Abstract: A camera has an objective which can be moved from an extended, operative position to an inoperative position retracted into the camera housing for dimensional compactness. The objective is driven by a motor from one to the other of those two positions and moved by hand back in the other direction, or is motor driven in both directions. The motor employed is the film transport motor anyway present. The objective is coupled to and decoupled from the drive motor in dependence upon the setting of a manual selector, so that the objective not be driven at improper times, and is preferably coupled and decoupled in automatic response to the setting of a manual selector used to implement other camera functions, so that extension and/or retraction of the camera objective occur automatically as a logical incident to the other camera functions selected by the user.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a housing provided with a film loading chamber, a film storage chamber and a film window. An arrangement is provided for transporting unexposed film from the loading chamber to the storage chamber and for subsequently transporting it intermittently past the film window for exposure and back into the loading chamber. This arrangement includes a direction-reversible film transporting motor, an operating member which causes the motor to rotate in one direction in which film is transported from the loading chamber into the storage chamber, and a camera actuating member which causes the motor to rotate in an opposite direction in which the film is intermittently transported from the storage chamber past the film window into the loading chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for setting camera functions in dependence upon a characteristic of film being used in the camera. The arrangement includes a manually operable setting knob which can be turned to a plurality of settings and is arrested in each by an arresting device. This knob is used when the film cassette employed in the camera has no film-characteristic (e.g., film speed) mark. When the cassette does have such a mark, the insertion of the cassette into the film chamber of the camera causes disengagement of the arresting device and automatic turning of the knob to a position corresponding to the detected mark. Since the knob is visible to the user it serves as an indicator of the film in the camera, whether the camera setting is manually or automatically made.

Abstract: A still-camera film transport system includes a perforation feeler and cooperating perforation-detecting switch generating a perforation signal. A time-delay circuit initiates a time delay upon the commencement of film transport and generates a time-delay-elapsed signal when the time delay has elapsed. The duration of the delay is greater than the time required for the film transport motor to transport film from the last film perforation to the actual end of the film. A shutter-state switch generates a signal indicating whether the shutter is in set or unset state. A motor-control switch is controlled from the output of a logic-circuit stage which receives the above three signals. During normal operation before the last perforation is passed, the perforation signal is used to generate a deenergize-motor signal, but in dependence upon the shutter-state signal.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus which can accept cassettes for high-speed or lower-sensitivity film has a mechanical or electronic switch which automatically deactivates a light-emitting diode which serves to indicate the intensity of scene light as soon as a cassette for high-speed film is properly inserted into the body of the apparatus. Such cassette further causes a filter to move out of register with the light-sensitive resistor which is in circuit with the diode and is exposed to scene light. The diode is also deactivated if the diaphragm is adjusted to furnish an aperture of maximum or minimum size; alternatively, the diode is deactivated only when the body of the apparatus contains high-speed film and the diaphragm is adjusted to furnish an aperture of maximum or minimum size.

Abstract: A casing, particularly for roll film cartridges, includes a hollow housing having a chamber for closely receiving a film cartridge and a channel which communicates with the chamber. The channel is operative for receiving a length of roll film which extends out of the cartridge when the latter is inserted into the chamber. The channel extends tangentially to the chamber and has at least one flat inner surface along which the length of roll film can extend to be held in flat condition.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus wherein the objective is movable by a focusing mechanism in response to manual rotation of a ring from a starting position. A spring biases the ring to the starting position through the medium of a follower which carries a blocking lever for the focusing mechanism. The blocking lever is moved from the path of a reciprocable spring-biased toothed rack of the focusing mechanism prior to unlocking of the rack by a lever which is disengaged from the rack during that stage of movement of the ring from its starting position which follows retraction of the blocking lever from the path of the rack. The focusing mechanism has a certain amount of inertia so that it does not change the position of the objective during movement of the photographic apparatus between different positions in which the objective is or may be trained upon objects located at different distances from the apparatus.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus wherein the diaphragm is adjustable by a reciprocable selector which is provided with indicia denoting the scene brightness and the distance from the subject. The shutter is adjustable in dependency on the position of the selector, in dependency on the speed of film which is confined in the apparatus and in dependency on the condition of the apparatus, namely, whether the apparatus is set for the making of exposures in daylight or with flash. Cassettes which are used in the apparatus have markers denoting the film speed, and such markers influence the position of a reciprocable follower which can pivot a control lever loosely coupled to a shutter adjusting lever. The latter is pivotable by the control lever or by a motion transmitting lever whose position changes when a flashcube is attached to or detached from the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: A camera has two or more different photographic lenses which are mounted for displacement transverse to the optical axis of the camera, so that each lens can be moved into and out of an operative picture-taking position. An arrangement is provided which imparts to at least one of these lenses a component of movement in direction longitudinally of the optical axis in automatic response to the movement of this lens to said picture-taking position.

Abstract: A film-transporting and shutter-cocking mechanism for still cameras of the type in which film is collected in a cassette by a rotary take-up member during forward transport of the film. An input element of the camera having a view finder is movable relative to the camera body in one direction from an operative position to a rest position. A shutter element in the camera is mounted for movement from a cocked position in an opposite direction to a released position. A motion-transmitting arrangement effects movement of the shutter element to the cocked position (i.e., in the one direction) as the input element moves to its rest position. A transmission receives motion from the input element, while the same moves from its rest position to its operative position, and rotates the take-up member to transport the film.

Abstract: The user of the camera moves an input component to supply film-transport force. A rotary transmission transmits film-transport force fo the input component to the film in the camera, and includes first and second output components. When the input component is moved, the first output component is arrested and the second non-arrested, and then the second output component is arrested and the first non-arrested. A locking structure moves from a locking position arresting the first output component and an unlocking position releasing the first output component. A sensing mechanism responds to film frame advancement by entering into a film perforation, causing the locking structure to move to the unlocking position and causing the second output component to become arrested by the resistance of the film to transport. The transmission includes a gear driven by the input component and driving the second output component and displaceable mounting member mounting the gear for both rotation and displacement.

Abstract: A camera can use film cassettes which, depending upon the sensitivity of the film they contain, are or are not provided with an external marker. If a cassette with a marker is inserted into the camera the marker deflects a sensing arm so that a projection of the arm moves out of the path of movement of a rack which carries a filter. This permits the spring-biased rack to move to a position in which the filter is located in the path of light impinging upon a light-sensing device of the camera. If a cassette without a marker is inserted the arm is not deflected and its projection extends into the path of movement of the rack and prevents the rack from moving to the aforementioned position, so that the filter cannot move into the light path.

Abstract: A still camera has a housing adapted to hold a roll of film having a succession of frames. An openable shutter is provided on the housing alignable with the film and a takeup wheel in the housing is connectable to the roll of film and rotatable to wind the film up and displace the frames one-by-one past the shutter. A film-advance slide is displaceable on the housing between a pulled-out position projecting from the housing and a pushed-in position fitting snugly with the housing. A transmission and a one-way coupling are provided in the housing between the slide and the take-up wheel so that the take-up wheel is rotated to wind up the film only on displacement of the slide from the pushed-in position to the pulled-out position. Furthermore, a frame-sensing mechanism in the camera arrests displacement of the slide or a portion of the slide in the direction toward the pulled-out position when a fresh frame is properly aligned with the shutter.

Abstract: A carrier mounting two or more different lenses of a camera can be selectively moved transverse to the optical axis of the camera so as to place any one of the lenses in operating position. The carrier can also be adjusted lengthwise of the optical axis to vary the focal length of the lenses. An arrangement is provided for selecting a desired focal length, and a follow-up system adjusts the distance through which the carrier is moved lengthwise in dependence upon which of the lenses is in operating position.

Abstract: An adapter effects delayed firing of an electronic flash unit in response to activation of a photographic camera of the type provided with a striking member which otherwise serves to effect firing of impact-fired flash bulbs. The adapter includes a housing configurated to be mounted on such a camera with a predetermined position relative to the striking member of such camera. Inside the housing an inertial body is mounted for swinging movement about a predetermined axis. A biasing arrangement urges the inertial body in a predetermined direction. A synchronizing switch device is activatable by the inertial body when the latter assumes a predetermined activating position, for effecting firing of an electronic flash unit. The inertial body is so located relative to the mounting portion of the housing as to be set into motion against the force of the biasing arrangement by the striking force of a striking member on a camera to which the adapter is connected.

Abstract: A miniature still camera wherein a cover of the housing is reciprocable with respect to the lens-containing section of the housing and the cover contains a socket for indexible or non-indexible sources of artificial illumination. The camera is ready to make an exposure when the cover is moved to an extended position to increase the length of the housing; the source of artificial light is then sufficiently remote from the lens to insure satisfactory exposures of color film to artificial light even though the source of artificial light is not connected to the socket by an extender. An indexible socket can be rotated in response to movement of the cover with respect to the lens-containing section, and the cover can contain a mechanism which fires percussively ignitable flash lamps in response to actuation of the camera release. When the length of the housing is reduced, the socket is received in the space between the objective and the eyepiece of the viewfinder in the lens-containing section of the housing.

Abstract: A miniature still camera wherein a brick-shaped main section of the housing supports and guides an L-shaped second section the longer leg of which is parallel to and located in front of the elongated front side of the main section and the shorter leg of which is parallel to a shorter second side of the main section. The second section is reciprocable between a first position in which its longer leg conceals a picture taking lens which is recessed into the front side of the main section and the shorter leg conceals a view finder in the main section, and a second position in which the lens and the view finder are exposed and the camera is ready to take pictures. The second section cocks the shutter and/or actuates the film transporting mechanism during movement between its first and second positions and is biased to its second position by a helical spring which reacts against a lug of the main section and bears against an eyelet of the second section.

Abstract: The shutter of a photographic camera is released in response to deformation of a diaphragm which thereby closes a microswitch to energize an electromagnet which effects release of the shutter. Alternatively, deformation of the diaphragm brings about pivotal movement of a lever which releases the shutter. The diaphragm can act directly against a movable contact of the microswitch or against one arm of the lever, or it transmits motion by way of a metallic platelike back support which protects it against excessive deformation.

Abstract: A still camera wherein the main section of the housing contains a shutter, a pivotable shutter cocking member, a normally open switch which must be closed to terminate an exposure, and a release for opening the shutter and for closing the switch. A second section of the housing is reciprocable with respect to the main section between an extended position in which the camera is ready to make an exposure and a depressed position in which the second section conceals the picture taking lens and the view finder in the main section. When the second section is moved to its depressed position, it directly or indirectly prevents the movement of release from a starting position and/or from closing of the switch. The shutter is cocked and the film is transported by the length of a frame in response to movement of the second section to its depressed position.

Abstract: A flat still camera wherein a hollow section of the housing is reciprocable relative to the main section to thereby actuate the shutter and/or the film transporting mechanism. When the hollow section is moved to an extended position in which it exposes the lens and the view finder, the two sections define a slot into which a careless user is likely to introduce a finger, an eyelash or an eyelid while holding the camera in front of his eye and while moving the two sections with respect to each other. The rear end of the slot is closed by a portion of a door which is pivotably mounted on the main section and can be opened to afford access to the film chamber. Alternatively, the slot can be overlapped by a panel which is rigid with the main section or with the hollow section of the housing.