Abstract: Disclosed is a camera which includes a lens having a plurality of lens groups, at least one of the plurality of lens groups being moved in a direction of an optical axis to vary a focal length of the lens. The camera further includes a cam cylinder, driven to rotate about a rotational axis of the cam cylinder, for moving the at least one of the plurality of lens groups. The plurality of lens groups and the cam cylinder are not coaxially arranged. The plurality of lens groups are positioned outside the cam cylinder.

Abstract: An electro-developing type camera has an electro-developing recording medium for recording and developing an optical image formed thereon. A conductive electric-charge-eliminating brush is provided to establish electrical contact and physical contact with the recording medium. The electric-charge eliminating brush eliminates an electric charge from the recording medium due to the electrical contact between the brush and the recording medium, and removes particulate matter such as dust from the recording medium due to the physical contact between the brush and the recording medium.

Abstract: An electronic development type image pickup device includes an optical color separation system which separates an object image formed by a photographing optical system into different color light components and converges the latter onto respective image forming surfaces. An electronic development type recording medium is provided having a plurality of recording areas provided on the respective image forming surfaces to electronically develop the images formed therein and thereby record the developed images as optical images. An output device outputs a plurality of beams of light to the optical color separation system to be made incident upon the recording areas at positions outside of the optical images formed therein to form reference marks.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a camera body, a plurality of image pickup devices which are immovably positioned in the camera body, a photographing optical system and a finder optical system. An optical element is provided and is movable with respect to the finder optical system and the image pickup devices between a first position in which a bundle of light transmitted through the photographing optical system is made incident upon the finder optical system, and a second position in which the bundle of light transmitted through the photographing optical system is split and the split beams are made incident onto the image pickup devices.

Abstract: A holder assembly includes at least two holder members for holding electro-developing recording media, respectively, and a connecting member for connecting the holder members to each other through the intermediary thereof, and each of the holder members is hinged to the connecting member. An electro-developing type camera includes a photographing lens system for focusing a light beam derived from an object, and an optical separator for separating the light beam, passing through the photographing lens system, into at least two light beam components. The photographing lens system and the optical separator are constituted and arranged such that the light beam components are focused on different image planes, respectively. The holder assembly is shaped and positioned such that the electro-developing recording media are included in the different image planes, respectively.

Abstract: A feed screw mechanism includes a linearly movable member which supports a pin and a lead screw which rotates while being in mesh with the pin, so that the rotation of the lead screw causes the linearly movable member to linearly move. The linearly movable member includes a linear movement adjusting device which adjustably supports the pin in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the lead screw, a rotation adjusting device which rotatably supports the pin in a plane including the pin, and a locking member which locks the pin is a predetermined position.

Abstract: A data symbol reader which reads a two-dimensional data symbol includes a reading device which receives light reflected from the data symbol, a casing in which the reading device is provided, and a guide member which defines a symbol reading area in which the data symbol can be positioned. The guide member is attached to the casing and is moveable between a fisrt postion in witch the position of the data symbol realative to the symbol reading area can be viewed from the exterior of the data symbol reader, and a second position in whitch the data symbol can be read by the the reading device in the casing.

Abstract: An image sensor holding apparatus which holds at least one image pickup device. The apparatus includes holding surfaces which hold the outer side surfaces of the image pickup device therebetween. Guide grooves are provided on the holding surfaces. An adhesive can be introduced into the guide grooves along the outer side surfaces of the image pickup device.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an intermeshing angle of a pin and feed screw in a mechanism in which rotational movement of a feed screw is converted to a linear movement of the pin. The apparatus includes at least one pin which is in mesh with the feed screw, and a linearly movable member which supports the pin and which moves in the axial direction of the feed screw. The linearly movable member includes an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the intermeshing angle of the pin and feed screw.

Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.

Abstract: A camera system according to the present invention is provided with a camera body for photographing an object, a remote controller for remotely controlling the camera body to execute a photographing operation, and a strobe which is provided on the remote controller for emitting light towards the object to be photographed.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera having a zoom photographing lens and a zoom finder device are driven in association with each other so that the image plane and the finder field of view correspond to each other. A pair of pinions for the zoom photographing lens and the zoom finder device are provided in a gear train and are driven by a reversible motor so that the zoom photographing lens and the zoom finder device are driven by the respective pinions.

Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.

Abstract: A lens cover apparatus of an optical instrument having a lens including a lens cover for covering the lens of the optical instrument, and a lens cleaning member provided on the lens cover opposite the lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera including a zoom taking lens having at least one variable power lens group movable along an optical axis direction thereof, a device having a movable member separate from the zoom taking lens, a rotatable cam ring, at least one cam groove formed in the cam ring to move the movable variable power lens group in accordance with the rotation of the cam ring, and a cam member made separately from the cam ring and secured to the cam ring and having at least one cam groove for moving the movable member.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera including a zoom taking lens having a zooming function, a motor for driving the zoom taking lens, a telephoto switch which is actuated to effect the motor to drive the zoom taking lens in a manner that increases the focal length thereof, a wide angle switch which is actuated to effect the motor to drive the zoom taking lens in a manner that decreases the focal length thereof, and a zooming speed controller for varying the zooming speed of the zoom taking lens when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the zooming operation when one of the telephoto switch or wide angle switch is actuated.

Abstract: An electronic still camera having a photographing system, a photographing element located at a surface of the photographing optical system on which an image is formed and a finder optical unit disposed separately from the photographing optical system. An optical path of the finder optical unit includes a forward optical path disposed parallel to and close to the photographing optical system, a rearward optical path disposed at a position away form an optical axis of the photographing optical system farther than the forward optical path and a deflected optical path for connecting the forward optical path to the rearward optical path and disposed at a position forward of the photographing element.

Abstract: A disk storage device, such as a magnetic disk storage device, for reading data from and writing data to a magnetic data storage disk includes a spindle onto a base for rotating the magnetic storage disk and a read/write head for reading data from and writing data to the magnetic storage disk. The read/write head is supported on a carriage which is movably mounted on the base for radially moving with respect to the spindle. A support plate is mounted on the carriage for retractably supporting the read/write head. An actuator mechanism actuates the support plate to move the read/write head between a nonretractable, operative position and a retracted, inoperative position. When the disk is not accessed by the read/write head, the read/write head is held in the retracted, inoperative position. Therefore, when the disk is replaced with another disk, the read/write head is prevented from being damaged or smeared with dust or dirt by contact with the disk.

Abstract: A still video apparatus in which a picture of an object and a sound recorded on a recording medium as an electrical picture signal and sound signal are reproduced. The still video apparatus includes a picture reproducing device which reproduces the picture signal and the sound signal recorded on the recording medium, a picture fading device which fades the picture signal reproduced by the picture reproducing device, and a sound fading device which fades the sound signal reproduced by the picture reproducing device.

Abstract: An object distance measuring device in a camera, including an active object distance measuring mechanism for emitting measuring light toward an object to be photographed and receiving the measuring light as reflected by the object to detect the object distance is provided. A measuring zone is provided in a finder to indicate a measuring position at which the measurement of the object distance by the active object distance measuring mechanism is effected. A device is provided for varying the position of the measuring zone in the finder, and a device for varying the direction of the emission of the measuring light by the active object distance measuring mechanism in accordance with the varied position of the measuring zone is also provided.