Abstract: An illumination apparatus including a light source that emits illumination light, an optical member that transmits the illumination light to externally project the illumination light, and a reflector that reflects illumination light from the light source towards the optical member, the device comprising: a drive device to drive the reflector and the light source to advance and retract in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to a light projection surface of the optical member; and a relative movement device to cause the light source to relatively move relative to the reflector in a process of driving to advance and retract by way of the drive device, wherein the relative movement device includes a straight guide member that causes the light source to move straight ahead in the substantially perpendicular direction relative to the reflector.

Abstract: To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus including a light source that emits illumination light, an optical member that transmits the illumination light to externally project the illumination light, and a reflector that reflects illumination light from the light source towards the optical member, the device comprising: a drive device to drive the reflector and the light source to advance and retract in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to a light projection surface of the optical member; and a relative movement device to cause the light source to relatively move relative to the reflector in a process of driving to advance and retract by way of the drive device, wherein the relative movement device includes a straight guide member that causes the light source to move straight ahead in the substantially perpendicular direction relative to the reflector.

Abstract: To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles.

Abstract: A magnetic head device for reading and recording information from a magnetic recording section of a photographic film has a recording head and a playback head. The playback head and recording head are adjacently positioned by a head base plate. The head base plate rotatably supports the recording head and playback head as the head base plate rotates about a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft. The first rotation shaft extends in a direction of the film defined by movement of the film as film is wound onto a winding spool within a film cartridge. The second rotation shaft extends in a width direction of the film, perpendicular to the first rotation shaft. As a result the recording head and playback head make contact with the film to improve consistency of the playback and reading of information from the magnetic section of the film.

Abstract: Flash unit for a camera includes a flash illumination device which illuminates during imaging operations of the camera, and a housing encasing the flash illumination device. The housing is made from a material that transmits infrared light emitted by the flash illumination device to an area outside of the housing. Also disclosed is a camera that includes a built-in flash unit that further includes a flash illumination device which illuminates during operations of the camera. The camera also includes a housing that encases the built-in flash illumination unit. The housing, like the housing of the flash unit, is made from a material that transmits infrared light emitted by the flash illumination device to an area outside of the housing. Also provided is a command module for use by a camera in controlling another device. The command module includes an infrared light source, and a housing that encases the infrared light source.

Abstract: A camera capable of magnetic recording information on a first magnetic recording region and a second magnetic recording region provided on a film, comprises: a signal generating circuit which generates a first recording signal having a first frequency for information which is to be recorded on the first magnetic recording region, and which generates a second recording signal having a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency for information which is to be recorded on the second magnetic recording region; and a recording device which, in synchronization with the feeding of the film, records information using the first recording signal on the first magnetic recording region, and records information using the second recording signal on the second magnetic recording region.

Abstract: An optical head system for accurately detecting the relative positions of a spot of Gaussian beam and a recording track. The optical head system includes an objective lens adapted to be moved in a tracking direction for the tracking of the recording track by the beam spot, a light detector arranged stationary, and movable optical means arranged between the objective lens and the light detector such that the beam spot reflected from the recording track and projected on the light detector through the objective lens is held stationary on the light detector with respect to the movement of the objective lens.