and covers the opening.

Abstract: A waterproof integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, especially cameras and video cameras, is comprised of a thin transparent skin or membrane which enables submerged use of the equipment, provides a barrier to damaging water and particulate matter and simultaneously permits uninhibited access to and operation of audio, video and infra-red components of the equipment. The apparatus is comprised of three primary components including the integument, a support platform upon which the equipment is secured, and two embodiments of a combination air extraction and membrane closure means. Air within the system is withdrawn either manually or mechanically causing the membrane to collapse around and closely conform to the equipment thereby forming the integumentary barrier. Optional lens adapters are also included to improve filming quality and prevent condensation which might occur upon exposure of the system to temperature differences between air and water.

Abstract: A camera which uses a film cartridge equipped with an indicating section for indicating an exposed state of a film housed within the film cartridge comprises a film compartment for accommodating the film cartridge, a cover member for closing the film compartment, and an ejector formed within the film compartment. The ejector blocks the mounting of the film cartridge in readiness for photographing when the exposure-state indicating section takes a development-completed condition indicating position, a completely exposed condition indicating position or a partially exposed condition indicating position, while allowing the film cartridge to be mounted therein for photographing when it takes a non-exposed condition indicating position. In addition, the ejector pushes the film cartridge out of the film compartment when the cover member is opened after a completion of photography.

Abstract: A film cartridge mounting mechanism for use in an exterior film-feeding camera is disclosed which allows the camera to be more compact in size, more convenient and portable to use, at a substantially reduced cost. It includes (a) an exposed accommodation chamber on one side of a main body of the camera, the exposed accommodation chamber having an arc shaped contact surface with the camera for receiving a film cartridge; (b) a positioning base and a top plate provided in the accommodation chamber, wherein the position base having and the top plate form a lower bound and upper bound, respectively, of the accommodation chamber; (c) a plurality of restraints provided in the position base having and the top plate for anchoring a film cartridge; and (d) an inlet for introducing a film from the film cartridge into a film-conveying slot in the camera main body.

Abstract: A camera is presented which includes a first image taking portion for taking a picture of a subject as a digital image to be stored in a first memory and a second image taking portion for taking a picture of a subject as an image on a film. The camera further includes a controller for selectively performing one of first, second and third operations, in the first operation the first image taking portion is actuated independently of the second image taking portion to take a picture, in the second operation the second image taking portion is actuated independently of the first image taking portion to take a picture, and in the third operation both the first and second image taking portions are simultaneously actuated to take a picture of a common subject. The camera further includes a second memory for storing information about which of the first, second and third operations has been performed for which picture taken, and an indicating device for visually indicating the information.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for the film-box cover of a camera is provided. Basically, the driven gear of the film receptacle of the camera interacts with a connecting catch which is rotatably mounted on a position binder: after the film is loaded into the receptacle and rolled out, the connecting catch will rotate an appropriate distance to prevent the opening/closing motion of the camera's film-box cover. This ensures that the box cover will not be accidentally opened, thus effectively preventing the exposure of the film which has already been used. Furthermore, when rewinding the film manually or by an automatic method after the roll of film has been used up for photography, the connecting catch will return to its original position to allow the film-box cover to regain its function for removal or reloading of the film.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism of simple and inexpensive design is incorporated in a camera structure to control a motor advance film winding system. The actuator includes a metering mechanism interface, a motor activation switch interface, and a shutter mechanism interface. In operation, a metering mechanism of a camera contacts with the metering mechanism interface in an exposure ready state to hold the actuator in an initial position in which the motor activation switch interface interfaces with a moveable contact of a motor switch to prevent contact between the moveable contact and a stationary contact of the motor switch. When a shutter mechanism of the camera is depressed, the shutter mechanism interfaces with the shutter mechanism interface to hold the actuator in the initial position and also moves the metering mechanism out of contact with the metering mechanism interface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the production of superior quality three dimensional images utilizing a multi-lens camera and a multi-lens enlarger configured according to a standard of arrangements. The number of lenses used in the camera and the enlarger is selected to he greater than the resolution capabilities of the human eye and the lenticular print system. The width of a zone of the lineiform image is determined by the distance between two adjacent images on the focal plane of the lenticular screen of a point projected from a distance at or beyond the distance limit through adjacent projecting apertures of the enlarger. The projecting apertures of the enlarger are linearly arrayed and equally spaced within the accepting angle corresponding to the distance limit to construct a lineiform image without gaps between zones and without gaps between lines.

Abstract: A camera comprising a particular device (such as an electronic flash unit) that requires electrical energy to operate, a power switch capable of being changed from a normal state to a working state in order to provide electrical power to the device and biased to return to the normal state, and a protective cover (such as a lens cover) that changes the power switch from the normal state to the working state as the protective cover is moved from being closed to being open, is characterized in that the protective cover is supported for manual movement when open, without being moved to close, to change the power switch from the normal state to the working state when the power switch has returned to the normal state.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of a camera by an operator is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises camera crane member that mounts the camera. The camera crane member will have a first end containing a camera platform. Also included will be the pan and tilt head member, operatively attached to the camera platform, that is adapted for panning and tilting the camera. The device further includes an upper arm plate extending from the pan/tilt head member, with the upper arm plate adapted to mount the camera. The device also contains a first rod and a second rod that extends from the camera crane, and a swivel component, operatively attached to the second end of the first rod of the mounting rod, for swiveling the second rod. The device will also contain a vertical arm that is attached to the upper arm plate that extends vertically downward.

Abstract: In a method of making a single image of a scene which is the combined images of different portions of the scene, including providing first and second image capturing structures with the second image capturing structure including a moveable lens; and moving the second lens so that it captures at least one different portion of the scene but which overlaps with a first portion of the scene captured by the first image capture structure, the second image capture structure including an image sensor. The method further determines when the second lens moves across the scene to a desired position and stopping the second lens at the desired position for causing the first and second capture structure to capture overlapping images of different portions of the scene.

Abstract: A camera comprising a main body part having a backframe opening for exposing successive sections of a filmstrip, a metering sprocket rotatably supported on the main body part proximate the backframe opening and having respective teeth that can project through individual perforations in the filmstrip to engage successive sections of the filmstrip at the backframe opening, and a rear cover part having a plurality of parallel film guide ribs longitudinally extending to guide successive sections of the filmstrip over the backframe opening, is characterized in that one of the film guide ribs includes an integral portion configured to at least partially surround the teeth of the metering sprocket one at a time, in a predetermined location at which each tooth projects from one of the perforations in the filmstrip, to retain a film section at the backframe opening in engagement with the tooth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading photographic film in a camera and cameras so produced. In the method, a camera frame assembly is supplied. The camera frame assembly includes a camera frame having a cartridge chamber, a scroll chamber, and an intermediate section disposed between the two chambers. The scroll chamber has a wall that defines a substantially cylindrical, empty film space. A film cartridge having a filmstrip, is placed in the cartridge chamber. The filmstrip is advanced from the cartridge to the scroll chamber. A major portion of the filmstrip is coiled into a scroll within the film space. During the coiling, the scroll is supported within the film space on a fluid bearing between the scroll chamber wall and the filmstrip.

Abstract: An imprinting apparatus for use in a camera having an imprinting device including a date information imprinting mode for imprinting date information, time information, or the like on a recording medium, and a message information imprinting mode for imprinting message information formed of alphanumeric characters, graphic designs or the like, or a message in the message information in one language being changed into a message in a different language if necessary, and an operating device for performing different operations on the imprinting device using the same operating member with respect to each of the date information imprinting mode and the message information imprinting mode.