Abstract: A video camera and handle configuration include a conventional side hand grip which may be grasped in the normal manner by the camera user so that the wrist and forearm of the camera user generally extend downwardly from the hand grip and novel support sections which extend laterally outward from the same side of the camera housing underlying the hand grip for engaging the wrist and/or forearm of the camera user to steady his hand when he grasps the hand grip and thereby reduce strain and fatigue to the camera user's arm when videotaping for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A reproducible image and information bearing medium, termed herein as a photorecord, includes a visible image bearing media, such as a photographic print, negative, transparency or the like, and an attached information storage medium. The information storage medium such as a magnetic or optical stripe, is encoded with machine readable information that corresponds to the associated visual image. An original photorecord is manufactured by affixing a blank magnetic stripe to the visual image bearing medium optically reading the visual image, converting the so read optical information to an electrical signal, and recording this signal as machine readable information on the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A photographic film assemblage including a film cassette having a film spool rotatably supported therein, and a length of self-developing type film coiled about the spool with one of its ends secured to the spool and its other end extending to the exterior of the film cassette for subsequent attachment to a film take-up member of a camera. The spool includes a cylinder and a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the cylinder. Also located within the cylinder is a supply of processing fluid. After the film has been exposed and rewound into the cassette, the piston is moved deeper into the cylinder to cause the processing fluid to move from the cylinder into an annular chamber which surrounds the cylinder and which contains the film, where it initiates the formation of visible images within the film.

Abstract: A camera with a detachable electronic flash unit. The camera includes apparatus effective when the flash unit is detached for making an automatically controlled exposure under ambient light conditions. When the flash unit is attached, the ambient exposure control system is disabled and operation of the camera is inhibited until charging of the flash unit is initiated by pressing a button. When the flash unit is charged, the camera is enabled to make a flash exposure by triggering the flash unit, during an interval of time in which the light output of the electronic flash unit is regulated so that a uniform flash of light will be produced when the shutter is actuated.

Abstract: A compact strobe is adapted for direct connection to a Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera or the like. Once the strobe is connected to a film laden camera, it is provided with a steady state input voltage which can be utilized by the strobe to charge a storage capacitor. The storage capacitor may thereafter be triggered at an appropriate time during the camera exposure interval by a select trigger signal, also furnished from the camera, to discharge through a flash tube thereby providing a source of artificial illumination. Connection from the camera to the strobe is made from the flash array receiving socket on top of the camera exposure housing as well as from the remote actuator button socket on the side of the camera exposure housing. To accommodate this connection, the strobe is provided with both a blade connector similar to that utilized on a conventional multilamp flash array and a flexible electrical connecting member for connecting directly to the remote actuator button socket.

Abstract: An electronic flash accessory is provided for a camera of the type having a flash socket assembly adapted for receipt of a conventional multiple flash bulb array together with circuitry for sampling the terminals of the flash socket which are adapted to connect to the last flash bulb scheduled to be fired in the array and for providing a signal which operates to inhibit camera operation when the sampled impedance of the last flash bulb scheduled to be fired is substantially different from the impedance of an unfired non-defunct flash bulb. The electronic flash accessory includes circuitry responsive to a predetermined event relative to the readying of the flash accessory in expectation of the commencement of a photographic exposure cycle involving an artificially illuminated subject for simulating the impedance of an unfired non-defunct flash bulb in order to enable the camera to automatically perform a photographic exposure cycle upon actuation by the camera operator.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a built-in electronic flash unit, a viewfinder for simultaneously framing an image and for selectively displaying a number of indications, a circuit for sensing the state of charge of the flash unit and the ambient light level, a pair of shutter buttons, and apparatus controlled by both the shutter buttons and the sensing circuit for selectively making a flash exposure, making an ambient light exposure, or displaying an appropriate indication to the operator.

Abstract: An accessory attachment for use with a camera of the type having a frontal housing for an objective lens, a shutter mechanism, camera function-controlling devices such as photocells and shutter or control knobs or buttons, and having a socket for mounting a flashlamp. The attachment serves to mount accessories such as auxiliary portrait, wide-angle, or telephoto lenses, filter lenses for the camera's objective lens and photocell, auxiliary shutter or control knobs, and flash equipment, in operative relation to the corresponding elements of the camera. The attachment comprises a housing mounting the accessories, receivable against wall-forming means of the camera, and having hook elements engageable with an element of the wall means. A plug secured to the accessory attachment is slidably receivable in the flashlamp socket of the camera to cooperate with the hook elements in locating and securing the attachment.