Abstract: The disclosed flash photography system operates in a first mode by controlling the flash on the basis of the distance information signals, and in a second mode by controlling the flash in response to the flash illumination of the object to be photographed. The system insures accurate flash photography by shifting from the first mode to the second mode when the camera uses a lens with a short focal length or with an attached filter.

Abstract: The present invention produces at least two sound signals such as warning signals or actuating signals by one sounder having a resonant frequency, wherein one of the sound signals is indicated by the resonant frequency of the sounder to enable a higher intensity sound to be produced.

Abstract: In a camera which permits the photographer to change one light measuring mode to another as desired according to the condition of the object to be photographed, when a shutter release action initiating operation and a light measuring mode change-over operation are concurrently performed, an inadequate exposure results from a certain length of time required for charging a storage capacitor if the camera is of the type which stores light measurement information through an analog storing process or for AD conversion if the camera is of the digital storing type; or an inadequate exposure results from a control action on the shutter if the camera is of the type requiring no process for storing the information such as a camera of the type measuring a light reflected by the film surface.

Abstract: In a still-picture camera using a servo-like automatic focusing device, the automatic focusing device is locked and inhibited from operating when a shutter release is performed. The invented arrangement permits the use of a servo-like automatic focusing device for a still-picture camera without impairing operability. Furthermore, the invention permits selection of a servo-like automatic focusing function or a one-shot focusing function which is effected during a sequence of steps on an member such as a release operation member, so that the automatic focusing functions can be selected by utilizing the operability of the still-picture camera without impairing the operability thereof.

Abstract: A camera includes a viewfinder with an indicator having two opposing substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal between them. One substrate includes a common electrode arrangement with a plurality of electrodes. The other substrate includes a segmented electrode arrangement with a number of electrodes facing the respective electrodes of the common electrode arrrangement. Short-circuit connectors connect predetermined electrodes in the segmented electrode arrangement. A first contactor has a number of conductors connected to the respective electrodes of the segmented electrode arrangement to deliver predetermined drive signals thereto. At least one of the short-circuiting connectors is arranged at the input portion of the first contactor. A second contactor with a number of conductors is connected to respective electrodes of the common electrode arrangement so as to deliver predetermined drive signals thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal cell having a plural number of electrode pairs arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal matter so as to be opposed to each other, being characterized in that a pulse wave generating device for generating the first pulse wave with smaller amplitude than the threshold valve for lighting the liquid crystal and the second pulse wave with larger amplitude than the threshold value for lighting the liquid crystal in reversed phase to each other and a gate device for selectively applying the outputs of the pulse wave generating device to each electrode of the liquid crystal cell in accordance with the input signal are provided. Thus only the voltage between the selecting electrodes is highter than the threshold value. An input change over device is provided so as to change over the input signal group in a time dividing way in such a manner that a plural number of dots can be displayed visually at the same time, as a result, the wiring is simplified.

Abstract: In the disclosed camera, a lock selecting arrangement sets a light measuring circuit either into an ordinary photographic mode or a lock mode in which a light measurement at a particular moment is locked so as to set the camera to that measurement despite subsequent changes in brightness.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device for a camera includes a display member having liquid crystal material for providing a display of photographic information, and a focusing glass for forming an image of an object which is to be photographed. A mask is arranged to face the display member and the focusing glass, the mask including a first transparent part which faces a display part of the display member, and a second transparent part which faces the object image formed on the focusing glass. A light shading part is provided between the first and second transparent parts of the mask to shade an end part of the display member from light. The mask enables view finder optics provided in the camera to display a rectangular view field having straight sides to the camera user.

Abstract: In the disclosed arrangement, a data set separate from a camera includes a set of sequentially actuable numeric entry keys for entering numerical data representing various camera functions into a data control device which transmits data for energizing numerical illuminators at the film plane of a camera through a connecting element.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens barrel includes connection terminals on a part of the lens barrel for sending and receiving electrical signals to and from a photographic apparatus. The lens barrel part is provided with a mechanism for protecting the connection terminals by covering the terminals when the lens barrel is removed from the photographic apparatus. When the lens barrel is mounted on the photographic apparatus, the protecting mechanism is retracted from the terminals to allow for connection with corresponding terminals on the photographic apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed safety device electrically senses the conductivity between the electrical contacts of a camera and an accessory attached thereto, and, upon detection of a failure in conductivity, produces a warning signal for the user.

Abstract: A camera exposure mode setting device including a dial which can be moved to select a number of different exposure modes, one of which is controlled by a self-timer circuit in the camera. The device also includes circuitry coupled to the dial which operates to prevent the self-timer circuit from operating unless the dial is maintained in a self-timer exposure mode position. In a preferred embodiment, a push button extends from the dial, the button being arranged to prevent the dial from being moved to select the self-timer mode unless the button is first pushed down by the user.

Abstract: A correct exposure annunciator has an element to indicate a correct exposure. The indicating element is energized in normal flash photography to indicate correct exposure. When abnormal flash photography is carried out, the element is de-energized by a signal, representing the AE mode, and the light is turned off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery check device particularly for displaying the state of the power source voltage with color. Until now, the battery checker for displaying the state of the power source voltage with color is provided with a plural number of color light emitting elements so as to display the state of the power source voltage with color by selectively driving the determined display element in accordance with the state of the power source voltage. However, by means of this conventional method, the state of the power source voltage can not be displayed continuously, which is inconvenient. In order to eliminate the above shortcoming, the present invention provides a battery checker for continuously displaying the change of the level of the power source voltage with color by continuously changing the color of the display means in accordance with the signal level corresponding to the state of the power source voltage.

Abstract: In the disclosed arrangement, a data set separate from a camera includes a set of sequentially actuable numeric entry keys for entering numerical data representing various camera functions into a data control device which transmits data for energizing numerical illuminators at the film plane of a camera through a connecting element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the exposure compensation information forming apparatus for a camera, particularly for forming the aperture and the totally opened aperture value information. Until now in order to compensate the totally opened aperture value contained in the output of the light measuring circuit and the aperture value the information setting means for the totally opened aperture value and that for the aperture value are provided, whereby both setting means are mechanically engaged with each other so as to form the totally opened aperture and the aperture information. Thus, the engaging mechanism of both of the above means is complicated, which is inconvenient. The present invention provides an exposure compensation information forming apparatus by means of which the aperture information can be composed from the totally opened aperture with a very simple circuit composition so as to overcome the above disadvantage.

Abstract: In the disclosed indicator, a display responds to various photographic modes, i.e., shutter preference, program, etc. A control arrangement connected to the display changes the display in response to a control signal indicating that a selected shutter time is shorter or longer than a shutter time faster than hand vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for camera, so designed as to sequentially control the photographing period, the release time and the release frequency in an automatic way and to print the data information on the film. The eventual abrupt change of photographic conditions is detected so as to carry out the releasing independently of the sequential control, stopping the sequential control and automatically controlling the starting time or the determination time of the sequential control.

Abstract: A flash system including a computer type electronic flash unit and a camera. The computer type electronic flash unit includes an output terminal at which a signal representing the fully charged condition of an electrical energy storage capacitor is produced, a firing stop signal generating circuit and a signal supply circuit for supplying the output of the generating circuit to the output terminal. The camera includes an indicating device connected to the output terminal for indicating the firing stop signal transmitted from the output terminal. The camera also includes an override circuit for inhibiting the charge completion signal from being transmitted to the indicating means in response to a release operation of the camera.

Abstract: A camera exposure mode setting device including a dial which can be moved to select a number of different exposure modes, one of which is controlled by a self-timer circuit in the camera. The device also includes circuitry coupled to the dial which operates to prevent the self-timer circuit from operating unless the dial is maintained in a self-timer exposure mode position. In a preferred embodiment, a push button extends from the dial, the button being arranged to prevent the dial from being moved to select the self-timer mode unless the button is first pushed down by the user.