Abstract: A compact folding camera having a plurality of housing members which are mounted for movement between folded and erect positions includes a six-bar, revolute joint, erecting system for coordinating movement of these movable housing members between their folded and erect positions.

Abstract: A photographic camera of the instant type having an imbibition chamber for storing exposed film units during their development. The imbibition chamber has a window through which an image in an exposed film in the chamber can be viewed. Manually operative means control the movement of a curtain or blind from a position covering the window to an uncovering position and movement of an exposed film unit to a position where it exits from the chamber via an egress door. Automatic means is provided for rendering the manually operative means ineffective to perform such functions during the exposure and development of a film unit.

Abstract: A compact, folding camera construction for exposing and processing cassette contained film in which a pair of nestable housings carry major optical components between a folded configuration in which they are located in space between cassette film housings and an erect operating position. Processed film, after exposure, is retained in a camera chamber from which it may be easily removed for viewing. SLR viewing is provided with the view path generally retained within the camera volume utilized for exposure.

Abstract: A photographic camera having an automatic exposure control circuit including a photocell lens assembly mounted for movement through an angle greater than ninety degrees, as the camera is rotated in either direction about its optical axis between a horizontally orientated picture taking attitude and a vertically orientated picture taking attitude, so as to compensate for variations in scene illumination received by the photocell lens assembly in the three attitudes, i.e., one horizontal and two vertical.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus including a camera and a masking accessory kit in which the camera may be adjusted between a fully automated single-image format mode and a multiple-image format mode for use with the masking accessory kit. The kit includes a plate-form adapter attachable in fixed relation to the camera so that adapter openings register in obstructing fashion with the camera objective and viewfinder lenses. The adapter is designed to support each of a plurality of masks in at least two positions whereby separate areas of a single film frame may be successively exposed to separate light images.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accessory for use with a camera of the instant developing kind which converts the camera into a photocopying camera. The accessory includes means for insuring even illumination of the area to be photographed as well as for insuring that the exposure and focusing functions of the camera operate in such a manner so as to provide suitable photocopy results.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus for moving an exposed film unit of the instant type from a film cassette and through an arcuate passageway which changes its path of movement from a first direction to a second direction, the apparatus including a roller assembly which moves the exposed film unit into the arcuate passageway and withdraws it from the same, the roller assembly also functioning to spread a processing liquid across a layer of the exposed film unit to initiate the formation of a visible image therein.

Abstract: An instant type camera having structure for moving an exposed self-developing type film unit from an exposure position within a film cassette to a lighttight imbibition chamber located behind the film cassette in which chamber the film unit remains during the formation of a visible image. A wall of the lighttight imbibition chamber includes a film loading door having a window therein for viewing a film unit located in the imbibition chamber. The window is provided with a blind which is operative to maintain the lighttightness of the chamber until the formation of the visible image within the film has been substantially completed. The blind is locked and maintained in its operative position until the formation of such image, whereupon the blind is released for movement to a position in which the film unit may be viewed in place through the window.

Abstract: A foldable hood accessory to which a camera may be mounted for photographing electro-luminescent images presented on a reflective surface, the hood including an assembly of upper and lower hood panels pivotally connected to each other at one end and closed along diverging side edges by flexible side shields. The connected hood panels are supported from a plate-like camera mounting base through a pivotal bail and by pivotal connection to a copy lens mount which, in turn is pivoted generally centrally of the base. The pivotal connection of components in the overall assembly permit the hood accessory to be conditioned in a very compact folded form or in an erected form to present a forwardly diverging light shielding hood with a mounting platform at the rear end thereof and to which a camera may be mounted.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for storing and dispensing a plurality of film units of the self-developing type. An opening is formed in a housing containing a stack of the units through which advancing means move to withdraw a bottommost film unit therefrom. The advancing means includes pick arms which are arranged so as to impart withdrawal forces to the marginal edges of the unit having a pod and fluid trap.

Abstract: A photographic exposure control system includes a dual purpose light sensing arrangement comprising a single photocell and light emitting diode pair which provide control signals indicative of both the focal position of a variable focus lens as well as the position in which the shutter blades first allow the transmission of scene light to the focal plane of the camera.

Abstract: An elongated optical system for use as a camera viewfinder. The system comprises four lens groups and four mirrors arranged around the second group to fold the system optical axis and provide for proper image orientation. Group power distribution is of form negative, positive, positive, and then positive with the first and second group structured to form an intermediate real image which is then viewable via the third and fourth groups. The viewfinder overall, however, is substantially afocal.

Abstract: Method and exposure control apparatus are disclosed for generally simultaneously evaluating preselected different frequencies during a portion of the exposure cycle for controlling exposure. Included is an arrangement responsive to movement of the shutter mechanism for facilitating combined evaluation of a first set of preselected scene radiation frequencies transmitted along a given first path for evaluation of flash illumination and at the same time preselected lesser amounts of a second set of scene radiation frequencies, different from the first set, transmitted along a second given path for ambient evaluation. In one preferred embodiment, the evaluated first set of frequencies comprises essentially infrared frequencies and the evaluated second set of frequencies comprises essentially visible frequencies.

Abstract: A photographic system is disclosed having a cassette containing unexposed film units therein. A film handling apparatus cooperates with the units for selectively withdrawing the units from the cassette for exposure and then returning them for storage. Also, there is means for use in facilitating the differentiation between exposed and unexposed film units. Such differentiation is facilitated by altering the position of the exposed units relative to the unexposed units.

Abstract: A lens drive mechanism for an auto focus camera transmits a substantially uniform driving force to rotate a lens mechanism at a uniform rate from a drive member interconnecting a pair of shutter blade elements regardless of variations in the output of the camera battery supply which operate to impart variations in the speed at which the shutter blade connecting member is driven.

Abstract: Method and photographic apparatus are disclosed for use in allowing exposing and viewing of image recording units of the self-developing type at the same station within the apparatus.

Abstract: A camera apparatus is disclosed for exposing photographic film of the self-developing type and for then processing a film unit to initiate formation of a visible image therein as it exits from the camera. The film unit is a relatively flat, flexible unit having on one side of the unit a light transmissive major surface and on an opposite side of the unit an opaque major surface. The apparatus includes structure located on the housing in adjoining relation to a housing exit slot for directing each exiting film unit along an exterior portion of the housing with the light transmissive surface maintained close to and facing the housing portion so that the light transmissive surface is blocked from direct exposure to the ambient light.