Abstract: A camera capable of utilizing a visual line of a photographer for a photographic operation is provided. The camera includes a visual-line detecting part for detecting a visual line (fixation point) of the photographer and a correcting part for correcting a deviation between the fixation point detected by the visual-line detecting part and an actual fixation point of the photographer's eye. The correcting part operates in association with a starting operation of the camera.

Abstract: A camera incorporating an auto-zoom function and a multi-focus detecting device. In this camera, the auto-zoom function is inhibited when a focus detection area selected is an area other than a central area, thereby performing a proper focus detection.

Abstract: A camera having a manually actuable switch for temporarily shifting the camera to an optimum exposure value so that exposure factors, based upon a manually set shutter speed and a manually set aperture value, are replaced by optimum exposure factors based upon a metered brightness of the object to be photographed when the camera is set to a non-program exposure mode. A clear button associated with the camera functions as a manually actuable switch for temporarily shifting an exposure mode of the camera to another exposure mode when the camera is set to a hyper-manual exposure mode. In the hyper-manual exposure mode, a photographer sets exposure factors by actuating a Tv electronic dial and an Av electronic dial. Actuation of the clear button when the camera is set to the hyper-manual exposure mode causes the set exposure factors to be replaced with optimum exposure factors that are automatically calculated in accordance with an object brightness Bv.

Abstract: A camera includes a distance detecting device arranged to detect a distance from the camera to an object to be photographed and to output distance information, a flash amount deciding part arranged to decide an amount of flash emission on the basis of the distance information from the distance detecting device, and an aperture value deciding part arranged to decide an aperture value to be used at the time of starting flash emission on the basis of the amount of flash emission.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device in which when a lens shifting range is arbitrarily limited and set with respect to the distance to a target object, the defocus amount and lens position are automatically detected, and the image plane shifting amount corresponding to the limited lens shifting range is calculated. Then, the corresponding image shifting amount and the detected defocus amount are compared. As a result of such comparison, if the defocus amount is found smaller, i.e., the target object is within the lens shift limiting range, the lens is shifted by the lens shifting amount thus calculated so as to perform focusing. If the defocus amount is found larger, i.e., the target object is outside the lens shift limiting range, the driving of the driving device is disabled so as not to shift the lens. If the defocus amount is found larger and the lens shifting is disabled, the defocus amount is again detected.

Abstract: This camera includes a viewfinder and a device (4) for detecting the visual line of a photographer looking through the viewfinder, an operation member (1), (8) such as a release button which is operated by the photographer to take a photograph, a means (2) for inputting calibration information, and a means for performing photography (5), (6), (7). The calibration information input means (2) operates in response to the operation of the operation member (1), (8), and inputs and stores calibration information when the photographer fixates on a target mark (3, b) visible within the viewfinder, based upon the visual line detected at that time by the visual line detection means (4). The object intended by the photographer to be photographed is detected and photographs it, based upon the visual line detected by the visual line detection means (4) and the stored calibration information.

Abstract: An auto-exposure device of a camera which can generate a photograph which fits to an image of a photographing time band in the photographing of an evening scene, a morning scene and so on. The auto-exposure device comprises a split photo-metering device for photo-metering a plurality of split areas of an object field, a color temperature measurement device for measuring a color temperature of a light source for illuminating the object field, and an exposure calculation device for calculating an exposure value based on the output of the split photo-metering device and the output of the color temperature measurement device.

Abstract: A camera comprises a photographing lens, a finder having its optical axis disposed substantially in parallel with the optical axis of the photographing lens and a lens drive for moving the photographing lens for focusing, the lens drive including a guide member for rectilinearly moving the photographing lens in a direction set at a predetermined angle to the optical axis of the photographing lens.

Abstract: A camera with an image stabilizing device includes a power supply for the camera, image stabilizing means for preventing image blur of the camera, discrimination means for discriminating a status of the power supply, and control means for varying a manner of discrimination by the discrimination means in accordance with the status of the image stabilizing means.

Abstract: A camera-shake correcting camera, which corrects a camera shake by moving a camera-shake correcting device forming a part of phototaking optical system, comprises a first control device for controlling movement of the camera-shake correcting device, a second control device for executing a sequence control of the camera-shake correcting camera, a first data transfer device for transferring data in serial transfer between the first control device and the second control device, and a second data transfer device for executing transmission or reception of a binary signal between the first control device and the second control device, wherein the data transfer is carried out through the second data transfer device while the first control device is controlling the camera-shake correcting device.

Abstract: Analog sound tracks are recorded on a single one of the three dye layers present in a color motion picture film, one of the same dye layers that is used for the color picture information. The single dye layer, preferably the cyan dye layer, is read out using a narrow spectrum, substantially monochromatic light source, preferably a red light-emitting diode (LED), the spectrum of which is such as to be maximally absorbed by the dye layer and to remain well within the absorption range of the dye layer even when the dye layer color characteristics vary among film batches. The resulting lower-cost and environmentally-safer silverless analog-audio soundtracks have playback characteristics extremely close to conventional analog audio soundtracks prepared with silver.

Abstract: The camera capable of performing divisional photometry according to the present invention includes a photometric sensor which is made up from a plurality of photoelectric conversion sub-elements arranged in close proximity to one another over a predetermined light receiving region in a two dimensional array and which performs divisionally photometry on the photographic field divided into a plurality of regions, an image projection optical system which projects an image of a photographic field upon light receiving surfaces of a proper subset of this plurality of photoelectric conversion sub-elements which occupies a region which is smaller than the predetermined light receiving region, and a calculation device which calculates an exposure value based upon the photometric outputs from the proper subset of the plurality of photoelectric conversion sub-elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a back-focal distance control system autofocus single-lens reflex camera wherein a single-lens reflex camera body is sectioned into two blocks, one block is a fixed block while the other block is a movable block, the movable block is moved in the optical-axis direction of a lens on the basis of the fixed block, and autofocus control is conducted by adjusting a flange-focal distance of the camera.Autofocusing is attainable even by installing a manual interchangeable lens and other AF interchangeable lenses. Further, a switching operability between MF/AF operations is enhanced, and super close-range photography can be also effected. Extended further is a possible-of-AF range (from super close-range to super infinity) in combination with AF of a lens drive system. At the same time, the AF operation is conducted at a high speed with a high accuracy. Further, even when installing a lens larger in size than a standard lens, a reliability on the operation of a diaphragm mechanism is enhanced.

Abstract: An eye direction detecting apparatus for a camera having a light transferring system for guiding a beam of parallel light rays to an eye of a photographer includes a light receiving system having a light receiving portion on which a first Purkinje image based on specular reflection of a cornea of the eye and reflecting light from a retina of the eye is formed, the light receiving portion generating a light receiving output. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit for detecting the eye direction of the eye based on the light receiving output of the light receiving portion. Further, according to the teachings of the present invention, including an optical member having certain identically inclined surfaces prevents refracted light from forming a ghost image within the light receiving system of an eye direction detecting apparatus.

Abstract: A lens barrel constructed of a cam slot, a lens cylinder, a memory, a detector, a motor drive and a controller. The cam slot has a discontinuous area formed in a portion corresponding to a parting line of a molding die used for molding. The lens cylinder has a cam follower slidably engaging the cam slot. The memory stores information indicating where the discontinuous area exists in the cam slot. The detector detects where the cam follower is positioned in the cam slot. The motor drive makes the lens cylinder progress and retreat in the optical-axis direction by driving one of the cam slot and the lens cylinder relative to the other. The controller controls the motor drive to drive the lens cylinder up to a position deviating from the discontinuous area when the cam follower is in the discontinuous area by comparing memory information of the memory with detection information of the detector.

Abstract: A camera is provided having a line-of-sight detecting device for detecting a line of sight of an observer, photometric means for detecting luminances of subareas into which a luminance detection area is partitioned, a selecting means for selecting a specific subarea from the plurality of subareas on the basis of information on the line of sight detected by the line-of-sight detecting means, and a calculating means for weighting the luminances of the plurality of subareas on the basis of the specific subarea selected by the selecting means.

Abstract: A camera system comprises a brightness measuring circuit, a exposure line choosing circuit, an operable switch, a film driver and a film driving mode selector. The brightness measuring circuit measures brightness of a photographic scene to send a brightness value. The exposure line choosing circuit chooses one of a plurality of exposure lines in which each lines selects a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed value at each brightness value. The film driver drives a film in either of a first mode in which the film is wound only one frame in response to the operation of the operable switch and a second mode in which the film is wound frame by frame continuously as long as the operable member is operated. The film driving mode selector selects one of the modes in accordance with the exposure line chosen by the choosing circuit.

Abstract: An automatic flash amount control apparatus of camera, which can avoid over-exposure of a subject to be controlled in flash amount even if the subject to be illuminated occupies only a small portion of photo-taking screen, executes photo-metering of a field to be photographed while dividing the field into a plurality of first metering regions without flashing of a flashing device and meters an optical flux emitted by the flashing device and then reflected by the field to be photographed while dividing the flux into a plurality of second metering regions. The apparatus separates the second metering regions into two groups, one of which is to contribute to and the other of which is not to contribute to flash amount control, with correspondence to respective results of metering of the first metering regions.

Abstract: A camera having an auxiliary photographing function comprises photometering device for photometering an area to be photographed, exposure value calculation device for calculating an exposure value in accordance with the output of said photometering device, photographing mode selection device for selecting a photographing mode, and exposure value setting device for setting a final exposure value in accordance with the mode selected by said photographing mode selection device and the exposure value calculated by said exposure value calculation device.

Abstract: A camera incorporating an auto-zoom function made operative when a photographer holds both a camera body and a lens barrel.