Abstract: A flash device comprising a power source; a main capacitor adapted to be charged by the power source; a flash firing unit operable to consume charge stored in the main capacitor to emit a flash light; a switching unit disposed in a discharge loop for the main capacitor through the flash firing unit; a trigger circuit for exciting the flash firing unit in response to a flash firing command; a pulse output unit, which is operable to output some kinds of pulses, the duty factors of the pulses being different from each other, for inputting a selecting command and for outputting one of the pulses in accordance with the selecting command; and a control unit for causing the switching unit to be switched on and off repeatedly in response to the pulse outputted from the pulse output unit.

Abstract: In a telescope according to the present invention, defocus amount of an optical system constituting the telescope is calculated; whether or not the defocus amount is within a predetermined in-focus range obtained from a focal point adjusting ability of human eye is discriminated; and when the defocus amount exceeds the in-focus range as a result of the above discrimination, the optical system is driven. The optical system is driven in a shorter time than a time required for removing a defocus by human eye.

Abstract: A binocular comprising a housing and a pair of first and second optical systems positioned on each side of a central line. Each optical system includes an object lens and ocular lens arranged at a front part and at a rear part of the housing respectively. Further, a light admitting window is placed on the central line between the first and second optical systems for admitting light from an object. A detection module, provided independently of the first and second optical systems is used to output electrical signals which represent the distance to the object. The detection module may include an optical path deflecting means for z-shapely deflecting the light from the light admitting window and for directing the light to a sensor. The binocular is compact and has a hand grip that is designed in order to be holdable and focusable by the use of a single hand.

Abstract: A flash device comprising a power source; a main capacitor adapted to be charged by the power source; a flash firing unit operable to consume charge stored in the main capacitor to emit a flash light; a switching unit disposed in a discharge loop for the main capacitor through the flash firing unit; a trigger circuit for exciting the flash firing unit in response to a flash firing command; a pulse output unit, which is operable to output some kinds of pulses, the duty factors of the pulses being different from each other, for inputting a selecting command and for outputting one of the pulses in accordance with the selecting command; and a control unit for causing the switching unit to be switched on and off repeatedly in response to the pulse outputted from the pulse output unit.

Abstract: A system for controlling an illuminating angle of a flashlight includes a stepping motor by which a relative position between a panel and a reflector is controlled to change the illuminating angle. Further, in setting the illuminating angle, the widest angle is set as the starting point, and whereby an unevenness of exposure is not caused though a sudden photography operation is performed.

Abstract: A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.

Abstract: An improved flash device which is characterized in the provision of a power source, a main capacitor adapted to be charged by the power source, a flash firing unit operable to consume charge stored in the main capacitor to emit a flash light, a trigger circuit for exciting the flash firing unit in response to a flash firing command, an insulated gate bipolar transistor disposed in a discharge loop for the main capacitor through the flash firing unit, and a control circuit for applying a voltage to a gate of the insulated gate bipolar transistor in response to the flash firing command and for interrupting the application of the voltage to the insulated gate bipolar transistor in response to a flash terminating command.

Abstract: A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.

Abstract: In a device for indicating a camera-to-object distance for flash photography, an electronic flash device receives data from a camera, the data being indicative of a set value of film speed, a set value of exposure to be compensated from a proper exposure and a value of diaphragm aperture to be controlled. The flash device calculates a camera-to-object distance in accordance with the above three data and the limit value of the flash light to be emitted from a light emitter, the camera-to-object distance indicating such an effective object distance that an object at the distance is illuminated with sufficient amount of flash light to effect a desired film exposure corresponding to the exposure compensation value, or an automatic flash available range of the object distance that an object within the range is illuminated by automatically controlled flash light to effect the desired film exposure corresponding to the exposure compensation value.

Abstract: A flash device for use in association with a camera is disclosed. The camera provides focal length data representing a focal length of a lens mounted on the camera to the flash device. The flash device comprises a body portion, a flash head pivotally mounted on the body portion, a xenon tube provided in the flash head for emitting a flash light, and a lens is provided in front of the light emitting means movably to change the angle of the cone of the flash light. A driving circuit, controlled by a microcomputer, is provided for driving the lens in response to the focal length data to set the angle of the cone of the flash light correspondingly to the focal length. A pivot detector is provided for detecting the pivotal movement of the flash head. When the pivotal movement is detected, the microcomputer controls the driving circuit so as not to drive the lens but to maintain the lens, during and after the pivotal movement, in the same position as it was before the pivotal movement.