Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a finder prism capable of forming some in-finder information such as an automatic focus target mark and a short distance correction mark by virtue of extremely narrow lines. In detail, the finder prism is provided between an objective lens and an ocular lens, and is adapted to transmit an object image to a camera user under a condition where an automatic focus target mark and an short distance correction mark are overlapped on a photographing object image. In particular, the prism is made of a resin, a shouldered portion is formed on one surface of the prism from which the object light is allowed to exit during a photographing process, thereby forming some in-finder information such as an automatic focus target mark and an short distance correction mark.

Abstract: A finder device is disclosed wherein light from an objective optical system passes through a finder frame to an eyepiece. The finder frame includes two spaced-apart support pins, a screen format switchable mask mounted to the support pins so as to enable a particular screen format to be selected from among at least two alternative screen formats, and a mask pressure plate which is mounted to the support pins so as to retain the screen format switchable mask on said support pins. Markings, useful for taking photographs, are provided on the transparent region of the screen format switchable mask or on the mask pressure plate. In this manner, markings useful for taking photographs, which be viewed with an object to be photographed when looking through the eyepiece of the finder, can be manufactured with less expense and fewer defects than previously.

Abstract: In an Albada type finder 10 applied to a camera capable of photographing either the full size or the panoramic size, when the panoramic size is specified with a change-over switch 24, a lever 58 rotates clockwise around a pin 70, and then a lever 60 is pushed by the opening 74 and moves downward. And, rod 84 pushes a lever 62, whereby the rod 84 rotates counterclockwise around pin 86, therefore, axis 40 rotates clockwise against the biasing force of a spring 41 and axis 42 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing spring 43. With this arrangement, a pair of mask plates 16 and 18 enter the optical path between a half mirror 32 and an eye piece 24 in the vicinity of the half mirror 32 in the Albada type finder 10. Therefore, a light reflected outside of a panoramic size field frame of the eye piece 34 is absorbed by the mask plates 16 and 18, so that the outside of the field frame of the panoramic size can be blackened during the panoramic size shot.

Abstract: There is provided an objective lens for focusing a subject light to form a real image on a predetermined focal plane, an eyepiece through which the real image is observed, and the first and second prism assemblies between the objective lens and the eyepiece for erecting an inverted image. The first and second prism assemblies are arranged at a predetermined distance away from each other such that the exit surface of the first prism assembly and the incident surface of the second prism assembly face each other across the focal plane. As a result, the dust on the whole surface of the prism assemblies and the like are made inconspicuous. Moreover, a visual field frame is provided on the focal plane, so that the visual field frame can be prevented from becoming out of focus and the border of the visual field can be seen clearly. Furthermore, a virtual image of a mark such as a target mark is formed in the Albada method.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a bright frame view-finder of natural lighting type additionally provided with a light source for secondary diffusing surfaces comprising a secondary light generator plate and an additional lighting means so that the secondary light generator plate may be lighted by the additional lighting means and light images of a field frame and the like may be introduced into a view-finder optical system when the outdoor daylight or ambient light of sufficient intensity is unavailable for photographing.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with an automatic preparation function including a built-in microcontroller and a solar cell provided on an outer surface of the camera, wherein an electromotive force generated by the solar cell energizes the microcontroller and thereby makes the camera ready for photographing and wherein, if no electromotive force is generated by the solar cell within a predetermined period, the microcontroller is de-energized and the camera is made not ready for photographing. The microcontroller is automatically energized to make the camera ready for photographing as the solar cell generates an electromotive force, so the camera can be made ready for photographing without any manual operation of the main switch control element by the user and the possibility that a photographing opportunity may be missed can be minimized. No electromotive force is generated by the solar cell so far as the camera remains stored away in the camera case or laid in the dark.