Abstract: In a camera, a shutter release member is pivotally connected to a motion transmitting lever between respective end portions of the lever. One end portion of the lever normally contacts a removable fulcrum, and the other end portion contacts a restraining member provided for a shutter drive member. To initiate shutter actuation for picture-taking, the shutter release member is manually depressed to swing the lever about the removable fulcrum. The swinging lever moves the restraining member from a restraining position to a releasing position, freeing the drive member to actuate the camera shutter. To prevent unintended shutter actuation by inadvertently depressing the shutter release member, the fulcrum is removed from the lever. Then, manual depression of the shutter release member swings the lever about the restraining member, which is spring held in its restraining position to serve as an alternate fulcrum for the lever.

Abstract: A camera for perforated roll film includes a transport mechanism for advancing film along an exposure plane, a metering lever spring biased from an inactive toward an active position to disable the transport mechanism, and a sensing member for detecting the arrival of a perforation in the film at a predetermined position. The metering lever engages the film sensing member and biases the film sensing member into contact with the film. Sensing of a perforation and subsequent movement of the sensing member to a metering position disengages the sensing member from the metering lever and permits movement of the metering lever to its active position. Exposure operation of the shutter actuating mechanism returns the metering lever to its inactive position. A spring acting substantially parallel to the exposure plane is operative to return the sensing member to its sensing position upon subsequent operation of the film transport mechanism.

Abstract: A firing mechanism is provided in photographic apparatus for striking a pizoelectric crystal to generate electrical energy. energy. The mechanism includes a firing spring and mount, with the firing spring being assembled and retained between two fulcrum edges in the mount. The firing spring is movable to a latched position and, when released, the firing spring moves to cause a hammer to strike the piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: A mechanism for minimizing electrostatic flashing of a lamp in a flash array by providing a short circuit across the camera socket terminals until flash firing is desired. The mechanism includes an electrically conductive piezoelectric firing spring connected to one socket terminal and an electrically conductive firing spring latch connected to another socket terminal. A short circuit is provided by engagement of the piezoelectric firing spring and firing spring latch until the piezoelectric firing spring is released to move to its piezoelectric crystal striking position.