Abstract: In this strobe apparatus which can be fitted to a camera having a strobe built-in or a camera, a flash comprises at least two flashing parts having respectively different light distribution characteristics, the distances to objects in a plurality of places within the photographed picture are measured and the flashing amounts adapted to the distances are operated to control the flashing amount of the flashing. Also, the flashing amounts of the first flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics at the time of the full flashing within the photographed picture and the second flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics substantially linearly symmetrical with the light distribution characteristics of said first flashing part with respect to the center axis are respectively independently controlled by a controlling circuit.

Abstract: A device determines an aperture value Av and a time value Tv for controlling exposure, on the basis of the detected focal length, the detected image magnification and brightness of an object. First, a type of photography is determined according to the focal length (f) and a image magnification .beta., on the basis of fuzzy logic. Then, a combination of an aperture value Av and a time value Tv which are proper for the so-determined type of photography is automatically determined. The combination can be changed by a manual operation. If the combination is changed, a display showing a depth of field corresponding to the changed aperture value Av is indicated.

Abstract: A money shield for insertion into a cash drawer or cash drawer insert of a cash register to overlie paper currency in one or more paper currency compartments to prevent visual inspection of currency under the shield, wherein the shield covers the area defined by a compartment and is associated with a conventional bail of the currency compartment, and the shield includes means to allow it to swing open for access to the currency yet yieldable to an at rest closed position.

Abstract: A Patrone and a camera using the Patrone. The Patrone comprises a film wind spool arranged in a cylindrical body, of which upper and lower ends are light-tightly sealed. The body stores film so that the film can move freely in or out of the body in such a manner that the film can rotate freely, and is wound about said spool in roll form. Locking members are arranged in the cylindrical body and can be displaced freely relative to the spool. Ends of the locking members normally project outwardly from the cylindrical body. Locked members are arranged opposed to said locking members and are formed substantially as parts of one of the cylindrical body or spool. An elastic member normally urges each of the locked members toward engagement with an associated locking member.

Abstract: The photometric device for a camera according to this invention enables calculation of an exposure value without carrying out a photometry again even when in at least a part of plural photometric regions exists a region whose brightness information is small.

Abstract: A lens position detecting apparatus including an optical system which has a lens group that is movable in an optical axis direction, a lens moving mechanism for holding the lens group in a manner which permits the lens group to be movable in the optical axis direction, and a motor for driving the lens moving mechanism. The lens position detecting apparatus further includes a code reading mechanism which has a code plate with codes which represent the position of the lens group, and a code detecting member for detecting the bodes of the code plate, at least one of either the code plate or the detecting member being movable in association with the movement of the lens group.

Abstract: Balls are clamped between a first gear driven by an auto-focusing motor and a second gear driven by a manual focusing ring. The balls are arranged to revolve about a given axis. A projection having an elasticity and provided to the second gear itself is brought into contact with a fixing member provided at a predetermined position, so that a clamping force for clamping the balls is generated by the projection.

Abstract: A camera capable of communicating with an information reading and transmitting apparatus comprises a detector for detecting a signal output from the information reading and transmitting apparatus, a memory prestoring therein a plurality of programs for effecting a plurality of camera operations, a selector for selecting a particular program from among the plurality of programs on the basis of the result detected by the detector, and a controller for controlling the camera operations on the basis of the particular program selected by the selector.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having a lens driving device includes a stepping motor for driving a lens which is movable along an optical axis and a controller for driving the stepping motor. The controller selectively changes excitation for the stepping motor among a plurality of respectively different excitations.

Abstract: A focus detecting system for effecting automatic focusing by detecting the in-focus position of a focusing lens and driving the focusing lens to this position. This system has a signal processing means supplied with a video signal from image pick-up means to output a signal related to the in-focus state, a detection means for detecting the position of a focusing lens for forming an image in the image pick-up means, when the signal output from the signal processing means is processed, and a calculating means for calculating the presupposed in-focus position of the focusing lens from at least two groups of items of data on the signal outputted from the signal processing means and on the position of the focusing lens supplied from the detection means. Each time the deviation of the present position of the focusing lens from the presupposed in-focus position is calculated, the focusing lens is driven to move to an extent smaller than the deviation, thus being focused.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film unit is pre-loaded with photographic film. First and second stationary openings are formed respectively in front of first and second exposure chambers. A wide-angle taking lens is disposed in front of the first stationary opening, and has a shorter focal length. A telephoto taking lens is disposed in front of the second stationary opening, and has a longer focal length. In response to operation of a shutter release button, a single shutter plate slides horizontally. Wide-angle and telephoto movable openings are formed in the shutter plate and are registrable with the respective stationary openings. The telephoto movable opening is different in size from the wide-angle movable opening. When the shutter plate is slid, the movable openings open or close the stationary openings simultaneously, and expose the film to make two simultaneous exposures. In a preferred embodiment, the wide-angle lens is disposed behind the shutter plate.

Abstract: A compact camera has a variable focal length photographing optical system, a multisegment photometric system that is separate from the photographing optical system, each segment outputting a brightness level, and a controller that determines an exposure value for exposing a film by using weighting coefficients to calculate a weighted average of the brightness levels outputted by the photometric system. The weighting coefficients vary according to the focal length of the photographing optical system.

Abstract: A camera having an electronic flash that is energized on the basis of a release signal comprises a control unit for controlling an amount of a light emitted from the electronic flash, a measuring unit for measuring an amount of a light incident thereon through a lens system, and a memory for storing data indicative of the light amount measured by the measuring unit. The control unit controls the electronic flash in such a manner that, after the electronic flash is energized during a first period of time when the release signal is input, on the basis of data stored in the memory and light reading data measured by the measuring unit when the electronic flash is energized during the first period of time, the electronic flash is re-energized only during a second period of time.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus is provided with optical means for forming, from a light beam passed through an objective lens, distributions of intensity of light whose relative position varies in conformity with the focus adjusted state of the objective lens, light receiving means for receiving the distributions of intensity of light and forming a signal indicative of the focus adjusted state of the objective lens, and masking means for regulating the light beam passed through the objective lens to effect detection relative to a desirable position in a scene which is not restricted to a predetermined position.

Abstract: Focus detection apparatus employs a plurality of focus detection areas, particularly cross type focus detection areas having two strip type focus detection areas which intersect at right angles in a photographing image plane. Embodiments of the invention make use of focus detection areas that vary in location, arrangement, orientation, alignment, and length. Photoelectric converters employ arrays of pixels with different pixel pitches and/or pixel widths and with different slant angles of pixels relative to a longitudinal dimension of the arrays.

Abstract: The exposure calculation device for camera comprises a first photometric means which performs photometry on the photographic field divided into a plurality of regions and a second photometric means for which by comparison with the first photometric means the separation number is lower and which excels at low luminance photometric performance, and a calculation means which calculates an exposure value in a comparatively high luminance situation by dominantly using the output of the first photometric means and in a comparatively low illumination situation by dominantly using the output of the second photometric means; and it is possible to obtain an accurate exposure value, even in a special environment such as a high temperature situation or low luminance or the like.

Abstract: A camera locks out an attempted flash photograph when the voltage of the flash charger is below a minimum voltage necessary for the flash to fire. Flash lockout may also take place when: the flash charger voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum flash voltage but less than the lowest voltage in a voltage range providing optimum flash lighting; and the photographic subject distance is beyond the flash range at the present flash charger voltage. Lockout may also be determined based on current flash charger charging time compared to predetermined times for the flash charger to reach the minimum voltage and/or the lowest voltage in the optimum lighting range from a substantially discharged state.

Abstract: In a camera with a line of sight detecting device, the optical axes of an observation optical system, illuminating means and photoelectric converting means are disposed so as to differ from one another, whereby it never happens-that in the observation optical system, illuminating light creates ghost, and the calculation of the direction of line of sight can be accomplished effectively.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus comprises a light emitting device for emitting a beam toward a plurality of portions in a field, a light receiving device for receiving a reflection beam from an object located at each of the plurality of portions and outputting a receiving signal according thereto, a selecting device for searching out a region where the receiving signal exceeds a predetermined value out of the plurality of portions and selecting an aimed portion for distance measurement from the searched-out region where the receiving signal exceeds the predetermined value, and a measuring device for measuring an object distance based on a receiving signal from the aimed portion for distance measurement.

Abstract: A flash lighting apparatus effects proper lighting for different portions of an object field by the use of a light control device disposed on an optical path between a flash light emitter and the object field. In one embodiment, the flash light control device has a plurality of main control portions and at least one sub-control portion adjacent to main control portions. An adjusting circuit adjusts the quantity of light projected by the control portions so that the quantity of light projected by a sub-control portion may be between the quantities of light projected by the adjacent main control portions. In one embodiment, a single booster circuit provides boosted voltage for use in a light emission control circuit that causes flash light emission and also for use in a control circuit for a light control device. In one embodiment, a photometering circuit photometers areas of an object field, and the number of light control portions is greater than the number of photometered areas.