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 black, infrared pass filter is disposed in front of the strobe element of an automatic rangefinding camera to provide an infrared ranging wink for ranging during the pre-exposure steps of a camera cycle. As the cycle continues, the filter is temporarily displaced from in front of the strobe element to allow a visible light, flash firing for scene illumination. Once the exposure firing is complete, the filter resumes its original position in front of the strobe element such that the filter allows only infrared light to be transmitted from the strobe element except during exposure strobe firing.

Abstract: A camera having an automatic exposure system for providing decreasing aperture-interval values with increasing ambient light levels including an ambient light level sensor element for detecting an ambient light level equal to a predetermined high ambient light level and a control system for overriding the automatic exposure system in response to detecting of said predetermined level for providing a fixed effective aperture and fixed exposure time interval corresponding to the aperture-interval value defined by the automatic exposure system at the predetermined level whereby increased exposure is provided at light levels greater than the predetermined level to thereby provide a scene overexposure increasing with the amount of ambient light exceeding the predetermined level so as to provide acceptable exposure of a subject within that high light level scene.

Abstract: An instant type camera is provided with an imbibition chamber having (1) a window in one wall thereof through which an exposed and developed film unit may be viewed and (2) an egress through which an exposed and developed film unit may be manually advanced to the exterior of the camera by actuation of a film pusher assembly. An opaque shade is mounted for movement between an operative position, in which it prevents entry of light into the imbibition chamber during a time period when an image in the film unit is being developed, and an inoperative position in which the window is uncovered. The shade includes means which prohibits operation of the film pusher assembly when the shade is in its operative light blocking position.

Abstract: A photographic camera having a source of artificial illumination mounted for automatic movement from a first operative fill flash position to a second operative position. In its second position, the intensity of its illumination is greater than in the first position and its axis of illumination is spaced further away from the camera's objective lens axis than in the first position.

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: 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: A folding camera having a flash unit, a flash unit housing, a lens housing, and a main housing which receives the flash unit, the flash unit housing, and the lens housing in nested fashion to form a relatively small package when the camera is folded. The erection system for the camera employs an over-center toggle linkage. The over-center toggle links of the erected camera cannot be folded unless the flash unit is first folded into the flash unit housing whereby the over-center toggle linkage is detoggled. Once the over-center toggle links are detoggled, the entire camera can be folded into a relatively small package. The erection system of the camera employs springs which store energy when the camera is folded. A latch mechanism keeps the camera folded, but when the latch is actuated, the springs erect the camera.

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: An exposure control system for a photographic camera of the type employing a scanning type shutter, a controllable source of artificial illumination and a photodetector for sensing scene brightness levels both prior to and during film exposure preferably includes a light diffuser that is automatically movable, in response to a selected camera function, between a first position where it can collect scene radiation from a field of view substantially greater than that of the photodetector and then direct the collected radiation along an optical path onto the light sensitive surface of the photodetector, and a second position displaced from the photodetector where the diffuser has no effect on the amount of scene light measured by the photodetector.

Abstract: A cassette for a photographic film system adapted for processing after exposure by face-to-face contact of the negative with a positive processing film, the cassette having multi-part first and second chambers for containing the respective roll film elements at opposite ends of a central tray-like support. The negative film element, being light sensitive, may be packaged in a light-tight chamber defined by one of the two housings. The packaged negative element and cassette part defined thereby may be subsequently joined to a positive film chamber or loaded with a processing film element which, being insensitive to light, is preferably loaded under daylight conditions. After assembly of the film elements in the cassette, leading ends of both are connected so that in operation, film elements may be drawn simultaneously from their respective chambers for processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling photographic film systems in which a liquid processing agent is carried by one of two film components which, after exposure, are processed by bringing the two components into face-to-face contact. The apparatus features a cassette structure having a central tray-like section with cylindrical housings at opposite ends. The housing for the processing agent carrying web is provided with a releasable stopper by which that web may be passed from the chamber without obstruction and the chamber resealed to inhibit evaporation and carbonation of the web-carried processing agent.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus for locating a film cassette in position for the sequential exposure of a plurality of film units contained within the film cassette. The apparatus includes a film counter for indicating the number of unexposed film units remaining within a film cassette, and a film cassette counter which is indexed each time a film cassette is inserted into the apparatus or, alternatively, removed therefrom. When such a camera is returned to a repair facility, the reading of the film cassette counter may be used in connection with reliability studies, warranties, market research on film use, e.g., how much film is exposed in a certain camera model, etc.

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: 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.