Abstract: A shading device employed in a lens barrel having a plurality of lens groups includes a plurality of substantially tubular shading members provided between a first lens group and a second lens group that move relative to each other along the optical axis and overlap each other along the optical axis so as to allow the shading device to achieve a telescopic function.

Abstract: A shading device employed in a lens barrel having a plurality of lens groups includes a plurality of substantially tubular shading members provided between a first lens group and a second lens group that move relative to each other along the optical axis and overlap each other along the optical axis so as to allow the shading device to achieve a telescopic function.

Abstract: A bayonet mount includes a mount main body constituted of resin and a metal member that, at least partially, reinforces a bayonet tab portion at the mount main body.

Abstract: A position detecting device is used with a lens barrel that includes an optical system, an optical system driving member that moves at least part of the optical system, and a driving force transmitting member that transmits rotational driving force from a driving source to the optical system driving member. The position detecting device includes a linear moving member that converts rotational motion of the driving force transmitting member into a linear motion, and a detector that detects the linear movement of the linear moving member. This arrangement is capable of providing a very compact structure. The driving force transmitting member can be a rotating shaft-like member that rotates through at least one rotation. The position detecting device also can include a backlash eliminating member (e.g., a spring) that eliminates a backlash between the driving force transmitting member and the linear moving member.

Abstract: A position detecting device is used with a lens barrel that includes an optical system, an optical system driving member that moves at least part of the optical system, and a driving force transmitting member that transmits rotational driving force from a driving source to the optical system driving member. The position detecting device includes a linear moving member that converts rotational motion of the driving force transmitting member into a linear motion, and a detector that detects the linear movement of the linear moving member. This arrangement is capable of providing a very compact structure. The driving force transmitting member can be a rotating shaft-like member that rotates through at least one rotation. The position detecting device also can include a backlash eliminating member (e.g., a spring) that eliminates a backlash between the driving force transmitting member and the linear moving member.

Abstract: A bayonet mount includes a mount main body constituted of resin and a metal member that, at least partially, reinforces a bayonet tab portion at the mount main body.

Abstract: The mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or lesser back focus and an intermediate adapter is limited by camera bodies and the intermediate adapters. A camera system has two kinds of bodies having metal backs of the same dimension and body side mounts of the same shape, a plurality of interchangeable lenses having a common lens side mount engageable with the body side mounts, and a plurality of intermediate adapters between the interchangeable lenses and the camera bodies. The first body has an escape portion in the body side mount over the mounting range of the interchangeable lenses or the intermediate adapters so that the mounting of all the interchangeable lenses and all the intermediate adapters may be possible. The second body has a flange portion in the body side mount so that the mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or greater back focus and an intermediate adapter mountable only on this interchangeable lens may be possible.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of high precision in the positional relationship of two cams by providing the two cams on one cam member is disclosed. Additionally, freedom of positioning the cams is increased by providing the two cams along a common radial line from a center line of the member while maintaining rigidity of the member. The cam member includes at least one cam groove on an inner surface and at least one cam protuberance on an outer surface for engagement with engagement members on an inner surface of a cylindrical member.

Abstract: A diaphragm blade for a diaphragm-blade assembly having a plurality of diaphragm blades forming an opening of a diaphragm. The diaphragm blades cooperatively move to change the diameter of the opening of the diaphragm. Each diaphragm blade has a thin blade sheet and a pair of protruding engage members formed on the blade sheet. Each diaphragm blade is integrally formed with the protruding engage members by injection molding synthetic resin.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens holding barrel holding a lens, a containing barrel containing the lens holding barrel therein, a plurality of inwardly directed projections provided on the inner peripheral surface of the containing barrel, and a plurality of groups of outwardly directed projections provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens holding barrel, each of the plurality of groups of outwardly directed projections having the same number of outwardly directed projections as the number of the inwardly directed projections, the plurality of inwardly directed projections bearing against respective ones of the outwardly directed projections in one group at a time to position the optical axis to the lens, virtual circles circumscribed on the outwardly directed projections in the respective groups having the same size in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the centers of the virtual circles lying at different positions.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel and a method of adjusting the flange back focal distance of the zoom lens barrel is disclosed. The zoom lens barrel includes mounting members for mounting the zoom lens barrel on a camera body; a zoom ring that rotates for zooming relative to the mounting members; an adjustment member that may rotate with or relative to the zoom ring; and a cam ring. The cam ring is screwed to the adjustment member and moves in the optical axis direction due to the rotation of the adjustment member when the adjustment member rotates relative to the zoom ring, and when the adjustment member and the zoom ring both rotate, the zoom ring and the adjustment member rotate together. Lens units move in the optical axis direction due to the rotation of the cam ring.

Abstract: A lens control apparatus has an electric motor connected to a focusing lens to drive the focusing lens, an automatic focus adjustment device which supplies electrical power to the motor to operate the motor electrically to drive the focusing lens in an automatic focus adjustment mode, and a manual operation device which operates the motor mechanically to drive the focusing lens in a manual focus adjustment mode. A control device stops supplying of electrical power to the motor when the manual operation device is operated.

Abstract: A working force quantity imparting member disposed between a fixed member and an operation member moving relative to the fixed member imparts a working force quantity to the operation member. This working force imparting member includes an elastic portion, fixed to one of the fixed member and the operation member, for biasing both of the fixed member and the operation member in such directions to get away from each other and a thin-film portion formed on a surface, contiguous to the other member, of the elastic portion and exhibiting a high slidableness.

Abstract: A multiple point focus detection camera capable of acquiring focus detection data on objects within a photographer's field of vision is operable in an automatic or a manual mode, and can be automatically switched to the automatic or manual modes as a default upon the occurrence of certain events in order to reduce the likelihood of errors during photography. Automatic operation can be enabled (i.e., is the default) upon power-up or changing of lenses. Manual operation can be enabled when lens data indicates that a lens used most often by a professional photographer is in use. Either mode (automatic or manual) can be set as a default mode, which can be selected when the camera is placed in a self timer mode. A default mode change feature can be provided to allow a user to select automatic or manual as the default mode.

Abstract: A camera includes an orientation detection device that detects the orientation of the camera, a recording device that records photographic settings to be used during photography, and a camera controller. The recording device records the photographic settings relative to different orientations of the camera. The camera controller controls the camera based upon the detected orientation and photographic settings recorded in the recording device for that detected orientation.

Abstract: A lens bodytube has an auto-focusing mode in which a photographing lens is automatically driven to an in-focus position by a drive force of a motor and a manual focusing mode in which the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position by manually rotating a distance ring. A movable member is driven to a first position in the auto-focusing mode and to a second position in the manual focusing mode. When the movable member is at the first position, it is coupled to the motor to transmit a drive force of the motor to a rotary ring which drives the photographing lens along an optical axis. When the movable member is in the second position, it is coupled to the distance ring to transmit a manual drive force from the distance ring to the rotary ring.

Abstract: A multi point focal detection camera is switchable between an automatic mode and a manual mode. An automatic focusing system focuses a movable lens system having a lens on a selected one of multiple focus detection areas in accordance with either focus detection data or a focus detection area selection lever. A CPU enables the selected one of the multiple focus detection areas to be changed to another of the multiple focus detection areas without changing the operation mode. Once the lens system is focused on the selected focus detection area, the selected focus detection area can be changed by displacing the focus detection area selection lever within a predetermined period of time. If the selected focus detection area is changed to another of the multiple focus detection areas, the automatic focusing system focuses the lens system on the new focus detection area.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a fixed barrel; a photographing lens which requires a first torque for driving the lens along the fixed barrel; and a surface wave motor including a fixed body and a moving body which is rotated relative to the fixed body by excitation for driving the lens. When the motor is not excited, a second torque is exerted between the moving body and the fixed body to prevent the relative rotation. The moving body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the second torque. A friction generating device provided between the fixed barrel and the fixed body exerts a third torque to prevent relative rotation between the fixed barrel and the fixed body. The fixed body can rotate with respect to the fixed barrel only when the fixed body is caused to rotate by a torque greater than the third torque. A manual operation member drives the photographing lens by a manual operation; and a friction clutch provided between the manual operation member and the fixed body exerts a fourth torque.

Abstract: An auto-focusing device adapted for use with a camera. The device includes an auto-focusing optical system having a lens barrel anchoring section, a support member and a drive unit for causing the auto-focusing optical system to be moved into a desired position. The drive unit causes the auto-focusing optical system to be moved along a plane containing the optical axis of the auto-focusing optical system. The support member supports the auto-focusing device in the camera. The device also includes an energizing member which eliminates extraneous movement of the auto-focusing optical system. The energizing member has particular energizing characteristics and is positioned between the lens barrel anchoring section and the support member.

Abstract: A waterproof operation mechanism of an interchangeable lens barrel having an operation member which is rotatably set around a periphery of the interchangeable lens barrel. A button engages with the operation member such that the button penetrates the operation member and protrudes outward from the operation member. The button functions to fix the operation member at a predetermined rotation position and to release the operation member from the predetermined rotation position. The interchangeable lens barrel includes a knurled part around its periphery, the knurled part being made of an elastic material and having a protruding portion integrally formed therewith to cover the button. Further, the operation member includes a fitting groove on a periphery of the operation member to prevent the knurled part from being displaced in a direction of an optical axis of the lens barrel.