Abstract: A flash illumination system for photographic cameras including a foldable flash holder having a receptacle well formed to complement the base of a disposable flash array. The flash array base extends across the length of the array and is established by a rigid printed circuit board. Detent apertures in the board become aligned with detent projections when the flash array is inserted into the well. A retention bias is established exclusively by electrical contact blades in engagement with one face of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An automatic focusing control apparatus focuses subjects in any one of a plurality of different camera-to-subject distance ranges by transmitting a sonar ranging signal and at the same time displacing an objective lens to move through a plurality of different focal positions corresponding respectively to the different camera-to-subject distance ranges, and thereafter detecting an echo signal from a subject and utilizing the detected echo signal to provide a specially timed control signal to ultimately stop the displacement of the objective lens at the appropriate focal position corresponding to the distance range in which the subject is located.

Abstract: For charging a flash device in a photographic apparatus, there is provided a flash charging actuator manually displaceable between an off position and a charge position. For commencing exposure in such apparatus, there is a camera actuator manually displaceable between an off position and an exposure position. The flash charging actuator includes a cover portion for covering a finger engagable portion of the camera actuator when the former actuator is in its off position for inhibiting operation of the latter. Moving the charging actuator to its charge position uncovers the finger engagable portion so that the camera operator can sequentially depress the camera actuator after the flash device has been charged.

Abstract: A snap-fit strobe housing, which resists manual disassembly, includes mating first and second housing sections with an interior surface of a wall of one section carrying a locking detent and a wall of the other section carrying a latching portion projecting in a manner and direction to engage the locking detent. Also included is structure extending from the locking wall in overlapping relationship to a surface of the latching portion facing away from that wall so as to engage and retain the latching portion in continuous engagement with the locking detent.

Abstract: An exposure control system for a photographic camera apparatus of the type preferably having a fixed focus and a built-in electronic flash includes a scanning type shutter blade arrangement wherein the shutter blade elements have especially configured scene light admitting apertures which generally scan to an intermediate sized aperture during the predominantly ambient scene lighted mode of operation to provide a correspondingly increased depth of field and which scan to a maximum size aperture during the predominantly artificial scene lighted mode of operation to provide for a maximum effective range for the flash.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera having a ranging device, which selects the nearest subject for focusing, including a manually operative member for defeating the ranging device and automatically signalling the lens drive arrangement to move the lens to a preselected focal position when focusing on other than the near subject is desired; as, for example, when focusing through a window with a sonic ranging camera.

Abstract: A photographic camera employing a replaceable film pack, which includes a battery, utilizes an integral strobe unit powered from the pack battery and automatically provides strobe operation for all ambient scene light conditions. The camera provides automatic charging of the strobe unit from the pack battery and triggering of the strobe at an aperture value selected in accordance with subject distance during scene exposure under all levels of ambient scene light to automatically provide a flash exposure under low ambient light and a flash fill-in exposure under high ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A photographic camera of the type having an automatic exposure control system which regulates the exposure delivered to a film of predetermined speed and which includes a manually operable exposure trim mechanism which varies the control of the exposure control system in accordance with the trim mechanism's position is provided with apparatus by which a visual indication of the status of the trim mechanism is displayed in the camera viewfinder.

Abstract: A camera having a foldable flash unit, preferably of the electronic strobe type, wherein the flash unit is movable between an operative erect position and a folded storage position wherein a major portion of the flash unit fits into a conforming recess on the front of the camera housing and the camera and flash housings cooperate to form a protective enclosure for the camera's objective lens and a source of illumination or light output window on the flash unit.

Abstract: A film cassette supporting spring for permitting the insertion of a film cassette having a first configuration into a film chamber where the spring supports the film cassette in position for the exposure of a film unit contained therein, and for preventing a film cassette of a second configuration from being so positioned. The supporting spring includes a film cassette engaging section located in the path of travel of a film cassette as it is being loaded into the film chamber. A resilient arm is coupled to the engaging section and is adapted to be engaged and deflected by a film cassette, having the first configuration, through a distance sufficient to move the engaging section out of the path of the incoming film cassette.

Abstract: A photographic camera apparatus includes an improved exposure and electronic flash fire control system comprising a single light source for providing a visual indication to the photographer of electronic flash charging and a control light detectable by the exposure control system as an indicator of the commencement of an exposure interval.

Abstract: A photographic exposure control system is provided for controlling the firing of an electronic flash of the quench type so as to automatically provide a proportional fill flash under conditions of substantial ambient scene light intensity. The photographic exposure control system may also control the firing of electronic quench flash under conditions of negligible ambient scene light intensity wherein the proportion of the exposure value attributable to the artificial scene light automatically increases in correspondence with the decrease in the ambient scene light intensity.

Abstract: A fully automatic and integrated focusing and exposure control system for a photographic camera includes a combination latch and actuator mechanism that operates to normally latch a shutter blade arrangement in its scene light blocking position and to unlatch the shutter blade arrangement in anticipation of an exposure cycle. The combination latch and actuator mechanism also operates during the unlatching of the shutter blades to actuate the focusing apparatus so as to automatically focus the camera objective lens in synchronism with the shutter blade being unlatched.

Abstract: A compact zone focusing lens system is provided for use as a photographic camera objective. In the system, a positive meniscus lens is mounted in registration with the larger opening of a truncated, opaque, open-ended cone section the apical end of which serves as a maximum system aperture stop. A transparent disk having a plurality of meniscus lens elements integrally molded therein is mounted so that its lens elements can be selectively rotated into alignment with the cone section apical opening to provide system focal lengths which are appropriate for sharply focusing objects located within different object distance ranges.

Abstract: A quench strobe includes a light integrator circuit with an anticipation network which enables the quench to be anticipated by a predetermined time corresponding to the reaction time of the strobe quenching circuitry so as to avoid overexposure under conditions where the photographic subjects are close to the camera or under conditions of relatively high scene light reflectance.

Abstract: A photographic camera apparatus includes an automatic exposure control arrangement having scanning shutter blade elements which are accelerated to a determinate velocity and thereafter released for movement through a range of progressively varying sized apertures at the determinate velocity to define a photographic exposure cycle. A uniform trim control is provided to give the photographer a degree of overriding personal control through which he may slightly vary film exposure by simultaneously varying the determinate velocity at which the shutter blade elements traverse the aperture range and the amount of scene light transmitted to a photoresponsive control system which automatically controls film exposure.

Abstract: A photographic camera of the type having an automatic exposure control system which regulates the exposure delivered to a film of predetermined speed and which includes a manually operable exposure trim mechanism which varies the control of the exposure control system in accordance with the trim mechanism's position is provided with apparatus by which a visual indication of the status of the trim mechanism is provided in the camera's viewfinder.

Abstract: A photographic camera control system is provided for varying the time at which a source of artificial illumination is energized subsequent to the commencement of a photographic exposure interval in accordance with variations in the ambient scene light intensity and the camera-to-subject range. The control system operates to energize the source of artificial illumination at later times and hence larger aperture values under conditions of insignificant ambient scene light intensity than under conditions of substantially higher ambient scene light intensity for identical camera-to-subject distances.

Abstract: An improved lens arrangement is provided for use in a camera of the type having a focal plane and a subject-to-camera distance responsive effective maximum aperture limiting control arrangement operatively disposed with respect to the focal plane. The improved lens arrangement has a reverse spherical aberration corrective characteristic which operates to reduce the effective circles of confusion associated with each of the images of different subjects within a given range of distances from the camera as formed at the focal plane by the lens arrangement in combination with the effective aperture control arrangement.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and method employing a diaphragm shutter having a time variable exposure aperture with flash firing, following actuation of the shutter, after a time interval dependent on subject range. The functional relationship between the time interval and subject range establishes a parametric relationship between the brightness of the subject due to its flash illumination and the scan time of the diaphragm shutter. The inverse of this parametric relationship constitutes the timewise variation in the exposure aperture area of the shutter. Consequently, whenever the subject is within a predetermined maximum distance from the camera, dependent upon the maximum aperture area attainable by the shutter, the instantaneous product of subject brightness and aperture area will be a constant with the result that proper exposure of the photographic film is achieved independent of the subject range.