Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (Pl) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A position detecting arrangement for detecting the position of a movable member relative to a reference position. The arrangement is particularly adapted for use in connection with electronically controlled cameras which include a zoom lens and includes a code information carrier which is able to transmit information indicative of a plurality of codes, at least one of the codes being used a plurality of times for identifying more than one position of the zoom lens, i.e., more than one focal length of the lens. The use of such "relative" codes permits the camera to be made more compact. However, the disclosed invention includes an arrangement for retaining a given number of "position" codes which correspond to the actual position of the lens, to thereby enable the camera to retain a given degree of accuracy in its object-distance-measuring unit for focusing the zoom lens.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a zoom lens has an operational member for driving the zone lens between a tele position and a wide angle position. The zoom lens is moved toward the tele position when the operational member is moved in a normal direction. The zoom lens is moved toward the wide angle position when the operational member is moved in the reverse direction. A taking mode changing mechanism changes taking modes. A display device displays a taking mode. A control mechanism changes the taking mode to another taking mode when the taking mode changing mechanism is operated. A setting time changing device changes the setting time of a manual shutter (or interval) to another setting time under predetermined conditions when the camera is set in a manual shutter mode (or interval) and both the operational member and the taking mode changing mechanism are operated.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a macro mode operating capability which is disabled in the event predetermined object-distance-information is not obtained which is required for automatically focusing the camera in the macro mode. In this event, the lens is automatically shifted from the macro position to a non-macro position to enable a properly focused photograph to be taken. The shifting of the lens is preferably performed in response to actuation of the shutter release button while the lens is in the macro position, without further actuation of the shutter release button. Further, the camera can be arranged to return the lens to a macro position after the photograph is taken.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a measuring unit for obtaining information related to a predetermined parameter. The measuring unit provides an indication of said information having been measured, which can take the form of an indicator lamp, for example. The measuring unit includes a mechanism for inhibiting operation of the indicator for a predetermined time interval, after the elapse of a time period which is related to the information obtained by said measuring unit. The monitoring apparatus measures the length of time of the time period and provides an indication of the time period measured, preferably in terms of the monitored parameter. The disclosed invention is particularly suited to the monitoring of an distance measuring unit or a photometric unit for an automatic camera so that proper operation of such units can be confirmed without having to disassembly the camera.

Abstract: In an exposure control device employed in an electronically controlled camera, an exposure value, representing the relation between an exposure time and an aperture value, is determined in accordance with the brightness of an object to be photographed. In addition, the open F-number of a lens is determined based on a predetermined film sensitivity. When the exposure value is determined, it is limited to a predetermined minimum exposure value. In the camera, the minimum exposure value is compensated in accordance with the film sensitivity of the film to be used.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera comprises a zoom lens which is capable of being driven to move in the direction of the optical axis thereof within a zooming area between a tele extremity and a wide extremity. A single operation member is provided for instructing the movement direction of the zoom lens, and the zoom lens is driven to move either stepwisely or continuously in accordance with the operating amount of the operation member.

Abstract: In an electronically controlled camera capable of being operated in an automatic release mode in which a plurality of shootings can be automatically executed, when the number of shootings to be executed, the interval time between each shooting is automatically set in accordance with the set number of shootings to be executed.

Abstract: A zoom lens for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter includes a motor for moving the lens along an optical axis in forward and rearward directions. A switch is operable by an operator to control operation of the motor for moving the lens from an initial position on the axis to a final stationary position that establishes the focal length of the lens. Control apparatus is responsive to the setting of the switch for operating the motor such that movement of the lens from its initial position to its final position always ends after the lens travels to its final position in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge 4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: In an electronically controlled camera, if an operating status thereof has been kept unchanged for a predetermined period of time, the operating status is automatically stored and power supply to the camera is automatically prohibited. When power is resupplied to the camera within another predetermined period of time, the operating status of the camera is set to the status which was stored before the prohibition of power supply.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a zoom function for changing a focal length of a taking lens and a manual function which is able to select the shutter speed by the manual operation when the camera is in a manual mode, shutter speed automatic changing apparatus automatically changes the shutter speed in the direction for reducing the changing amount of the Full-open Aperture F-number which is changed in accordance with the change of the focal length so that the exposure value becomes a predetermined value in accordance with the reference shutter speed at a time when said reference shutter speed is selected in the manual mode and said focal length is changed by said zoom function.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: An auto strobe camera that gives a clear indication of the status of a strobe charge operation only when the photographer intends to take a picture. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the auto strobe camera includes a strobe flashing unit which emits light when a photometric switch is turned on and an exposure value is below a certain level. The invention includes an indicator unit that indicates that a charging process is going on, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, even though the flash is required to obtain a properly exposed photograph. The indicator unit informs the photographer to wait until the charging operation is finished, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, although the use of the strobe flash is required.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a motor for moving a lens associated with the camera. The motor can be switched between a normal rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The motor is capable of being driven at a plurality of speeds. The camera is also provided with a controller for controlling the rotational direction and speed of the motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a macro mode operating capability which is disabled in the event predetermined object-distance-information is not obtained which is required for automatically focusing the camera in the macro mode. In this event, the lens is automatically shifted from the macro position to a non-macro position to enable a properly focused photograph to be taken. The shifting of the lens is preferably performed in response to actuation of the shutter release button while the lens is in the macro position, without further actuation of the shutter release button. Further, the camera can be arranged to return the lens to a macro position after the photograph is taken.

Abstract: An indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that is able to effectively indicate required information for operating the camera. Such information includes, for example, the frame number of the film in the camera, the focal length of the camera lens, the picture-taking mode, the status of the battery in the camera, and the status of the loading of the film. A display panel constructed according to the invention can display such information within a limited indication space while providing a legible display format. More specifically, the present invention provides an indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that includes an indicator that is adapted to store a first piece of updatable information in a first memory and another piece of updatable information in a further memory. Display priority is given to the first piece of information stored in the first memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for rewinding a film into a patron. The apparatus has a sensor that detects the presence of the film at a predetermined position along a film advancing path. A detector determines the amount of film that has been rewound into the patron and stops the rewinding of the film into the patron leaving the leader section of the film outside of the patron if the detector determines that less than a predetermined amount of film has been exposed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera which is controllable by an external control unit connected to terminals provided on a camera body. The terminals are connected to signal lines arranged between more than one control unit built in the camera body. One sends a predetermined unrequired data to the other one of the control units through the predetermined signal line. This data is externatlly monitored. Furthermore, predetermined photographing data is indicated on an indicator unit of the camera under predetermined conditions.