Abstract: A compact camera has a built-in light-emitting display device which displays, as print information, a specific code. The specific code includes alphabetical characters when a print information set switch is operated. The device is alternatively allowed to display a six digit number. The alphabetical characters or number represents date information pertaining to exposure of a film frame, including a year, a month and a date. The print information appears as a visible image on developed film and is optically read by a photographic printer so as to automatically set the photographic printer to a printing condition determined by the print information.

Abstract: A warning system of a camera for providing a photographer a warning indicating an impediment to a window, provided in a front wall of the camera, through which light traveling toward and/or from a subject passes. It includes a touch sensor, disposed in close proximity to the window, which involves a resistance, or a body capacity, of a photographer's finger touching the sensor in, and as a part of, an electric circuit. This provides a change in electric parameter of the circuit by which a warning device is actuated to emit light, or otherwise generate sound, as the warning of impediment.

Abstract: A camera comprising a mode setting portion in which either mode is set out of a first focusing mode and a second focusing mode. The camera includes: a mode switch, detecting means, focusing means, and focusing mode controlling means for performing such a control. After completion of focusing when the period detected by the detecting means is longer than a predetermined period and the second focusing mode is set or when the first focusing mode is set the mode is switched to the first focusing mode. The present invention provides a camera which permits the user to select either the operation in which the mode change is performed every shot or the operation in which a same mode is continuously maintained, by the period in which the mode switch is kept on.

Abstract: A camera includes a lens barrel which can be retracted into a camera body, and a lens barrel storage control apparatus. The lens barrel has a front lens group mounted in a front end portion thereof and a rear lens group movably disposed therein. The lens barrel storage control apparatus controls a DC motor for retracting the lens barrel, if the rear lens group is in a safe area where it will come into no contact with a film in retracting the lens barrel into the camera body, and then controls a stepping motor for locating the rear lens group to a final standby position after completion of storage. On the other hand, if the rear lens group is out of the safe area, the control apparatus controls the stepping motor for locating the rear lens group to the rearmost position in the safe area, and controls the DC motor for retracting the lens barrel.

Abstract: An electronic flash charging circuit for use with a camera having a power source common to a microcomputer that controls a plurality of camera functions and to an electronic flash. The charging circuit has a booster circuit for boosting a charging voltage with which a main capacitor of the electronic flash is charged and a controller that causes the booster circuit to operate intermittently, thereby intermittently charging the main capacitor.

Abstract: A battery operated camera having a zoom lens in which film advance is controlled by counting pulse signals generated by film perforations and a first film frame is automatically placed in an exposure aperture when the film is loaded. The camera is set to an initial operation mode upon the battery being replaced. The initial operation mode is cleared in cooperation with shutter release when the camera is in the initial operation mode, so as to avoid an advance of several frames upon replacing the batter. A switch is provided in association with the lens barrier, and conditions of the switch are read upon replacing the battery so as to retract the zoom lens when a switch condition indicating that the lens barrier is closed is read or to extend the zoom lens when a switch condition indicating that the lens barrier is open is read.

Abstract: A controller recognizes the requirement for taking a scenic picture when a scenic picture-taking button is operated to indicate that a scene to be photographed is at infinity rather than at the longest focusable distance of an automatic focusing device, and then sets a taking lens system at an infinity focusing lens position, overriding the automatic focusing device. At the same time, when the scene at infinity is darker than a predetermined brightness level, the controller sets a shutter to open for a predetermined night photography exposure time which is greater than the maximum exposure time that could be set by an automatic exposure control device. When taking a night photograph, light emission from a strobe is prevented.

Abstract: A camera is disclosed which is capable of winding and rewinding a film and adjusting a focal distance by use of a single motor. In the camera, the forward rotation of the motor is used to wind the film, and when the film winding operation is completed after termination of photographing, on detecting the end of the film, a torque detect mechanism switches a planetary clutch mechanism to connect the motor with a film rewinding mechanism. Thus, it is possible to perform both the film winding and rewinding operations by use of the rotation of the motor in the same direction. Also, when, with the planetary clutch mechanism connected with the film winding mechanism, the motor is rotated reversely, then the power transmission system is switched over to a focal distance varying mechanism, whereby the focal distance can be adjusted.

Abstract: A data recording camera capable of recording a shooting date includes a memory for storing data as to the current date, a memory for storing data as to the birth date of an individual, an operation circuit for obtaining the age of the individual based on the data as to the current date and the birth date stored in the memories, and a display member for optically displaying the obtained age which is also photographically recorded on a film.